Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards 2026 Celebrate Creative Excellence
The annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards ceremony honored the year's most exceptional creative transformations across film and television. Held at the prestigious Westin Bonaventure Hotel, the event brought together hundreds of industry professionals to recognize the behind-the-scenes artists who shape characters through innovative makeup and hair design.
Major Film Winners Dominate the Evening
The feature film category saw 'One Battle After Another' secure two top honors for contemporary makeup and hair styling. During her emotional acceptance speech, hair stylist Ahou Mofid delivered a powerful message about identity and freedom. "I am a child of two Iranian immigrants. I am first generation," she stated. "This film meant so much to me. Paul Thomas Anderson wrote a film that was very close to me, and we're fighting, all of us for freedoms: for freedom of speech, for all our rights, for all our women's rights, for all of it."
Mofid continued with heartfelt remarks about community and impact: "Today, one of the biggest protests to Free Iran happened right outside...I want to say that a movie like this can move mountains. It can make people realize how crazy our world is, but community is where we are going to thrive."
Meanwhile, 'Sinners' triumphed in the period and character categories, highlighting the intricate craftsmanship required to recreate distinct historical eras and unique personalities on screen. The film's victories underscored the meticulous research and technical skill involved in period-accurate transformations.
Television and Special Honors Recognized
Television winners spanned multiple genres, demonstrating the breadth of creative work across the industry:
- 'The Studio' earned recognition for contemporary make-up and hair styling
- 'Palm Royale' captured the award for period and character make-up
- 'Stranger Things – Season 5' won for special prosthetics, reinforcing the show's reputation for elaborate creature design
Live and variety programming also featured prominently, with Saturday Night Live winning in multiple make-up categories and Dancing with the Stars receiving recognition for contemporary hair styling.
Guild president Julie Socash praised all nominees for their exceptional craft, stating: "We are brothers, sisters and kin, connected as artists. The nominees tonight put forth dedication, collaboration and craftsmanship that go into every brush stroke, every wig, every transformation. You continue to deliver work that elevates storytelling across film, television, theater and live performance. You don't just support the story. You help create the story. These awards exist because your work matters."
The event, hosted by acclaimed actress Rachael Harris, was streamed worldwide, allowing global audiences to appreciate the artistry celebrated throughout the evening.
Lifetime Honors and Tributes
Veteran artists received prestigious career awards recognizing decades of influence and contribution to the industry:
- Makeup legend Greg Nelson earned the Lifetime Achievement Award for Make-Up
- Hairstylist Judy Alexander Cory received the equivalent honor for hair styling
- Emmy-nominated artist Michael Johnston was presented with the Vanguard Award for his contributions to youth television
Actor Amy Madigan, honored with the Distinguished Artisan Award, highlighted the crucial importance of the makeup chair in shaping performances. She reflected: "I've had a lot of different looks, and it always starts in the trailer, and that's the most important moment of the whole day."
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt In Memoriam tribute, closing the evening on a note of reflection and respect for the artists who have helped define and shape the entertainment industry through their creative contributions.
Complete List of 2026 MUAHS Award Winners
Feature-Length Motion Picture
- Best Contemporary Make-Up — 'One Battle After Another' (Heba Thorisdottir, Mandy Artusato)
- Best Period/Character Make-Up — 'Sinners' (Ken Diaz, Siân Richards, Ned Neidhardt, Allison LaCour, Lana Mora)
- Best Special Make-Up Prosthetics — 'Frankenstein' (Mike Hill, Megan Many)
- Best Contemporary Hair Styling — 'One Battle After Another' (Ahou Mofid, Gina Maria DeAngelis, Sacha Quarles)
- Best Period/Character Hair Styling — 'Sinners' (Shunika Terry-Jennings, Elizabeth Robinson, Tene Wilder, Jove Edmond, Sherri B. Hamilton)
Television
- Contemporary Make-Up — 'The Studio' (Jorjee Douglass, Gillian Whitlock, Robin Glaser, Cassie Lyons, James Freitas)
- Period/Character Make-Up — 'Palm Royale' (Tricia Sawyer, Marissa Lafayette, Marie DelPrete, Rory Gaudio, Alyssa Goldberg)
- Special Prosthetics — 'Stranger Things – Season 5' (Barrie Gower, Mike Mekash, Duncan Jarman)
- Contemporary Hair Styling — 'The Studio' (Vanessa Price, Alexandra Ford, Lauren McKeever)
- Period/Character Hair Styling — 'Palm Royale' (Karen Bartek, Brittany Madrigal, Tiffany Bloom, Anna Quinn, Jill Crosby)
Special Programming & Other Categories
- Live Program Make-Up — 'Saturday Night Live' (Louie Zakarian, Amy Tagliamonti, Jason Milani, Young Bek, Madison Bermudez)
- Live Program Hair Styling — 'Dancing with the Stars' (Marion Rogers, Brittany Spaulding, Amber Nicholle Maher, Florence Witherspoon, Regina Rodriguez)
- Children's Program Make-Up — 'Skeleton Crew' (Samantha Ward, Sonia Cabrera, Cristina Waltz, Alexei Dmitriew, Adina Sullivan)
- Children's Program Hair Styling — 'Skeleton Crew' (Lane Friedman, Nanxy Tong-Heater, Richard DeAlba, Roxane Griffin)
- Commercial/Music Video Make-Up — Lady Gaga "Abracadabra" (Sarah Tanno, Phuong Tran)
- Commercial Hair Styling — Walmart "WhoKnewVille" Holiday Campaign (Dean Banowetz, Amber Nicholle Maher, Johnny Lomeli, Maria Sandoval, Myo La)
- Regional Theater — 'The Monkey King' (Jeanna Parham, Christina Martin, Erin Hennessy, Maur Sela)
- Broadway/International Theater — 'Frankenstein' (Lisa Ruth Zomer, Thomas Richards-Keyes, Timothy Santry)
