From this past year’s biggest blockbuster hits, including One Battle After Another and Sinners, to shows such as Stranger Things and Saturday Night Live, a crucial part of storytelling in these highly acclaimed projects is the hair and makeup. The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (IATSE Local 706) proudly celebrated the unsung heroes who help shape the characters we’ve come to know and love in our favorite movies and TV shows at its annual MUAHS Awards, which took place on Valentine’s Day at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The night, hosted by Rachael Harris, was filled with glitz and glamour as it honored the makeup artists and hair stylists whose incredible skills and creativity have led to some of the most unforgettable looks in film and television.
According to the press release, “Winners in the Feature Motion Picture categories included One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Frankenstein. Television winners included The Studio, Palm Royale, Stranger Things: Season 5, Saturday Night Live, Dancing with the Stars, and Skeleton Crew.”
This year’s MUAHS Awards honored several extraordinary individuals who have made a tremendous impact in the entertainment industry. Acclaimed actor Amy Madigan was recognized with the Distinguished Artisan Award. The award was presented to her by Weapons director Zach Cregger, alongside Leo Satkovich, Melizah Wheat, and Jason Collins. Madigan’s most recent work includes her standout role as Aunt Gladys in Cregger’s Weapons, which has grossed more than $269 million worldwide and earned her a second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Emmy-nominated makeup artist Michael Johnston received the Vanguard Award, honoring his pivotal work in children’s and teen television for more than 30 years. Performer and social media sensation Frankie Grande, who also returned as the MUAHS Awards’ “Live from the Red Carpet” pre-show host, presented Johnston with the award. Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning makeup artist Greg Nelson, whose renowned projects include Raging Bull, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Batman Returns, and Death Becomes Her, was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Makeup. The award was presented to him by Robert Patrick (Tulsa King) and David Hussey (That’s My Bush). Prolific hairstylist Judy Alexander Cory, who has contributed her talent to projects ranging from Elvis Presley’s Clambake to the digital revolution of The Matrix, as well as Forrest Gump and Hook, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Hair Styling. Consummate actor Kathy Bates presented the award to Cory.
Other presenters at the awards show included Kerri Kenney-Silver (The Four Seasons), Nadine Bhabha (Heated Rivalry), Madeleine McGraw (Black Phone 2), Lauren Holt (I Love LA), Brandon T. Jackson (Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters), Affion Crockett (The Hip Hop Story), Lisa Lisa (Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story), Julia Duffy (Palm Royale), John Brotherton (Furious 7, Fuller House), Kate Linder (The Young and the Restless), and Dakota Patton, among others.
The spectacular event also featured a touching In Memoriam tribute performance by longtime Local 706 member Angie Wells.
Each year, the MUAHS Awards brings heartfelt inspiration to awards season as it celebrates the exceptional craft and unparalleled talent of makeup artists and hairstylists, who truly deserve appreciation for their brilliant work.
Check out the full list of winners at the 2026 MUAHS Awards below, along with photos from the event! For more information on the Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists Guild, visit here.
2026 MUAHS Awards Winners
FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE:
- Best Contemporary Make-Up
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures/HBO Max)
Heba Thorisdottir, Mandy Artusato
- Best Period and/or Character Make-Up
Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures/HBO Max)
Ken Diaz, Siân Richards, Ned Neidhardt, Allison LaCour, Lana Mora
- Best Special Make-Up Prosthetics
Frankenstein (Netflix)
Mike Hill, Megan Many
- Best Contemporary Hair Styling
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures/HBO Max)
Ahou Mofid, Gina Maria DeAngelis, Sacha Quarles
- Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling
Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures/HBO Max)
Shunika Terry-Jennings, Elizabeth Robinson, Tene Wilder, Jove Edmond, Sherri B. Hamilton
TELEVISION SERIES – LIMITED, MINISERIES OR MOVIE FOR TELEVISION:
- Best Contemporary Make-Up
The Studio (Apple TV +)
Jorjee Douglass, Gillian Whitlock, Robin Glaser, Cassie Lyons, James Freitas
- Best Period and/or Character Make-Up
Palm Royale (Apple TV +)
Tricia Sawyer, Marissa Lafayette, Marie DelPrete, Rory Gaudio, Alyssa Goldberg
- Best Special Make-Up Prosthetics
Stranger Things: Season 5 (Netflix)
Barrie Gower, Mike Mekash, Duncan Jarman
- Best Contemporary Hair Styling
“The Studio” (Apple TV +)
Vanessa Price, Alexandra Ford, Lauren McKeever
- Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling
Palm Royale (Apple TV +)
Karen Bartek, Brittany Madrigal, Tiffany Bloom, Anna Quinn, Jill Crosby
TELEVISION SPECIAL, ONE HOUR OR MORE LIVE PROGRAM SERIES:
- Best Contemporary Make-Up
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Louie Zakarian, Amy Tagliamonti, Jason Milani, Young Bek, Madison Bermudez
- Best Period and/or Character Make-Up and/or Prosthetics
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Louie Zakarian, Jason Milani, Amy Tagliamonti, Joanna Pisani, Kim Weber
- Best Contemporary Hair Styling
Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Disney+)
Marion Rogers, Brittany Spaulding, Amber Nicholle Maher, Florence Witherspoon, Regina Rodriguez
- Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling
Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special (NBC)
Jodi Mancuso, Cara Hannah, Amanda Duffy Evans, Gina Ferrucci, Brittany Hartman
CHILDREN AND TEEN TELEVISION:
- Best Make-Up
Skeleton Crew (Disney+)
Samantha Ward, Sonia Cabrera, Cristina Waltz, Alexei Dmitriew, Adina Sullivan
- Best Hair Styling
Skeleton Crew (Disney+)
Lane Friedman, Nanxy Tong-Heater, Richard DeAlba, Roxane Griffin
COMMERCIALS & MUSIC VIDEOS:
- Best Make-Up
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” (YouTube)
Sarah Tanno, Phuong Tran
- Best Hair Styling
Walmart “WhoKnewVille” Holiday Campaign (all platforms)
Dean Banowetz, Amber Nicholle Maher, Johnny Lomeli, Maria Sandoval, Myo Lai
THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (Live Stage):
- California Regional Live Theater Production: Make-Up and Hair Styling
The Monkey King (San Francisco Opera)
Jeanna Parham, Christina Martin, Erin Hennessy, Maur Sela
- Broadway and International Live Theater Production: Make-Up and Hair Styling
Frankenstein (Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
Lisa Ruth Zomer, Thomas Richards-Keyes, Timothy Santry
Photo Credits: Greg Doherty / Getty Images for The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (IATSE Local 706)
