What’s Better Than the Academy Awards? The After-Party!

If the Academy Awards is the big finish to awards season, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party is the cherry on top. Despite claims to the contrary last week by the New York Times, the magazine’s annual fete is clearly still the hottest ticket in town; after a quick costume change, Hollywood celebrated the 2019 Oscars with some diamond-encrusted elbow rubbing.

Our favorite part? The slightly more relaxed, yet equally glamorous after-party attire, which this year included both massive trains and barely-there bikinis—like the 18-karat gold mesh bralette worn by Zoe Kravitz. After all eyes left the Oscars red carpet, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party gave us a welcome peek at celebs who didn’t make the ceremony this year, like Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson, Ava DuVernay, Kerry Washington and more. Activists were also on this year’s VF invite list, including Me Too founder Tarana Burke and DeRay Mckesson—as always, in that blue Patagonia vest.

And in an evening most readily identified with luxury, a closer look at the evening’s hair and makeup revealed a surprising amount of drugstore-accessible glamour. Celebrity stylist Lacy Redway (KiKi Layne, Tracee Ellis Ross and Tessa Thompson) revealed she used the Nexxus Humectress Intensely Hydrating Masque ($2.98) on at least one of her famous clients. Similarly, Ursula Stephen used products from Dove’s Style + Care line and Love, Beauty & Planet to create Letitia Wright’s close-up-ready look. Serena Williams also got the Dove treatment, as Nai’vasha Johnson used Dove Care Between Washes products ($4.88 each) and Dove Style +Care Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray ($4.88) to create Serena’s sleek, yet textured ponytail.

Proving beauty can be budget-friendly, Best Supporting Actress winner Regina King reportedly wore $6.99 “Tulle” lashes from the Kiss Lash Couture Line to bat away her tears of joy during her acceptance speech. And to give Lupita Nyong’o a flawless finish, artist Nick Barose used Juno & Co.’s $6 Microfiber Velvet Sponge to apply the Lancome ambassador’s makeup.

Who else was at the Vanity Fair party—and what did they wear? Check out our extensive slideshow below ... hopefully, it’s enough to tide you over until the next big event!