Okay, can I just say, this category needs to have five nominees. I think that FilmExperience put it best, “Every live-action film needs makeup and hairstyling, which is more that can be said for Visual Effects or Original Song.” But with that said, onto the nominees.

3rd Most Likely To Win: Foxcatcher

This one got on by a nose. (get it, because… oh…) While the film is certainly well liked, the makeup in question is considerably more subtle than the other two nominees. Carell’s John du Pont look is more memorable than the remainder of the cast. And for a film with just one big look to win seems highly unlikely.

2nd Most Likely To Win: Guardians Of The Galaxy

It’s a creature feature, and previous winners The Grinch, Narnia, and The Wolfman suggest that the Academy likes those. And it also helps that this is, in my opinion, the best makeup of the year. However, some of the voters may get confused over which of the creatures were created by makeup and which ones were created by visual effects.

MY PREDICTED WINNER: The Grand Budapest Hotel

I’m predicting this film to be the winner for one main reason – it’s a Best Picture nominee. A Best Picture nominee hasn’t lost in this category since 1997. Budapest is a film that a lot of Academy voters loved, and it’s already the frontrunner in Production Design and Costume Design. Not only does Tilda Swinton look great, but there’s a lot of other makeup and hairstyling with the rest of the ensemble. I think this could be our winner.

My Personal Ranking Of The Nominees

1.) Guardians Of The Galaxy
2.) The Grand Budapest Hotel
3.) Foxcatcher