Always Hollywood’s most glamorous night, this year's 79th Annual Academy Awards had stars coming out looking to shine, and shine they did!  We joined the evening’s red carpet watchers to see which of this year’s hottest color trends would make an appearance.

Just as no one film swept all of the categories at the award ceremony, no single color trend swept the red carpet.  Pale hues, lustrous metallic tones, deeper colors and red, red lips stepped out in style.

A feeling of spring was evoked by breezy and pale pink, lilac, blue, green and yellow.  Penelope Cruz, nominated in the best actress category, looked stunning in a blush colored Atelier Versace gown with a strapless bodice and a skirt of feathers.

Jennifer Lopez’s gown by Marchesa featured an empire waist, a multi-strand diamond necklace and a pale, almost white, lilac color.  Kirsten Dunst wore a pale blue Chanel Couture gown with beading and feathers at the hem, Naomi Watts choose a yellow the color of butter for her Escada gown.

Kate Winslet and Beyonce both came in pale green.  Not only did they both choose the same color, but each of their dresses featured an asymmetrical design – Kate’s was an elegant Valentino creation and Beyonce’s a funkier Armani.

However, it wasn’t all light and airy on the red carpet.  Some of Hollywood’s fashionistas carried on the trend of metallic tones we saw at both the Golden Globes and SAG awards.  Cate Blanchett once again chose an asymmetrical Armani design.  This time the gown was a gunmetal color, created by overlaying a silver dress with black crystals embroidered on tulle, and the look was both simple and elegant.

Rachel Weisz shone in a platinum satin Vera Wang, Jennifer Hudson - winner for best supporting actress - arrived in an Oscar de la Renta brown satin gown with a gold leather shrug, and Emily Blunt wore a strapless Calvin Klein navy blue sequined gown.

Jada Pinkett Smith may have tried to bring her husband, best actor nominee Will Smith, good luck by wearing a form-fitting gold Carolina Herrera whose look hinted at that of the Oscar statue itself.  And last, but not least, Helen Mirren - winner of the best actress award - looked stunning in a creme colored Christian Lacroix gown embellished with gold lace and embroidery.

Deep, rich colors also adorned many of the stars. Reese Witherspoon was striking in a Nina Ricci strapless gown in deep eggplant color with multiple tiers of chiffon.  Nicole Kidman wowed the crowd in a slim, straight vibrant red gown by Balenciaga that featured a large bow at the back of her neck.

Portia De Rossi, in Zac Posen, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, in Proenza Schouler, both wore navy blue gowns with black accents.  Celine Dion wore a mossy green Lily Et Cie gown, while Jessica Biel stood out in a hot pink (almost but not quite neon) Oscar de la Renta.

Gwyneth Paltrow was a real scene-stealer in a lovely apricot colored Zac Posen gown that highlighted very detailed stitching.  Gwyneth was also one of a number of stars that sported another trend - the red, red lip.  Others to follow this trend were Maggie Gyllenhall, Nicole Kidman, Rachel Weisz, Kirsten Dunst and Anne Hathaway.

As for the men at the awards, it seems about the only choice they had to make was whether they should wear a tie or a bow tie.  Black and white was the standard for the evening and only Peter O’Toole felt comfortable wearing any other color - and he looked magnificently resplendent in his purple brocade tuxedo jacket.

Photo sources:  Jennifer Lopez and Maggie Gyllenahall pictured on the red carpet at the Academy Awards.  See all photos on Yahoo!