Pale ball gowns were everywhere on the Oscars red carpet last night. And many of them were lovely—Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams. But the dresses I loved most had more oomph to them—shine, sparkle, interesting cut-outs, and color! I’m having a tough time picking one favorite. How about you? Here are some top contenders:

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images from moviefone.com)

Gorgeous. Loved Naomi Watts’s asymmetrical gunmetal gown by Armani Prive. The cutout was so unexpected and avoided fashion mishap territory with its perfect fit. And even that strong neckline couldn’t overpower her beauty.

Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images from moviefone.com)

Perfection, Jessica Chastain. After an awards season of fashion ups and downs for this nominee, she nailed it when it mattered most, in a copper Armani Prive gown that emphasized her glorious figure and played perfectly off her Jessica Rabbit ‘do. Loved the bright red lip, too.

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images from moviefone.com)

After a string of colorless dresses, Kerry Washington was a welcome presence on the carpet in coral Miu Miu with a bejeweled bodice. Lovely!

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP from moviefone.com)

Okay, it’s a given that Stacy Keibler always has the best accessory on the carpet (ride that relationship as long as you can, honey), but while George could use a shave, Keibler was a stunner in this beaded gown by Naeem Khan that seemed to fit her like a second skin. A gloriously shimmery second skin.

Halle Berry in Marchesa (Photo from peoplestylewatch.com)

Glad to have you back, Halle Berry, after that weird floral incident at the Globes or SAGSs—they all blur together. Her art deco-inspired Marchesa dress was such a standout in a sea of ball gowns.

Sally Field in Valentino (ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Picking up the Helen Mirren award for the night is Sally Field, who looked perfectly elegant in a red Valentino gown.

First Lady Michelle Obama in Naeem Khan (Photo from Ecouterre.com)

And just when you were about to doze off, there was surprise presenter First Lady Michelle Obama to announce the Best Picture via satellite from Washington D.C., where she attended the governor’s dinner earlier the same night, in the same metallic Naeem Khan dress. Fierce.