The first Monday in May comes but once a year, and with it, the Met Gala, fashion’s biggest night. Actors, models, musicians and cultural icons flock to the red carpet draping the steps of New York City’s famed Metropolitan Museum of Art for the main event of the Spring gala season, which raises money for the tony museum’s Costume Institute.
This year, the theme of the institute’s exhibition, Costume Art, inspired a dress code of “Fashion as Art,” for the Met Gala, prompting celebs to wear intricately draped gowns reminiscent of notable sculptures (Kendall Jenner’s Gap Studio frock by Zac Posen was inspired by the Winged Victory of Samothrace) and frocks adorned with actual artifacts (see: Anne Hathaway’s Michael Kors’ number was hand painted by artist Peter McGough inspired by the poem Ode on a Grecian Urn.)
But the finery didn’t stop with the elaborate trained dresses; Stars interpreted artful beauty looks as well, wearing minimalist makeup, over-the-top surreal styles and even palettes that evoked art history heroines. Here, the most noteable Met Gala beauty looks of the night.
Emma Chamberlain’s Watercolor splashes
Divine eyes! The mega-influencer’s makeup artist Lilly Keys kept lips “a muted nude so the skin and eyes remained the focus.” She diffused shades from the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes, Master Metallics and Master Metals eyeshadow palettes on lids and on inner corners, layering mauve, plum and flashes of iridescent yellow “for that slightly worn-in, hazy effect.”
Margot Robbie’s Gilded Glow
Pops of bronze, gold and champagne caught the light “in just the right places,” makeup artist Pati Dubroff says of the early aughts look she cooked up for the Wuthering Heights beauty. Chanel Ombre Première Laque Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow in Rayon applied “onto the center of the lid, a touch in the inner corner and then gently diffused so it melted into the rest of the eye” was the cornerstone of the grecian look.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Art Deco Tresses
A sculptural pin-curled lob adorned with a crystal headdress made for a dramatic look on the entertainer. Hairstylist Evanie Frausto used Redken’s Spray Wax to mold waves before setting in place with Redken Control Hairspray.
Ejae’s Smoldering Surrealist Gaze
A touch of toffee on brows and lids added interest to the K-Pop Demon Hunter singer’s smokey eyes. Makeup artist Min Kim highlighted arches with Dior’s Diorshow Brow Styler in #01 Blonde before layering shades from the Diorshow 5 Couleurs in #539 Grand Bal on lids.
Hudson William’s Avant Garde Eyes
The Heated Rivalry heartthrob’s groomer Aika Flores was “inspired by the idea of transformation,” sculpting lids with shades from Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Golden and Deep as well as the Les Ombres High Intensity Eyeshadow Palette in The Space Traveler and The Daring Muse “for a striking look.”
Hunter Schafer’s Klimt-Inspired Elegance
For the Euphoria actor’s stoic yet playful beauty, makeup artist Sandy Ganzer had a very specific subject in mind: Gustav Klimt’s portrait of Mäda Primavesi. She layered Prada Beauty’s Touch Blush in Tulip, Waterlily and Peach to create glowing cheeks with decided depth.
Chase Infiniti’s Stained Glass Palette
Sheer genius: Makeup artist Amber Dreadon relied on buildable hues by Armani Beauty — Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow in 18M and 44S and Lip Power Lipstick in 102 and Prisma Glass Lip Gloss in 08 — to create the Testaments star’s ethereal look.
Naomi Watts’ Blooming Beauty
The stunning Love Story actress paired her glowing skin — prepped by feng shui facialist Leyen Tran the day before the gala — with bright coral-rose lips reminiscent of Frida Kahlo painting. Makeup artist Mary Wiles painted her pout with Dior Addict Glass Lipstick in #306 Rose Charms, defined by Rouge Dior Contour in #999.
Hailey Bieber’s Hyperrealist Hair
To put the focus on the model’s sculptural dress, hairstylist Irinel de Leon went for “clean, pulled back, really intentional” hair, focusing on “refinement.” She prepped damp hair with Ouai Leave-in Conditioner and Anti-Frizz Cream before styling and finished by running a few pumps of Ouai Hair Oil through locks to add mega shine.
Tyla’s Scented Aura
The singer’s wet-look locks styled by Yusef Williams were reminiscent of a Johannes Wessmark painting. But even more enticing were the wafts of creamy white sandalwood and magnolia that surrounded her thanks to spritzes of Initio Parfums Privés Musk Therapy Hair Perfume and Extrait De Parfum that finished the luxe look.
Teyana Taylor’s Ombre Sculpted Lips
On the line: The One Battle After Another star is never one to play small when it comes to red carpet glam and of course, for the Met Gala, she chose bold, overlined lips, adding interest to a neutral hue. Makeup artist Yeika Oliva used Revlon makeup including Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick.
