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The 21 best Met Gala beauty looks of all time

The first Monday in May is always a highly glamorous affair, check out the most striking celebrity hair and makeup moments from over the years...


Gig Hadid at the Met Gala
Orin Carlin
Content Writer
Updated: On 29 April 2024
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A ticket to the Met Gala represents acceptance within the upper echelons of fashion excellence. The industry's most hotly-anticipated night of the year is nearly here and we are practically counting down the hours until we can feast our eyes on 2024's crop of outfits.

The night promises unadulterated glamour, that includes in the beauty department. This year, glam-squad pros are working flat out to deliver their best hair and makeup looks, in line with the intriguing theme, 'The Garden of Time.' In the lead-up to the prestigious event, we're looking back on the most striking red carpet beauty moments from the Met Gala archive.

Hello! Fashion shares the best Met Gala beauty looks of all time:

Elle Fanning at the Met Gala © Getty

Elle Fanning, 2023

Elle Fanning exuded romantic, slightly gothic energy in 2023 with tightly lined eyes and black ribbons in her hair.

Vanessa Hudgens in black eyeliner © Getty

Vanessa Hudgens, 2023

Vanessa Hudgens looked mesmerising at the Karl Lagerfeld-themed event in bold, graphic liner. 

Doja Cat wears feline prosthetic makeup at the 2023 Met Gala © Mike Coppola

Doja Cat, 2023

Doja Cat paid tribute to Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette by transforming into the late designer's beloved pet. She wore feline prosthetic makeup and, frankly, we are still in awe.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Kim Kardashian attends "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," the 2022 Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)© Taylor Hill

Kim Kardashian, 2022

Not one to shy away from a theme, Kim Kardashian served modern Marilyn Monroe in her freshly dyed platinum blonde updo.

Kaia Gerber at the Met Gala © Getty

Kaia Gerber, 2022

Supermodel Kaia Gerber brought major corkscrew energy to the ball in 2022 with her beautiful, fluffy waves.

Gig Hadid at the Met Gala © Getty

Gigi Hadid, 2021

Gigi Hadid looked every inch the redhead bombshell a few years ago with a striking high ponytail, adorned with a sparkly Prada clip.

Lupita Nyong'o brought her beauty A-game © John Shearer

Lupita Nyong'o, 2021

The angular petrol blue shadow, the lit-from-within skin, the utterly fabulous hair – Lupita Nyong'o at the 2021 Met Gala is perfection and beyond.

Kendall Jenner rocked retro-inspired kiss curls © Getty,Dia Dipasupil

Kendall Jenner, 2019

Kendall Jenner brought high octane drama to the 2019 Met Gala with a slicked-down updo and statement kiss curls alongside XXL lashes.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Lily Collins attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage)© Theo Wargo

Lily Collins, 2019

Who could forget Lily Collins' dedication to the 2019 Met Gala's "Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme? Her look felt quirky and playful, with an air of 1960s nostalgia.

Dua Lipa at the Met Gala © Getty

Dua Lipa, 2019

Pop sensation Dua Lipa brought va va volume in 2019 with her magnificent backcombed mane, teamed with purple shimmer across her eyes.

Kate Bosworth Met Gala © Getty

Kate Bosworth, 2018

Kate Bosworth exuded radiance and polish in 2018 with flawless skin, flushed cheeks and a gel-slicked hairline.

Emily Ratajkowski attends the 'Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.  (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)© George Pimentel

Emily Ratajkowski, 2017

A lesser known EmRata red carpet triumph perhaps, but beauty fans went crazy for the supermodel's metallic blue winged liner at the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Met Gala in 2017.

Rihanna attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the  Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City.© Getty Images

Rihanna, 2015

Forget her omelette gown, Rihanna's rusty red flicky bob totally stopped us in our tracks in 2015. Plus, who knew straight brows could serve up so much drama?

Beyonce at the Met Gala © Getty

Beyoncé, 2014

Beyoncé looked utterly striking in a gothic plum lip shade and a crisp side parting with a mesh overlay headpiece at the 2014 bash.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02:  Naomi Campbell attends the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2011 in New York City.  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)© Kevin Mazur

Naomi Campbell, 2011

Naomi Campbell attended the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" themed Met Gala in 2011, and delivered high-octane glamour with her Hepburn-esque hairstyle.

Kate Moss (L) and Marc Jacobs attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 2009 Costume Institute gala. Moss wears a Marc Jacobs dress with a Stephen Jones turban. (Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)© Getty

Kate Moss, 2009

Kate Moss attended the 2009 Met Gala as the guest of Honorary Chair Marc Jacobs, and brought the glamour in a shimmering turban paired with matching silvery smokey eye. Iconic doesn't cut it. 

Princess Diana attends Met Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on January 1, 1995 in New York City wearing a slip dress© Getty

Princess Diana, 1996

Princess Diana radiated regal elegance at the 1996 ball with her signature voluminous hairstyle and a natural makeup look.

Christy Turlington wore an elegant updo © Images Press

Christy Turlington, 1992

Christy Turlington was serving major Holly Golightly elegance with strong brows and an elaborate updo at the 1992 Met Gala.

Designer Bob Mackie and Cher attending the 1985 Met Gala © Getty

Cher, 1985

Vintage Cher snaps literally never disappoint – and this is no exception. The star looked unbelievable in 1985 with purple shimmery shadow, creamy, soft-focus skin and a slick of gloss on her lips.

View of Nicaraguan model and actress Bianca Jagger and fashion designer Halston (born Roy Halston Frowick, 1932 - 1990) as they attend a Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, 1981. (Photo by Rose Hartman/Getty Image© Rose Hartman

Bianca Jagger, 1981

Nicaraguan model and actress Bianca Jagger showed off an elegant bob and golden, glowy skin at the 1981 Met Gala with eponymous fashion designer Halston.

American fashion designer Calvin Klein and Somali fashion model Iman at the Met Gala, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA, December 1981. (Photo by Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images)© Getty

Iman, 1981

Iman exuded supermodel glamour at the 1981 Met Gala on the arm of Calvin Klein, sporting flawless skin, soft brows and a nude glossy lip. 

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