The Met Gala has long been a playground for boundary-pushing fashion, but the beauty looks on the red carpet are just as much a part of the spectacle. Each year, attendees use hair, makeup, and overall styling to complement - and sometimes even outshine - their couture ensembles, turning beauty into an art form in its own right.
This year, it went deeper than glamour. With a theme rooted in history and cultural pride, the event celebrated Tailoring Black Style, drawing inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s influential book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
The result? A powerful intersection of beauty, art, and identity, where hair, makeup, and overall presentation spoke volumes beyond aesthetics.
As designers and attendees paid homage to centuries of Black self-expression through fashion, beauty looks played a vital role in storytelling. From sculptural braids and natural textures to richly pigmented palettes and intricate headpieces, this year’s glam paid tribute to heritage while pushing creative boundaries. These weren’t just red carpet moments = they were declarations of individuality, pride, and the unmissable influence of Black style across global beauty culture.
Ahead, we round up the standout hair and makeup moments that not only turned heads but also honoured the legacy behind the evening’s theme:
© David Fisher/ShutterstockSydney Sweeney
Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney brought gothic drama to her look and reminded us that a bold cat eye still reigns supreme. The star's smoky eye was the stand out. As for her hair, she slicked back her golden locks and channeled 1920s with a sleek french curl.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockCoco Jones
Coco Jones brought sleek glamour to the Met Gala red carpet. Her super slicked back hair was the main event but her radiant, glistening skin and soft makeup complimented the chic look perfectly.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockZendaya
Zendaya always leaves us wanting more. With her oversized hat we only got a peak into her glam but it was still stunning. The actress opted for bronzed cheeks and a stunning ombre nude lip. Divine!
© Getty ImagesSabrina Carpenter
Sabrina is known for her stand out beauty moments, but she toned down the bright pink blush for something slightly softer. We love the white liner under her eyes it really made her blue eyes pop.
© Victoria Jones/ShutterstockTeyana Taylor
Teyana's custom Ruth E. Carter extravagant gown and cap tuned heads and was bang on theme and her beauty look complimented this iconic outfit. The singer went for a heavily contoured chiseled look and bold brows which ensured all the attention remained on her.
© Victoria Jones/ShutterstockEmma Chamberlain
Emma always steps outside of the box and tonight was no different. She spiked up her bleach blonde pixie cut and added a flush of red blush to the apples of her cheeks. Divine!
© David Fisher/ShutterstockGigi Hadid
The supermodel let her hair do all the talking. We are obsessed with this 1950s style updo with a deep curl structure and natural makeup.
© Getty Images for The Met Museum/Simone Biles
Simone's hair is styled in a vintage, voluminous side-swept wave with a glossy finish. The front features a dramatic swoop bang, adding a touch of old Hollywood elegance. A single, defined baby hair curl accentuates the forehead, enhancing the retro vibe while keeping it modern and playful.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockA$AP Rocky
We can always count on A$AP Rocky to stay on theme. We are so hear for this intricate braided moment with his natural hair. The rapper is also known to experiment with nail art and tonight was no different, he rocked some clear polish and golden gem stones.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockZoe Saldana
Zoe shocked the wold with a chic bob moment. The Oscar winning actress normally wears her chestnut locks flowing freely but opted for an on-trend bowl cut for her shining moment.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockPamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson made a statement with a hair transformation. The Baywatch actress debuted a short neck-grazing cut with a razor sharp fringe for the Met Gala. Of course, she was makeup-free and her radiant skin was glowing.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockMiley Cyrus
We are so her for Miley's subtle beauty moment. The Grammy winning singer is known for her bold looks and voluminous Tina Turner inspired hair but for this moment she kept her locks slicked back and opted for nude glam. Sometimes less is more...
© David Fisher/ShutterstockSuki Waterhouse
Suki Waterhouse brought the cool-girl hair style of the spring to the MET steps. Enter: the 70s shag. This rock star-inspired, choppy hair do has become so popular and Suki does the look justice.
© John Salangsang/BEI/ShutterstockMegan Thee Stallion
A moment for Megan Thee Stallion's hair please! This intricate, sculptural design adorned with crustal gems is just everything. Her crimson locks are truly a work of art.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockDua Lipa
Baby hair's are the go-to in line with this years iconic theme and Dua put her own spin on it. Instead of a single curl, she repeated the pattern multiple times and it looks incredibly chic.
© AFP via Getty ImagesDoechii
There was never any doubt that Doechii was going to knock the Tailoring Black Style theme out of the park. From the afro to the burgundy glam, she really turned heads. Did you also spot the Louis Vuitton LV monogram print on her cheek? Iconic
© David Fisher/ShutterstockAnne Hathaway
We love a high ponytail moment and if there's anyone that can pull off this sleek style - it's Anne. She paired the effortless yet sophisticated hair do with peachy-pink glam.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockLisa
There is nothing we love more than a messy yet romantic updo and Lisa's soft brown version is divine. She opted for a face-framing tendril to bring that messy yet polished vibe to the classic look.
© Getty ImagesAyo Edebiri
We love this sophisticated hair do from The Bear actress. Her hair stylist Jacob Aaron used all OGX styling products to achieve the look. Full breakdown, step-by-step styling and imagery below. He reveals, “For the day of, we chose a sleek, sculpted look that felt regal and refined—something that complemented the structure of her gown while also nodding to her Nigerian heritage. It was important to us that the hair felt intentional and rooted in identity."
© John Salangsang/BEI/ShutterstockSha'Carri Richardson
Although we are enjoying the black, brown and grey smokey eye looks we are seeing on the red carpet - it's also nice to see some colour. Sha'Carri Richardson brought some joy to the red carpet with her a wash of gorgeous lilac eyeshadow that matched her lace gown.
© WireImageJodie Turner-Smith
Jodie Turner-Smith tuned heads with a powerful statement lip. She ensured all eyes were on her with her with her bold glam complete with a classic deep, crimson matte lip.
© Getty Images for The Met Museum/Lupita Nyong'o
We all need to take in Lupita Nyong'o's textured jet-black brows because they are a moment. She even added crystals for the ultimate shine. Iconic.
© WireImageAimee Lou Wood
Aimee Lou Wood is known for her natural glam moments and we love the subtle details with this beauty look. From the fluttery lashes to the wispy strand that just grazes her face, it's a very stripped back look and we're a fan.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockDiana Ross
There is something about Diana Ross' beauty moments that are just timeless. Her signature voluminous curly locks will never go out of style and for this particular theme, it's so on trend.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockDoja Cat
Doja Cat is the moment. We can't stop thinking about the modern spin she's put on the theme with this beauty look. The Afro Mohawk is so iconic, paired with silver eyeshadow and a bold blue-red lip this is certainly an out-of-the-box moment and we love it.
© Victoria Jones/ShutterstockVenus Williams
Venus Williams really embodied the theme with this beauty look. Her braided hair with mini silver rollers stole the show whilst her ombre purple lip contrasted with her emerald green gown perfectly.
© John Salangsang/BEI/ShutterstockCynthia Erivo
We love a Cynthia Erivo nail moment and of course, she never disappoints. For the Met, the Wicked star opted for silver and red nails with intricate 3D elements and oversized gems on each finger. Spellbounding!
© David Fisher/ShutterstockDemi Moore
Demi Moore knows how to create contrast with her beauty looks. She paired her monochromatic outfit with some colorful touches. We adore her burgundy smoky eye that is slightly buffed out for a blurred effect. To bring another pop of colour to the look, she opted for glossy red nails.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockLizzo
The blonde bombshell is here. We loved Lizzo's choice to go for a head-turning bleach blonde vintage hair do. She perfectly mirrored her new hue with a deep purple matte lip and contoured glam.
© JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockJoey King
Joey King is the queen of blush with this beauty look. She dragged this deep red blush across the apples of her cheeks and towards her temple for this theatrical look. This glam is so daring but bold and beautiful.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockMadonna
We are hypnotized by the Queen of pop's ever so sleek low ponytail with face framing tendrils. Chic!
© David Fisher/ShutterstockKylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner opted for classic, natural glam simple yet perfect. From the soft pink cheeks to the glossy nude lip this was a lesson in romantic, soft glam.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockCardi B
Cardi B served with a textured afro look styled with a flip-over side part. The volume, the drama, the beauty we are so here for it.
© Getty ImagesTyla
Tyla's cool pixie cut is styled in a vintage, voluminous side-swept wave with a glossy finish. The front section features a dramatic swoop fringe, adding a touch of old Hollywood elegance.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockLauren Hill
We are in love with Lauren Hill's bold look. The green glitter eyeshadow, eyeliner and black matte lipstick is such a unique combination but somehow it just works effortlessly.
