The Met Gala has always been fashion’s most theatrical night, but in recent years, beauty has stepped fully into its own spotlight. This year’s red carpet felt like a living gallery where hair, makeup, and skin became sculptural, expressive, and at times, delightfully surreal.
From gilded finishes to whisper-soft glam, the looks struck a careful balance between fantasy and wearability, proving that beauty can be both art and attitude.
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter delivered a beauty moment that felt sharp, playful, and undeniably polished. Her look paired a retro-inspired headpiece with softly diffused makeup that leaned into warm, bronzed tones. The contrast worked beautifully. It was equal parts vintage showgirl and modern pop star, with skin that glowed rather than shimmered and eyes that whispered instead of shouted.
Jennie
Jennie’s approach to beauty was quiet luxury at its finest. Her sleek French twist, parted to the side, set the tone for a look rooted in restraint. A delicate kiss curl added just enough personality, while her makeup remained feather-light, with lilac tones brushed across the eyes and a gentle scattering of freckles. The real magic sat just below the neckline, where a subtle wash of blue-green shimmer across her collarbones mirrored her gown, tying the entire look together with intention.
Anok Yai
If the theme called for artistry, Anok Yai answered loudly. Her gold-drenched skin caught the light from every angle, transforming her into something between a statue and a dream. The addition of sculptural tear details elevated the look into something almost haunting, blurring the line between beauty and installation art.
Venus Williams
As one of the evening’s co-chairs, Venus Williams brought regal elegance with a twist. Her updo was adorned with intricately placed braided rosettes, each finished with a crystal centre that caught the light with every turn. The look felt both powerful and delicate, echoing her presence on and off the court.
Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz remains the blueprint for understated beauty. Her softly structured updo featured loose tendrils that framed her face with ease, while her makeup stayed true to her signature aesthetic. Think luminous skin, barely-there eyes, and a blurred lip that felt intimate rather than performative. It was quiet, but impossible to ignore.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat tapped into nostalgia, reviving elements of mid-2010s glam with a fresh perspective. Sharp winged liner, sculpted contour, and a muted nude lip came together in a look that felt both familiar and intentional. Her loose waves softened the structure, creating a balance between precision and effortlessness.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett embraced a romantic palette, leaning into pink in a way that felt modern rather than saccharine. Her glossy blush and coordinating eyeshadow brought warmth to the face, while structured lashes and sculpted finger waves added a touch of vintage drama. It was a masterclass in colour harmony.
LISA
Lisa’s look was nothing short of ethereal. A striking white headpiece framed her face, allowing her shimmering blue and silver eye makeup to take centre stage. Paired with feathery lashes and luminous skin, the overall effect felt celestial, as though she had stepped straight out of a fantasy.
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe turned her hair into a statement piece, adorning a sharply cut bob with delicate butterfly accents. The look felt whimsical yet controlled, a signature balance she executes so well. Her neutral-toned makeup allowed the hair to shine, proving that sometimes restraint is the most powerful choice.
Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner stripped things back, opting for bleached brows and barely-there makeup. The result was striking in its simplicity, placing focus on structure, skin, and silhouette. It was less about transformation and more about subtle disruption, challenging what we expect from red carpet beauty.
EJAE
For her Met Gala debut, EJAE embraced high-impact elegance. Her braided updo, threaded with crystals, brought texture and dimension, while her smoky eye added depth without overwhelming her features. With radiant, glass-like skin and no visible blush, the look felt clean, modern, and quietly confident.
What made this year’s Met Gala beauty stand out wasn’t just the individual looks, but the range. There was no single trend dominating the carpet. Instead, it was a celebration of contrast. Maximalism met minimalism. Soft glam sat comfortably beside theatrical transformation. And in between, artists and muses alike reminded us that beauty, at its best, is about expression, not perfection.