Falling on the first Monday of each May since 1948, the Met Gala draws a slew of celebs of the A-list variety to the storied steps of New York’s iconic Metropolitan Museum.
It’s a red carpet event with an extraordinary point of difference – each year, a theme is bestowed on the gala reflecting the upcoming Costume Institute exhibition – a tradition which began in the seventies and is still as culturally relevant as ever. Not least for its ability to draw a headline-making crowd, the event is a magnet for visionary designers keen to show off their creations at the most talked about night on the fashion fixture.
And, year after year, it never fails to deliver some of the most iconic beauty moments of the red carpet calendar.
As we celebrate another sartorially-successful Met Gala, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on some of the greatest beauty looks of all time, from 1974 to now.
The Best Met Gala Beauty Looks Of All Time
Jenna Ortega, 2025
Jenna Ortega opted for a haute take on heavy metals for her Met Gala beauty moment and we couldn’t look away.
Pamela Anderson, 2025
Pamela Anderson’s beauty evolution continues to create waves on the red carpet, and this year’s short bob with baby bangs and a minimal makeup look is no exception.
Laura Harrier, 2025
Laura Harrier’s outfit – a custom GAP creation by Zac Posen – inspired the ethereal beauty moment that played off the soft cream tones and iridescent hues.
Dua Lipa, 2025
Kiss curls were a standout hair trend on the Met Gala 2025 red carpet and Dua Lipa’s raven locks got the memo. Paired with fluttery lashes and a bronzed lip, the angelic look worked just as well with her other red carpet accessory – fiance Callum Turner.
Doja Cat, 2025
Doja Cat was giving pure ’80s excess with a makeup look to match courtesy of pastel purple eyeshadow and a satin red lip.
Zendaya, 2024
Queen of the haute couture carpet look, Zendaya served not one, but two unforgettable outfits. The first was a purple haze of mauve eyeshadow and claret-coloured lipstick – the perfect partner for her lilac look that made her appear as if she’d just stepped out of the garden of Eden.
Madelyn Cline, 2024
Ethereal and glowing, Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline wowed with a Met Gala beauty look that took her red carpet moment to the next level.
Suki Waterhouse, 2023
Suki Waterhouse served up pastel perfection at the 2023 Met Gala using colours plucked from her sheer floral Fendi gown to inspire her enchanting makeup look.
Yara Shahidi, 2021
Actress Yara Shahidi paid tribute to legendary entertainer Josephine Baker in her 2021 Met Gala look. Her gold tulle veil and gloves were matched with an eye-catching yellow diamond necklace. Her makeup artist, Emily Cheng, shared a full product breakdown of her glowing, ethereal beauty look, which included Dior’s Glow Foundation, Contour Palette and Diorshow On Stage Liner. For her hair, Shahidi opted for intricate braids, styled with her natural curls underneath for a classic finish.
Megan Fox, 2021
Megan Fox was striking in an all-red ensemble with a matching red lip and bangs. Her makeup look, created by Ash K Holm, featured a crimson hue, thick, dramatic lashes and a classic, black, cat-eye liner. The actress’s long braid reached all the way down to her waist, nailing the pin-up girl brief.
Barbie Ferreira, 2021
Paying homage to the roaring ’20s, Barbie’s cool-tone purple eyeshadow and liner was undoubtedly a standout. The soft, romantic makeup look nailed the aesthetic of old Hollywood burlesque glamour, with her jewel-encrusted, off-the-shoulder gown tying everything together. For her hair, Barbie kept it simple with soft, flowing curls and a jewel headpiece through her middle-parting.
Emma Chamberlain, 2021
Youtuber Emma Chamberlain made her Met Gala debut in 2021, and to say she made an entrance would be an understatement. Going for a striking 70s-inspired look, she opted for graphic, green eyeliner to accentuate the eyes. Celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan exclusively used Byredo products, while Laura Polko styled her hair in a centre-parted lob with flipped-out ends to complete the retro aesthetic.
Jennifer Lopez, 2019
Jennifer Lopez set fire to the red carpet when she arrived channelling Cher in a jewel-dripping headpiece with face-framing strands of crystals. As for her makeup, the singer went for a vivid lash-line to brow application of lavender eyeshadow.
Emily Ratajkowski, 2019
Emily Ratajkowski looked completely other-worldly when she drifted down the red carpet in this divine beauty look, also inspired by Cher. She completed the ethereal vibe with a shimmery silver eye look and dramatic waist-length curls.
Lady Gaga, 2019
As theatrical dress is Lady Gaga’s modus operandi (even for regular events!), when it comes to the Met Gala, she really excels. With spiky, long metallic false lashes and a platinum cropped bob, the singer was a spectacle on the red carpet.
Kim Kardashian, 2019
When Kim Kardashian stepped onto the red carpet, she gave the impression she’d just emerged from the ocean. With wet-look, glossy skin and nails trailing crystals, Kim’s dripping beauty look isn’t one that will be quickly forgotten.
Lupita Nyong’o, 2019
Actress Lupita Nyong’o left the world speechless when she presented this extravagant, drag-inspired beauty look. And, on closer inspection, you’ll find her and you’ll see her ornate gold combs are adorned with ‘fight the power’ fists.
“Our goal is to continue to demonstrate the power of our hair #texture that it is the most moldable and luxurious #hair texture there is,” shared Lupita’s hairstylist Vernon François.
Cynthia Erivo, 2018
Cynthia Erivo stunned in this unexpected beauty look with elaborately bejewelled brows, a bold swipe of deep purple lipstick and a subtle application of body gloss across her décolletage.
Beyoncé, 2015
With a flippy, sky-high ponytail and crisp winged eyeliner, Beyoncé was truly serving looks on the 2015 gala’s red carpet. Capped off with a slick of nude lip gloss and luminous, glowing skin, the singer was an absolute vision.
Rihanna, 2015
Rihanna’s Met Gala beauty looks have been so outstanding, they deserve their gallery in their own right. But, Rihanna’s best one yet is arguably her look while co-hosting the 2015 gala when she truly went above and beyond with these diffused, horizontal brows, airbrushed skin, and a flipped-up crimson bob.
Miley Cyrus, 2013
Miley embraced the spirit of punk culture with this gravity-defying bleached, spiky hair look and a startling flash of vermilion red lipstick.
Diana Ross, 2003
The Queen of Motown Diana Ross sizzled on the red carpet showing off her gorgeous natural curls paired with a slash of bold black eyeliner, peachy cheeks and statement red lips.
Princess Diana, 1996
For her first and only appearance at the Met Gala, Princess Diana astonished the world in an understated yet glamourous beauty look featuring berry-toned lipstick and her signature haircut artfully tousled so it sat just so.
Naomi Campbell, 1995
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been a regular fixture at the gala for many years and fronts up with a show-stopping beauty look without fail each time she attends. But, none come close to chunky blonde foils and under-eye highlighter she wore to 1995’s event. Peak nineties.
Nadja Auermann, 1994
German supermodel and actress Nadja Auermann deliberately clashed bold red lips with her lilac purple slip dress and the result couldn’t have been more striking.
Cher, 1974
With waist-length black tresses, lilac purple eyeshadow and full, fluttery eyelashes, Cher was the epitome of glamour at the Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design-themed gala.
Related articles:
- Here’s What Actually Happens Inside the Met Gala
- Your Guide To The 2025 Met Gala From Decoding The Theme To Who Will Attend
- A Nostalgic Look Back At Every Met Gala Theme From 1995 To Now
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