Falling on the first Monday of each May since 1948, The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Gala draws a slew of celebs of the A++ list variety to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, this year’s gala has sadly been postponed indefinitely.
WATCH BELOW: Kate Moss Arrives At The 2019 Met Gala
RELATED: A Virtual Met Gala Is Taking Place This Year And You’re Invited
It’s a red carpet event with an extraordinary point of difference – each year, a theme is bestowed on the gala reflecting the upcoming exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute – a tradition which began in the ’70s. In other words, it’s essentially one spectacular fancy-dress party – for an exclusive group of A+ listers.
And, year after year, the Met Gala never fails to deliver some of the most iconic beauty moments of the red carpet calendar. As we’re missing the excitement of the red carpet reveals this year, we’re instead taking the opportunity to reflect on some of the greatest Met Gala beauty looks of all time.
Yara Shahidi, 2021, ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’
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, ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’
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, ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’
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, ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’
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, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’
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, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’
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, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’
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, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’
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, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’
Kenyan-Mexican 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, ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’
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 decollétage.
Beyoncé, 2015, ‘China: Through The Looking Glass’
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, ‘China: Through The Looking Glass’
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, 2013, ‘PUNK: Chaos to Couture’
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, ‘Goddess: The Classical Mode’
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, ‘Christian Dior’
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, ‘Haute Couture’
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, ‘Orientalism: Visions of the East in Western dress’
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, ‘Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design’
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.
Falling on the first Monday of each May since 1948, The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Gala draws a slew of celebs of the A++ list variety to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, this year’s gala has sadly been postponed indefinitely.
WATCH BELOW: Kate Moss Arrives At The 2019 Met Gala
Falling on the first Monday of each May since 1948, The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Gala draws a slew of celebs of the A++ list variety to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, this year’s gala has sadly been postponed indefinitely.
WATCH BELOW: Kate Moss Arrives At The 2019 Met Gala
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