14 Met Gala Beauty Looks That We’ll Never Stop Thinking About
The Met Gala has been heralded as a once in a lifetime opportunity for those who get to walk the red carpet in New York City, but for beauty lovers all over the world, it’s an opportunity to take stock of new trends, see iterations of old ones, and get inspiration for their next looks. The event, which takes place on the first Monday in May during each year, is not a time to be subtle with your glam. Makeup artists work for a lifetime for the chance to paint a creative look onto the face of an A-lister.
This year, the theme for the Met Gala will be “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” This theme is a nod to Black dandyism, as documented in Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. Dandys are known for expressing themselves through fashion and outward appearances, so you can expect lots of creative, fun, and show-stopping takes of this trend on the iconic Met stairs this year. If you simply can’t wait until this year’s Met, take a trip down memory lane as we celebrate our 14 best Met Gala beauty looks of all time.
14 Best Meta Gala Beauty Looks of All Time
1. Pamela Anderson Earth Angel Met Gala Beauty Look
Just before her no makeup era, Pamela Anderson dropped by her very first Met Gala ever in this stunning look. Her pink nude lips and matching pink eyeshadow complements her nude colored dress effortlessly. Pink blush that extends out from the eyes to the apples of the cheeks adds a doll-like quality that makes the look subtly glam while being overly gorgeous.
2. Amanda Seyfried Berry Pleased Met Gala Beauty Look
Does anyone remember the berry-stained lip colors that absolutely cemented the 2010s era? *Raises hand.* This look might not be as popular today, but it earns a spot on our list for showing everyone how to do the dark lip trend the right way. And if history tells us anything, it’s that this trend is likely on its way back into our zeitgeist very soon. Seyfried finished off the look with a dusting of metallic shadow. To get this look at home, try a matte stain like R.E.M. BEAUTY’s Practically Permanent Lip Stain Marker.
3. Sarah Jessica Parker Walk the Tight Line Met Gala Beauty Look
We may know her as the queen of New York City, but SJP is also the queen of the Met Gala. What makes this glam so effective is that it highlights both SJP’s features and complements her dress perfectly. The dark brown eyeshadows make her blue eyes pop, while the nude lip and cheeks create a monochromatic look that allows the eyes to shine. We love a tightline; to get this look, use a waterproof kohl liner like GXVE BEAUTY’s Line It Up Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil.
4. Vanessa Paradis Naughty Aughts Met Gala Beauty Look
Before Lily Rose Depp burst onto the Hollywood scene, there was her mother, Vanessa Paradis. This beauty look showcases the effortless glam of the early 2000s. Paradis rocks a metallic rouge lip (very much a sign of the lingering trends from the late ‘90s) with a gunmetal eyeshadow. The result is the perfect rocker chick chic that the aughts were known for.
5. Kerry Washington On the Matte Met Gala Beauty Look
Remember matte nude lips? They were popular just a few years ago, and depending on who you ask, the trend never left. Kerry Washington’s old Hollywood glam at the 2022 Met Gala pairs the perfect nude lip with a thick cat eyeliner, subtle brows, and full falsies. To recreate the perfect nude lip, we’re fans of the NATASHA DENONA I Need A Nude Lipstick in Maria.
6. Ciara Space Queen Met Gala Beauty Look
The highlighter on this makeup look deserves a moment of silence. Ciara shines in this futuristic look at the 2022 Met Gala that pairs a dramatic liquid cat eye with highlighter that can literally be spotted from space. Maybe that’s the point? To get a dramatic highlight that shows up on even your amateur phone photos, we love a powder product like the SAINT LUXE Highlighter.
7. Lana del Rey Into the Woods Met Gala Beauty Look
Just because she’s swathed in a whimsical tulle fabric doesn’t mean we’re not going to talk about this show-stopping glam moment. Lana’s ethereal woodsy outfit is complemented by glam that matches her outfit story. Overly lined lips with a highlighted center and a cut crease eyeshadow look shine through the veil and highlight the singer’s gorgeous features.
8. Zendaya Time Traveler Met Gala Beauty Look
Roaring ’20s, anyone? At the 2024 Met Gala, Zendaya rocked barely there brows, dramatic, berry-kissed lids, and a glossy mauve lip paint. Turn any of your favorite lip shades into a high-shine moment with a moisturizing lip oil. We love the GIRLACTIK Rose Oil Clear Petal Gloss.
9. Lady Gaga Cartoon Eyes Met Gala Beauty Look
Can we even talk about a Met Gala glam moment without mentioning Lady Gaga? Let’s face it—the girl knows how to take a theme and run with it. This 2019 look featured metallic, extra long lashes paired with a white waterline that makes her eyes look even more dramatic. A black line outside of the white waterline gives a cartoonish effect, perfect for that year’s theme: Camp: Notes on Fashion.
10. Eiza Gonzalez Blue Over You Met Gala Beauty Look
For the Heavenly Bodies 2018 theme, Eiza Gonzalez put an edge on the traditional smoky eye by making it navy blue. The glam moment perfectly matched her navy blue jewels, and she even created a “tear drop” crying effect with glue-on crystals. If you want to try your own face gem moment, we absolutely love the HALF MAGIC Face Gems that quite literally don’t budge.
11. Gigi Hadid Glitter Stained Tears Met Gala Beauty Look
Also for Heavenly Bodies, Gigi Hadid looked like a literal angel in New York with her sequined gown, slightly teased hair that formed a sort of “crown” on top of her head, and ethereal glam look. Her sharp eyeliner wing makes her eyes look huge, while a subtle glitter streak falls under each eye.
12. Naomi Campbell Around the World Liner Met Gala Beauty Look
Naomi Cambell’s 360 eyeliner creates a dramatic look to match a gorgeously intricate gown at the 2011 Met Gala, which honored the late Alexander McQueen. To achieve a look like this, you need a liquid liner that has staying power. We love the IL MAKIAGE Black Card Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner.
13. Elle Fanning Modern Love Met Gala Beauty Look
Elle Fanning delivered major camp in this look, which includes 3D charm fingernails paired with an over all ‘60s mod makeup look. Black eyeliner paired with a silver-blue shadow makes her lids pop, while a perfectly baby pink pout rounds out the look.
14. Michelle Yeoh Red, Red, Red Met Gala Beauty Look
Sometimes a memorable makeup look isn’t about reinventing the wheel, as evidenced by Michelle Yeoh at the 2022 Met Gala. A bright red lip instantly evens out complexion, while feather light eyelashes allow the lips to do all the talking. For the perfect red lip, we’re fans of the iconic MAC COSMETICS Retro Matte Lipstick.