55 Best Met Gala Beauty Looks of All Time — See Photos

From Rihanna’s hot pink lids to Lady Gaga’s golden lashes.

By Karina Hoshikawa, Lauren Rearick, and Donya Momenian

April 25, 2023

Collage showing Lady Gaga Rihanna Hunter Schafer Zendaya and Megan Fox at the Met Gala.

The first Monday in May (aka. the Monday of the Met Gala) is without a doubt fashion's biggest event. With themes ranging from "Camp: Notes on Fashion" to "Punk: Chaos and Couture" and "Rei Kawakubo's The Art of the In-Between", the evening is known as the fashion world's Oscars — and the beauty of the evening doesn't fall far behind.

The Met Gala is one of the few nights of the year when fashion, beauty, art, and culture converge to make a bona fide moment. Unlike traditional red carpets for film debuts or awards show, the Met Gala red carpet encourages experimentation. The Met Gala 2023 is just around the corner (mark your calendars for May 1 if you haven't already!) and this year's theme is “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”

There's absolutely no telling what this year's Met Gala will bring for our beauty mood boards, but with some of the top names expected to attend, we're definitely in for a dazzling night. While we wait to see what major beauty looks celebs pull off to usher in May 2023, you can scroll down to relive Teen Vogue's favorite beauty moments in recent Met Gala history — from Gigi Hadid's unforgettable white eyelashes to Taylor Swift's unexpected experimentation with dark lips.

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Lizzo, 2022
From her flute to her layered outfit, Lizzo's 2022 Met Gala appearance was a show of its own. But she didn't spare any details, including her glam. The singer and Yitty founder paired a deep blush with a bold dark purple lip and soft smokey eye. She drew focus to the look with finger waves and face framing curls.
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Alton Mason, 2022
Alton Mason kept it simple yet bold by opting for a minimalistic look. Though subtle, the flushed cheeks, reverse cat eye, and full eyebrows were captivating.

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Quannah Chasinghorse, 2022
Fitting for the “In America” theme, Quannah Chasinghorse represented her Hän Gwich'in and Oglala Lakota culture with her hair. She also matched her blue eyeshadow to her Prabal Gurung dress for a color-coordinated look to tie it all together.
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Tessa Thompson, 2022
Tessa Thompson gave the heavy blush trend the red carpet treatment at the 2022 Met Gala. She used a hot pink blush on the cheeks and extended it all the way up to her temples. She built up the pigmentation around the eyes for eyeshadow and used a matching lipstick shade for a monochrome look.

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Olivia Rodrigo, 2022
Hopping on the fairycore trend early on, Olivia Rodrigo arrived at the Met Gala in 2022 with an ethereal look. Her sparkly purple eyeshadow that coordinated with her Versace dress. The amethyst hue was accentuated with a mauve lip and soft, cool pink blush The color theme was also incorporated into her hair with butterfly clips holding back her tight waves.
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Megan Fox, 2021
There was so much to love about Megan Fox's Met Gala glam from 2021, when the event took place in September. From the bright red lip to rounded baby bangs, Megan perfectly coordinated her look and knocked it out of the park.

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Naomi Osaka, 2021
Also in 2021, Naomi Osaka wore artful red eye makeup which matched the details of her hair, styled in an intricate updo.
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Gigi Hadid, 2021
Gigi Hadid or Jessica Rabbit? The supermodel debuted dark red hair at the 2021 Met Gala and wowed everyone. She wore the style in a loosely waved ponytail and added a smoky eye.

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Rihanna, 2021
Rihanna matched her all-black 'fit with a dark-colored lip for the 2021 Met Gala. She also glammed up a beanie, adding a line of jewels beneath her black cap. (Her look, of course, was courtesy of Fenty Beauty.)
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Hunter Schafer, 2021
Hunter Schafer accessorized with cloudy eye lenses, which left her eyes all-white for the 2021 Met Ball. She also added an insect-like jeweled adornment to her face.

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Lady Gaga, 2019
Lady Gaga definitely brought camp to the 2019 Met Gala, with hot pink lips and the longest (golden) lashes ever.
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Elle Fanning, 2019
Also in 2019, Elle Fanning paired her high ponytail with the kitschiest manicure ever — as demanded by the theme.

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Yara Shahidi, 2019
It was in all the details with this look. A single strand of pearls was curled around one of Yara Shahidi's eyes and she kept the rest of her routine quite glossy.
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Gigi Hadid, 2019
By tucking in her long hair, Gigi Hadid kept the focus on her spiky, white eyelashes.

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Zendaya, 2019
Zendaya embraced her princess side with this Cinderella-inspired look that featured blue eye makeup and a blonde updo.
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Dua Lipa, 2019
Dua Lipa wore an updo with serious height to the 2019 Met Gala. At the start of her thick ponytail, she added a few hair accessories.

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Kylie Jenner, 2019
Also in 2019 and channeling the Cinderella's stepsisters, Kylie Jenner matched her dress to her long, purple wig.
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Lily Collins, 2018
Lily Collins wasn't afraid to embrace the dark side of makeup with her 2018 look. Wearing a single black tear and a single red tear under either eye, she lined her eyes with a black, smoky shadow. To finish off her look, she chose a dark red lip and wore her hair slicked back with a crown.

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Zendaya, 2018
Keeping the focus of her Met Gala 2018 look on a suit of armor, Zendaya's beauty look was very minimal. She sported brownish-red hair for the evening that was short and curly. Her lips were also coated with a nude gloss.
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Tessa Thompson, 2018
Tessa Thompson proved that white eyeliner is always in style at the 2018 Met Gala, especially when paired with a tiered updo.

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Hailey Bieber, 2018
Hailey Bieber arrived at the 2018 Met Gala with pink hair. Along with the fun choice of hair color, she wore a headband made of flowers and light pink lipstick.
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SZA, 2018
SZA looked like a literal angel, wearing a headpiece that featured stars, curly hair with some added braids, and some glitter-filled eyeshadow.

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Cardi B, 2018
Of course, Cardi B arrived at the 2018 Met Gala looking like royalty. Along with an amazingly ornate headpiece, the singer sported deep red lipstick and a masterfully completed cat-eye.
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Blake Lively, 2018
Blake Lively looked utterly angelic, wearing her hair in a loose updo that featured a crown-inspired accessory. She wore pink lipstick and matching eye makeup that included shadows in hues of pink and white.

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Ariana Grande, 2018
Ariana Grande didn't leave home without her signature cat-eye and ponytail for the 2018 Met Gala, but she did surprise fans with the addition of a large bow.
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Bella Hadid, 2018
Wearing her hair in a braided updo, Bella Hadid draped a black veil around the crown of hair on her head. Her makeup for the evening included a glossy lip and a nude eyeshadow that sparkled.

ANGELA WEISS
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Priyanka Chopra, 2018
Covering her hair under a golden headpiece, Priyanka matched her burgundy dress to a coordinating shade of lipstick. For her eyes, she wore lengthy lashes and eyeshadow that was speckled with hints of shimmer.
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Janelle Monáe, 2018
Although a hat and accompanying wrap hid much of Janelle's hair for the 2018 Met Gala, the addition of red lipstick and a smoky eye made this one beauty look we won't soon forget.

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Hailee Steinfield, 2018
From her crown made of diamonds to her long, wavy hair, Hailee Steinfield looked like a princess at the 2018 Met Gala.
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Janelle Monáe, 2017
Janelle Monáe's combo of a vibrant red lip, fluttery lashes, and flower-adorned hair was at once elegant, simple, and totally modern.

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Rihanna, 2017
From the top knot to eyes coated in pink shadow, everything about Rihanna's 2017 Met Gala look was amazing. Oh, and BTW, she was wearing unreleased Fenty Beauty products at the time.
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Kendall Jenner, 2017
Kendall Jenner's 2017 Met Gala beauty routine seemed totally effortless. She wore a light shade of red lipstick and wore her hair parted to one side.

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Cara Delevingne, 2017
Cara Delevingne's painted silver head — complete with a smattering of cascading rhinestones along the right side of her face — was so next level, we almost didn't even notice her perennially perfect brows. Almost.
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Zendaya, 2017
Zendaya's gorgeous hair stole the show at the 2017 Met Gala, especially when paired with that matte tangerine lip and a subtle smoky eye.

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Zoë Kravitz, 2017
A very blonde Zoë Kravitz proved that she can flawlessly pull off any color — or cut, for that matter — at the "Rei Kawakubo: The Art of the In-Between" gala.
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Lily Collins, 2017
We can't tell which one we love more: Lily Collins's futuristic bob, the spidery-in-the-best-way lashes, or her deep berry lip.

J. Kempin
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Kylie Jenner, 2017
Rocking a short blonde bob, Kylie Jenner matched her makeup palette — nude pink lips and a smoky eye — to her shimmering gown.
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Taylor Swift, 2016
The old Taylor Swift couldn't come to the phone, but the new Taylor, one who wore a shaggy bob and dark lipstick, could.

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Jaden Smith and Willow Smith, 2016
Siblings Jaden and Willow Smith won the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" theme with locs and the coolest eyeliner look, respectively.
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Lupita Nyong'o, 2016
Lupita Nyong'o's gravity-defying hairstyle at the 2016 Met Gala was one of our favorite moments of the evening.

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FKA Twigs, 2015
FKA Twigs turned heads with her gleaming skin, brushed-up brows, and casual topknot in 2015.
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Beyoncé, 2015
Beyoncé chose a high ponytail with a bit of curl for her 2015 Met Gala beauty routine.

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Rihanna, 2015
In recent history, Rihanna has made her fashion and beauty looks the highlight of the Met Gala. On the red carpet for "China: Through the Looking Glass," Rih pulled off a scarlet bob, draped pink blush, and bold brows with aplomb.
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Beyoncé, 2014
Beyoncé never misses a step. Her beauty look for the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Met Gala proved that all she needs to dominate the carpet is the perfect oxblood lipstick — and a lace veil.

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Lupita Nyong'o, 2014
Lupita Nyong'o coordinated a green headpiece with her bejeweled dress. For an added element of surprise, she lined her lids with blue.
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Selena Gomez, 2014
Selena Gomez looked "berry" chic, wearing a burgundy lipstick that coordinated with her dress. She pulled her hair back in a low bun and kept the focus on her smoky eye, and the accompanying diamond earrings.

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Kristen Stewart, 2013
Kristen Stewart made color coordination look so right at the 2013 Met Gala, matching her eye shadow to her burgundy Stella McCartney jumpsuit.
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Miley Cyrus, 2013
Miley Cyrus went really, and appropriately, punk for the 2013 Met Gala. In celebration of the evening's theme, “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” Miley wore her hair spiked in various directions. She paired the rockstar choice of hair with a bold red lip.

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Solange Knowles, 2013
Solange Knowles embraced the theme of “Punk: Chaos to Couture” with a beauty routine she appropriately called Afro-Punk.
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Rihanna, 2011
Rihanna looked positively radiant with a bright red braid, pink lips, and eyes coated in a matching shade of shimmery shadow.

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Chanel Iman, 2011
Model Chanel Iman's fresh-faced look featured a poppy-red lip, pink cheeks, and healthy, radiant skin.
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Jennifer Lopez, 2008
Jennifer Lopez rocked romantic, voluminous curls and rosy cheeks. Her lips were left a shade of subtle peach and her lashes were artfully curled.

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Mary-Kate Olsen, 2006
A bright red statement lip was the focal point of Mary-Kate Olsen's Met Gala glam in 2006. She also sported just a hint of a smoky eye and messy, loose waves in her hair.
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Amber Valetta, 2004
Amber Valetta fully understood the assignment, with her remarkable hairpiece and stained lips in 2004. The theme of the evening was “Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century.”

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Naomi Campbell, 1995
Naomi Campbell went with a glossy neutral lip for the 1995 Met Gala. She coordinated the sleek glam with straight hair.