Met Gala 2018: The Best Red Carpet Beauty Looks
The first Monday in May (AKA, the Met Gala 2018) is finally here, which means some of the best beauty looks of the year are hitting the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art. Fashion’s big night is a chance for A-listers to get inventive with their beauty looks, and this is no exception. This year's theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” has already ignited some controversial reactions, but it's also giving celebrities and their beauty teams a chance to draw inspiration from history and religion. Get ready to witness some immense creativity in hair, makeup, and nails — especially with stars like Lili Reinhart, Lily Collins, and Bella Hadid in attendance.
“Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another,” says head curator Andrew Bolton. “Although this relationship has been complex and sometimes contested, it has produced some of the most inventive and innovative creations in the history of fashion.”
The results, as far as glam goes? Expect lots of gold, halo-inspired braids, mile-long manis, and cherubic glows that are truly heaven-sent. Scroll through to see all the makeup and hair highlights on the Met Gala 2018 red carpet.
Getty Images1/33Lili Reinhart
Riverdale star Lili Reinhart walked her first ever Met red carpet in golden makeup and gold-leaf embellished nails, and her signature blonde strands were pulled into an undone updo and styled by Bobby Eliot using Leonor Greyl Mousse au Lotus Volumatrice. Her nails were painted rose gold with gold leafing, care of artist Steph Stone and an Essie shade called "Handmade of Honor."
Getty Images2/33Lily Collins
Lily Collins fully embraced the gala's "Heavenly Bodies" theme, and hit the red carpet with a purple lip, bronze eye, and braid-meets-crown situation (anyone else getting serious Statue of Liberty vibes?) by hairstylist Gregory Russell. “When I heard the theme for the evening, I automatically leaned into the idea of the occult and the dark arts," said makeup artist Fiona Stiles, who was responsible for the rest of the look and used Lancôme products to create it. "Yes, there’s a lot of romanticism in religious art, but there’s also a heavy sprinkling of the gothic."
Getty Images3/33Jasmine Sanders
Jasmine Sanders (AKA, Golden Barbie) wore her signature golden mane (which perfectly matched her golden dress) in a Rapunzel braid, and embellished it with a smattering of ribbons and roses.
Getty Images4/33Rita Ora
Rita Ora's red carpet glam practically reached the actual heavens, with a sky-high rose-and-thorn crown she wore atop her head. She paired the major accessory with golden eyeshadow and a swipe of fushia lipstick. “Rita’s embellished gown by Prada Couture inspired me to give her a strong, fuchsia lip with a bronze smokey eye to compliment the dress," said makeup artist Kathy Jeung who used products from Pat McGrath Labs to get the look "Soft, but structured brows and satin-finished skin completed the look. For that Met touch, I dusted a holographic pink shimmer on the cheekbones and top of the eyelid for highlight.” To keep Rita's naturally curly hair looking sleek, stylist Brent Lawler used Dove Style+Care Smooth & Shine Heat Protection Spray from the middle to the ends of her hair.
Getty Images5/33Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid arrived on the red carpet in a creative take on the traditional halo, placing two embellished barrettes on either side of her braided updo. The inner corners of her eyes were flecked with gold, care of Dior's Diorshow On Stage Liner #001 Matte White with gold shimmer shadow on top, which made her signature black cat eye pop even more than usual. Makeup artist Mary Phillips finished the look with an ultra-glossy lip. Stylist Jen Atkin kept Bella's hair looking extra sleek using OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil.
Getty Images6/33Zoë Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz tied her micro-braids into a low ponytail with a black lace bow, putting her massive pink diamond earrings on full display. Makeup artist Nina Park decorated Zoe's lids with mauve shadow care of Yves Saint Laurent's Kiss&Blush Duo Stick N. 6, and painted a matte version of the same shade on her lips.
Getty Images7/33Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld looked unrecognizable in windswept hair and a raspberry lip. And of course, a halo-inspired crown. "The soft and angelic textured hairstyle look was inspired by Hailee's ethereal Prabal Gurung gown," said stylist Gregory Russell, who used amika Plus Size Perfect Body Mousse and amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray to give it tousled texture.
Getty Images8/33Rihanna
Rihanna has never met a Met Gala red carpet she didn't slay, and this year's was no exception She wore a jewel-encrusted papal crown that matched her dress and cape, and delivered a smoldering smoky-eyed stare while posing for photos. Of course, Badgalriri's full glam was created using products from her own Fenty Beauty, including Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Truffle and Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Spanked. And Ri's manicure was as glitzed out as her headpiece thanks to Swarovski crystals.
Getty Images9/33Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham was a bronzed goddess in a lob, metallic makeup and Swarovski crystal encrusted nails. To add a little extra drama to her look, makeup artist Allan Avendano used Revlon Photoready Highlighting Palette in Sunlight Dream on her highlight points. and Revlon Electric Shock Light it Up Highlighter (which launches in June at Ulta) on the apples of her cheeks, on her brow bone, and Cupid’s bow. Her secret pre-party weapon? FACEGYM Signature Electrical Workout to sculpt her face from within.
Getty Images10/33SZA
Heavenly Bodies? More like heavenly hairstyles. SZA topped her long, natural curls with a golden halo, which made her look simply celestial — especially when paired with her princess-inspired pink gown.
Getty Images11/33Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande ditched her newfound low ponytail for her signature high-pony-and-bow combo, complete with the usual dramatic cat eye.
Getty Images12/33Hailey Baldwin
Hailey Baldwin swapped her usual blonde strands for a vibrant pink, and topped it off with a flower crown. Colorist Ryan Pearl used a combination of Redken dye products to create the look. “Both Hailey and I wanted to make a statement with her color. Pink hair is perfect for spring, and it’s incredibly flattering to all skin tones. I like to think of hair color as an accessory: it can add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral look," he said. Jen Atkin added some lift to Hailey's new 'do with OUAI Volume Spray. As for Hailey's makeup, artist Denika Bedrossian used Laura Mercier products to keep her look light and ethereal.
Getty Images13/33Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn accessorized her locs with pearls, and pulled them into an intricate twist on top of her head. Her metallic rose gold eyeshadow also caught our eyes.
Getty Images14/33Gigi Hadid
Ever the golden goddess, Gigi Hadid glowed in subtle bronze shades and gleaming highlight. Celeb makeup artist Patrick Ta created the metallic sparkle in the corners of her eyes using Maybelline's upcoming Soda Pop Eyeshadow Palette, which the rest of us won't be able to get our hands on until September.
Getty Images15/33Emily Ratajkowski
While Emily Ratajkowski didn't end up rocking her pixie cut wig, she still managed to look stunning. She matched her golden eyes, lips, and highlight. which was created using Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan in Tan-Tastic!, to her dress and headband, and left angelic tendrils framing her face. Her all gold everything look was created in part by celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Yepez, who used Kersastase's Forme Fatale to give the Emily's hair its wet look and keep the pieces in place. She had help with her inside-out-glow from celebrity facialiist Joanna Vargas, who prepped her skin before the big event.
Getty Images16/33Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner swapped her usual shoulder-length lob for extensions down to her butt, which she pulled back into a low ponytail to show off her smoky eye, glossy lips, and heavily highlighted cheekbones. Stylist Jen Atkin added a little oomph to her look using OUAI Haircare's Dry Texture Foam.
Getty Images17/33Zendaya
Zendaya channeled Joan of Arc in her Met Gala look, pairing her chain mail dress (which was really more of a "full suit of armor" than a "dress," if we're being honest) with a red beach waves and blunt bangs. To achieve the natural-looking waves, stylist Ursula Stephen prepped Zendaya’s natural hair with Suave Professionals Avocado & Olive Oil Smoothing Leave-In Conditioning Cream, then scrunched it with Dove Style+Care Curls Defining Mousse and used TRESemmé Compressed Micro-Mist Hair Spray: Hold Level 1: Texture to finish the look. For her glossy lip, artist Sheika Daley used Pat McGrath Labs Lip Fetish Lip Balm and LUST: Gloss in Lust Gold Allure.
Getty Images18/33Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez
Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez were #twinning in matte lips, contour, and lots of bronzer. Longtime makeup artist Hung Vanngo prepped Selena's skin with Kiehl's products, then gave her her glow with Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan in Tan-Tastic! Kylie's look was created care of makeup artist Ariel Tejada, who used Bobbi Brown Moon Glow Highlighter to create her highlight, and hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons who styled her sleek updo using Paul Mitchell products and Pro Tools.
Getty Images19/33Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra looked resplendent in a gold-and-jewel encrusted head dress, gold glitter eyeshadow, and a deep raspberry lip the exact same shade as her velvet dress. To create the unique shade, makeup artist Pati Dubroff used Chanel Rouge Allure Ink in Dark Purple as a base and Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Fascinante on top to create dimension and a one-of-a-kind shade that perfectly matched the dress. For Priyanka's hair, stylist Bok-Hee used Pantene Pro-V Airspray to keep it in place all night.
Getty Images20/33Cara Delevingne
Even behind her beaded veil, Cara Delevingne's bright beauty was still visible. She wore a full face of neon color, including yellow eyeshadow, striking pink blush, a fuschia lip, and a neon pink pixie created by stylist Mara Roszak using Joico products.
Getty Images21/33Solange Knowles
In the words of her sister, Beyoncé, we could definitely see Solange Knowles's halo at the Met Gala 2018. Hairstylist Jawara created the immaculate headpiece using a braid wire held in place by Phytolaque Sole.
Getty Images22/33Blake Lively
Blake Lively opted for something different than the gold lids and lips that abounded on this year's red carpet, rocking a matte pink lip that makeup artist Kristofer Buckle painted on using L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Varnished Rosewood and L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lip Paints in Bewitching Bordeaux. Blake also wore custom KISS nails featuring jewel embellishments, created by celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein. Her hair was styled by Rod Ortega who used René Furterer Vegetal Texture Spray to lift her roots at the crown for added volume underneath her headpiece. Blake's manicure matched her crystal-encrusted dress with the help of Swarovski gems.
Getty Images23/33Cardi B
All hail queen Cardi B, who topped her curls (blown out to perfection using a Dyson dryer) with the crown she deserves. To get Cardi's perfect pout, makeup artist Erika La’ Pearl applied Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème Lipstick in Blow 210 which provided a nearly exact match to the jewels in Cardi' crown, and accessorized her eyes with XL lashes from KISS.
Getty Images24/33Letitia Wright
Letitia Wright and her gold glitter lids shone even brighter than her metallic dress and gold hair accessories. To achieve the intense shine, makeup artist Tasha Reiko Browncrushed Lancôme Color Design Eyeshadow in Bronze Amour and Kissed by Gold and mixed together to give her eyes their metallic sheen.
Getty Images25/33Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi looked all kinds of angelic with her curls, which styled by Nai'vasha Johnson using products from John Frieda's Frizz Ease line, pulled into a low ponytail and covered in a black-and-white floral veil. Wondering how to get Yara's brushed out brows? Makeup artist Emily Cheng used a series of CHANEL products, including La Palette Sourcils de Chanel Brow Powder Duo in Brun, Chanel Stylo Sourcils Waterproof Defining Longwear Eyebrow Pencil in Ebene, and Chanel Le Gel Sourcils Longwear Eyebrow Gel, all of which are available here. Yara's facial glow came about care of True Botanicals Clear Pure Radiance Oil, and her all-over glow was created using Sol de Janeiro’s new Glow Oil.
Getty Images26/33Janelle Monae
Adding "red lipstick, chainmail hood, and big floppy hat" to our list of summer looks to try, thanks to Janelle Monae. Before the event, Janelle prepped her skin with the Dermaflash 2.0 Luxe, which exfoliates and removes dead skin cells, leaving behind a smooth blank canvas for makeup application. To get her radiant glow at home, massage a nickel-sized amount of the new, limited-edition Marc Jacobs Beauty Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter in Fantasy onto your skin underneath your foundation.
Getty Images27/33Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian's Met Gala glam gives entirely new meaning to the saying, "all that glitters is gold." Of course, Kim relied on longtime makeup artist Mario Dedianovic to help her create the 90's Versace model-inspired look she was going for, which he created using KKW Beauty products. Celeb stylist Chris Appleton pulled Kim's hair into a high ponytail, and used Color Wow's Dream Coat to give it its sleek shine. On her nails, Kim rocked an XL version of the classic french mani, created using three different shades of OPI polish.
Getty Images28/33Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus kept her Met look super simple with a glossy lip, light pink shadow, and tattoos on full display.
Getty Images29/33Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley went for something totally different with blunt black bangs, a high ponytail, and a seriously smoky eye. Makeup artist Christian McCulloch used Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter to keep Shailene's skin looking flashbulb ready.
Getty Images30/33Paris Jackson
Paris Jackson will hereby be known as "Princess Paris" thanks to her forehead crown and golden highlight, which was created using Pat McGrath Labs' Skin Fetish 003 in Nude.
Getty Images31/33Katy Perry
Katy Perry took matchy-matchy beauty to a whole other level, matching the feathers in her hair to the ones on her angel wings. For Katy's makeup, artist Michael Anthony used the darker shades of the new COVERGIRL Peach Punch palette (which launches in June) on the hollow of her eyes, drawing it straight across to the end of her brow to make her eyes look open. He topped it off with a champagne shade in the center of her eyes to really make them pop. On her nails, she wore a light pink shade from Orly.
Getty Images32/33Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried looked absolutely etheral with wavy golden locks topped with a crown and lips and lids in the same shade. Hairstylist Christian Wood was inspired by Amanda's Prada gown, and thought the look should be “angelic meets Pre-Raphaelite.” As a result, Amanda wound up with “loose full waves brushed out with lots of volume,” which Christian styled with Wella Professionals EIMI Extra Volume Mousse and the ghd curve soft curl iron.
Getty Images33/33Emila Clarke
Emilia Clarke's take on Met Gala beauty featured neon pink highlighter, and we're in love. Before the gala, Emilia got a facial from celeb-favorite Georgia Louise to prep her skin for the big night, and Ben Skervin was responsible for creating her crown-adorned updo using products from Suave.
