Fashion’s biggest night blossomed with breathtaking hair, irresistible makeup, and glowing skin.
The First Monday in May heralds mesmerizing red carpet flair. In its 27th year, this year’s Met Gala benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s new exhibition “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
A bevy of belles gilded the ball in “The Garden of Time” dress code. Designers, singers, actors, models, and athletes donned beauty with creative interpretations—from delicate, vintage, and angelic to fantastical, modern, and dramatic.
Fashion and art mingled. Body glitter shimmered. Makeup matched gowns. Hair accessories enchanted. Pearlescent pinks popped. Exotic eyes allured. Celebrity stylists prepped gala guests with beloved products and sensational panache.
Read on for hints, highlights, pro tips, and products used for the evening’s most memorable looks…
Imaginative Hair
Sleek chignons, romantic curls, sculptural ‘dos, messy buns, bobs, and legendary lengths were all stunning.
Greta Lee’s ultra cool mullet was styled by Jenny Cho using FEKKAI Clean Stylers Prime Mist, Glossing Cream+, Shea Butter Intense Oil, and “to finish, add the Super Strength+ Everstrong Bonding Oil with your hands to add an extra layer of shine and high gloss reflection for the cameras,” says Cho.
Also styled by FEKKAI’s timeless products were Awkafina (working with hair stylist Kylee Heath who finessed with Clean Stylers Flexi-Hold Hairspray and a Jennifer Bher bow) and Michelle Yeoh, elegantly prepped by Marty Harper.
Shakira and Jessica Biel rocked mermaid waves. Artistic braids bedecked Queen Latifah and Chloë Sevigny. Michelle Williams charmed in a pink pixie. Keke Palmer’s skyscraper ponytail was a showstopper.
Super long locks cascaded on Demi Moore, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Kendall Jenner, Sarah Jessica Parker (topped by dreamy champagne millinery), and Elizabeth Debecki whose regal strands were polished by James Pecis, celebrity stylist and founder of Blu & Green. Pecis also prepped Emily Ratajkowski’s splendid spikiness with his signature products.
Anna Wintour, the gala’s grand dame and Vogue’s global editorial director, was forever sophisticated in her iconic bob. Penelope Cruz delighted in a glam bob. Wettish bobs were en vogue on Rita Ora, Tyla, and Rebecca Hall. And Sydney Sweeney’s ebony bob was styled by hair stylist Glen Coco with Kerastase and hair tools from SUTRA’s Infrared series.
Celebrity hairstylist Christopher Farmer gave Alexandra Daddario knockout, frizz-free, and weightless tresses with Verb’s Ghost Oil, Volume Dry Texture Spray, and Strong Hairspray.
Resplendent Skincare
Whether dewy or matte, superstars glowed with healthy skin and enduring attraction.
Dapper Dan Levy was especially luminous thanks to celebrity groomer Laila Hayani’s hydrating red light therapy treatments. She prepped Levy’s presence with Solawave’s 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand and new Neck & Chest Rejuvenating Mask for a boost of vitality.
Sabrina Carpenter was a ray of sunshine. Her graceful visage was prepped by Carolina Gonzalez and Solawave’s 4-in-1 Red Light Therapy Skincare Wand and Activating Serum.
Boho beauty Sienna Miller naturally glowed with EVE LOM’s botanical blends—Cleanser, Radiance Repair Retinol Serum, Daily Rejuvenating Serum, Daily Rejuvenating Cream, and Kiss Mix—partnering with makeup artist Wendy Rowe to complete her no makeup makeup.
Lovable Molly Sims' YSE Beauty products illuminated supermodel Lily Aldridge. Makeup artist Romy Solemani started with Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads to exfoliate and prep skin, followed by Xtremely Rich Moisturizer, Sculpt Face Roller, Skin Glow Primer, and finally Liquid Glow Body Oil for max radiance.
Celebrity Makeup Artist Alexx Mayo chose Kate Somerville Skincarefor Lizzo’s Met Gala luster: ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, HydraKate Recharging Serum, HydraKate Recharging Water Cream—“This is my go-to skin prep for red carpet; the key to beautiful glam is to start with smooth, hydrated and healthy skin,” says Mayo—and the new HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops. “I love this under makeup because it leaves a soft radiant glow and protects skin with absolutely no white cast,” he says.
Laneige global ambassador Sydney Sweeney represented the brand with impeccable prep by makeup artist Melissa Hernandez. “To achieve a lit-from-within glow, I applied a thick layer of Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask onto Sydney’s skin and allowed it to absorb for 20-30 minutes,” says Hernandez. “It’s formulated with a blend of peony and collagen complex peptides that work together to preserve and boost the skin's natural collagen. I love placing it in a bucket of ice for a few minutes prior to application, it cools the formula, adding a refreshing sensation to skin.”
Madelyn Cline's classic grace was glammed by celebrity makeup artist Jen Tioseco and science-backed skincare brand Fig.1 “To prep Madelyn’s skin, I started by double cleansing with the biodegradable Fig.1 Micellar Cleansing Oil Wipes and Micellar Cleansing Oil to ensure her skin was clean and fresh, while still hydrated and ready for skincare,” says Tioseco who followed with the Hydrating & Balancing Toner, Vitamin C Eye Cream “to brighten the area and reduce the appearance of puffiness for a visibly well-rested look,” and Ceramide Moisturizer as a final step for lasting hydration.
Captivating Eyes
Lashes bewitched in lavish volumes (Cynthia Erivo, hello darling!). Refined liners added feathered designs. Shadows spanned the rainbow from barely there to smoldering. Zendaya was marvelously mythical in luscious jewel tones. J.Lo’s rose gold was on par with a head-to-toe goddess motif. Naomi Campbell and Rachel Ziegler dazzled in celestial blues.
Ariana Grande’s fluttery groove was created by Michael Anthony with r.e.m. beauty (her own delightful line of clean, high performance products), including the interstellar highlighter topper in shade ‘Miss Mercury’, hypernova satin matte blushin shade ‘Pinking Of U’ and practically permanent lip stain marker.
Kim Kardashian partnered with longtime collaborator Mario Dedivanovic, founder and CEO of Makeup by Mario. “For Kim’s Met Gala glam this year we wanted to go for a pared down makeup that was natural and effortless with light bronzed and softly sculpted complexion to enhance her natural beauty,” says Dedivanovic. Her eyes were accentuated by Makeup by Mario Master Blade Brow Pencil, shade ‘Classic Brunette’, Pigment Pro Pencil, shade ‘The Perfect Brown’, and Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette: The Neutrals.
Demi Lovato’s smokey eye (and complete maquillage) was courtesy of Italy’s best-selling KIKO Milano cosmetics and new beauties Maxi Mod Mascara, Glamour Multi Finish Eyeshadow Palette, and Bright Quartet Eyeshadow Palette.
Smiling Lips
Gigi Hadid turned heads in a ravishing Thom Browne gown and bold red pout with Maybelline’s Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipstick in ‘Red-Hot’ and ‘Wicked’. Mindy Kaling was draped in orchid essence and high shine gloss. Amanda Seyfried’s purple hue (Lancôme’s L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick in 'Rêve Toujours’) was a total standout.
Dove Cameron puckered up in fairytale red apple. Kardashian’s famous pout showed off Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in ‘Smokey Pink’ and Ultra Suede Lipstick in ‘Sam’. And Zoe Saldana was a vision in earthy nude wearing Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines Matte Suede Lipstick in ‘Seductive’.
The Tinted Balm, a collaboration between Augustinus Bader and Sofia Coppola, launched on Met Gala day modeled by Coppola who wore Shades 1 and 2 for sheerly engaging color. (Dick Page prepped the filmmaker with top choices from Augustinus Bader’s divine collection—The Face Mist, The Eye Patches, and The Rich Cream.)
ILIA Beauty’s newest lip products made a festive debut. Celebrity artist Dana Delaney gave Ayo Edebiri a plumped kisser with Lip Sketch Hydrating Lip Crayon (in Gala) and Lip Wrap Reviving Balm (in Lucid) for subtle shine.Another new addition to ILIA’s lineup and used on Ayo for the eve: Skin Rewind Complexion Stick.
“I wanted her to look like she was blooming from within,” says Delaney. “She loved the idea of draped blush and a just bitten lip color. Dewy and clean skin was really key and keeping color concentrated on cheeks for a beautiful spring look.”
Lip Sketch Hydrating Lip Crayon in shades ‘Banquette’ and ‘Pampas’ were blended on Laufey by celebrity makeup artist Emily Cheng (she prepped the singer’s entire face with ILIA Beauty). “The makeup look was inspired by the famous Rococo, dramatic style of architecture, art and decoration from the 1700s,” says Cheng. “Full, youthful and raw, the look reminds me of a mid-1700s inspired portrait.”
Makeup Mavens
A perennially stylish virtuoso, Janelle Monáe was glorious in Guerlain. Skincare and makeup master Keita Moore was inspired by Monáe’s Vera Wang dress. “I immediately envisioned embracing an ethereal, classical glam aesthetic,” says Moore. “Radiant, luxury skin accentuated by a sort of glassy mesmerizing eye look, very flashy, and complemented by a nude lip.”
Moore’s go-to products included Abielle Royale Skin Prep (Cataplasm Mask, Advanced Youth Watery Oil, Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum, Honey Treatment Day Cream) followed by Parure Gold 24K Makeup Primer, Terracotta Concealer, and Le Teint Foundation. Cheeks were flushed with Terracotta Luminizer in ‘Warm Gold’ and Blush in ‘Deep Coral’. Eyes glistened in Ombres G ‘Majestic Rose’ shadow, The Eye Pencil in ‘Black Ebony’ drew a purrfect cat eye, and Intense Volume & Curl Mascara set the stage. “I finished the look with Kiss Kiss Bee Glow Lip Oil in ‘Honey Glow’;I love a nude lip as it lets the eyes really shine,” adds Moore.
Also gorgeous in Guerlain, Brie Larson sparkled up the famous Met steps. “I wanted the makeup to convey the essence of an Italian summer,” says esteemed makeup artist Nina Park. “I was inspired by the luxurious terracotta hues of her Prada dress and infused her makeup with subtle, rich hues; the message was golden hour through makeup.”
Larson’s complexion glowed with Terracotta Le Teint Foundation (shade 3W), Precious Light Illuminator in ‘Light Golden’, Parure Gold Setting Mist, and Meteorites Pearls of Powder in ‘Cool Rose’. Her flourish was soft and natural. Lips were kissed with Rouge G lipstick in ‘Luxurious Velvet’ and shined by Kiss Kiss Bee Glow Lip Oil in ‘Peach Glow’.
Kylie Jenner flaunted a statuesque style with namesake Kylie Cosmetics. “To achieve a flawless base, I used the Power Plush Longwear Foundation in 5N and 6N,” says renowned makeup artist Ariel Tejada. “To sculpt the face, I used the Pressed Bronzing Powder in ‘Toasty’; for cheeks, I used the Pressed Blush Powder in ‘Winter Kiss’…and then, to really pop the blush and create a more ethereal effect, I applied the Powder Blush Sticks in ‘Meet Me There’ and layered with the Tinted Butter Balm in shade ‘Love That 4 U’. I used the Power Plush Longwear Concealer in shades 4C and 4.5WN and set her face using the Setting Spray.”
Cardi B’s voluptuous appeal was unstoppable. Celebrity makeup artist Erika La' Pearl used the rapper’s longtime favorites from NYX Professional Makeup: Bare With Me Blur Foundation in ‘Caramel’ and Bare with Me Concealer Serum to contour in ‘Caramel’ and ‘Golden’; Pro Fix Sticks Correcting Concealers under eyes to brighten; ButterMelt Bronzer in ‘Do Butta’ and ButterMelt Blush in ‘Had Butta’ and ‘U Know Butta’. To top it off, emerald eye shades reflected Cardi’s jaw dropping jewelry.
Every Met Gala offers a blast of artistic inspiration and supremely unique beauty trends. This year was no exception! We can’t wait to see what next year brings.
“Believe in yourself. Stay in your own lane. There’s only one you.” - Queen Latifah, 2024 Met Gala virgin
