A ticket to the Met Gala represents acceptance within the upper echelons of fashion excellence. The industry's most hotly anticipated night of the year is nearly here, and we are counting down the hours until we can feast our eyes on 2026's crop of outfits.
The night promises unadulterated glamour, which includes the beauty department.
Last year, the A-listers honoured a theme that was rooted in history and cultural pride. The event celebrated Tailoring Black Style, drawing inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s influential book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
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If we jump back further in time, Victoria Beckham stole the show in 2003 with bombshell curls, and Princess Diana radiated regal elegance at the 1996 ball with her signature voluminous, cropped hairstyle. In the lead-up to the prestigious event, we're looking back on the most striking red carpet beauty moments from the Met Gala archive.
WATCH: Best Met Gala looks
H! Fashion shares the best Met Gala beauty looks of all time:
© Getty ImagesTeyana Taylor, 2025
It's safe to say that Teyana absolutely nailed the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme at the 2025 Met. She paired her custom Ruth E. Carter outfit with a chiselled contoured look, bold brows and dramatic lashes.
© Patrick McMullan via Getty ImageEmma Chamberlain, 2025
Emma stunned with a bleach blonde pixie cut and lashings of vibrant blush across her cheeks. Stunning.
© The Hollywood Reporter via GettySydney Sweeney, 2025
We're obsessed with Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney's retro-meets-gothic glamour look from 2025. She combined a bold cat eye with 1920s energy hair, thanks to an incredible French curl.
© Getty ImagesDoechii
Doechii's beauty for 2025 was nothing short of iconic. From the afro to the burgundy glam and the Louis Vuitton monogram printed on her cheek.
© Getty ImagesZoe Saldana
Zoe's effortless blunt bob was a major hair moment in 2025. The Oscar-winning actress swapped out her free-flowing chestnut locks for a stunning Anna Wintour-meets-Edna Mode cut, and beauty lovers loved it.
© Getty ImagesZendaya - 2024
Contemporary beauty muse Zendaya gave 1920s starlet at last year's ball. The Challengers actress opted for slender brows, a wine-hued eyeshadow look and a crisp, jammy mahogany lip.
© GettyElle Fanning - 2023
Elle Fanning exuded romantic, slightly gothic energy in 2023 with tightly lined eyes and black ribbons in her hair.
© GettyVanessa Hudgens - 2023
Vanessa Hudgens looked mesmerising at the Karl Lagerfeld-themed event in bold, graphic liner.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesVictoria Beckham - 2003
In 2003, Victoria Beckham turned heads with a sun-kissed bronzed glam. However, the real star of the show was her bombshell curls. The former Spice Girl swapped her 'posh' bob for a cascade of ringlets.
© Mike CoppolaDoja Cat - 2023
Doja Cat paid tribute to Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette by transforming into the late designer's beloved pet. She wore feline prosthetic makeup and, frankly, we are still in awe.
© Taylor HillKim Kardashian - 2022
Not one to shy away from a theme, Kim Kardashian served modern Marilyn Monroe in her freshly dyed platinum blonde updo.
© GettyKaia Gerber - 2022
Supermodel Kaia Gerber brought major corkscrew energy to the ball in 2022 with her beautiful, fluffy waves.
© GettyKate Moss - 2009
Kate Moss attended the 2009 Met Gala as the guest of Honorary Chair Marc Jacobs, and brought the glamour in a shimmering turban paired with matching silvery smokey eye. Iconic doesn't cut it.
© GettyGigi Hadid - 2021
Gigi Hadid looked every inch the redhead bombshell a few years ago with a striking high ponytail, adorned with a sparkly Prada clip.
© John ShearerLupita Nyong'o - 2021
The angular petrol blue shadow, the lit-from-within skin, the utterly fabulous hair – Lupita Nyong'o at the 2021 Met Gala is perfection and beyond.
© GettyPrincess Diana - 1996
Princess Diana radiated regal elegance at the 1996 ball with her signature voluminous hairstyle and a natural makeup look.
© Getty,Dia DipasupilKendall Jenner - 2019
Kendall Jenner brought high octane drama to the 2019 Met Gala with a slicked-down updo and statement kiss curls alongside XXL lashes.
© GettyCher - 1985
Vintage Cher snaps literally never disappoint – and this is no exception. The star looked unbelievable in 1985 with purple shimmery shadow, creamy, soft-focus skin and a slick of gloss on her lips.
© Theo WargoLily Collins - 2019
Who could forget Lily Collins' dedication to the 2019 Met Gala's "Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme? Her look felt quirky and playful, with an air of 1960s nostalgia.
© GettyDua Lipa - 2019
Pop sensation Dua Lipa brought va va volume in 2019 with her magnificent backcombed mane, teamed with purple shimmer across her eyes.
© GettyKate Bosworth - 2018
Kate Bosworth exuded radiance and polish in 2018 with flawless skin, flushed cheeks and a gel-slicked hairline.
© George PimentelEmily Ratajkowski - 2017
A lesser known EmRata red carpet triumph perhaps, but beauty fans went crazy for the supermodel's metallic blue winged liner at the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Met Gala in 2017.
© Getty ImagesRihanna - 2015
Forget her omelette gown, Rihanna's rusty red flicky bob totally stopped us in our tracks in 2015. Plus, who knew straight brows could serve up so much drama?
© Images PressChristy Turlington -1992
Christy Turlington was serving major Holly Golightly elegance with strong brows and an elaborate updo at the 1992 Met Gala.
© GettyBeyoncé - 2014
Beyoncé looked utterly striking in a gothic plum lip shade and a crisp side parting with a mesh overlay headpiece at the 2014 bash.
© Kevin MazurNaomi Campbell - 2011
Naomi Campbell attended the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" themed Met Gala in 2011, and delivered high-octane glamour with her Hepburn-esque hairstyle.
© Rose HartmanBianca Jagger - 1981
Nicaraguan model and actress Bianca Jagger showed off an elegant bob and golden, glowy skin at the 1981 Met Gala with eponymous fashion designer Halston.
© WireImageAlexa Chung - 2010
In 2010, Alexa Chung sported a choppy 70's style shag haircut and paired it with a striking red lip. She enhanced her enchanting green eyes with jet black liner on the waterline. So chic!
© GettyIman - 1981
Iman exuded supermodel glamour at the 1981 Met Gala on the arm of Calvin Klein, sporting flawless skin, soft brows and a nude glossy lip.
© Getty ImagesDiana Ross - 2003
If anyone knows the power of a classic brick red lipstick, it's Diana Ross. The iconic singer brought her signature crimson hue to the steps of the MET in 2003, and it certainly grabbed attention.
© WireImageTaylor Swift - 2008
There is just something so 2008 about this beauty look that we just can't get enough of. From the overdone curls to the airbrushed glam, Taylor Swift's soft beauty moment remains an all time favourite.
© WireImageTyla - 2024
Last year, singer songwriter Tyla looked utterly divine with feline flick eyeliner, radiant rosy cheeks, a brown high-shine lip and her trademark eyebrow slit, created by industry legend Pat McGrath. The It-girl wore her hair in a wet-look bob to complement her offbeat Balmain sand gown.
© FilmMagicZoe Kravitz - 2008
Even before Zoe Kravitz's career exploded, she still brought the glamour to the 2008 red carpet. The Batman actress styled her short locks with 1920s inspired finger waves. Zoe certainly brought Old Hollywood glamour to the event.
© WireImageLady Gaga - 2019
Who could forget Lady Gaga's dramatic three outfit changes at the 2019 Met Gala? But for beauty lovers, the excitement lied in her bold glam. The Bad Romance singer wore dramatic, oversized spiked lashes and diamanté crystals that mimicked tears. She completed the scene stealing glam with a bright pink lip.
© WireImageBlake Lively - 2008
Blake Lively's tousled updo is a dream.This effortless, relaxed look is the perfect low-maintenance hairstyle. The appeal lies in its simplicity and Blake always delivers a masterclass in this.




