Last year’s Met Gala 2025 focused on sharp tailoring and refined elegance through the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition and its “Tailored for You” dress code.
This year, however, the energy on the red carpet felt far more artistic and expressive. Inspired by the 2026 theme, “Fashion Is Art,” and the accompanying “Costume Art” exhibition, attendees embraced beauty as an extension of creative storytelling rather than simply a finishing touch.
The result was one of the most visually striking beauty carpets in recent Met Gala history. Makeup artists and hairstylists turned celebrities into living works of art through glossy textures, smoky eyes, sculptural hairstyles, glowing skin, and intricate embellishments. On the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, beauty felt emotional, experimental, and intentionally imperfect—a refreshing contrast to the sleek minimalism that has dominated recent seasons.
While couture remained at the center of the evening, beauty played an equally important role in shaping the night’s most memorable fashion moments. Hair and makeup artists leaned into individuality and creativity, producing looks that felt expressive, artistic, and deeply personal.
Smoky eyes emerged as one of the defining beauty trends of the night, appearing in everything from soft romantic glam to dramatic editorial interpretations. Wet-look finishes, radiant complexions, sculpted waves, and glossy textures also dominated the carpet, signaling a continued shift away from overly polished beauty standards.
More than anything, this year’s gala proved that beauty can stand on its own as an art form. The evening’s most unforgettable looks succeeded because the hair and makeup elevated the fashion into something cinematic and fully immersive rather than simply complementing it.
From timeless Hollywood glamour to bold avant-garde experimentation, these were the beauty moments that captured attention at the 2026 Met Gala.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway delivered one of the night’s most elegant beauty moments with a look that balanced timeless sophistication and modern softness. Celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo created a diffused smoky eye paired with a rosy-pink lip that enhanced Hathaway’s features while maintaining an understated elegance.
Her hair, styled by Orlando Pita, was swept into a soft romantic updo that felt polished yet effortless. The final beauty look was graceful, classic, and perfectly suited to the evening’s artistic atmosphere.
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne once again proved why the smoky eye remains a red carpet essential. Her warm brown eye makeup intensified her striking light eyes while offering a softer and more wearable version of traditional dark smoky glam.
The rest of her makeup remained understated, featuring softly flushed cheeks and a muted mauve lip that balanced the drama around the eyes. Hairstylist Mara Roszak completed the look with sleek finger waves that added a sculptural, vintage-inspired finish.
Together, the hair and makeup created one of the evening’s most cohesive and memorable beauty moments.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian embraced a more undone beauty direction this year, stepping away from the ultra-polished glam that has long defined her signature style. She debuted a tousled blonde lob styled in loose, textured waves that felt modern, effortless, and intentionally imperfect.
Her makeup remained rooted in her signature aesthetic, featuring a sultry smoky eye created by longtime collaborator Mario Dedivanovic. Soft contouring and nude lips completed the monochromatic beauty palette.
The combination of textured hair and classic smoky makeup resulted in one of Kardashian’s freshest and most contemporary beauty looks in recent memory.
Kylie Jenner
Bleached brows emerged as one of the evening’s boldest beauty trends, and Kylie Jenner wore the look with surprising sophistication. The softened brows created an ethereal effect that shifted focus toward her glowing skin and sculpted neutral-toned makeup.
Her hairstyle featured a dramatic side part with a delicate curled tendril placed across her forehead, adding softness and movement to the futuristic beauty concept. Makeup artist Ariel Tejada used warm nude tones throughout the makeup to perfectly coordinate with Jenner’s gown.
The final beauty look felt editorial, elevated, and unexpectedly wearable.
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter once again embraced romantic glamour with one of the prettiest beauty looks of the evening. Her makeup focused on flushed cheeks, softly smoked eyes, and a glossy pink lip that complemented her signature feminine aesthetic.
One standout detail was the shimmering crystallized accent placed at the inner corners of her eyes, which reflected the light beautifully and added a dreamy touch to the overall glam.
Hairstylist Evanie Frausto styled Carpenter’s hair into a voluminous old-Hollywood blowout filled with soft curls and movement. The finished look felt glamorous, youthful, and perfectly aligned with the artistic spirit of the night.