As this year’s fashion’s biggest night out comes to a close, we list down all the standout beauty moments seen on the iconic steps of Met
On a crisp evening, celebrities, creatives, and honorable guests gathered at the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the annual Met Gala. The steps saw the likes of Dua Lipa, Nicole Kidman, Janelle Monáe, Florence Pugh, and Anne Hathaway donning artful takes “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” A curated selection of vast archive pieces and groundbreaking interpretations fronted most headlines. Meanwhile, beauty transformations also became one of the biggest highlights.
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Interestingly enough, it comes as no surprise. A deep dive into Karl Lagerfeld’s runway archives reveals his breathtaking beauty directions. Who could forget the pared-back looks seen on Chanel Spring/Summer 1999? Or the renaissance of dramatic detailings showcased by Naomi Campell on Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1995? The late fashion designer showcased not only his creative eye for fashion, but also for beauty.
And as most fans deal with the aftermath of the Met Gala, we look back at all the looks that caught our attention. From Doja Cat’s Chouepette-inspired prosthetics and Florence Pugh’s elaborated feathered headpiece to Paris Hilton’s smoky eye and Lily Collins’ statement red lip, every detail translated Karl Lagerfeld’s penchant for creative hair and makeup. Below, we listed the most memorable beauty moments from the 2023 Met Gala.
A case of drastic transformations
The Met Gala wouldn’t be complete without a saga of show-stopping transformations. It’s the perfect time to turn the steps into a beauty playground. Doja Cat made a lasting impression with her Choupette-inspired look. Meanwhile, influential stars like Jessica Chastain, Adut Akech, and Emma Chamberlain effortlessly captured the crowd’s attention with their new hair installment.
A take on smoky and sultry eyes
Beauty fans would easily notice the prevalence of smoky eye makeup on the gala’s beauty moodboard, but it comes as no surprise. After all, the look is also ubiquitous in the late creative director’s runway archives. Guests with the likes of Billie Eilish, Gigi Hadid, and Jenna Ortega showcased the perpetual allure of a soft grunge format. But also, Paris Hilton and Vanessa Hudgens proved that a bolder iteration would always be a fashion event favorite.
A focus on the classic glam
Soft glam looks have always been a perennial favorite in the gala’s beauty department. In fact, an overanalysis of the night’s makeup looks unveils its popularity among stars like Song Hye Kyo, Nicole Kidman, and Gisele Bündchen. Entries from Naomi Campbell and Jennie Kim can’t be left unmentioned, too. The standout detail? Hints of iridescent eyeshadows. To say the least, it exemplifies that the newest way to color is truly in favor of the minimalists.
A play on dramatic detailings
On the other end of the spectrum, the steps also witnessed different plays on dramatic detailings. Think of Rihanna’s exaggerated eyelashes or Rita Ora’s foot-long nail chains. It’s equal parts camp and fun—a perfect choice for anyone who wants to make a subtle statement on the red carpet. Elsewhere, Paloma Elsesser and Florence Pugh stole the spotlight with their modern take on the feather hair accessories seen on the Haute Couture Spring/Summer show in 1992.
A penchant for micro-bangs
It appears that micro-bangs are the gala’s undisputed beauty power move. Need proof? Take a cue from Anok Yai, Olivia Rodrigo, Lizzo, and Emily Ratajkowski on how to don the transformative hair edit. As mentioned, the highbrow profile cut is characterized as an unrivaled statement hairdo. It’s unconventional and it’s creative—the kind of gamine-chic look that effortlessly adds the right character and mystery to any of its wearers.
A nod to the bombshell hair
In honor of the gala’s theme, hairstylist Orlando Pita took inspiration from the 90s runway to create a Chanel-inspired camellia hair for Anne Hathaway. The result? A teased retro half-up hairdo that perfectly complemented her custom Versace safety pin dress. It’s also a format that is synonymous with Keke Palmer, Sydney Sweeney, and Kim Kardashian. And with this, we can’t help but wonder—are big, voluminous hairstyles poised to make a comeback soon?
A fondness for rouge lips
No other beauty category can encapsulate timeless elegance than a slash of flattering rouge lipstick, and Lily Collins would agree. The Emily in Paris actress introduced a new sense of French glamour with a heavenly combination of a luscious red lip and a classic winged liner. Meanwhile, Amanda Seyfried exhibited the spirit of 70s beauty with a heavenly combination of retro disco curls and ruby-red matte lipstick.
