The Most Memorable Beauty Moments From the 2026 Met Gala
Last year’s Met Gala 2025 celebrated precision tailoring and polished sophistication through the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition and its “Tailored for You” dress code.
This year, however, the mood on the red carpet shifted toward something far more imaginative. Inspired by the 2026 theme, “Fashion Is Art,” and the accompanying “Costume Art” exhibition, attendees approached beauty as an extension of artistic expression rather than simply the final touch to a couture look.
The result was one of the most visually captivating beauty displays in recent Met Gala history. Makeup artists and hairstylists transformed celebrities into living masterpieces through smoky eyes, glossy finishes, sculptural hairstyles, luminous skin, and intricate embellishments. On the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, beauty felt emotional, daring, and intentionally undone—a refreshing departure from the sleek minimalism that has dominated recent red carpets.
Although couture remained central to the evening, beauty played an equally important role in shaping the night’s standout fashion moments. Hair and makeup artists embraced individuality and creativity, producing looks that felt expressive, artistic, and deeply personal.
Smoky eyes emerged as one of the defining beauty trends of the evening, appearing in everything from soft romantic glam to bold editorial interpretations. Wet-look textures, glowing complexions, sculpted waves, and glossy finishes also dominated the carpet, signaling a continued move away from overly polished beauty standards.
More than anything, this year’s gala reinforced the idea that beauty can stand alone as an art form. The evening’s most unforgettable looks succeeded because the hair and makeup elevated the fashion into something immersive and cinematic rather than simply complementing it.
From timeless Hollywood elegance to avant-garde experimentation, these were the beauty looks that turned heads at the 2026 Met Gala.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway delivered one of the evening’s most sophisticated beauty moments with a look that perfectly balanced timeless glamour and modern softness. Celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo created a softly blended smoky eye paired with a rosy-pink lip that enhanced Hathaway’s natural features while maintaining an understated elegance.
Her hair, styled by Orlando Pita, was swept into a romantic updo that combined polish with softness. The final effect felt graceful, refined, and perfectly aligned with the evening’s artistic atmosphere.
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne once again demonstrated why the smoky eye remains a timeless red carpet staple. Her warm brown eye makeup intensified her light eyes while offering a softer, more wearable alternative to traditional dark smoky glam.
The rest of her beauty look stayed understated, featuring softly flushed cheeks and a muted mauve lip that balanced the dramatic eye makeup beautifully. Hairstylist Mara Roszak completed the look with sleek finger waves that added a sculptural, vintage-inspired edge.
Together, the hair and makeup created one of the evening’s most polished and cohesive beauty statements.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian embraced a more relaxed beauty aesthetic this year, stepping away from the ultra-polished glam that has long defined her signature image. She debuted a tousled blonde lob styled in loose, textured waves that felt modern, effortless, and intentionally undone.
Her makeup remained rooted in her signature style, 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 gave Kardashian one of her freshest and most contemporary beauty looks in years.
Kylie Jenner
Bleached brows became one of the evening’s boldest beauty trends, and Kylie Jenner wore the look with unexpected sophistication. The softened brows created an ethereal effect that drew attention toward her glowing skin and sculpted neutral-toned makeup.
Her hairstyle featured a dramatic side part with a delicate curled tendril resting 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 surprisingly wearable.
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter once again embraced romantic glamour with one of the prettiest beauty looks of the evening. Her makeup centered around 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 light beautifully and added a dreamy finish 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 suited to the artistic spirit of the night.