The Most Talked-About Beauty Looks From the 2026 Met Gala
Last year’s Met Gala 2025 embraced sharp tailoring and polished elegance through the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition and its “Tailored for You” dress code.
This year, however, the mood shifted toward something far more imaginative. With the 2026 theme, “Fashion Is Art,” and the accompanying “Costume Art” exhibition, attendees were invited to approach beauty as a form of creative expression rather than simply the final step in getting dressed.
The result was one of the most exciting beauty displays the Met Gala has seen in recent years. Makeup artists and hairstylists transformed celebrities into living canvases using glossy textures, smoky eyes, sculptural hair, radiant skin, and intricate embellishments. On the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, beauty felt expressive, dramatic, and intentionally imperfect—a noticeable departure from the sleek, minimalist trends that have dominated recent red carpets.
Although couture remained the focal point of the evening, beauty proved just as influential in shaping the night’s standout moments. Hair and makeup artists embraced individuality and experimentation, creating looks that felt artistic, emotional, 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. Glossy finishes, luminous skin, wet-look textures, and sculpted waves also dominated the carpet, further signaling the industry’s shift away from ultra-polished beauty standards.
More than anything, this year’s gala reinforced the idea that beauty can stand as an art form on its own. The night’s most memorable looks succeeded because the hair and makeup elevated the fashion into something cinematic and unforgettable, rather than simply complementing it.
From classic Hollywood-inspired elegance to avant-garde experimentation, these were the beauty moments that stole the spotlight at the 2026 Met Gala.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway delivered one of the evening’s most sophisticated beauty moments with a look that merged 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 features while keeping the makeup refined and elegant.
Her hair, styled by Orlando Pita, was swept into a romantic updo that balanced polish with effortless softness. The final look felt graceful, classic, and perfectly suited to the artistic tone of the evening.
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne once again demonstrated why the smoky eye remains a timeless red carpet staple. Her warm brown eye makeup intensified her striking light eyes while offering a softer and more wearable interpretation of traditional dark smoky glam.
The rest of her makeup stayed understated, featuring softly flushed cheeks and a muted mauve lip that balanced the dramatic eye 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 cohesive and memorable beauty statements.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian embraced a more relaxed 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 undone.
Her makeup remained true to her signature aesthetic, featuring a sultry smoky eye created by longtime collaborator Mario Dedivanovic. Soft contouring and nude lips completed the monochromatic beauty look.
The combination of textured hair and classic smoky glam gave Kardashian one of her freshest and most contemporary beauty moments in years.
Kylie Jenner
Bleached brows became one of the night’s boldest beauty trends, and Kylie Jenner wore the look with unexpected sophistication. The softened brows created an ethereal effect that shifted 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 to the futuristic beauty concept. Makeup artist Ariel Tejada used warm nude tones throughout the makeup look to perfectly coordinate with Jenner’s gown.
The finished beauty moment felt editorial, polished, and surprisingly wearable.
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter once again embraced soft 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 of the standout details 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 look.
Hairstylist Evanie Frausto styled Carpenter’s hair into a voluminous old-Hollywood blowout filled with soft curls and movement. The final effect felt glamorous, youthful, and perfectly aligned with the evening’s artistic spirit.
