Met Gala beauty looks are iconic for a reason. Unlike awards season (which celebrates the best in film and music), when it comes to the Met ball red carpet, the looks are the main event. And guests are actively encouraged to be as ostentatious, fabulous and OTT as humanly possible.
The annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute is a celebration of fashion and – by extension – beauty. It’s held every year to mark the opening of a new fashion exhibition, which sets the theme for the night. This year’s theme, In America: An Anthology of Fashion, centred on tenets of American style and its unsung heroes. The dress code was Gilded Glamour and White Tie, so guests nodded back to the gilded age of the late 19th century with ball gowns, tiaras and extravagant updos.
Technically speaking, during the 1880's, obvious makeup was considered vulgar and reserved only for stage actors and prostitutes, but unsurprisngly, many of the modern interpretations on the red carpet would have ruffled some feathers and subverted those rules big time.
Just take Vanessa Hudgens’ ensemble for example. The actress was one of the first to arrive for her hosting job interviewing stars on the red carpet this year. She accessorised an intricate updo with a dainty silver chain and lavish silver jewellery alongside a prim high-neck gown that was scandalously sheer, showing off black lacy knickers.
Janelle Monae gave us her rendition of what gilded glamour would look like in the future with an embellished headpiece, other-wordly fresh skin and a red lip. Naomi Campbell took gilded glamour very literally, decorating her complexion with lavish gemstones (is there any other way to do it?). Billie Eilish recreated an elegant 1880's ball gown with upcycled fabric… then paired it with a faux mohawk. And Blake Lively served up waist-length waves and a slim braid around her crown to prop up her copper and blue tiara, matched to her dress (which changed colour half-way up the red carpet).
For a night that's all about celebrating beauty at it's best and most experimental, 2022's met ball red carpet didn't disappoint.
Janelle Monae
Janelle let slip that her reference for the evening was “gilded glamour from the future”. She served up Gatsby-glam made modern with a bejewelled headpiece, futuristically fresh skin and bright red lips.
Megan Thee Stallion
Megan's slick white eyeshadow offered a fresh twist on the smoky eyes.
Naomi Campbell
It's the Met Gala, so obvs, Naomi's bringing the most with an embellished gem makeup look.
Kim Kardashian
After covering her entire hair and makeup with a morph suit for 2021's Met Gala, she surprised us all with a newly bleached blonde ballerina bun and classic smoky eye, which she wore with Marilyn Monroe's actual dress (the one she wore to sing Happy Birthday to JFK).
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia served up ethereal glamour with purple butterfly hair accessories and lilac eyes to match her sparkling Versace gown.
Venus Williams
Venus served up embellished braids with intricate edges and a perfect red lip.
Winnie Harlow
Winnie's winged headpiece and mega fluttery lashes make a statement.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia brought the glamour on every level, from her crisp white headwrap and glowing skin to her embellished dagger nails.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana's futuristic take on gilded glamour, swapped out gold for a thorny silver headpiece with purple gems to match her purple smoky eye and gown.
Alicia Keys
Alicia matched her embellished edges to her embellished eyeliner. Plus she updated her long braid with space-y looking black and silver discs.
Cardi B
Cardi B paired a luxe updo with a winged eyeliner look.
Imaan Hammam
Imaan wore a wavy updo with a full-lash eye makeup look.
Normani
Normani contrasted her all-black outfit with a pop of green on her eyes.
