From 1981 to 2025, these Met Gala beauty looks are the ultimate best of all time.

      For those passionate about fashion and beauty, the Met Gala stands as the most thrilling event of the year. This annual occasion, traditionally held on the first Monday of May at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art, sees a chosen few celebrities, designers, and occasionally royals, showcasing the pinnacle of fashion to raise funds for the museum's Costume Institute. Each year features a unique theme, an abundance of photographers, and a dazzling red carpet populated with attendees in exquisite custom couture. However, as we know, it’s the attention to hair, makeup, and nail art that ultimately defines a look. Each year, beauty editors (including myself) meticulously analyze the finer details that distinguish mediocre looks from stunning ones. For instance, Zendaya’s striking villain-inspired glam, featuring ‘20s-style eyes, defined brows, and vampy glossed lips, elevated her 2024 Maison Margiela outfit to icon status. Similarly, Doechii's custom Louis Vuitton suit at her 2025 Met Gala debut was overshadowed by her distinctive blushed LV logo-shaped face stamp. Hence, when reflecting on the most unforgettable Met Gala looks ever, we recognize how beauty complements fashion.

      ### What to Know About the 2026 Met Gala

      **Theme:** Costume Art, as reported by Vogue

      **Date:** Monday, May 4, 2026

      **Co-chairs:** Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Venus Williams, and Nicole Kidman

      **How to Watch:** Streaming live on Vogue.com, YouTube, and TikTok at 6 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. PST

      From the ‘80s to the present day, beauty editors from Who What Wear have reviewed decades of Met Gala beauty styles to identify the standout looks. Below are our top picks from seasoned Met Gala attendees like Rihanna to newcomers like Chappell Roan.

      Cher at the 1985 Met Gala.

      (Image credit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

      We can't discuss the best Met Gala beauty moments without highlighting Cher's daring eye makeup from 1985. True to '80s aesthetics, the singer emphasized her eyes with vibrant violet eyeshadow and defined her lash line with black kohl—a look that feels both nostalgic and timeless.

      Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala.

      (Image credit: Mike Coppola/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

      "Zendaya's makeup from the 2024 Met Gala has been stuck in my mind for two years," remarks WWW beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. "The theme was 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,' and she fully embraced a 1920s aesthetic with vinyl oxblood lips, blown-out red eyeshadow, and skinny brows. Her Maleficent-meets-flapper-girl look was jaw-dropping."

      Lady Gaga at the 2019 Met Gala.

      (Image credit: Karwai Tang/Getty Images)

      In 2019, nearly everyone showcased their most extravagant interpretations of camp on the iconic steps. One unforgettable look was Lady Gaga's dramatic eyes, featuring ultra-graphic eyeliner, a hot pink lipstick that matched her fuchsia Brandon Maxwell gown, and the most exaggerated metallic strip lashes I've ever seen. I’ll likely remember this look even as I grow old.

      Rihanna at the 2017 Met Gala.

      (Image credit: George Pimentel/WireImage via Getty Images)

      "Rihanna consistently impresses at the Met Gala, but this makeup look has stuck with me since 2017," shares WWW assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert. "Her outfit was stunning, but the dramatic blush truly tied it all together. It made her eyes pop and I loved how she complemented it with a berry lip. Given how far we’ve come with blush and its current popularity, it feels like Rihanna was ahead of the game."

      Gigi Hadid at the 2024 Met Gala.

      (Image credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

      Gigi Hadid is the unsung beauty chameleon of the Met Gala. Since her debut in 2015, she has consistently impressed with her versatile hair and makeup styles for the event. In 2024, however, she embraced her now-signature pinup style, styling her bob into glamorous, old-school curls and pairing it with matching red lips and cheeks.

      Lupita Nyong'o at the 2019 Met Gala.

      (Image credit: John Shearer/Getty Images for THR)

      One thing is for sure: Lupita Nyong'o excels at embodying a theme. She fully embraced the 2019 “Camp” theme with shimmering eyes and brows (a trend she carried into her 2025 look), accessorizing with symbolic gold hair combs throughout her hairstyle.

      Lily Collins at the 2019 Met Gala.

      (Image credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images)

      "I appreciate when celebrities adhere to the Met Gala's theme and even more when