From 1981 to 2025, these Met Gala beauty styles are the ultimate best of all time.
For both fashion and beauty enthusiasts, the Met Gala is the most thrilling event of the year. Held annually on the first Monday of May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, this prestigious event features a select group of celebrities, designers, and occasionally royals who showcase the best in fashion to raise funds for the museum's Costume Institute. With a recurring theme, countless photographers, and an extravagant red carpet brimming with glamorous attendees in bespoke couture, the event also highlights the crucial role of hair, makeup, and manicure details in completing a look. Each year, beauty editors (myself included) scrutinize the minute aspects that differentiate good looks from exceptional ones. For instance, Zendaya's striking villainous glam at the 2024 event, featuring '20s-inspired eyes, bold brows, and glossy, dark lips, made her Maison Margiela ensemble iconic. Similarly, Doechii's custom Louis Vuitton suit captured attention, thanks to her playful LV logo-shaped face stamp during her Met Gala debut in 2025. When recalling the most unforgettable Met Gala appearances of all time, we recognize how beauty elevates fashion.
What to Know About the 2026 Met Gala
Theme: Costume Art, as stated in a Vogue article
Dress Code: Fashion Is Art
Date: Monday, May 4, 2026
Co-Chairs: Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Venus Williams, and Nicole Kidman
How to Watch: Stream live on Vogue.com, YouTube, and TikTok at 11 p.m. UK time
From the 1980s to the present, Who What Wear beauty editors have reviewed decades of Met Gala beauty moments to select the crème de la crème. Here are our top picks from both seasoned Met Gala attendees like Rihanna and rising stars like Chappell Roan.
Cher at the 1985 Met Gala
To start the discussion about the best Met Gala beauty moments, we must mention Cher's striking eye makeup from 1985. True to the '80s aesthetic, the singer highlighted her eyes with bold violet shadow and a defined lash line accented with black eyeliner kohl—a look that remains timeless despite its nostalgic influences.
Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala
"Zendaya's makeup from the 2024 Met Gala has been in my thoughts for two years," shares WWW beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. "The theme was Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, and she went all out with a 1920s aesthetic: glossy oxblood lips, blended red eyeshadow, and sleek brows. It was a mesmerizing fusion of Maleficent and flapper girl that left me speechless."
Lady Gaga at the 2019 Met Gala
In 2019, nearly everyone showcased their most extravagant looks at the famed steps. One unforgettable ensemble was Lady Gaga's striking art-pop eyes, featuring ultra-graphic eyeliner, a hot pink lip that perfectly matched her fuchsia Brandon Maxwell gown, and the most dramatic metallic false eyelashes I have ever seen. Even if my memories fade over time, I will likely always recall this look.
Rihanna at the 2017 Met Gala
"Rihanna consistently impresses at the Met Gala, but this makeup look has been etched in my memory since 2017," notes WWW assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert. "While her outfit is stunning, the dramatic blush truly ties everything together. It accentuates her eyes beautifully, and I loved how she matched it with a berry-toned lip. Given today's embrace of blush, it feels like she was a trendsetter with this look."
Gigi Hadid at the 2024 Met Gala
Gigi Hadid is the often-overlooked beauty chameleon of the Met Gala. The model has consistently made the best-dressed lists since 2015 and has always adapted her hair and makeup for the occasion. In 2024, she opted for her signature pinup hair and makeup, styling her bob into glamorous, vintage curls and finishing the look with matching red lips and blush.
Lupita Nyong'o at the 2019 Met Gala
One undeniable truth is that Lupita Nyong'o excels at embodying a theme. She fully embraced the 2019 Camp theme with sparkling eyes and brows (a trend she maintained into her 2025 look), accentuating her hair with symbolic gold combs.
Lily Collins at the 2019 Met Gala
"I appreciate when celebrities adhere to the Met Gala's annual theme, and I adore it even more when they fully embrace it," comments McLintock. "Lily Collins is a prime example, attending the 2019 gala with bright lilac eye shadow and a towering bouffant adorned with flowers. She nailed the Camp: Notes on Fashion theme."
Ariana Grande at the 2024 Met Gala
"Ariana can effortlessly rock a winged eye look," states WWW senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider. "The literal
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From 1981 to 2025, these Met Gala beauty styles are the ultimate best of all time.
Check out our favorites from Taylor Swift, Zendaya, Rihanna, and others.