"Rebellious. Alluring. Bare Skin!" All the Exclusive Insights on Paloma Elsesser's 2026 Met Gala Ensemble
Happy first Monday of May to everyone celebrating! The Met Gala is like the Super Bowl for those passionate about fashion and beauty, and as editors for Who What Wear, we’ve been glued to our screens to catch the best-dressed celebrities at the event. (Don’t forget to check out our live blog, where we’ve shared these looks along with our candid thoughts as they happen!) The theme for this year is Fashion Is Art, but in my humble opinion as a beauty editor, it’s not just the garments that should be celebrated; the beauty moments are equally divine. Many A-list stars dazzled me tonight, particularly Paloma Elsesser, who graced the carpet in a stunning painterly dress by Francesco Risso and dazzling crystal earrings. The supermodel and host committee member looked absolutely stunning in that patterned gown, but it was her makeup that compelled me to screenshot the look. (Consider it beauty-editor bias!) Below, you'll find all the details you need to know, including exclusive insights from her makeup artist, Michaela Bosch.
Bosch explains, “The painterly effects and metallic accents were our primary inspiration, combined with Paloma’s uniquely attractive style. She’s a dream to work with; her face guides me perfectly at every stage.” When I inquire about the overall aim for Elsesser, she simply states: “Subversive. Sexy. Skin!” Elsesser is renowned for her radiant, soft skin—so much so that people often remark on its velvety texture—so her red carpet looks consistently emphasize that effortless glow. "We aimed for her skin to be luminous and breathable, allowing her lovely freckles to show through, while maintaining a subtly sculpted look,” Bosch shares. To achieve this, she accentuated Elsesser's cheekbones using YSL Beauty's All Hours 24H Hyper Sunkissed Glow Bronzer in Sienna 5, and added warmth to her complexion with the Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush in Hot Mauve 23 and Peachy Nude 37. “We picked colors that enhanced her beautiful ochre undertones,” she clarifies. For the base, Bosch selectively applied YSL Beauty's Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen in shades 4 and 6.5 only in targeted areas, allowing it to sit and oxidize briefly before blending. “To let your skin take center stage like Paloma’s, consider applying foundation or concealer after you’ve done blush, bronzer, and the rest of your look,” Bosch suggests. “Apply it only where absolutely necessary—like around the nostrils or in the hollows of the eyes. Your skin will breathe, and you'll still look beautiful without heavy coverage—I assure you!"
The eye makeup was kept fairly simple—just a quick swipe of Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara (which is impressively clump-free) and a touch of shadow from the Couture Mini Clutch Luxury Eyeshadow Palette to subtly define the eyelids. To complete the look, Bosch subtly sculpted the lips using YSL's Kiss Shaper Lip Liner in Sienna Rebel 109 and Cacao Flirt 107, topped off with Lovenude Lip Blusher in Mauve Haze 8. The end result? A natural, breathable glam that seems inspired by a Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece. “Hopefully, people will want to recreate this ethereal, effortless complexion and beautiful glow,” Bosch adds. “And perhaps… a crystal or two on the ear?”
Shop Paloma Elsesser’s 2026 Met Gala Makeup
YSL Beauty
Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush
YSL Beauty
All Hours 24H Hyper Sunkissed Glow Bronzer Powder
YSL Beauty
Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen
Sephora
Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Sephora
Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette
YSL Beauty
Kiss Shaper Long-Lasting Sculpting Lip Liner
YSL Beauty
Lovenude Lip Blusher Soft Blurring Lip Color
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"Rebellious. Alluring. Bare Skin!" All the Exclusive Insights on Paloma Elsesser's 2026 Met Gala Ensemble
I inhaled sharply.