For fashion and beauty lovers, the first Monday of May may be the single most exciting day of the year. It’s the night of the 2023 Met Gala, and we’re champing at the bit to see who will be walking the red carpet and what they’ll be wearing.
This year’s Met Gala theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” celebrates the life and work of legendary fashiondesigner Karl Lagerfeld, who designed for a slew of brands throughout his career, including Chanel, Chloé, and Fendi before passing away in 2019. In light of the theme, the evening’s official dress code is naturally “in honor of Karl.”
The Met Gala red carpet has never been the time to play it safe with fashion or beauty, so we’re preparing ourselves for a night of rich inspiration and jaw-dropping (we mean that literally, not figuratively) appearances from our favorite celebrity invitees. Keep scrolling for the best must-see hair, makeup, and beauty moments from the 2023 Met Gala.
Angelic face and eye jewels were a major trend at this year’s Met Gala. Daddario kills two trend birds with one stone by pairing hers with a sweep of peach and pink over her eyes and cheeks.
We didn’t see much graphic liner or ultra-dark makeup on the red carpet, so Hsu’s luxe plum lip and feline-inspired eyes felt dramatic and refreshing. Not to mention, the entire look was created using clean makeup brand, Well People.
Lopez let her accessories take center stage with a minimal, yet classic beauty aesthetic: wispy, pulled-back hair, glossy nude lips (I mean, it is JLo after all!), and a smoked-out cat-eye.
It wouldn’t be a Met Gala red carpet without Monáe’s trademark ruby red lip and a gravity-defying hairstyle.
Elsesser exemplifies two of the night’s biggest trends: micro bangs (we love this diagonal take!), and embellished eyes and skin.
Viola Davis in feathers, hot pink, and the most perfect afro is officially one of our forever-favorite red carpet moments from the actress.
We’ve taken 10 screenshots of Kylie Jenner’s gorgeous updo because we want to try it ASAP. That, and her 90’s supermodel-inspired makeup.
Kendall Jenner opted for a slicked-back ponytail, making her the antithesis to her sister’s dreamy up-swept strands.
Curled tendrils and a Cinderella-esque updo perfectly frame Kim Kardashian’s signature nude lip and smoldering eye look.
How perfect are Ashley Park’s dramatic side part, voluminous curls, and metallic eye shadow?
There were multiple Choupette-inspired looks on the Met Gala red carpet this year (looking at you, Jared Leto and Doja Cat). But Lil Nas X’s interpretation included shimmering chrome skin and jewel-crusted lips.
Florence Pugh debuted a buzz cut, and we might be more shocked than we were seeing Jessica Chastain’s platinum blonde strands earlier in the night. Her A+ smokey eye and peachy matte lip pull everything together.
We immediately wanted to copy Gigi Hadid’s understated eye jewels and pulled-back half-up hairstyle.
We think Anne Hathaway’s retro half-up hairstyle, glossy nude lip, and dramatic winged shadow would make Miranda Priestly proud. “The look features a Chanel-inspired hair camellia, a flower made out of hair, from a show I once did in the mid-90s,” shares Hathaway’s hairstlyist Orlando Pita. “I had kept this from the show and thought it was the perfect opportunity to include in her look to honor tonight’s theme.”
Hot-pink blush, the sharpest cat-eye liner, and micro bangs with a high pile of curls: Lizzo’s beauty aesthetic is one of our favorites.
Elle Fanning is another celebrity who got the pink-blush memo this year! The effect is dainty and elegant paired with her floral accents.
Billie Eilish proves again and again that she’s the ultimate chameleon when it comes to beauty. Stunning makeup aside, her beaded-and-ribbon-streaked braid is the star here.
We’re not sure what we love more, Quinta Brunson’s beautiful lilac eye shadow or her amazing updo and perfectly curled edges. “For Quinta’s look, we decided to traverse the intersection between hair and high fashion, creating an artistic crown headpiece using her natural voluminous curls and coils to make a statement and up the ante on her signature updo,” explains her hairstylist Alexander Armand.
The epitome of immaculate, Ashley Graham’s glossy finger waves and rosy makeup are what beauty dreams are made of. “Inspired by her pink satin and black velvet gown, I decided to give her a classic 90’s glam, matte skin, flushed rosy blush, matte smokey eyes, and a beautiful matte lip,” says makeup artist Ivan Núñez. “A timeless and beautiful look for the Met Gala.”
We’re getting major retro vibes (inspired by Lagerfield muse, Claudia Schiffer, no less!) from Sydney Sweeney, thanks to her megawatt volume of hair and almost Twiggy-like bottom lashes.
Pearls are definitely a recurring theme on the red carpet. The ones Kerry Washington wore complemented her gorgeous updo, which had pearls pinned in the back, and shimmering charcoal gaze.
Even though pink is quite notably the color trend for Met-Gala makeup this year, Salma Hayek makes a great case for red. And can we take a moment for her rose-dipped pony?
Jessica Chastain shocked everyone by showing up to the Met Gala with platinum blonde hair instead of her signature red. Her highlighted skin and moody smokey eye are the cherries on top.
We’re not saying we called this, but we totally called this. Doja Cat stepped onto the red carpet as Choupette, Lagerfeld’s beloved blue-cream tortie Birman cat.
And just like that, Amanda Seyfried has us craving disco-esque curls and the boldest of crimson lips.
With neon pink and green dusted from her cheekbones to the inner corners of her eyelids, Suki Waterhouse looks completely ethereal. We’re also in love with her romantic, Bardot-inspired hairstyle.
We’re mesmerized by the model’s work-of-art-caliber hair and makeup. From pearl-studded hair, ears, and skin, to pink, glitter-spackled eyes, we’re obsessed.
We can’t get over Naomi Campbell. From her glossy pink lips to her perfectly winged cat-eye liner to her opalescent pink eye shadow, her look is everything.
Speaking of pink, Irina Shayk’s monochromatic hot pink eyelids and popsicle-stained lips are already one of our favorite makeup moments of the night. She kept the rest of her look fresh with a light coat of mascara and radiant skin.
Kate Moss accentuated her green eyes with brow-grazing lashes and a healthy coat of eyeliner. She kept it classic with the I-just-woke-up-like-this textured hair she’s known for.
The supermodel kept her look effortless and minimal à la glowing bronzed skin, fluttery lashes, and light pink lips. Her signature beachy-bronde waves punctuated her look, of course.
EmRata is always one of our most anticipated Met Gala attendees—her micro bangs and smoldering smokey eye don’t disappoint.
We love that Emma Chamberlain is back to host the 2023 Met Gala red carpet. We also love her monochromatic look, complete with hazy blue lids and lots (and lots) of eyeliner.
Penélope Cruz is a vision in white, with a shimmery copper lid and a glossy pink lip to complement.
It’s hard not to stare at Dua Lipa’s 100-carat necklace. To accent it, the singer kept her look understated with a peachy-matte lip, glittering eyes, and ultra-glossy waves.
Our jaws literally dropped when we saw Rita Ora arrive on the red carpet. Her lined nude lip, smudgy eyeshadow, and long crimped strands are perfection.
