The 2026 Met Gala red carpet showcased beauty moments that tied directly to this year’s theme of fashion is art. From sleek, sculptural hairstyles to iridescent, colorful makeup, the attendees transformed into and embodied various art forms.
See EnVi’s list of best beauty looks from the event below.
Anok Yai
Anok Yai arrived at the Met Gala red carpet in a look that felt magical and haunting. Staying consistent with this year’s Met Gala theme, Yai appeared like a piece of living golden artwork. She is wrapped in a dramatic black hood, dressed by Balenciaga, to create a stark contrast with the all-black dress against the metallic gold tones, drawing more attention to her sculptural beauty. To top it all off, the faux tears have an emotional edge, turning fashion into a cinematic portrait. Yai’s makeup look captured the power of fashion and beauty into performance.
Hudson Williams
Hudson Williams, Canadian actor and star of Heated Rivalry, is known as a cinephile and a creative amongst his fans. Likewise, his hair and makeup for the 2026 Met Gala, with the help of his stylist and groomer Aika Flores, were heavily inspired by the iconic winged makeup from the 2010 film Black Swan. Going with a “theme of transformation,” Williams’ makeup was a combination of bold, thick, winged eyeliner with metallic blue and red shadows from three different Chanel palettes blended up to his brows and down the sides of his nose. The color change from right eye to left eye was meant to represent the white swan’s transformation into the black swan, according to Williams, in an interview with Vogue at the Met Gala red carpet. No look would be complete without the hair, and just like the makeup, the Williams’ hair was also styled to match the Black-Swan-esque theme. Williams’ hair was sprayed into place, fanning out to give the overall shape of swan wings. His jet black hair was also streaked with white to mimic feathers.
Angela Bassett
Legendary actress Angela Bassett delivered a refined take on romantic glamour for the gala. Anchoring her pink gown with a lifted wash of matching pink blush that swept from cheek to eye. The look was created in tandem with D’Andre Michael using Daness Myricks Beauty exclusively. The final result was a more modern, mature version of the “Girl in Pink Dress” by Laura Wheeler Waring, which she based her entire look on.
Chase Infiniti
Leaning into the artistic facet and the body element of the theme, actress Chase Infiniti wore a sequined Thom Browne depiction of the Venus de Milo statue by Alexandros of Antioch. Her primary-colored floor-length dress was complemented by a neutral, bronzed, luminous makeup look, paired with a glossy lip, courtesy of Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk range. Makeup artist Amber D brought emphasis to her eyes with a smudged glitter shadow around the lash line. To anchor the actress’s debut Met look, her voluminous, textured hair, styled by Coree Moreno, added dimension and body.
LISA
BLACKPINK’s LISA looked angelic not only in the Swarovski-adorned white veil, but also in a mermaid-like palette of shimmery silver, white, and blue makeup. This makeup look echoed Robert Wun’s custom crystallized, sheer finish. The makeup felt soft but dimensional, adding an aquatic-like glow to this couture moment. Paired with the dramatic dress design and surreal arm details, LISA reappeared as a mystical figure — a bride, a mermaid, and living art. To top off the entire look, her nails, created by Juan Alvear and Sayo Irie, completed the fantasy with a detail-oriented finish. Altogether, the cool-toned gown, shimmering makeup, and intricate nails of white, blue, and silver transformed LISA’s look into a mystical, breathing piece of art.
Tyla
South African singer and songwriter Tyla arrived at the red carpet, redefining “glass skin” through a radiant, jewel-like lens. Adorned in plunging micro crystals and a royal blue garment, her makeup look leaned into full luminosity. Utilizing Valentino Beauty’s makeup products, Esther Edeme created a full glow from head to toe. The look carried into mermaid-like, almost peacock-effect, blending blue, green, and iridescent tones into something aquatic and regal. Paired with beachy, glossy waves by hairstylist Yusef Williams, using Wavytalk products, Tyla’s glam was completed to the fantasy of a modern siren.
JISOO
For her Met Gala debut, actress and BLACKPINK member JISOO leaned into a soft, romantic beauty direction. Makeup artist PONY (포니) paired delicate pink tones with a subtle wash of blush and lip stain to keep the look cohesive and added some faint freckles to give the look an extra layer of dimension, creating a natural effect across the skin.
Her hair was pulled back into a sleek, swept-back bun, with single loose, gelled curls framing either side, giving the style structure while allowing the focus to stay on her face.
JENNIE
This year, JENNIE went with a light and glowy makeup style, by makeup artist Joy (원조연) to compliment her blue sequinned column dress. Her makeup, while leaning minimalistic, also included a splash of light freckles, drawing attention to her dark, lashed eyes. Pulling her look together, JENNIE’s hair was swept up into a sleek, structured updo with a single curl gelled in the front, spotlighting her face. The final finishing touches to her Met Gala look were the blue shimmery highlighter brushed onto her collarbones, matching the same sparkling blues of her gown.
Kayra Theodore
Hair artist Kayra Theodore’s structural braided styles have been shaping red carpet beauty for years, and the 2026 Met Gala was no exception. Known for her architectural approach to braiding, the Haitian-American artist extended her design into looping, sculptural forms that framed her head and tied directly into the theme of fashion is art.
Hunter Schafer
Coming straight off the hype of Euphoria Sunday, Hunter Schafer traded in her free-spirited character, Jules, for a new one. Based on Gustav Klimt’s “Mäda Primavesi,” the Austrian artist’s painting came to life through a custom floral dress by Prada and soft babydoll makeup. As the little girl featured in the original artwork stands tall with confidence, Schafer exudes strength in simplicity. Matching with her florette headpiece, makeup artist Sandy Ganzer opted for a pale blue eyeshadow look. Complete with soft waterfall waves by hairstylist Rena Calhoun and the use of K18 Hair products, Schafer became the definition of a baby deer that made a wish to be human.
Sabrina Harrison
Sabrina Harrison graced the Met Gala 2026 red carpet in a floor-length braid adorned with 18 meters of lavender and white silk taffeta that connected to a golden human heart purse. Based on the iconic Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, Harrison intertwined her own European and Latin roots through sculptural hair, strong iridescent makeup, and gilded nails that mirrored the surrealist heart accessory. Assisted by makeup artist Katie Nova and hair stylist Anna Galazka, the look balanced softness and strength with reflective pigments and romantic colors. Harrison reflected via social media that “the body becomes part of the design, a living sculpture in motion.” Her entire beauty look became a wearable homage to her heritage and self-expression.
Ayo Edebiri
At her third Met Gala appearance, Ayo Edebiri took a trip down from Heaven with an angelic face to go with her all-white Chanel look. Sculpted by makeup artist Dee Carrion, the star’s natural doe eyes were highlighted in more ways than one. Bronzed eyeshadow paired with iridescent glitter created an ethereal glow from the inner corner. Paired with wispy, spiked lashes, Edebiri gave audiences a taste of soft romance. Channeling even more magic, princess curls were tied in a braid by hairstylist Jacob Aaron, which made the star look like effortless royalty on the green carpet.
Adut Akech
There’s nothing more iconic than making your Met Gala debut before you’ve been born, and Adut Akech just made that happen. Carrying her second child in custom Thom Browne, the supermodel embodied Mother Nature with a lustrous glow. Using various products from the esteemed Makeup by Mario brand, makeup artist Keita Moore went metallic with lavender eyeshadow and lifted berry cheeks. Further incorporating the dress’s cherry blossom concept, hairstylist Tym Wallace opted for a slicked-back bun and front strands that became reminiscent of a tree’s roots. While Akech’s newest flower is yet to bloom, her soft violet glam made the look feel even more poetic to the close intimacy and excitement of motherhood.
Yseult
French singer-songwriter Yseult made a head-turning appearance in a custom Harris Reed piece, wearing a sculptural, avant-garde two-piece gown. Her sleek, black dress flares up into an oversized, architectural collar with a plunging open front that reveals a gold, beaded bodice. Underneath the dramatic, wide-brimmed headpiece is a graphic, metallic eye makeup look and a vampy lip done by makeup artist Naïma Bremer, and a textured, spiky pixie cut styled by Nai’vasha Grace, all pulled together by stylist KJ Moody. Reed defined the look as an “homage to the body,” evoking the sculptural reverence of art. In the luminous gold detailing and sensual framing of the body, Yseult’s look calls to the divine femininity and commanding presence of Venus.
SZA
SZA arrived in the most colorful palette we had seen on the carpet yet. Accompanied by a yellow, flowery headpiece with jewels cascading down her face, SZA’s face radiated within the flashing lights at this year’s Met Gala. Her makeup, done by Sophia Sinot, consisted of an airbrushed yellow tint placed right between her nose and the jewelry she was sporting, a winged liner, and a subtle purple-tinted lip. Finishing with a soft pink blush and yellow eyeshadow, SZA looked ethereal among the carpet’s neutral tones.
Maria Zardoya
2026 has certainly marked a year of new beginnings for Maria Zardoya, lead singer of The Marías. Coming off the success of her solo project, Not For Radio, little did fans know she had one more debut up her sleeve. Arriving in a baby pink tulle dress by Matières Fécales, Zardoya’s transformation into her childhood nickname “la muñeca de porcelana” was a hauntingly beautiful sight. Courtesy of makeup artist Sandy Nicha with YSL Beauty, dark smokey eyes with shimmer and thin eyebrows were carved on a pale porcelain skin base. Bringing her doll-like persona to the carpet, hairstylist Chika made sure the two perfectly matched together in baby fringe bangs alike. Serving as a nod to her younger self, Zardoya perfectly brought her family’s memories in Puerto Rico to New York City.
Jafaar Jackson
How many people can say they had the highest-grossing opening weekend for a music biopic and scored an invite to the biggest night in fashion, all within the same month? It seems Jafaar Jackson might be the only person who can utter those words, but the Internet is rooting for it. The rising actor stepped out of the silver screen as Michael Jackson into the living image of a Disney prince. His black and yellow Polo Ralph Lauren suit, a clever nod to his late uncle’s 22nd Annual Grammy Awards look, was paired with polished curls by Melissa DeZarate, using BUR BUR products. Giving further insight into the vision for this first-time attendee with Vogue, DeZarate teasingly emphasized, “We want him to look exactly like he is, just a little bit better.” Going on to have one of the most anticipated debuts of the night, Jackson proved he’s paving his own path to stardom that’s only just beginning.
Read more about celebrity looks at The Mark Hotel after the 2026 Met Gala!
