The Met Gala 2026 is officially upon us. Taking place this very evening on Monday 4 May, the annual spectacle is honouring the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring exhibition, Costume Art.
Featuring approximately 400 objects from The Met’s vast collection, the Costume Art exhibition will serve as a melting pot of artefacts, from ancient Greek vases to archival punk Vivienne Westwood pieces, sculptural Henry Moore designs and avant-garde Comme Des Garçons ensembles – all seeking to ask the viewer whether they think art and fashion are one and the same.
While fashion remains at the very heart of the bonanza, with the theme dissecting the concept of the “dressed body” according to curator Andrew Bolton, we were stopped in our tracks by the epic beauty concoctions debuted on the red carpet by the Hollywood elite.
Granted, last year is hard to top (think Teyana Taylor’s razor-sharp contour, Doechii’s Louis Vuitton monogram motif imprinted on her cheek and Emma Chamberlain’s now-signature blonde pixie cut), the stars are doing their damnedest to do just that.
Wintour-inspired bangs at the ready because without further ado, we present the most dazzling beauty looks from the Met Gala 2026 below.
Best beauty looks from the Met Gala 2026:
© AFP via Getty ImagesCara Delevingne
It-Brit supermodel Cara Delevingne took to the floor showcasing a beautifully coiffed finger wave updo with a slick side parting. The perfect flapper girl ‘do to contrast her beaded, backless gown.
© Getty Images for The Met Museum/Nicole Kidman
Hollywood heavyweight Nicole Kidman opted for some serious length – attending the annual gala with a hip-skimming look featuring a deep honied blonde tone and 70s-inspired curtain bangs to frame her face.
© AFP via Getty ImagesAshley Graham
Model Ashley Graham leaned into natural elegance, opting for a flawlessly dewy complexion, a rose-pink lip, a dotting of freckles and a wet-look hairdo. A set of futuristic silver nails completed her Venus-inspired aesthetic.
© FilmMagicLena Mahfouf
French social media personality Lena Mahfouf taped into surrealist style, slipping into a draped, ice blue skirt with daring cut outs to match her frosted eyeshadow blend.
© Getty Images for The Met Museum/Hamish Bowles
Legendary journalist Hamish Bowles dazzled on the red carpet, sporting an embellished, tapestried suit complete with red crystals meticulously curated across his face in a wave-like motion.
© FilmMagicZoe Kravitz
Looking beautiful in gothic black lace courtesy of Saint Laurent, Zoe Kravitz leaned into low-key glamour, opting for a flawless complexion, a deep rose lip and a braided updo flanked with whimsical, wispy strands.
© Variety via Getty ImagesVenus Williams
Tennis champion Venus Williams glowed under the Met lights courtesy of a dewy complexion, thick arched brows, a glossy nude lip and a slick updo dotted with twinkling crystals.
© Getty ImagesClaire Foy
The Crown star Claire Foy served up Old Hollywood drama with a porcelain complexion, a flutter of black mascara, sharp dark brows and a bold crimson lip, all composed underneath a gothic swathe of netting.
© Getty ImagesCharli XCX
Channelling her signature goth-glam aesthetic, Charli XCX ascended those all-important stairs with an inky black ponytail that allowed all eyes to fall on her contoured beauty blend and vampiric smoky eye.
© Getty ImagesDoja Cat
Doja Cat attended the VIP event championing a brilliantly beige look, with a sharp cat-eye (courtesy of some major winged eyeliner) and bronzed contouring to match. She wore her hair in loose caramel curls that cascaded past her shoulders.
© FilmMagicChase Sui Wonders
Ascending the stairs in a lavender haze, actress Chase Sui Wonders debuted a pristine updo, featuring two strands coolly slicked down to the side with an elegant asymmetrical parting and a low bun finish.
© Getty Images for The Met Museum/Amanda Seyfried
Looking pretty in pink, actress Amanda Seyfried was one of many stars to champion the ever-sophisticated ponytail, which placed all attention on her gently blushed complexion, rose pink lip and softly sparkling bronzed eyeshadow.
© AFP via Getty ImagesJamila Robinson
US editor Jamila Robinson lit up the stairs in an unmissable classic red lip and a sunny strapless gown, complete with a striking, floral-inspired updo featuring colourful woven petal-cut panels.
© WWD via Getty ImagesJisoo
Jisoo’s spiralling bangs were the stuff of dreams, coiled gently to daintily frame her doll-like makeup blend and lead the eye to her shimmering strapless gown.
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