The 2021 Met Gala Beauty Looks That Stole The Damn Show
Though guests got creative with the 2021 Met Gala mask mandate, the open-air red carpet arrivals were fair game for guests to showcase the boldest in beauty.
Marking the event’s triumphant return, we’ve seen the star-studded lineup set themselves all over the spectrum. From Hailey Bieber‘s lived-in beach waves and natural makeup to Gigi Hadid‘s gloriously retro high ponytail and graphic eye combination, there were plenty of defining moments to behold in the hair & makeup department. And while some guests took extra precautions, such as Kim Kardashian who wore a head-to-toe Balenciaga covering, we haven’t stopped talking about the rest of the lot.
With the theme of “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” mostly addressing attire, the beauty didn’t follow a cohesive theme like 2019’s Camp looks. Instead, we saw a melting pot of personal style, some bold and futuristic, some elegantly channelling Old Hollywood glamour, and others taking a cue from the ’60s mod movement.
Hair was a particular spectacle, with so many of our favourite red carpet regulars showing off dramatic colour changes and sky-high headpieces to make up for a year with so few events. As for makeup, it was well and truly all about eyes and radiant skin.
Click through for the grandest exhibition of larger than life hair and forward makeup to spark joy, courtesy of the 2021 Met Gala red carpet.
Venus Williams, famous for being good with a tennis ball, served us a real look with this bubble up-do.Getty ImagesGigi Hadid debuted some new raven locks, pairing the kitschy hair look with some retro glam on her eyes.Getty ImagesWith lightly tousled hair and a refined bronze smokey eye, Hailey Bieber opted for a more paired back look, well, for the Met Gala anyway.Getty ImagesCynthia Erivo wins best nails with these diamond-encrusted claws.Getty ImagesCara Delevingne made a statement in more ways than one. Her dramatic burgundy eyes and fresh dark hair paired well with the ‘Peg The Patriarchy’ vest.Getty ImagesLupita Nyong’o never puts a foot wrong and here she is, taking her hair and eyeliner to new heights.Getty ImagesAlicia Keys has made it her mission to normalise real-looking skin on the red carpet, and in doing so has gone sans-makeup for many a star-studded affair. For the Met, though, the singer stunned with a swipe of red lipstick and pearls in her slicked-back hair.Getty ImagesKendall Jenner let her dress do the talking with a simple up-do and her trademark glam makeup. We love the inclusion of flyaways to give the look a more natural vibe.Naomi Osaka’s hair was a structural masterpiece, while her makeup was all about the eyes.Getty ImagesRihanna. Where do we begin? We simply can’t talk enough about the Fenty mogul’s ability to perfectly match her hair & makeup and sartorial ventures so we’re just going to allow the look to speak for itself.Getty ImagesEmily Blunt was radiant, not just because of her luminescent makeup but because she nailed her headgear with this starry piece.Getty ImagesMegan Fox’s hair was a lengthy departure from her usual curls. We even saw her trade in her straight parting for some faux bangs for the occasion. Getty ImagesZoë Kravitz provides us with the ultimate evening glam look to replicate this spring.Getty ImagesKehlani gave the ‘skunk’ hair trend her seal of approval with this Farrah Fawcett meets Cruella hair look.Getty ImagesYara Shahidi is Queen of Hair, and this intricate protective design deserves some kind of award.Getty ImagesWith the lilac blush and pencilled brows, Barbie Ferreira looks straight out of a Marie Antoinette film.Getty ImagesLorde radiated some serious saviour energy with this headpiece.Getty ImagesMaisie Williams rocked bleached brows and Queen of Hearts-esque makeup to go with her Gothic-chic look.Getty ImagesFor her first Met Gala, Kama Harris’ step-daughter Ella Emhoff nailed the brief with slick hair and pearl embellished eyes.Getty ImagesAmandla Stenberg took on the ’90s lined lips along with some freshly bleached locks.Getty ImagesKaia Gerber channelled old Hollywood with these sweet curls and paired-back makeup.Getty ImagesRegina King went cobalt blue to match her gown and cape.Getty ImagesAnother newbie to the Met, Emma Chamberlain ticked all the right boxes with this graphic mod eye and a flicked blowout.Getty ImagesKeke Palmer looked glamorous and powerful with this golden retro look.Getty ImagesTeyana Taylor won best headpiece with this diamond ethereal look that no doubt took hours to construct.Getty ImagesModel Paloma Elsesser put an avant garde twist on pin-up girl hair and makeup and we’re absolutely here for it.Hunter Schafer upped the ante with this decorative spider and white out contacts. Will we be recreating at home? Most likely not. Do we love? Absolutely.Though it’s hard to look away from her dazzling smile, Poet Amanda Gorman shone with this dramatic up-do.Kristen Stewart, as we’ve never seen her before. We’re obsessed with this bumper bang ponytail.Complimenting her vibrant dress, Camila Cabello channelled Cher with cascading hair and soft purple eyes with dramatic lashes.Who says a dramatic dress calls for a simple beauty look? Simone Biles looked effortlessly glamorous with this slick and voluminous hair.
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