When we read the blessed words "gilded glamour," upon the announcement of 2022's Met Gala theme, we swear we could've heard angels singing. Because despite the fact that the past few years' themes — time and camp, namely — delivered some fantastic beauty looks, little can compare to the level of ethereal beauty seen on the red carpet in New York City on May 2.
That Marie Antoinette film with Kirsten Dunst from 2006. Amy Adams in Enchanted. The entirety of Bridgerton. That's what the overall vibe is tonight, and that can mean nothing but sky-high curls, beauty marks, and more blush than you've ever seen in your lifetime.
Of course, Allure is keeping a steady eye on the red carpet throughout the night. And below, you'll find all the best beauty looks from the 2022 Met Gala.
Vanessa Hudgens was one of the first to walk the red carpet, doing so in a long-sleeved, floor-length black gown with plenty of lace and transparent mesh detailing. Her neutral, soft-glam makeup was every bit as sensuous, but it's the view from the back that we can't tear our eyes from. Not like that, y'all — we're talking about Hudgen's braided, twisted updo.
We have hairstylist Danielle Priano to thank for it. To create this look, she used clip-in extensions to thicken the ponytail, which was slicked back with Sexy Hair Not So Hard Up Gel. Then, she divided that ponytail into three separate sections, each of which was braided and adorned with a diamond chain. Then she braided those braids together before twisting them up into a bun and setting with Sexy Hair Spray & Play Harder and Weatherproof Humidity Resistant Spray.
What did we say earlier about lots and lots of blush? Clearly, Emma Chamberlain understood the assignment when it comes to makeup: her gilded eye shadow, soft pink lip, and high blush placement are just as much on-theme as her glittering tiara. The look is the result of a plethora of Bareminerals products, including BarePro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation, Gen Nude Blonzer, and the Mineralist Burnished Eye Shadow Palette.
Listen, we're never not going to be on board with a ponytail longer than a CVS receipt — and that's exactly what Lala Anthony brought to the red carpet, along with a tilted headpiece punctuated with massive, metallic roses.
The virtually flawless complexion, no shocker here, is courtesy of Fenty Beauty — namely, Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer, Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick, and Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder.
Delivering yet another loopy, swoopy updo, singer Kacey Musgraves paired hers with winged eyeliner and a sharp contour, courtesy of makeup artist Moani Lee, who used products from Byredo to complete the look. Specifically, on the eyes, she used the brand's Eye Shadow 5 Colours in Corporate Colours and in Fêtes Noires, Kajal Pencil in Chaandee, Eyeliner in Technical Black, and Astronomical Mascara.
Oh, and we can't forget to mention that huge, fuzzy black fan — the breeze from which we can practically feel from here.
We don't know where to look first when it comes to Janelle Monáe's Met Gala look — her rusty red lip or the monochromatic, striped manicure that matches her glittering dress and jewelry to a tee. It doesn't help that we keep getting side-tracked by all that glowing skin. What is she, wearing highlighter all over?
Consider Kaia Gerber's massive, waist-length curls the first jaw-dropper of the night. It's like Julia Roberts in the 1990s had a lovechild with the Little Mermaid, for heaven's sake. We don't yet know who is the hairstylist responsible for this mane, but when we find out, we'll be sending them a very expensive bottle of wine as a thank you.
Model Isabelle Boemeke brought what is arguably one of the most detailed looks of the night with this over-the-top graphic black eyeliner and over-the-top-er manicure complete with jewels, baubles, and structured gold drips.
It's a little weird to see one of the Euphoria stars without, well, Euphoria makeup — and Maude Apatow's look is the farthest thing from that. Her vintage barrel curls by hairstylist Peter Lux and deep red lip from makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan simply scream old Hollywood.
You won't be surprised to know that this look comes courtesy of one of the industry's most glamorous brands: Armani Beauty. That's Luminous Silk Foundation, Luminous Silk Glow Setting Powder, and Neo Nude Melting Color Balm all over her face, plus Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick in 201 on her lip.
Venus Williams appeared on the Met Gala red carpet in an all-black ensemble with big-ass shades, a bright red lipstick, a short black manicure, and braids down to there with small silver details woven throughout, courtesy of hairstylist Nikki Nelms. For lack of better words… What a boss.
Have you seen a more beautiful person than Quannah Chasinghorse? We're not so sure. The model and activist paired her tulle, baby-blue gown with eye shadow to match, smeared all the way across her eyelids and up to her eyebrows — a wonderful contrast against her deep black lashes (the result of Westman Atelier's Eye Love You Mascara).
We know it's hard to focus on literally anything else when Joe Jonas is nearby, but Sophie Turner easily caught our eye anyway with her all-red everything – including her burgundy wine-colored hair, her rusty eye shadow, and her red-orange lipstick. It's giving Florence and the Machine. It's giving Morticia Addams. It's giving My Chemical Romance.
At first glance from the front, we were convinced that Chloë Grace Moretz had cut all her hair into a pixie for the Met Gala red carpet. But then we got this view for the side and realized she didn't — she is, however, preparing for the Revolutionary War, apparently. This battle-ready get-up couldn't have come with a better pair than this low ponytail by hairstylist Gregory Russell, who used Pureology's Smooth Perfection Smoothing Lotion and Style + Protect Weightless Volume Mousse on damp hair to get that wet, lived-in look.
Damn. What else is there to say about Teyana Taylor and her monochromatic purple moment on the red carpet? Even if she weren't wearing this futuristic, alien-like headpiece, we'd still be hypnotized by that colorful eye shadow and glossy lip.
Billie Eilish once served emo peacock on the Grammys red carpet, and she's done it yet again for the 2022 Met Gala. This time, Eilish wore a slightly softer take on the updo with something akin to a fauxhawk — a star contrast to her pastel, Victorian-inspired gown.
Normani just gets it. Like, always. See her extreme blush, beauty marks, and dramatic green eye makeup (which even has green lashes, if we're not mistaken) as a prime example. We do have to ask, though: what body is that, and where can we buy it?
We have to thank Kiki Layne for looking down for a split second so that a photographer can capture everything going on with her eye makeup. Those little patches of pink match her floral-detailed gown almost exactly, as does the pink blush on her cheek. Our favorite part of this whole look, however, has to be that absolutely stunning Afro.
We'll just come out of the gate and say it: we're glad Kris Jenner's iconic pixie haircut is gone if this is what replaces it. The Kardashian matriarch appeared at the Met Gala with even more length on her new bob since we last saw her. That dark, flippy hair paired with bright canary yellow? What's not to like?
And then there's that splash of green eye shadow to match. If you're wondering (we certainly were), that's Danessa Myricks Beauty Twin Flames Liquid Eye Shadow in Serpentine, applied by makeup artist Etienne Ortega.
Naomi, Naomi, Naomi. She and a set of dazzling face gems might be a better match than peanut butter and jelly. Of course, not even those could distract from her virtually flawless skin.
We wouldn't expect Megan Thee Stallion to show up on the red carpet in anything other than one of her stunning, smoky, cut-crease cat-eyes (say that five times fast). She paired this high-contrast white and black eye makeup with a glossy nude lip and a bold lip line, all done by makeup artist Lauren Child — she even used Meg's own Revlon x Megan Thee Stallion Big Bad Palette.
What we're really trying to snag a close look at, however, are those nails. From what we can tell, Thee Stallion delivered a long, square French manicure with gold, pink, and blue embellishments.
Kendall Jenner bleached her eyebrows just for the occasion on Met Gala Monday, and while we're not exactly sure how that ties into gilded glamour, we're here for it. Our primary question, though, is if this dye job is temporary or for real. We do know, however, that makeup artist Mary Phillips used Kylie Cosmetics Kybrow Gel to achieve that fluffy, pushed-up effect.
Looks like Cara Delevignge took the theme of the ceremony literally, as evidenced by the gold-painted skin she donned underneath her sild red suit. What can we say? It's gilded. It's glamorous. She understood the assignment.
We've never seen Gabrielle Union looking anything less than stunning, and the 2022 Met Gala was certainly no exception. Makeup artist Fiona Stiles created this simple, glowing complexion with Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation, Teint Idole Camouflage Full Coverage Concealer, and Dual Finish Highlighter Illuminating Powder.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
More on the Met Gala:
- How to Watch the Met Gala, 2022's Biggest Fashion Event
- All of the Best Met Gala 2021 Beauty Moments in One Place
- 15 Unforgettable Red Carpet Moments for Black Hair
Now, see how eye makeup has evolved within the past 100 years:
Don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter. Follow Nicola on Instagram.
