From Rihanna's pin curls to Kylie's bleached brows, standout hair and beauty moments from the Met Gala 2026

If you came to the 2026 Met Gala looking for safe choices, you were at the wrong party. This year, the theme was “Costume Art”, celebrating the Metropolitan Museum of Art's spring 2026 exhibition of the same name. The dress code, “Fashion Is Art”, focused on the connection between clothing and the artistry behind it.

Naturally, the beauty and hair didn’t just complement the clothes; they held their own. In a theme that pushed fashion into full-blown art territory, the glam squads went all in: think faces treated like canvases, hair built like installations, and textures that caught light from every possible angle. It wasn’t just about looking nice; it was about making you look twice.

Chase Sui Wonders 

Chase Sui Wonders delivered one of the most unexpectedly clever hair moments of the night with her double bangs. At first glance, it read like a classic fringe, but a second look revealed the layered illusion: two distinct bang sections working together to create depth and structure. The rest of her beauty look remained pared back, allowing the hair to carry the narrative.
 

Rihanna 

Metallic pin curls replaced anything remotely soft, catching the light like tiny, precise installations. The reflective finish added a futuristic edge, while Rihanna’s skin gave off a warm, luminous glow. Together, the effect was glamorously conceptual.

Lisa 

Lisa’s sparkling eye makeup was the focal point. Crystals were meticulously placed, blurring the line between makeup and adornment. It felt like a beauty trend that replaced jewellery entirely, rather than complementing it. 

Kylie Jenner 

Whilst a lot can be said for the outfit, her makeup is equally striking. The fascination with bleached brows continues, drawing attention to bone structure and smooth skin.

Jamila Robinson 

Jamila Robinson turned braids into a sculptural statement. There was a deliberate geometry to the look, and her makeup complemented the hair with strong, defined eyes.

Ciara 

Ciara’s look leaned into high-shine glamour with a gold-foiled hair moment. The metallic finish gave the hair a fluid structure. Her makeup stayed refined, with sculpted skin and warm tones that enhanced the richness of the gold. 

Hudson Williams 

Hudson Williams stepped onto the red carpet with Black Swan-inspired eye makeup. One eye shimmered with blue glitter layered over smoky black, while the other featured deeper red tones, creating a deliberate journey from softness to darkened grace that harmonised perfectly. 

Vibe-check

Extra, but intentional. The memo was all about making a statement, starting a conversation, and maybe breaking a few rules along the way.

Photo credits: Getty Images

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