The Beauty Moments We Can’t Stop Talking About From the Met Gala 2025

All Images: Getty

At this year’s Met Gala, beauty looks were not mere accessories — they were declarations of heritage, craftsmanship, and unapologetic self-expression. With the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” anchoring the evening, the red carpet blossomed into a gallery of intricate hairstyles and bold makeup statements.

The Met Gala has long been a bellwether for beauty and fashion’s next big movements and this year was no exception. Makeup artists, hair stylists, and nail technicians didn’t just follow trends but they also set them, and ultimately, breathed new life into older fashion moments while making way for new ones.

Here’s a breakdown of the standout beauty moments that not only defined the night but are destined to influence the beauty landscape for months to come

Nail Art: Where Detail Meets Drama

Nails took center stage as an extension of the fashion narratives on display. Cynthia Erivo flashed a stunning manicure by Mycah Dior, her stiletto-shaped nails glimmered, adding a jewel-like finish that mirrored her ensemble’s opulence.

Ego Nwodim had a witty twist with her manicure: short button nails by nail artist Betina Goldstein, designed to perfectly match the working buttons on her vivid Christopher John Rogers dress. Arya Starr’s nails where a black and electric blue ombre stiletto set with a glittery catseye effect. Her manicured claws provided a welcomed pop of colour against her all black ensemble.

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Hair: Sculptural Masterpieces and Textural Homage

Few red carpets have honoured the versatility of Afro-textured hair quite like this one. Issa Rae, Angela Bassett, and Doechii proudly embraced voluminous afros.

While Lauryn Hill and Jeremy O. Harris had angular-shaped styles, showing the sculptural potential of coils and kinks

We would not be surprised if the is a gel shortage anytime soon, because it was the product at the core of most of the hair moments of the night.

Finger waves, a nod to vintage hair, were seen on both Serena Williams and Justice Smith, shimmering under the Met’s lights. Lauren Amos had and pink and brown rendition of the hairstyle.

Meanwhile, kiss curls made a dramatic comeback. Sydney Sweeney and Angel Reese where one of many who wore soft curls that framed their faces. Bad Bunny was one of many men who embraced hair with a singular kiss curl on their forehead.

Dramatic sideburns became an unexpected trend, as Quinta Brunson and Teyana Taylor showcased exaggerated, swooping burns, while Tems and Meghan Thee Stallion’s intricate edges pushed baby hairs into high art.

Regina King reminded us that braids are an art form in themselves. Her braided updo, sculpted by Jennifer Lord, mirrored the shape of her collar, creating a harmonious silhouette from crown to shoulder.

Vintage glamour also swept through the night. Jenna Ortega’s romantic waves and cowlick curls harkened back to the early 1900s, while Lana Del Rey’s perfectly sculpted pin curl updo evoked the refined sophistication of the 1950s. Gigi Hadid’s victory rolls, perched at the crown and cascading into soft, shoulder-length waves, blended mid-century nostalgia with modern polish.

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Makeup: Old Hollywood Meets Bold Modernity

Doja Cat, working with makeup legend Pat McGrath, stunned in a look packed with nods to the ’40s and ’50s. Her flawless complexion, sculpted brows, and sultry lips radiated vintage starlet energy, while shimmering accents gave the look a surreal finish. Teyana Taylor’s dark, fluttery lashes were show-stoppers in their own right, drawing all attention to her gaze and balancing the drama of her hairstyle and edges.

Lupita Nyong’o, with makeup by Nick Barose using Chanel Beauty, delivered ethereal radiance. A subtly frosted, nude brown lip, luminous skin, and the main event; her brows. Lupita brought back a 2010’s beauty fad, badazzeled eyebrows. Of course, Cardi B didn’t shy away from colour. Her bold, green eyeshadow that matched her mossy velvet outfit and green coloured eye contacts, popped against her glowing skin.

These beauty moments were the finishing strokes that completed each fashion masterpiece on the Met Gala carpet. The intricate hairstyles, bold makeup choices worked in harmony with the garments and gave these looks the last, final push that allowed them to be great.

At the Met Gala, where fashion is high art, beauty plays an equally vital role in bringing each designer’s vision to life. A carefully placed curl or a swipe of saturated eyeshadow can transform an outfit from remarkable to unforgettable. These looks were extensions of the craftsmanship and creativity that make the Met Gala one of the grandest and most influential fashion moments of the year.