The Best Hair, Makeup and Nails at the 2025 Met Gala

While the 2025 Met Gala delivered its usual parade of archival couture and custom creations, it was the beauty that truly brought the theme to life. This year’s exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” explored the legacy of Black dandyism—an aesthetic movement rooted in self-definition, elegance and resistance. And while the tailoring was precise, the glam was anything but buttoned up.

With a dress code dubbed “Tailored for You,” guests leaned into precision, drama and detail—not just in their fashion choices, but in every hair flip, smoky gaze and crystal-studded nail. From high-shine baby swirls seen on Teyana Taylor and textured chops (did you see Emma Chamberlain?) to razor-sharp liner (looking at you, Sydney Sweeney) and skin that glowed like satin, this red carpet served as a love letter to individuality and craftsmanship.

Here, we round up the beauty looks that earned their place in the night’s most exclusive club: the best of the best.

Tyla

The budding star evoked a vintage Hollywood vibe with a modern twist, debuting a platinum blonde curly pixie that gave a nod to Dorothy Dandridge. The sculpted style, created by celebrity hairstylist Yusef Williams was finished with  a spritz of Parfums de Marly hair perfume—a soft, floral, fresh-cotton scent that perfectly complemented her white-and-blue pinstriped Jacquemus gown. Her luminous makeup, created by a Pat McGrath Labs artist, featured radiant skin, soft neutral tones, and sheer sculpting for a fresh yet glamorous effect. The look incorporated the just-launched Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray and the Mothership XII: Petalmorphosis palette—proof that dewy, understated glam can still steal the show. Tyla topped off the look with Pandora lab-grown diamonds, adding a modern, sparkling finish to her moment on the Met steps.

Megan Thee Stallion

Serving full Josephine Baker fantasy, the rapper hit the carpet with a sculptural auburn ponytail by Kellon Deryck, stacked in custom donut-shaped tiers and topped with brushed-out curls. A crystal-lined part amped up the drama. Her glam—by Diana Shin for Charlotte Tilbury—featured sharp wings, glossy brown-lined lips and glowing skin, paired with dazzling, dagger-sharp nails for full fantasy impact.

Doja Cat

The Grammy-winner paid homage to the ’80s as only Doja Cat could: unapologetically glam. Her towering two-toned hair, frosty blue shadow swept to the brow bone, razor-thin brows and velvety red lip evoked a fierce fusion of Grace Jones and Ziggy Stardust–era Bowie. The bold, high-impact look was crafted by none other than Pat McGrath using Pat McGrath Labs, starring the Mothership XII: Petalmorphosis palette and a statement red lip created with Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil in Garnet Glow and Elson. Radiant, sculpted skin and glistening lids dialled up the drama, while celebrity stylist Vernon François sculpted her gravity-defying hair to perfection.

Ayo Edebiri

Bringing sophistication rooted in heritage, the glam was, well, glamming. Hairstylist Jacob Aaron used OGX products to create a “sleek, sculpted look that felt regal and refined”—designed to complement her gown and honour her Nigerian heritage. “It was important to us that the hair felt intentional and rooted in identity, while still delivering that Met Gala polish and red carpet presence,” Aaron shared. Her makeup completed the vision: radiant skin, a soft nude lip and crisp, winged liner.

Anok Yai

The supermodel’s glam struck a flawless balance between vintage glamour and futuristic edge. Her chestnut-toned pixie was styled sleek with a dramatic crown swoop, while a shimmer plum blush lit up her cheekbones. Metallic gloss, fluttery lashes and shimmering lids completed the ethereal effect. The best part? A very unexpected (but incredible) platinum grill.

Zendaya

Maybe quiet luxury isn’t dead—Zendaya made a compelling case for its staying power with a sculpted ‘90s-inspired lip by Ernesto Casillas using Charlotte Tilbury’s Super Nudes Contour System. The contrasting liner and gloss delivered a plumped, high-shine finish. To finish the look? A polished bun and a vibrant red manicure.

Venus Williams

Channeling regal elegance in Lacoste, Williams’ braids were intricately styled with rows of silver beads in lieu of a crown. Makeup artist Karina Milan paired luminous skin with a striking two-toned lip.

Doechii

The Grammy-winning rapper pulled out all the stops and delivered a head-turning beauty moment, debuting a voluminous afro that framed her face like a crown. Makeup artist Chelsea Uchenna paired glossy nude lips and dark liner with a cheekbone-stamped LV logo, while ombré French tips (painted on by  Rachel Sun using OPI) added a polished, playful touch.

A$AP Rocky

The rapper and 2025 Met Gala co-chair came correct—and had the best braids of the night. He might have also had the best manicure of the night, complete with gilded embellishments.

Simone Biles

The GOAT gymnast stuck the landing with her glam, giving us a flippy, high-gloss bob with sculpted baby hairs and circular side bangs. Paired with bright blue liner, lush lashes and glassy lips, her makeup—courtesy of Ashley Stewart— was as polished and playful as the gymnastic legend herself.

Coco Jones

Move over, Rapunzel—Jones’ ultra-long, slicked-back braid nearly grazed the floor and stole the show. Her beauty look was equally dreamy: glowing skin, soft glam makeup, a snatched eye, and a flawless nude lip.

Ego Nwodim

The Actor’s sculptural updo by Miles Jeffries paid homage to Black hair artistry, millinery, and an iconic image of Iman styled by André Leon Talley. Using TRESemmé products, Jeffries shaped a glossy, gravity-defying look worthy of the theme. Makeup by Billie Gene balanced the drama with glowing skin and defined eyes using Merit Beauty favourites like the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, Solo Shadow in Nelson and Midcentury and Signature Lip in Maison—a radiant tribute to legacy, culture, and couture.

Emma Chamberlain

The actor nodded to the theme with a platinum pixie—razor-sharp yet feathered at the tips. It was an edgy reinterpretation of classic cropped cuts often associated with mod and punk subcultures, themselves influenced by Black style pioneers who fused rebellion with refinement. Her eye makeup was a moody haze of plum and charcoal, diffused across the lid in a manner that evoked both vintage glamour and subversive, club-kid artistry. The pièce de résistance: sculptural silver wire frames that draped across her eyes.

Colman Domingo

The Sing Sing star’s glow was no accident. Makeup artist Jamie Richmond used Valentino Beauty to craft the actor’s radiant, sculpted look for the evening. She prepped his skin with the V-Lighter Face Base Primer and Highlighter for long-lasting hydration and lit-from-within luminosity, then perfected his complexion with Very Valentino 24-Hour Wear Foundation and a touch of buildable concealer. To subtly define his features, Richmond used eyeliner pencils and finished with a hint of the brand’s new Puffer Gloss in 520R Moonlight Crush pressed onto the lips for a modern, polished shine. It was dandyism with modern precision—clean, confident and effortlessly camera-ready.

Sydney Sweeney

Channelling femme fatale meets showgirl glamour with a sculpted updo by Glen “Coco” Oropeza, complete with slick, face-framing swirls and showgirl-level shine using Kérastase. Makeup artist Melissa Hernandez prepped the skin with Laneige favourites like the Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer Mist and Lip Sleeping Mask before layering on Armani Beauty essentials, including Luminous Silk Foundation, a rosy matte lip, and elongated cat-eye for a sultry, red carpet-ready finish.

Gigi Hadid

The supermodel’s beauty look was a love letter to old Hollywood. Hadid paired her custom gilded Miu Miu gown with sculpted victory rolls and cascading waves, echoing the glamour of the 1940s. “We landed on ‘Boudoir Curls’ inspired by the era—they felt both glamorous and modern,” says hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos. He prepped her hair with smoothing and anti-frizz products, then blow-dried with a round brush for volume and shine. Once set in rollers and cooled, the curls were brushed out and molded into vintage waves. The front sections were rolled into structured victory rolls, secured with pins, and finished with a generous mist of hairspray to keep frizz at bay despite the rainy NYC weather. For makeup, Patrick Ta—marking his fifth time glamming Hadid for the Met Gala.  “I really wanted to give her that bronzy, fresh glam. Something that feels super effortless, like she just got back from a vacation,” she shared, noting that he used Maybelline New York. Ta opted for bold brows, soft contouring, and a velvety matte lip to balance the drama of the look while keeping the overall effect timeless. “It’s all about enhancing her natural features, keeping the skin radiant and glossy, and adding that soft warmth to bring everything to life.”

Teyana Taylor

The singer-songwriter never misses at the Met—but this year may have been her most striking look yet, especially on the beauty front. She stunned in a crimson satin durag by Ruth E. Carter, tied dramatically to the side and paired with sculpted baby hairs and bold burgundy eyeshadow. Glossy nude lips, fluttery lashes and radiant skin completed a look that was equal parts cultural homage and high-fashion artistry.

Zoe Saldaña

The Oscar winner kept it classic: a sleek chin-length bob and soft fringe paired with rose-toned eyes and a sheer berry lip. Understated yet striking, her beauty look delivered timeless elegance with a quietly powerful presence.

Lupita Nyong’o

Dazzling in Chanel fashion and beauty, Lupita Nyong’o’s look was refined with unexpected twists. Her brows were adorned with sparkling crystals, courtesy of her longtime makeup artist Nick Barose. Hairstylist Vernon François sculpted her hair into an organic ponytail, perfectly framed by a powder-blue boater hat for a runway-meets–royalty finish.

Pamela Anderson

Hello baby bangs! The Canadian actor made a dazzling entrance in a beaded Tory Burch number (dripping in Pandora jewellery) paired with a softly waved, chin-length bob and wispy micro bangs. Known for embracing a bare-faced glow, she appeared to wear a wash of tinted moisturizer and just a hint of liquid blush and a sheer berry gloss.