Tyla's 2025 Met Gala Beauty Look Breakdown

Listen…when Tyla stepped onto last year’s Met Gala carpet in that sculpted-to-perfection Balmain sand dress, the internet rightfully lost its collective mind. But while everyone was gagging over the literal hourglass moment (as they should’ve been), we were zooming in on the glam. That makeup? Melted bronze magic. The skin? Lit-from-within doesn’t even begin to cover it. And don’t get us started on the hair—an architectural updo kissed with actual sand. Who else is doing beauty and storytelling like that on their Met Gala debut? I’ll wait.

Fast-forward to this year and, whew—our girl did not come to play.

WWD//Getty Images

WWD//Getty Images

WWD//Getty Images

Tyla’s crown of curls paired perfectly with her white and blue pinstriped Jacquemus gown. And to finish off the look, Williams spritzed Tyla’s hair with Parfums de Marly hair perfume—which smells like a mix of soft florals and fresh cotton. Chic!

Gotta love how Tyla is building a beauty legacy. She’s not afraid to push, to play, to perform. We love to see it.

Cosmo caught up with Yusef after slaying Tyla's hair to get the rundown of how this look was conceived and executed (you can shop the products he used below).

Black artistry and Black hair are central to this theme in their own quiet way—did that influence the way you approached Tyla’s look tonight?

Absolutely. The look is an homage to the timeless elegance of Black film icons, drawing inspiration from the glamour of the 1920s through the 1950s and reimagining it for today. Legends like Josephine Baker, Lena Horne, and Joyce Bryant were top of mind—Joyce especially. She was the blueprint: bold, glamorous, unapologetically provocative. Every sculpted wave, every glossy finish was a tribute to her fearless spirit, and the OGX products I used gave me the freedom to bring that vision to life in a modern, powerful way.

Tyla’s style is all about soft edges and sculptural beauty—how did you reimagine that for a theme rooted in sharp tailoring and precision?

I introduced a subtle masculine energy, something tapered and super sleek, to give her that striking, androgynous edge. She’s always exuding this sensual softness, but I wanted to show the power in contrast. The structure of the look really framed her face and let her features take the spotlight.

What was the first thing that came to mind when you heard Superfine: Black Tailoring—and how did that translate into hair?

When I heard Superfine: Black Tailoring, the first thing that came to mind was immaculate precision—something that felt intentional, polished, and undeniably elevated. To me, that translated into hair that’s sleek, refined, and meticulously sculpted. Every strand had to feel as considered as a tailored seam.

Tyla’s having a major fashion moment—how do you use hair to amplify her presence while staying true to her delicate, modern aesthetic?

Hair is such a defining element in the evolution of a pop star—it’s more than just style; it’s identity, it’s storytelling. With Tyla stepping into this major fashion moment, the goal was to use hair as a visual amplifier of her presence. She’s not here to follow trends—she sets them. That means every product and technique had to be intentional.

How closely did you work with her glam squad and designer to make sure the hair played its part in the total Met Gala story?

From start to finish, it was a fully collaborative process. Tyla’s glam team and her designer were all aligned on crafting a singular, unforgettable Met Gala moment. Every detail mattered—from the silhouette of the dress to the texture of the hair. We were in constant dialogue to make sure the hair didn’t just complement the look but played a key role in telling the full story. Every choice was made to preserve the integrity of the look and support the bigger vision.

Did you take any creative risks with this look—either in texture, silhouette, or structure—that pushed you outside your usual playbook?

For sure—we took a bold creative leap with this look. It was a departure from anything Tyla’s done before, especially in terms of structure and texture. We really pushed the boundaries of her usual aesthetic. I knew using OGX styling product range would give me the flexibility and performance I needed to sculpt and shape without compromising softness or shine. It was intentionally outside her comfort zone, but that’s where the magic happens.