To no one’s surprise, Gabby Thomas understood the Met Gala assignment. The Olympic sprinter stepped onto the carpet in a custom Ahluwalia dress that blends cultural storytelling and personal history. Think: Harlem Renaissance fashion, references to her home state of Georgia, and nods to her record-breaking track career.
And her glam? Easily one of the most gorgeous and actually wearable beauty moments of the night. It featured a nude lip and a soft smokey eye—which happen to be the two biggest makeup trends we saw on the carpet. Gabby’s look is dubbed “a modern-day Joséphine Baker” complete with a slicked-back bun, a bronzy glow, and a sharp cat eye.
Her makeup, created entirely with Charlotte Tilbury products, is honestly the most gorgeous soft glam, so if you’re a 2025 bride or simply looking for some new summer beauty inspo, add Gabby’s look to your moodboard ASAP.
Ahead, Cosmo caught up with Gabby to talk about all things Met Gala beauty—from the inspiration behind her makeup to how she got ready for fashion’s biggest night. Plus, we’ve got the full product breakdown and exclusive photos so you can recreate her red carpet look yourself.
Your skin is glowing. Which beauty treatments did you do to get it ready for the Met?
Training has taken top priority for me these past few months, so most of my prep work has been sweating it out on the track! That said, I do have a few beauty rituals that I swear by to keep my skin at peak health. I always prioritize rest and hydration—you really can’t put enough emphasis on those two things when it comes to your skin. Adequate sleep and an optimal amount of water are so integral to overall skin health.
However, when I learned I’d be attending this year’s Met Gala alongside Charlotte Tilbury, the Queen of Glow, I knew I’d need to level up my beauty game. Charlotte sent me a ton of skincare ahead of the Met to pamper myself, and I have to say, I am a total Magic Cream convert. It’s like an instant turnaround for your complexion, particularly when your skin is feeling tired, dull, or dry.
What is the inspiration behind your makeup look?
I was lucky enough to be dressed by Priya Ahluwalia, who is the most incredible, gifted designer. She created a custom gown for me tonight with a luxurious red silk fabric. The neckline has this amazing architectural detailing designed to mimic the shape of a track, and it’s beaded with dripping red crystals inspired by the colors and silhouettes of the Harlem Renaissance. It’s such a showstopper of a dress, so we knew the makeup had to be impeccable as well.
We opted for a modern take on the beauty looks that have become synonymous with ’90s supermodels—airbrushed, flawless skin, smokey, elongated siren eyes, and a gorgeously contoured nude lip. It’s the perfect counterpart to Priya’s design, and I feel so beautiful tonight. Being dressed by Priya and made over by Charlotte Tilbury is an absolute dream."
Shop Gabby's Met Gala must-haves:
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Contour Duo
Charlotte Tilbury Big Lip Plumpgasm Gloss
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer
Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Volumizing Mascara
How does it feel to get glammed up in a way that shows a different side of you?
It’s so fun to be able to show a different side of myself. I’m normally very low-maintenance when it comes to beauty and fashion. I usually just stick to some light skincare and complexion products coupled with athleisure wear, which is my everyday uniform. So when I am given the opportunity to wear something a bit more glam, I go for it. When we were creating my beauty look, Charlotte and I talked a lot about the power of makeup—how you can use it to transform your look, which has such an impact on your confidence and how you project yourself to the world.
Is there a must-have beauty product you swear by for big events?
As an athlete, my everyday beauty routine is relatively simple, so for big nights like tonight, I love the opportunity to go all out. I am loving Charlotte’s new Supernudes Lip Cheat Contour Duo. We used it tonight to create the perfect lip symmetry and add dimension to my lips. We then topped the look off with her new Big Lip Plumpgasm Gloss in Nudegasm Diamonds. I am obsessed with this formula and shade. It’s literally like painting your lips with diamond radiance. It was the perfect amount of sparkle for the red carpet.
Nick Krasznai Gabby using Charlotte Tilbury’s new Lip Cheat Contour Duo.
What will your post-Met Gala self-care routine look like?
As soon as I wrap up in New York, it’s right back to Austin to continue my training. I’ll treat myself to some cuddles with my dog, Rico, and then it’s back to the track.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
