All the best Met Gala beauty looks ever, from 1985 to 2026

Before the Met Gala was the costume event it is now, it was much more pared back. However, you could count on supermodel Linda Evangelista to turn it out, with this stunning smoky eye, matte skin, and slicked-back hair. Just because it’s not in your face doesn’t make it less impactful.

Billie Eilish’s high-glam take for “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” lives in my mind rent-free. Between the blown-out voluminous bob, the dramatic eyeliner, and the sharp lip, it perfectly complements her voluptuous, gauzy gown.

Lisa, oh, how you understood the assignment. The gemstone nails! The rhinestone hands! The hair swoops! The blue shadow! Everything about this look completely works and complements each other. She looks like an IRL (bad) angel.

Lily Collins showed up and showed out in 2019 for the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme. And while her outfit was certainly stunning, it was really her whole glam look that took it to a cool place. I love the juxtaposition of a really strong eye loaded with lilac colour, heavy liner, and lots of lashes next to a bare, almost concealer-like lip. And of course, the flowers in her hair? Trés chic. Emily would approve.

The number of times I brought this specific photo to a hairdresser as a teenager should tell you just how iconic this look was. It didn’t break barriers, but gosh, it looked damn good. Victoria Beckham shows you don’t have to do the most to make a statement. Here, she’s got a really good layered haircut, curling iron waves, and likely lots of hairspray.

IDK if it’s the swirled edges or the pristine, smoky eye and beat Taylor has become known for, but everything about this is working for me. I’m already stoked to see what she cooks up for 2026 after a gorgeous awards season run.

Many will say this was one of the best Met Gala outfits of all time (considering it was actually four outfits in one). But I’d go as far as to say her beauty ranks super high as well. The teeny bows made out of hair. The gold lashes on the top and the bottom. The matching bright-pink lip. The white inner-corner eyeliner. It’s all so good!

Why, yes, I do want to come to the cottage, so long as we’re both wearing this look. Inspired by Williams' love for the film Black Swan, this metallic shadow paired with black winged liner looks so cool and editorial on the red carpet. +1 for the guys in 2026!

This look is peak ‘90s: bright under-eyes, cloudlike skin, and glossy overlined lip. Of course, it’s all paired with Moss’s classic bedhead (that just so happens to be trending again). It’s simple but so effective.

Anytime a Met Gala attendee wears something out of their usual element, it feels especially memorable and iconic. Case in point: Taylor Swift’s infamous deep-red lip, a departure from her usual blue-based classic red she’s known for. This look actually ended up being a Reputation Easter egg—not only did she go on to wear a similar deep lip during the era, but talked about this night in the song “Dress.” “Your buzz cut and my hair bleached...”

We can’t talk about best looks without including Cher—it would be insensitive to mother, obviously. At the 1985 Met Gala, which at the time was just a simple charity event, Cher showed up in this iconic Bob Mackie look and paired it with slicked back hair, a violet smoky eye, and frosted lips. It’s so ’80s and so amazing.

Why carry a train when you can carry your braid? Tessa Thompson is low-key our braid inspo always (she and her hairstylist, Lacy Redway, are always cooking up different styles), but this took things to new heights lengths.

Can you believe 2025 was only Pamela Anderson’s second Met Gala? But this glam did not hit a sophomore slump. This flipped-out bob shines in a sea of long, flowing hair on the carpet, especially with these ultra-chic micro bangs to show off her iconic early ‘00s skinny brow. And unlike the way we usually see Anderson these days, she’s wearing just a teensy bit of makeup—a soft blush on the cheeks and a matching tint on her lips.

Was Gemma Chan the originator of Brat summer? The wash of green eyeshadow swiped across Gemma Chan’s lids, paired with strong lash and berry lips, seems to say so. Plus, these sculptural braids and blunt bangs add something a bit more abstract to her look.

Sue me, but Zendaya has too many incredible looks to choose from, and she deserves two spots on this list. When she showed up at the 2019 Met Gala as Zenderella, with this ethereal blue eyeshadow and sideswept voluminous updo, she was looking camp right in the eye.

The LV logo on the blush is everything to me and will go down in history as one of the best makeup looks at any Met Gala ever. Those ultra-glossy lips are only a bonus.

Any proof that we got red-haired Dua at some point is appreciated, let alone at the Met Gala. Her colour was so vivid this night, paired beautifully with wet, mermaid-like waves that cascaded down her arm.

Previously, we’d never really seen Olivia Rodrigo wear much colour in her eyes nor style her hair in anything but sleek waves. This boho-esque, ethereal look brings the sparkles on her dress to her eyes in a similar purple tone. And the butterflies in her hair? She was a fairy...