Ever since its first “Fashion Plate”-themed event in 1971, the Met Gala has remained an annual playground for the kind of visionary, no-holds-barred glamour that’s otherwise reserved for photo shoots. From daring Met Gala beauty looks to couture-inspired statements, it’s no wonder the Metropolitan Museum of Art has also been the site of iconic beauty evolutions sure to spark trends(and more than a few headlines).
At 2015’s “China: Through the Looking Glass” fete, Dakota Johnson soaked up the spotlight with her long ingenue ponytail chopped to a springy chin length and arguably set off the wave of bobs that’s still sweeping the Instagram set.
And yet, for a certain kind of red carpet regular, the Met Gala is less about perfecting a signature look than an opportunity to walk the line between whimsical and dramatic. Take Cher, who paired a sparkling Bob Mackie confection with sculptural earrings and a wash of lavender eyeshadow in 1985, while Rihanna won the 2015 red carpet with the help of a gilded headdress and a transformative set of eyebrows.
Perhaps the most boundary-pushing gala yet, 2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion”-themed festivities inspired bright palettes and even outfit changes, as Lady Gaga made her entrance onto the red carpet wearing a set of oversized gold lashes and a head-turning platinum bob.
Indian-origin celebrities too continue to serve their best beauty ensembles like Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ red velvet gown and shimmery eyes or Deepika Padukone’s Barbie gown coupled with a loud updo.
The 2025 Met Gala dress code, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” drew inspiration from the rich lineage of Black dandyism, celebrating precision tailoring as aesthetic expression and a language of identity, resistance and self-fashioning.
As we count down the days to Met Gala 2026, let’s take a moment to revisit the standout beauty looks from each year.
Bianca Jagger
Photo: Getty Images
