The Best Beauty Looks From the 2016 Met Gala Red Carpet
Last year’s beauty looks at the Met Gala provided enough breathtaking beauty inspiration to last us, well, until this year’s impending event. The theme is “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” so it’s safe to say we’re expecting all things futuristic and edgy. Click through the gallery below to see the best looks of the night.
We have never seen silver hair look quite as chic as it does on Ciara. Her short crop, matched with winged liner and a pale lip, merged futurism with vintage. Makeup artist Yolanda Frederick used H&M Beauty's Lipstick ($10) in Cream Cocoa to contour her lip line for a full pout.
RHW channeled angelic vibes with a slick updo and clean, minimalistic makeup.
Byrne’s sultry take on techno-beauty featured a liner-heavy smoky eye and deep-red berry lip. To re-create, grab a long-lasting black liner meant for the waterline, such as Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($20), and Dolce & Gabbana's Matte Lipstick in Dolce Desire ($37).
Gomez's take on futurism was streamlined and monochromatic. Her graphic winged liner and slick ponytail kept the look sleek and glossy.
Swift’s new platinum hue perfectly suits this year’s avant-garde theme. Pairing it with an almost black purple lip, she nailed futuristic-chic. Try Nars’s Audacious Lipstick in Liv ($32).
Moretz’s interpretation of the theme also involved clean skin and neutrals on the lips, eyes, and cheeks. Thankfully, she proved that in the future, loose waves will still be in style.
If the future includes more tight, super-high ponies like Fanning’s, we are looking forward to it.
Copeland’s glowy skin, black liner, and nude lip fell perfectly in line with the evening’s minimalistic looks.
They say trends come and go in cycles, and according to Delevingne, the roaring ’20s are in for a resurrection. Her purple lip and long, platinum hair modernized the look. To steal her exact lip color, use Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat pencil in Berry Naughty ($22), followed by Matte Revolution in Glastonberry ($32).
Slick hair and technology go together like highlight and contour. Kloss rocked hers with a deep side part and a red lip.
Is that you, Kate Upton? The model’s bold brows and delicately lined eye makeup seemed to completely restructure her face. It’s Future Upton, if you will.
Jenner brought her signature sleek pony to the ball, completely with subtle makeup: glowy skin, winged liner, and a nude lip.
Reflecting the fast-paced age of technology, Jenner shed her extensions in place of a slick, straight bob.
Ambrosio’s simple, straight hairstyle brought an effortless wearability to the gala. Makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez used Ardell lashes to give the supermodel a fluttery, flirty effect.
Re-create Crawford’s dewy, ageless finish by blending a dollop of Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector ($41) with your foundation.
Lovato brought the wet-hair look into the tech age.
Bosworth also channeled the ’20s, with her bejeweled headpieces and true-red matte lip. To steal the look, try Tatcha’s Kyoto Red ($55).
According to Met Ball trends, stick-straight hair is about to make a major comeback. Time to stock up on those frizz-fighters.
Miller’s drapey updo brought soft waves into the future.
A bright, minimalistic eye look and pinky-red lip put a modern spin on classic beauty. For her hair, Amika stylist Rebekah Forecast created a unique fishtail updo with the help of the brand’s Un.Done Texture Spray ($24).
Fanning’s neutral makeup and perfectly undone hair shared the softer side of tech chic.
Hart’s braided faux-hawk looked not unlike something we might have seen in Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, and we’re into it.
Smalls’s smoky eye was 100% on-trend at this year’s ball. Her slicked-back hair allowed the sultry makeup to take center stage.
We are all about this gothic take on technological style. The oxblood hair and jade eye shadow were daring yet chic.
Stone brought a retro hairstyle into the 21st century by pairing it with a bold smoky eye and a super-light nude lip.
Depp’s smudgy bottom liner and loose updo were relaxed and undone, yet modern. Makeup artist Sam Bryant added a soft wash of Chanel Limited Edition Stylo Eyeshadow Fresh Effect in Rose Pétale ($34) over her lids, then finished the look with the brand’s Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Craquante ($37)—the perfect pink.
Williams kept things ultra-minimal with a no makeup-makeup look and straight, piecey bob.
We can always trust Smith to come up with something avant-garde. The rhinestones under her eyes were playful yet sleek.
Heard brought Old Hollywood glamour to the age of technology with a voluminous ’do and berry-red lip. Makeup artist Melanie Inglessis mixed Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Drama ($38) in shades in 510 and 407 to create the perfect hue.
Hadid’s sheer mauve lip and loose waves showed an effortless take on the evening’s theme. For a similar lip look, try Tarte’s LipSurgence Lip Tint in Moody ($24).
Watson’s structured ’do almost looked like something out of The Hunger Games’ capital. She paired the style with a glamorous black-and-gold eye look.
In a sea of smoky eyes and nude lips, Chastain stuck to her trademark class with a creamy pink lip and rosy cheeks.
Even in the age of technology, it wouldn’t be Hudson without a middle part and soft, beachy waves.
Gaga owed her extra-voluminous style to hair artist Frederic Aspiras, who used Matrix’s Total Results Wonder Boost Root Lifter ($16) for lift and Style Link Mineral Mess Maker Sea Salt Spray ($10) for texture.
Aldridge was almost unrecognizable with her oh-so-shiny black updo and statement gold brows.
Nyong’o’s took Lara Stone’s beehive and raised with this impressive sci-fi style.
Kim also brought a wet-hair look, which she complemented with layers of under-eye smoke.
Robbie’s long, middle-parted lengths and neutral makeup left her looking youthful and natural.
Hadid went for a monochrome look, matching the high-shine taupey blond of her hair with that of her eye shadow and lips.
Tight braids and clean, glowing skin made Vikander look like the star of the next big dystopian YA novel—in the best way.
Be still, our hearts. Deep jewel-toned eye shadow, a bare lip, and slick, straight hair define our future queen.
Lively paired her statement earrings with a statement lip, proving that you don’t have to choose just one.
This androgynous crop is quite realistically a hairstyle of the future.
Stewart demonstrated what witchy bohemian style will look like in 2026, perfect for the evening’s theme.
An ageless Kidman flaunted iridescent skin and darkened brows, allowing her headpiece and bejeweled ensemble to stand on their own.
Evidently, lip colors in the age of technology are either one of two extremes: pale nude or nearly black. Re-create McAdams’s deep red color with Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss Lipstick in Mötorhead ($21).
We had no idea a bowl cut could look so modern, but now we do. Thank you, Zendaya.
Who were you most excited to see on this year’s red carpet? Tell us below!