The best beauty looks from the Met Gala 2021: Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Megan Fox and more

While this year’s Met Gala invited attendees to—first and foremost—contemplate American fashion, no look was complete without an expertly calibrated beauty look. The theme, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” and exhibition embody themes of joy, rebellion, and nostalgia—feelings that were mirrored in the myriad hair and makeup looks tonight.

Furthering the joy of dressing up, there were the stars that unapologetically turned up the dial on their above-neck look. Keke Palmer complemented her glittering, disco-ready gown with a voluminous mane, soft-gold dusted cheekbones, and gilded onyx wings, while Julia Garner completed her icy chic ensemble with razor-sharper crystal-encrusted eyeliner and a deep pink lip. As for the rebels, Maisie Williams did not hold back in playing off of her avant-garde Thom Browne gown, sporting The Matrix-inspired bleached brows, a shiny sculptural updo, and black and green talons. And it didn’t get more fierce than Naomi Osaka, who paid tribute to her Japanese-Haitian heritage with a beauty look that centered on monochrome crimson makeup and a gravity-defying updo featuring woven plaits and fanned out, wing-like lengths.

Ah, and the nostalgia: Leave it to Yara Shahidi to stunningly channel American-born French icon Josephine Baker, incorporating the performer’s signature kiss curl into a veiled, retro-futurist hair look with a diamond headband and intricate braids flanked by soft, brushed out curls. And then there was Billie Eilish, who paid homage to Marilyn Monroe with a platinum blonde bob and soft feline flicks, while trading out the icon’s signature red for a modern pinky nude pout. Here, more of the best beauty looks of Met Gala 2021.