Synonymous with the first Monday of May, the 2024 Met Gala, themed “The Garden of Time”, is a mere week away. As always, stars in out-of-this-world ensembles will make dramatic appearances on fashion’s biggest red carpet to set new trends for us to ogle over. Elaborate garments aside, there’s no discounting the hefty role a statement hair and make-up look plays in elevating the full fit. And just as this year’s dress code celebrates the Costume Institute’s new exhibition—which spans over centuries of fashion history—it would do us well to reminisce about the best Met Gala beauty looks seen in the past decade.
On the make-up front, certain iconic faces perpetually make an impressive mark. A prime example? Rihanna, whose full-beat is just as powerful as her voice and persona. From showing up to the 2015 event in standout straight brows that only she could pull off, to reviving and mastering draped blush two years later, there’s no disputing that Rihanna is the unfailing Met Gala make-up moment. However, that’s not to say that all looks presented at this fancy bash are only daring and experimental. In recent years, glam trends more achievable by the common beauty enthusiast yet just as sublime, have also been stunningly showcased—as illustrated by Suki Waterhouse’s watercolour eyeshadow in pastel hues.
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Every iteration of this fashionable night doubles up as a yearly reminder of mankind’s limitless creativity, what with the great deal of fresh hairstyles introduced, each more innovative than the last. Standing at the pinnacle of ‘dos is Zendaya, whose noggin sported a chic bowl-cut and a textured, rust-red bob in 2016 and 2018 respectively. As she returns to the 2024 stage after five years, we’re ready to see how everyone’s favourite hair chameleon will one-up herself next.
Below, see Vogue Singapore’s curation of the best Met Gala beauty looks from the last decade.
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Beyoncé
Beyoncé stunned in a black veil and a burgundy lip for 2014’s white tie dress code.
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Joan Smalls
Model and TV personality Joan Smalls stayed true to the year’s trends. Nothing screams 2014 more than a side-swept fringe, fishtail braid and colourful lips—in this case, bright purple.
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Miley Cyrus
Former Disney starlet Miley Cyrus turned heads in 2015 with a slicked-back, minty blue cut.
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Rihanna
In line with the 2015 theme “China: Through the Looking Glass”, Rihanna wore an intricate, gold headpiece that provided a striking visual contrast against a mahogany bob with flipped-up ends.
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Beyoncé
B is for Beyoncé…and Barbie. Queen Bey looked absolutely immaculate and doll-like when she arrived on the 2015 carpet with her blonde curls in a high ponytail.
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Zendaya
In Zendaya’s arsenal of iconic hair looks is the bowl-cut that she pulled off in 2016. Her glamourous make-up consisted of a soft, metallic brown smokey eye with flecks of gold and copper.
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Lily Aldridge
Flaunting clean, illuminated skin and a chocolate-stained pout, Lily Aldridge raised brows with gilded, gold arches at the 2016 technology-themed ball.
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Katy Perry
Always one to make a statement, no portion of Katy Perry’s 2016 make-up ensemble was less than bold. Think bleached brows, tinted cobalt blue lashes and gothic black lips. Atop her crown, jet black hair pulled into a lofty hive.
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Rihanna
Perhaps the most memorable Met Gala make-up look of all time, Rihanna redefined blush in 2017. Vibrant fuchsia was draped from the temples to the cheekbones in a C-shape and extended to the eyelids.
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Gigi Hadid
Barely-there make-up is elevated by intense graphic eyeliner on the likes of Gigi Hadid. 2017’s gala saw her caramel hair twisted into a spiky knot, with a lengthy, wavy lock hanging loose across her face, giving her a mysterious yet sultry demeanour.
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Haley Bennett
Actress Haley Bennett is a painting come to life in adherence to 2017’s theme: “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between.”
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Grace Hartzel
Another look stealing the 2017 show was found on Grace Hartzel—one that was strikingly experimental, to say the least. Early 19th century sausage curls and crimped micro-bangs, bright peach eyeshadow, as well as theatrical under-eye lashes and a heart-shaped pout culminates in the Met Gala’s quirkiest look yet.
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Zendaya
Zendaya put a spin on 2018’s divine theme with her Joan of Arc get-up, which featured textured, jaw-length hair in a rust-red shade.
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Cynthia Erivo
Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo certainly dazzled us in 2018—with her bejeweled brows, shimmery rose gold eyeshadow, platinum blonde hair and cherry cola lips.
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Kate Bosworth
Kate Bosworth’s 2018 glam is as ethereal as it gets. Below a pearl-embellished tulle veil, glowing glass skin is enhanced by baby pink cheeks and lips that emits a heavenly aura.
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Dua Lipa
2019 was the year of larger-than-life hair. Dua Lipa reigned supreme with a majestic ponytail that cascaded down her back. Graphic eyeliner in royal purple served as the perfect finishing touch.
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Ciara
For 2019’s exhibition, Ciara made a grand entrance with her colossally voluminous afro. Emerald green eyeshadow gleamed from her lids to her temples.
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Priyanka Chopra
Apart from a fluffy perm, Priyanka Chopra nailed 2019’s camp theme with her exquisite make-up. The look comprised sparkly magenta eyeshadow and lips, rhinestone beauty marks as well as silver-frosted lashes and a chalk-white waterline.
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Kim Kardashian
Trust Kim K to be ahead of the wet-hair trend. Tousled curls were expertly styled, on the night of the 2019 Met Gala.
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Maisie Williams
Celebrities were determined to return to the Met Gala in 2021 with gusto following the pandemic. Maisie Williams set the example with sci-fi hair inspired by The Matrix.
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Lupita Nyong'o
Go big or go home was Lupita Nyong’o’s motto in 2021. Her voluminous afro was artfully sculpted into gravity-defying, cloud-like swirls. On her lids, a subtle dusting of periwinkle eyeshadow.
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CL
South Korean rapper CL graced the 2021 Met Gala carpet with her platinum tresses twisted in a unique up-do paired with a classic cat-eye.
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Normani
“Gilded Glamour” was the 2022 Met Gala theme, to which Normani paid close attention to. Her sophisticated curly bun was accessorised with a slanted headpiece, while her eyes were adorned with glimmering, green lids.
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Kaia Gerber
Also on the 2022 guestlist was the stunning Kaia Gerber, who awed us with a waist-length mane of bouncy, chocolate curls. Drawing attention to her mien was the generous helping of lustrous lilac shadow on her lids.
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Megan Thee Stallion
No one did metallic glam in 2022 like Megan Thee Stallion. Behind fluttery lashes was expertly executed chrome eyeshadow, ombré brows and taupe lips all set against a flawless complexion.
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Doja Cat
Etched in our memories for years to come, Doja Cat was dressed as a literal cat for the most recent Met Gala, where she employed facial prosthetics to achieve feline features.
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Stephanie Hsu
Actress Stephanie Hsu attended her first Met Gala in 2023 in an elegant quiff that showcased a truly electrifying graphic cat-eye look.
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Suki Waterhouse
Gorgeous pastel hues drew attention to Suki Waterhouse’s peepers last year. The gentle draping of shades such as peach, lilac and pistachio across the lids makes for an utterly enviable look.
