Cast one eye into the future with us as our stellar line-up of make-up artists set their Met Gala beauty predictions for 2024.
“Darlings, this year’s Met Gala theme is so inspiring,” coos Charlotte Tilbury, celebrity make-up artist to the namesake brand. “The delicacy and ephemeral nature of the garments that will be on display at the Museum are a perfect reflection of the themes of time and transience which JG Ballard explores in his short story, A Garden of Time.”
“I can’t reveal my secrets ahead of the big event, you’ll have to wait and see,” Tilbury teases. “But what I can tell you is that our conversations and planning always starts with what each of my gorgeous women is wearing. Beauty and fashion complete each other, they allow us the freedom to experiment, have fun and be whoever we want to be, and all of the creatives I work with will let their imaginations go wild! I can’t wait!”
Read on as these leading make-up artists share their Met Gala 2024 beauty predictions.
Charlotte Tilbury, founder of Charlotte Tilbury and make-up artist to Jodie Turner-Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore and Emily Ratajkowski
SKIN IS YOUR BEST ACCESSORY “I predict that the simplicity of beautiful, luminous skin will be the perfect complement for the vivid colours of the gorgeous couture we’ll be seeing on the red carpet. There is nothing more beautiful, more empowering, more transient than a radiant, dewy, luminous complexion. Darlings, I always say, “you can’t have a beautiful painting without a beautiful canvas”—and this look is all about perfecting that canvas, taking care of your skin health with a mini facial, a little gua sha perhaps, and using the best skincare and foundation hybrids to get that glow.”
ROSE BLUSH CHEEKS “This year’s exhibition is all about fragility, based on those delicate archival dresses that can be revived, and brought back to life. ‘The Garden Of Time’ is full of beautiful, poignant references to rose petals and the way the light hits them, so I expect we’ll see some ethereal, rose-bud hues across lips and cheeks. My Pillow Talk collection is like an AI filter that bathes the whole complexion in fresh, natural, soft rosebud hues. It’s like painting on beautifying pink lights.”
FEMME FATALE “Darlings, it’s not all sweetness and light and flower-filled fantasies today… there will be lots of femme fatales on the red carpet. For a darker take on romance it’ll be smokey, rock-chick, vampy eyes to mesmerise, balanced with a nude lip for a more polished finish as inspired by my Rock Chick Luxury Palette and Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur in Nude Blur—Brigitte Bardot meets punk rock! Darlings, it’s intriguing, it’s mysterious and it’s very very beautiful! You’re going to love it!”
Melanie Inglessis, make-up artist to Rosamund Pike, Laufey and Jenna Ortega
PLUMP, DEWY SKIN IS IN “The Garden Of Time explores the concept of preservation using flowers as a symbol of beauty, youth ands innocence. I think skin will be a big trend, a really youthful dewy plump skin. There will be a big emphasis on skincare to get there. We are going to see some colours, I would think pastels and muted over brights. I have a feeling there will be a little 70’s and 90’s inspiration.
POP CULTURE REFERENCES THAT WILL INSPIRE THE BEAUTY LOOKS “Think maybe early Calvin Klein/Kate Moss, any ’90’s Christy Turlington Vogue cover. Or I could go camp, like a David LaChapelle shoot.”
Mai Quynh, make-up artist to Riley Keough and Nicole Richie
PASTELS PLEASE “I think we’ll see a lot of bright or pastel colours all over the face to complement floral patterns or even taupe neutrals to go with the different tones in nature. It depends on what the person is wearing and also what their features are, but I think washes of eyeshadows and blushes like a watercolour painting. Paired with a bold lip. Hair, again depending on the look, could be a romantic texture or structured and sculpted.”
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POP CULTURE REFERENCES THAT WILL INSPIRE THE BEAUTY LOOKS “John Galliano for Christian Dior 1998 spring/summer couture.”
Billie Gene, make-up artist to Kerry Washington, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Winnie Harlow
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ETHEREAL ROMANCE “I expect makeup trends to be angelic and soft with heavy use of pastels colours on the face, flushed cheeks, bitten lips. Surreal Skin will also be a key beauty trend—think glass glowy skin but a tad more effortless. For hair trends, I anticipate length on the carpet, long luxurious locs, full of loose romantic curls, effortless waves and sculptural updos. I also foresee the use of adornments in the hair, whether flowers, butterflies or jewels.”
POP CULTURE REFERENCES THAT WILL INSPIRE THE BEAUTY LOOKS “As I reflect on this year’s Gala theme and its connection to beauty and pop culture, I’m struck by the profound depth of Billie Eilish‘s voice, which offers listeners a truly surreal experience as well as the visual spectacle of the Hunger Games which serves as a vivid example of this, with its make-up and custom designs seamlessly fitting into the theme. I’m eagerly looking forward to experiencing how this year’s Gala will take us on a transcendent journey.”
Rolana Lim, runway make-up artist
GET ELEMENTAL “At this year’s Met Gala, anticipate key make-up and hair trends embracing natural beauty with a touch of artistry. Expect make-up looks featuring a balance between matte finishes and subtle glow, with hues inspired by the elements—sky, sea, and earth. Themes of purity, garden blooms, and timeless elegance will influence makeup choices, including soft blush tones and bold lip colors. Hairstyles will blend Victorian-inspired volume with modern twists, incorporating intricate floral arrangements and relaxed styles like the Gibson girl.”
POP CULTURE REFERENCES THAT WILL INSPIRE THE BEAUTY LOOKS “Drawing inspiration from films like A Midsummer Night’s Dream for whimsical and enchanting makeup looks, and The Great Gatsby for glamorous, vintage-inspired hairstyles.” Music references will “reflect the bold and boundary-pushing make-up seen in music videos by artists like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, incorporating avant-garde elements and experimental colour palettes” while art references are likely to include “the surreal and abstract beauty depicted in the works of Salvador Dali for make-up looks that challenge traditional notions of beauty, and the floral motifs of impressionist paintings for hair arrangements that evoke a sense of timeless elegance.”
