The first Monday of May can only mean one thing- it’s time for fashion’s BIGGEST night and this year was no exception. With all the buzz around shows that are set in the 1800s, like Netlifx’s Birdgerton and HBO’s The Gilded Age, it’s no surprise that this year’s theme paid homage to the regal, elegant, and glamorous styles made famous by the Age of Innocence. Held at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the biggest names in fashion and Hollywood came out to usher in the latest installation at the MET Costume Exhibit, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” opening on May 5, 2022. While most people are talking about the gorgeous dresses and headline-making style choices (shoutout to Blake Lively and Sean Mendes who absolutely SLAYED), we want to focus on our favorite beauty moments of the evening. Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about the best hair and makeup looks at the Vogue-sponsored gala.
KAIA GERBER: Voluminous Brushed Out Curls
If there’s ever a time to go big or go home, it’s the Met Gala. On a night that celebrates the bold and dramatic, Kaia made waves and took her hair to great lengths, (puns intended) by ditching her classic sleek bob ‘do. Styled by hair genius Guido Palau, Kaia was given incredibly voluminous extensions, cascading down her back in perfectly coiffed ringlets. A pair of sparkly barrettes were added as the final touch, pulling her hair back to frame her face – leaving her lips free to kiss her new beau, Austin Butler, at their official red carpet debut.
KIM KARDASHAIN: Slicked Back Bun
It was the year of the slicked back bun, with A-Listers such as Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, and Emma Stone all rocking the look on the red carpet – but there was one celeb who truly took the look to center stage, and that is none other than the legendary Kim Kardashian. Channeling the original Hollywood bombshell, Kim turned heads in the very dress Marilyn Monroe wore at John F. Kennedy’s 45th birthday party in 1962. To truly embody Marilyn’s signature style, Kim debuted a fresh, 14-hour platinum dye job. To put her own twist on Monroe’s hairstyle, her stylist, Chris Appleton, wanted to slick it back into an ultra-modern bun. “The hair look was simple to highlight the platinum color, giving the hair color and dress the attention, I wanted it to be iconic to Marilyn, but also iconic to Kim when she has her blonde moment,” explains Appleton, who used Color WOW Extra Shine Spray to give Kim’s hair that extra sleek finish.
VANESSA HUDGENS: Romantic Updo
While less is more and we appreciate the simplistic beauty of minimalist fashion – the Met Gala is the one night to throw that philosophy out the window and be BOLD. Not only did she co-host the Vogue Livestream, but Vanessa Hudgens made sure to keep the audience’s attention on her by showcasing an elaborate braided updo, embellished with gemstones to complete the look. Styled by Danielle Priano, she wanted Vanessa’s hair to complement her dress and was “inspired by the gilded gothic vibe” of her attire.
CAROLINE TRENTINI: Sculpted Updo
Who said you need to have your hair down to turn heads? Model Caroline Trentini strutted down the red carpet, making a strong case to include her sculpted updo as an installation in the new exhibit. The attention to detail in her hair is a work of art in itself, resembling a perfectly tied bow.
CARA DELEVINGNE: Embellished Gems
While some would say Cara Delevingne’s wildest makeup was under her red silk suit jacket, we would argue that the embellished jewel decals on her face were the real show-stopper. Giving the Euphoria gals a run for their money, Cara’s eyes were covered in gold jewels, accenting the gold color in her body paint and accessories.
TESSA THOMPSON: Blush All Over
As predicted, the Blush All Over look that took NYC Fashion Week by storm made a resurgence on the red carpet. Tessa Thompson looked breathtaking in a mermaid-style gown, with heavy blush around her temples and eyes accenting the pink tones in her dress.
KIKI LAYBE: Graphic Eyeliner
Look, you know we love pink, but there was no bias when choosing to highlight Kiki Layne’s look in our roundup. While we love Kiki’s textured hairstyle, what caught our eye was her graphic liner. With hand-drawn petals in different shades of pink, Kiki’s eyes perfectly accented the floral details in her gown. In other words- Kiki Layne understood the assignment.
Photos from: Met Gala Instagram
Find your next ‘do? Have something completely new in mind? Book your Spring blow outs now, Babe! We have blow dryers at the ready, along with tons of feel-good upgrades to keep hair extra healthy during those more strenuous months on strands.