30 of the best-ever makeup looks seen on the Met Gala red carpet

The Met Gala has been bringing us incredible sartorial inspiration for several years, making for some very memorable red carpet moments.

Each year on the first Monday in May, guests arrive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York dressed in line with the theme of that year’s Costume Institute exhibition. And, every year we witness some of the best looks of the year, not to mention some of the most out-there hairstyles and on-trend makeup looks.

Over the years, the celebrity attendees have showcased everything from classic red carpet makeup ensembles to seriously creative interpretations of that year’s brief. Here are the most memorable makeup looks from throughout the years.

Dual liner in a classic black and white pairing is an eye-catching look, further enhanced when paired with a bold red lip, seen on Janelle Monáe at the 2023 Met Gala—the theme of which was "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty".

We love it when the make-up pulls together an outfit, and Priyanka Chopra’s gold eyeshadow and dark red lip perfectly matched hers at the 2018 event—which had one of the most memorable Met Gala themes, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”.

Rihanna has had so many incredible makeup moments on the Met Gala red carpet (her ultra-blushed look from 2017 was another highlight). But this dark lip paired with pastel purple shadow for the 2021 gala was a really eye-catching combination.

Looking like she's stepped straight out of Old Hollywood with a vintage vibe to her overall look, Lily Collins opted for a classic red lip paired with a rich brown smokey eye for the 2023 Gala. A simple makeup look that injects a bit of glamour into any look.

An epic memorable beauty moment from the 2019 Met Gala, Gigi Hadid’s makeup artist Erin Parsons revealed on Instagram that she created this standout look by applying individual white feathers to the supermodel’s lashes, paired with a muted brown-pink lip.

A classic winged eyeliner is and has been worn for hundreds of years – but it's become an absolute staple of the red carpet. Iconic supermodel Naomi Campbell wore the classic look for the 2011 Met Gala, the theme of which was "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty".

In a move that truly nailed the brief – and went down as one of the most memorable beauty looks in Met Gala history – Doja Cat attended the 2023 event, which was inspired by the late fashion designer, as Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette.

Another super memorable creation seen on the Met Gala red carpet was Zendaya’s Cinderella-inspired look from the 2019 event. The star’s makeup made for a truly cohesive ensemble, with pink highlighter and pastel blue eyeshadow to match her ball gown.

Sparkles are a great decision for any party and are a mainstay of the red carpet, as are metallic shades. Kerry Washington's look for the 2018 Met Gala featured a slightly coppery gold sparkly eye paired with a soft pink lip.

A great example of why copper eyeshadow is always an excellent choice, this metallic and smokey make-up look was seen on Sarah Jessica Parker at the 2010 Met Gala – for which the theme was “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”.

This was one of the most memorable Met Gala looks of all time, seen at 2019's "Camp: Notes on Fashion". Lady Gaga had multiple outfit changes on the red carpet and, when she removed her oversized sunglasses, revealed these incredibly detailed statement lashes, complete with graphic liner and a fuchsia lip to match her dress.

A brown smokey eye still packs intensity and makes for a really classic make-up look that's a great choice for an evening event – much like this look that Kate Hudson wore to the 2017 gala, "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between".

This look on Lupita Nyong'o is such a memorable make-up look from the Met Gala red carpet, worn to the 2019 event, featuring dark glossy lips and layers of glitter taken all the way up to her brows. It's proof that at this event, more is definitely more.

Jennifer Lopez is another star who has been on many a Met Gal red carpet and it was difficult to settle on a favourite look. However, her ultra-long, feathery and fluttery lashes were a super glam moment at the 2018 event - and one we won't forget.

This is a really striking take on winged liner, worn by Emma Stone to the 2019 gala. Her make-up artist Rachel Goodwin shared on Instagram that she created the bejewelled look with Swarovski crystals and blue mascara and liner for a truly eye-catching.

Blake Lively has been on many a Met Gala red carpet in her time, but this soft sparkly look is one of our favourites. It’s a winning look because of the way the shimmery tones used in her makeup pair perfectly with her accessories.

Scarlett Johansson's burgundy eyeshadow look, worn to the 2018 gala, also features a frosted shade for that extra bit of sheen and picks out the colours of her gown to pull the whole look together.

Kristen Stewart knows how to work a grungey make-up look and her ensemble for the 2016 Met Gala was no exception. Her smudgy liner was paired with geometric silver eyeshadow were a real statement, making for a truly standout creation.

This colour of eyeshadow looks nothing short of incredible on Gemma Chan, who paired the warm green shade with darker emerald green liner, a contrasting magenta lip and super glowy skin for her look on the 2021 Met Gala red carpet.

A bright and bold shade of lipstick makes a real statement as the main feature of any make-up look, much like this hot pink colour seen on Reese Witherspoon back at the 2014 Met Gala, the theme of which was "Charles James: Beyond Fashion".

This gorgeous look was seen on supermodel Iman at the 2021 Met Gala, pairing an intense and dramatic smokey eye with bronzed and glowy cheeks. The shades used in her make-up really complemented the metallic and jewel tones of her accessories.

Serena Williams is another regular on the Met Gala red carpet and this one from 2021 is of our favourite looks of hers, featuring soft and muted purple on both the lips and lids as well as liquid liner to make her eyes pop.

This bold dark green shade of eyeshadow was the perfect contrast to Beyoncé’s peach gown worn to the 2016 Met Gala. To let the statement eye stand out, the rest of her make-up was kept understated with a little blush and a neutral lip.

Claire Danes is another star who has attended many Met Galas in her time and this make-up look worn for the 2017 event was quite a grungey and lived in one – complete with smudgy dark liner and a barely there lip.

This make-up look seen on Taylor Swift at the 2016 Met Gala was an incredibly striking one thanks to the ultra dark rouge noir lip. For maximum impact, the rest of her look was quite pared back with subtle sparkles on the eyes and just a little mascara.

To us, this make-up on Sandra Bullock feels like a classic 00s red carpet look – more specifically, 2007, when the Met Gala theme was “Poiret: King of Fashion”. The sheeny pink lip and sparkly eyes feel very Miss Congeniality.

This look seen on Salma Hayek on the Met Gala red carpet back in 2019 is both bold and glamorous. The star paired a bright and warm orange-toned red lipstick with a classic smokey eye and fluterry lashes for maximum impact.

For the 2018 Met Gala red carpet, Anne Hathaway opted for quite classic make-up to go with her statement hair accessory with one twist – a pop of shimmery and glittery eyeshadow in the middle of the lower lash line to really accentuate her eyes.

Another brilliant case for the versatility of the purple palette, we love how the shades of Mindy Kaling's make-up perfectly match her dress here. The star opted for mega fluttery lashes, warm magenta eyeshadow and a frosted lip for the 2022 gala.

Another strong case for why a smokey eye is a classic on the red carpet, supermodel Cindy Crawford paired hers with a pale pink lip at the 2016 Met Gala, which was themed "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology".