The Met Gala 2026 leaned into contradiction.
A theme built around “Costume Art” could have easily tipped into excess, but the beauty direction told a different story.
Skin was real, hair moved, and nails felt expressive rather than ornamental.
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The result was a red carpet that looked less like a museum exhibit and more like a living, breathing mood board of modern glamour and moving art.
Below, the standout beauty moments, broken down by the brands and artists who quietly dictated the night.
OPI
Sabrina Carpenter
There was something almost subversive about Sabrina Carpenter’s nails. Against an Old Hollywood beauty look, nail artist Zola Ganzorigt delivered a black French tip that felt both classic and slightly rebellious. The precision of the tip, paired with the softness of her glam, struck a balance that defined the night.
The easiest way to recreate it is with OPI’s xPRESS/ONs in Business Casual, $27.95 from Myer. It’s a shortcut that feels almost too simple for something that looks this considered.
Hailey Bieber
Hailey Bieber opted for glowing skin, barely-there nails, and a shade that we’ve obsessed over for years. OPI’s Put It In Airplane Mode, $18.99 at Chemist Warehouse, delivered that soft, milky finish that reads expensive without trying.
Charlotte Tilbury
The red carpet became, quite literally, a masterclass in Charlotte Tilbury. Not in an overwhelming way, but in the sense that everywhere you looked, there was that unmistakable glow.
Venus Williams, Cher, Emily Blunt and more
From co-chair Venus Williams to Cher, Emily Blunt and Eileen Gu, the brand’s signature skin prep anchored the night. The reformulated Magic Cream created that plush, almost lit-from-within base, while Pillow Talk tones tied everything together without feeling repetitive.
Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman
Even among the more tailored looks, there was a softness to the finish. Airbrush Flawless products sculpted without hard edges, and the setting spray locked it all in place without flattening the skin.
The launch moment
The real headline was the debut of the Exagger-Eyes Easy Eyeshadow Sticks. Creamy, self-priming and waterproof, they delivered dimension in seconds. On a night that often leans maximalist, this felt refreshingly efficient. Eyes were defined, but never overworked.
Dyson
Connor Storrie
Connor Storrie’s Met debut came with a hairstyle that felt mythological and modern at once. Hairstylist Candice Birns described the reference points as Antinous, Mick Jagger and Apollo, which sounds chaotic but translated beautifully.
Using the Dyson Supersonic r, the look was built through texture rather than rigidity. Creams, oils and mousse created grit, while a rough dry gave volume that didn’t feel staged. The end result was an effortless, slightly undone curl that held its shape without looking set.
Color Wow
The biggest shift of the night was hair that didn’t look “done”.
Irina Shayk, Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid, Paloma Elsesser
Across the carpet, texture replaced structure. Tousled waves, lifted roots and soft movement dominated. It was glamour, but slightly dishevelled.
Color Wow’s toolkit explains how it was done. Raise the Root delivered that airy lift, while Style on Steroids added separation that felt editorial rather than messy. The Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer available on Amazon Australia created body without stiffness, and the flexible hairspray ensured everything stayed touchable.
Goldwell
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie offered a counterpoint to the undone trend with a sculptural, twisted updo that felt architectural. Created by Bryce Scarlett using Goldwell, the look mirrored her gown’s structure without feeling severe.
Air-Dry BB Cream smoothed the base, while Blow-Dry Spray added volume at the roots. The twist itself was carefully rolled and pinned into a vertical shape, then softened with Defining Wax through the fringe. It was controlled, but not rigid. Precise, but still human.
More Nails: Chillhouse, Essie, Manucurist
Tessa Thompson
Nail artist Mei Kawajiri delivered one of the boldest moments of the night. A cobalt blue shade, Chillhouse’s Cobalt Klein, echoed the vibrancy of Tessa Thompson’s Valentino look. It was graphic, deliberate and impossible to ignore.
Bad Bunny
Even the men leaned in. Bad Bunny’s manicure, built on essie nail care staples, focused on hydration and finish. Clean, glossy nails became part of the overall look rather than an afterthought.
Gigi Hadid
For Gigi, the mood shifted again. A pearlescent shade called Moon by Manucurist added a soft shimmer that felt playful without tipping into novelty. It was subtle, but deliberate.
Chanel
Hudson Williams
Hudson Williams delivered one of the more conceptual beauty moments of the night, built entirely around transformation. Using Chanel Beauty, the look moved from softness to something sharper and more controlled.
Skin was luminous but structured, thanks to Les Beiges foundation and strategic highlighting. Eyes carried the narrative, with layered liners and shadow palettes creating depth that felt almost sculptural. Hair, shaped with Dyson tools and Redken styling, fanned outward in a feathered silhouette that referenced a swan mid-transformation.
MERIT
Skin came first, texture stayed visible, and every product felt purposeful rather than performative. The result was beauty that looked effortless, but was anything but.
Misty Copeland
Makeup artist Mali Boykin created a look that centred warmth, depth and luminosity. Using MERIT exclusively, she prepped skin with Great Skin Priming Moisturizer before evening tone with The Uniform and The Minimalist in Amber.
Flush Balm in Lusitano and Day Glow in Citrine added a soft, believable radiance, while neutral Solo Shadows sculpted the eyes without heaviness. Lips were gently defined with Signature Lip Blush and Liner, keeping everything cohesive.
The effect was polished yet intimate. Skin still looked like skin, just richer and more refined.
Greta Gerwig
For Greta Gerwig, makeup artist Sabrina Bedrani leaned into fresh, glowing skin with a subtle focus on the eyes to complement her Stella McCartney gown.
Great Skin Instant Glow Serum and Priming Moisturizer created a luminous base, followed by The Minimalist for sheer coverage. Flush Balm added a natural flush, while Solo Shadows in Glacé and Matchbook were softly smudged to elongate the eyes.
A diffused lip using Signature Lip and Liner kept the look understated, finished with a new MERIT mascara for a hint of definition.
MERIT’s message was clear. On a night built for spectacle, restraint can be the most powerful statement of all.
