As Tiffany Pollard famously said: “gorgeous is gonna, you know, devour cute.”
When it comes to the Met Gala, no one wants to be called cute because it’s all about the more is more approach. It’s the one event where larger-than-life ensembles, in-your-face accessories and exaggerated poses on the red carpet are encouraged.
And it’s safe to say clothes aren’t the only way to stand out at the annual fashion extravaganza—which historically takes place the first Monday in May. Yes, wearing a theatrical design will certainly turn heads, but that doesn’t mean the lewk ends there.
Beauty plays a big role.
Take for example Rihanna‘s drool-worthy looks over the years. Look back at any outfit, and you’ll notice her vision didn’t stop at her garment. She pushed it further with her hair and makeup.
Case in point? The Fenty Beauty founder celebrated the 2017 theme (Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons) with a voluminous and architectural dress that could’ve easily swallowed her whole.
Instead, she owned the avant-garde design and commanded the room.
Her makeup also complemented the gown’s vivid and colorful palette—she took her blush all the way to her eyelids, which made everything a lot more cohesive and playful. Her deep red lipstick not only matched her design but it tied her entire look together.
One word: swoon!
Another memorable beauty moment? Lupita Nyong’o‘s Divine-inspired makeup at the 2019 Met Gala. The Us actress exaggerated her eyebrows like the late drag icon, while also adding glitter liner and eyeshadow to her lids. An array of gold combs peeked through her hair and doubled as accessories.
Her electrifying glam made her rainbow-colored dress pop even more that night.
Of course, we’re only scratching the surface here.
We’ve rounded up the best beauty looks to hit the red carpet over the years. Scroll through our gallery below for some makeup and hair inspo!
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Lady Gaga
No one does over-the-top glam like the 34-year-old star. From her spider-like, gold lashes to her bright and bold pink lipstick to her sparkly face jewels, this is a makeup look to remember! Plus, her baby bow hairstyle is an ode to her early days.
Timpone/BFA/REX/Shutterstock
Rihanna
A work of art! Rihanna‘s makeup perfectly complements her colorful architectural gown—she takes her blush all the way to her eyelids, which makes everything cohesive and playful. Her deep red lipstick not only matches her vivid design but it ties her entire look together.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Billy Porter
All that glitters is gold. The Pose star drips in the enchanting and opulent color—from the face jewels to the blinding shadow to the chainmail headpiece.
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Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Amber Valletta
The supermodel takes us to the 18th century with her flamboyant and fabulous wig. Her flushed cheeks and and rose-colored lip tie the theatrical lewk together.
George Pimentel/WireImage
Beyoncé
The Homecoming star serves face and bawdy at the 2014 event with her seductive black beaded fascinator, deep wine-colored lipstick and sultry eye shadow.
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Lily Collins
A nod to mod! The actress pays homage to Priscilla Presley with her bright and bold beauty. Along with the lavender shadow and exaggerated eye makeup, Lily’s voluminous bouffant and flower accessories give her glam a retro feel.
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Karwai Tang/WireImage
Katy Perry
Even though Perry’s face is covered with a crimson-colored veil, her makeup is still on-point. She rocks glossy and shimmery red lips, mesmerizing ocean-blue shadow with a touch of silver on her inner corners and bold brows.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Rose Hartman/Getty Images
Cher
The queen of ultra-glam lewks! Cher brings the theatrics to the 1985 Met Gala with her majestic purple shadow, extreme contour and shimmery holographic lips.
Jackson Lee/FilmMagic
Zendaya
One word: breaktaking! Zendaya shuts down the red carpet with her vivacious makeup and hair. Her rich orange lip color packs a punch while her Afro adds elegance and grandeur to her ensemble.
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Karwai Tang/WireImage
Cara Delevingne
Silver siren. The supermodel pulls out all of the stops for the 2017 fashion affair. From her silver-painted head to her dazzling face jewels to her blinding body glitter, Cara lights up the red carpet.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Cardi B
Let’s all take a moment of silence to appreciate the rapper’s captivating lewk. She takes us to church with her larger-than-life headpiece and glamorous makeup at the 2018 ceremony—Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination.
Nick Barose
Lupita Nyong’o
The actress brings the drama to the 2019 Met Ball with her electrifying beauty lewk. Inspired by the famous drag queen, Divine, Lupita nails the Camp theme. “We were gagging when we started drawing [her] eyebrows so high,” makeup artist Nick Barose tells E! News. “That’s what camp attitude is. You have fun and carry on.”
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Peter Kramer/Getty Images
Marilyn Manson
The singer makes a grand entrance with an edgy and eccentric makeup look at the 2005 Met Ball.
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Gigi Hadid
The 24-year-old supermodel makes the 2019 fashion affair her own personal runway. Naturally, she turns heads with her stark white lashes that look like icicles.
Kevin Mazur/MG18/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Rihanna
Once again, the Fenty Beauty founder proves why she’s the queen of the Met Gala. She pulls out all of the stops at the 2018 ceremony with her Pope-inspired ensemble and equally dazzling makeup, which complements her jewel-adorned design.
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Lars Niki/Corbis via Getty Images
Ginnifer Goodwin
All eyes are on Goodwin, who turns heads at the 2013 event with her edgy eye makeup.
Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
Lili Reinhart
The Riverdale star transports us to 18th century France with her Marie Antoinette-inspired lewk. From the explosion of flowers in her updo to her pink monochromatic makeup, Lili brings a fashion fantasy to the 2019 event.
Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic
Miley Cyrus
The “Mother’s Daughter” exudes goth-glam vibes at the 2013 event with her vibrant red lipstick and spiky hairdo.
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Ezra Miller
A sight to see! All eyes are on the Justice League star… quite literally.
Dennis Van Tine/PA Images via Getty Images
Madonna
You better Vogue! Madonna‘s makeup is effortless, timeless and simply swoon-worthy. Her Anna Wintour-esque hair is a nice finishing touch to her overall outfit.
Sadly, the 2020 Met Gala has been postponed indefinitely due to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t reminisce on what could’ve been.
E! News is here to fill that fashion void—so go ahead and relive the best Met Gala moments!
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