From Art Deco-inspired golden waves to trompe-l’œil tears, the 2026 Met Gala elevated beauty looks into true works of art. A closer look at the evening’s most striking hair and make-up moments.
On Monday 4 May, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art was transformed into a spectacular stage where beauty met art. With the theme Fashion is Art, the 2026 edition of the Met Gala encouraged celebrities to completely reinvent their beauty looks. Here, hair and make-up did far more than complement the outfits: they told stories, drew inspiration from masterpieces, and challenged the conventions of traditional glamour. Here is our round-up of the beauty looks that truly stole the show.
Rihanna, a living Art Deco sculpture
For Rihanna, hair and make-up became one seamless creation. Hairstylist Yusef Williams transformed her hair into a genuine piece of wearable jewellery. Sleekly flattened against the scalp, it extended into finger waves adorned with gold threads, directly inspired by the codes of Art Deco.
As for her complexion, make-up artist Hector Espinal opted for golden and bronze tones to create a warm, radiant finish. He enhanced her eyes with shimmering touches and crystals, while her lips were given a perfectly glossy effect. The icing on the cake? The evening also marked the world premiere of Fenty Beauty’s brand-new Mousse Cream Bronzer.
Claire Foy revives Madame X
British actress Claire Foy chose to pay tribute to one of the most scandalous paintings in art history: John Singer Sargent’s Madame X, painted in 1884. Her beauty look, created by Lisa Eldridge, focused on luminous, naturally enhanced skin, softly flushed cheeks, and a velvety lipstick inspired directly by the original portrait.
Veiled in black, Claire Foy recreated with striking precision the cold, mysterious elegance of the woman who shocked Parisian high society more than a century ago.
Hunter Schafer brings a Gustav Klimt portrait back to life
The Euphoria actress immersed herself in the world of Gustav Klimt to recreate the portrait of Mäda Primavesi, painted between 1912 and 1913. Her long-time make-up artist Sandy Ganzer used Prada Beauty products to accentuate her face with blue and pink hues, echoing those of the young girl in the original painting.
Meanwhile, hairstylist Rena Calhoun crafted soft waves in her hair, secured with a ribbon barrette and enhanced with subtle blue highlights.
Anok Yai, a golden statue with frozen tears
From her golden complexion and glittering décolletage to her finger waves painted in gold, South Sudanese-American model Anok Yai embodied the figure of the Mater Dolorosa — the weeping Virgin Mary displayed within the Metropolitan Museum itself.
Although she radiated beauty, it was her strikingly realistic raised faux tears that captured attention around the world.
Ciara, Nefertiti 2.0
American singer Ciara gave her glam team a clear mission: transform her into the iconic Egyptian queen Nefertiti, inspired by her famous bust — the painted limestone sculpture created in 1345 BC, now housed in Berlin’s Neues Museum.
Hairstylist Cesar Ramirez rose to the challenge by creating an impressive headdress made from meticulously layered gold leaf. Meanwhile, make-up artist Yolanda Frederick-Thompson enhanced Ciara’s complexion with luminous golden-toned make-up.
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