met gala 2023

The Best, Wildest, and Most On-Theme Beauty Looks at the 2023 Met Gala

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Getty Images

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We’ve been holding our breath all night this Met Gala, and no, not for Bad Bunny’s backless look — for the best beauty moments of the night. From Rita Ora’s chain-embellished nails to Anok Yai’s glowing skin, here are our favorite looks from the night inspired by the late Karl Lagerfeld, creative director of French fashion house Chanel.

Best Nails: Rita Ora

From left: Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl LagerfeldPhoto: Steve Eichner/WWD via Getty Images
From top: Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl LagerfeldPhoto: Steve Eichner/WWD via Getty Images

After you take in Rita Ora’s sultry smoky eye, a look achieved with a luxury Charlotte Tilbury palette and textured curls, you can’t help but notice her nails done by NYC artist, Naomi Yasuda which set off the look. Her black talons are accessorized with dangly chains, an edgy embellishment that’s equal parts grunge and chic.

Best Glow: Anok Yai

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld

Supermodel Anok Yai gets best glow of the night, hands down. Her luminous skin prepped and hydrated by Lancôme is the main event. As we head into summer, we need the body-glow routine ASAP.

Best Hair Transformation: Jessica Chastain

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

What better carpet than the Met to debut platinum-blonde hair? Actress Jessica Chastain ditched her signature ginger hair for a new look, and we’re into it. Platinum hair is hard to pull off, but she kept her tresses polished with Hair Rituel by Sisley, the nourishing balm was on the ends sealed in all the moisture.

Best Eye Shadow: Emma Chamberlain

Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

Chamberlain’s monochromatic-blue moment feels very quintessential Chanel runway. We love a strong commitment to color, especially on the eyes. The look was done with Lancôme’s Hypnôse eyeshadow palette, a combo of bold blue pigments.

Most Statement-Making: Quannah Chasinghorse

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld

From Chasinghorse’s head-turning makeup and braided hair achieved with Paul Mitchell products, everything about her look makes a strong statement.

Best Lengthy-Hair Look: Naomi Campbell

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld

OG supermodel Naomi Campbell never disappoints on a carpet, and this year is no different. She showed up with butt-grazing hair paired with a mesmerizing soft-pink makeup look done with Pat McGrath’s Divine Rose Luxe eyeshadow palette to complement her pink gown.

Best Beach Waves: Gisele Bündchen

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld

Bündchen looks like a literal angel with her white feathered robe paired with effortless beach waves enhanced with Olivia Garden’s Titanium +Ion curling iron and polished with Sol de Janeiro’s nourishing hair oil with the brand’s signature warm vanilla scent, so yes, her hair smelled as good as it looks.

Best Face Prosthetics: Doja Cat

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Leave it up to Doja Cat to lean in to the theme with her out-of-the-box creativity. The rapper showed up as Lagerfeld’s infamous cat Choupette, who was always by his side. Doja is the most glam cat we’ve ever seen with face prosthetics highlighted with elongated lashes, subtle Charlotte Tilbury blush in Pinkgasm Sunset, along with their cult-favorite Pillow Talk lipstick and thin ’90s brows.

Best Braids: Michaela Coel

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

With cheekbones like this, actress Michaela Coel can pull off almost everything. These straight-back cornrows were simple yet a sophisticated way to bring the attention to her avant-garde Schiaparelli gown and statement earrings. Those cheekbones are glistening with unreleased Pat McGrath and we already know we need it when it launches.

Most Lagerfeld Hair: Cara Delevingne

Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Supermodel Cara Delevingne was Lagerfeld’s muse and friend. She stunned in an edgy glam look with curly gray hair from WhatWigs to pay homage to Lagerfeld’s signature white ponytail.

Finally, a Perfect Red Lip: Tems

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

In a sea of black-and-white looks paying homage to Lagerfeld, you’d think there would be a lot of bold lipstick statements to contrast. Tems was one of the few who wore a matte red lip and wore it right an of course it was the OG, Mac’s Ruby Woo. The deep-red lined with Morphe’s creamy Richie liner was the accompanying statement to her feathered headpiece.

Most Innovative Accessory: Rihanna

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/

The drama! Leave it up to Rihanna to wear voluminous strip lashes over her sunglasses. She eventually took them off and showed off her own lifted lashes coated with Fenty Beauty’s Hella Thicc mascara, but the lash shades were a moment.

The Best and Wildest Beauty Looks at the 2023 Met Gala