The Best Beauty Looks at the 2023 Met Gala

Every first Monday of May, the fashion world gears up for its biggest night of the year: the Met Gala. The glamorous event is filled with some of the most memorable looks — and that includes hair, makeup, and nails.

This year, the Costume Institute's exhibition is "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" to celebrate the work and life of the legendary designer. From Old Hollywood-inspired hair to bold color experiments in makeup, the beauty looks at the Met Gala 2023 proved to be among the best ones yet.

But don't just take our word for it. See what Lizzo, Michelle Yeoh, and all of our favorite celebs wore on the red — well, actually, white — carpet. Below are the best beauty looks of the night.

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Penelope Cruz

Cruz went bridal-chic by wearing a long white veil over her low bun. Celebrity makeup artist and eponymous brand founder Charlotte Tilbury gave the Met Gala co-chair a nude lip and classic smoky eye.

02 of 25

Dua Lipa

Lipa went the more understated route, with her long hair cascading down her back and subtle makeup.

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Rita Ora

Ora's smokey eye looked effortlessly glam with her loose waves, but the real star of her look was her nails. Wanting to replicate a "deconstructed Chanel necklace," celebrity nail artist Naomi Yasuda first painted on Manucurist Paris in Licorice for the black base and then punctured a small hole into the tip of the nail to apply the chain attachment for major drama.

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Emily Ratajkowski

Ratajkowski wore her signature smokey eye and nude lip for her makeup look. She then swept her large curls into a ponytail and added a velvet bow — the perfect ode to Karl's Chanel.

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Phoebe Bridgers

Bridgers wore her cool silver hair in a loose updo with face-framing tendrils falling out in front. Her thin, double-stranded headband added just the right detail.

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Quinta Brunson

Brunson wore a stunning high, structural updo alongside lavender eyeshadow — proving more means more. Celebrity makeup artist Jessica Smalls used Glossier Monochromes Essential Eyeshadow Trio in Heather to create the bold makeup look.

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Quannah Chasinghorse

No updo? No problem. Paul Mitchell Artistic Director Paula Peralta styled Chasinghorse's hair with a deep side part, braids, and waves.

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Ariana DeBose

DeBose wore cornrows that transformed into long platinum blonde braids. What really completed the look? Her edges, which were slicked into waves along her hairline.

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Michaela Coel

Michaela Cole attends the 2023 Met Gala â Best Beauty Looks

Coel also wore cornrows, but these featured gold-leaf detail at the back to match her embellished dress. She kept her makeup look classic with black liner to define her eyes.

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Naomi Campbell

Looking as regal as ever, Campbell wore her dark hair long and sleek down her back. Her makeup was similarly minimalist, with a soft pink lip to match her gown.

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Michelle Yeoh

Yeoh's hairstylist Christopher Naselli used Hidden Crown Hair seamless hair extensions for her sleek updo with a twist, while celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin opted for winged cat-eye. The effect was elegant, timeless, but not at all boring — just like Yeoh herself.

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Cardi B

Cardi B went '60s chic with her silver hair and side bangs adorned with a black headband. Her makeup was also relatively simple, with a nude glossy lip being the highlight.

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Janelle Monae

You can always count on Monae to come in hot, and the Met Gala was no exception. They wore a structural tower updo with silver pieces woven throughout. Alongside their red lip, it made for a head-turning look.

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Doja Cat

Leave it Doja Cat to show up as Lagerfeld's number-one: Choupette. The rapper went all out in cat-like prosthetics and a flick of feline-inspired liner.

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Jenna Ortega

Ortega wore her hair in a gorgeous half-up, half-down 'do, with her iconic fringe bangs just grazing her eyebrows.

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Maya Hawke

Celebrity makeup artist Mary Wiles used the Tata Harper Water Lock Moisturizer to give Hawke's skin a glow before applying Le Rouge Francais Garance Royal Royal Cream Blush to lend a rosy flush across her cheeks. It was the perfect accent for her rock star-worthy, messy waves.

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Rachel Brosnahan

For Brosnahan, celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon went for a '90s rocker edge. She went for a smokey eye with dramatic lashes using the KISS Lash Couture The Muses Collection in Supreme. Meanwhile, celebrity hairstylist Owen Gould gave Brosnahan a sleek ponytail that stayed put all night, thanks to the Better Not Younger Wake Up Call High-Hold Thickening Hairspray.

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Devon Aoki

Bow down to one of Karl's OG muses. For her Met Gala debut, Aoki brought the Old Hollywood glam with retro blonde curls and soft makeup.

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Florence Pugh

If her newly shaved head didn't do it, then Pugh's tall headpiece definitely stopped everyone in their tracks. Makeup artist Alex Babsky used Valentino Beauty Color-Flip Eyeshadow Palette to blend out that dramatic smokey eye.

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Sydney Sweeney

Celebrity makeup artist Melissa Hernandez brought a sparkle to Sweeney's eyes by mixing the Armani Beauty Eye Tint in 10s and 44s to create a rosy-champagne shade. Giving the Euphoria actor big-bow energy, celebrity hair stylist Glen Oropeza used the Shark FlexStyle to give Sweeney's hair voluminous body for a nostalgic vibe.

21 of 25

Rihanna

Always worth the wait, Rihanna walked the carpet last with a shimmery eye look and bold red lip. Celebrity makeup artist Priscilla Ono mixed Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Lightning Dust/Fire Crystal with the brand's Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette in True Neutrals to create a diffused, shimmering eye look. The bold lip was the Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in ‘Uncensored, which Ono calls a "long-lasting universal red."

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Lizzo

Celebrity makeup artist Alexx Mayo and hairstylist Shelby Swain created a modern ode to Audrey Hepburn with a high bun, baby bangs, and muted makeup.

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Margot Robbie

Celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff and stylist Bryce Scarlett went '90s supermodel glam with a voluminous blowout and soft, minimalist makeup.

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Kendall Jenner

Celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips went mod for Jenner's look with a winged smokey eye. To bring it home, Jenner wore her hair in a high ponytail to match the retro feel of the look.

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Suki Waterhouse

Celebrity stylist Candice Birns went for an effortless Brigitte Bardot look for Waterhouse, who also wore a lovely, watercolor flush that reached from her cheeks to the eyes.

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