The success of a look depends on every element coming together, from the fashion and jewellery to the makeup and hair. At this year’s Met Gala, the stars truly aligned for several celebrities, with makeup effortlessly adding to the narrative. While many of the over-the-top looks serve as a lesson in theatricality, some of the night’s best beauty moments were surprisingly wearable. From painterly pinks to lived-in smokey eyes, these looks prove that a little blush and well-blended shadow can easily elevate your outfit. Here are MOJEH’s makeup highlights from the 2026 Met Gala carpet.
Rihanna
Makeup artist Hector Espinal outdid himself with Rihanna’s look at the Met Gala this year, allowing the gold of her gown to carry over onto the skin without overwhelming. With metallic gold eyeshadow, a hint of shimmering highlight below the brows and a touch of iridescence on the cupid’s bow, every element feels synchronised. Adding to the allure, crystals placed on the outer corner of the eyes blur the line between where her makeup ends and outfit begins.
Gigi Hadid
Patrick Ta created his signature healthy glow for Gigi Hadid at the 2026 Met Gala. By generously applying blush and being light-handed with mascara (he used the Maybelline Colossal Bubble Mascara, if you wish to replicate her look), the artist proved that going overboard isn’t always necessary. With summer approaching, this is an easy one to adopt.
Kylie Jenner
Bleached brows were the final touch that gave Kylie Jenner an otherworldly aura at the 2026 Met Gala. As she joked on Instagram, “Hold my brows babe, I’m walking the Met,” before later sharing her struggle to return her brows to their natural shade. With soft brown eyeshadow and fluttering lashes, her longtime makeup artist Ariel Tejada ensured the beauty look complemented the nearly-nude nature of her Schiaparelli gown.
Lisa
The central blue sapphire of Lisa’s Bvlgari necklace inspired her eyeshadow, creating a complement that feels entirely unexpected yet somehow the only correct choice. With crystals artfully dotted around the eyes and a dash of strategically placed highlighter, her ethereal makeup look ties together one of the evening’s most sparkling ensembles.
Beyoncé
With a sweep of blush, nude gloss and silver shimmer at the inner corners of her eyes, Beyoncé opted for a minimal makeup palette for her highly anticipated Met Gala return. The look subtly enhanced her features without competing with her ensemble and makes for an aesthetic that is easy for us mere mortals to replicate for a weekend brunch.
Anok Yai
Inspired by the Tears of the Madonna, makeup artist Sheika Daley created a sense of intrigue and embodied the Fashion is Art theme through Anok Yai’s makeup. Tears were placed over a metallic-gold base to emphasise their dimensions and make the reference feel all the more real; they added a softness to the dramatic Balenciaga gown.
Ejae
Ejae of K-Pop Demon Hunters made her Met Gala debut in a Swarovski gown inspired by Joseon dynasty courtesans. Her complexion was flawless and minimal, leaving the drama for a black smokey eye that swept from the undereye to the brow bone. Staying true to the inspiration, Ejae finished the look with an updo secured with binyeos – ornate Korean hairpins.
