Here Is Every Red Carpet Beauty Look You Need to See From the 2023 Met Gala

For fashion and beauty lovers, the first Monday of May may be the single most exciting day of the year. It's the Met Gala, and we were excited to see who will be walking the red carpet and what they'll be wearing

This year's Met Gala theme, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," celebrates the life and work of legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who designed for a slew of brands throughout his career, including Chanel, Chloé, and Fendi before passing away in 2019. In light of the theme, the evening's official dress code is naturally "in honour of Karl." 

The Met Gala red carpet has never been the time to play it safe with fashion or beauty, so we're preparing ourselves for a night of rich inspiration and jaw-dropping (we mean that literally, not figuratively) appearances from our favourite celebrity invitees. Keep scrolling for the best must-see hair, makeup, and beauty moments from the 2023 Met Gala.

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Alexandra Daddario
(Image credit: Getty Images/Matt Winkelmeyer)

Angelic face and eye jewels were a major trend at this year's Met Gala. Daddario kills two trend birds with one stone by pairing hers with a sweep of peach and pink over her eyes and cheeks.

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Stephanie Hsu
(Image credit: Getty Images/Matt Winkelmeyer)

We didn't see much graphic liner or ultra-dark makeup on the red carpet, so Hsu's luxe plum lip and feline-inspired eyes felt dramatic and refreshing. Not to mention, the entire look was created using clean makeup brand, Well People.

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Jennifer Lopez
(Image credit: Getty Images/Theo Wargo)

Lopez let her accessories take centre stage with a minimal, yet classic beauty aesthetic: wispy, pulled-back hair, glossy nude lips (I mean, it is JLo after all!), and a smoked-out cat-eye.

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Janelle Monáe
(Image credit: Getty Images/Noam Galai)

It wouldn't be a Met Gala red carpet without Monáe's trademark ruby red lip and a gravity-defying hairstyle. 

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Paloma Elsesser
(Image credit: Getty Images/Kevin Mazur)

Elsesser exemplifies two of the night's biggest trends: micro fringes (we love this diagonal take!), and embellished eyes and skin. 

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Viola Davis
(Image credit: Getty Images/Kevin Mazur)

Viola Davis in feathers, hot pink, and the most perfect afro is officially one of our forever-favourite red carpet moments from the actress.

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Kylie Jenner
(Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

We've taken 10 screenshots of Kylie Jenner's gorgeous updo because we want to try it ASAP. That, and her '90s supermodel-inspired makeup.

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Kendall Jenner
(Image credit: John Shearer/Getty Images)

Kendall Jenner opted for a slicked-back ponytail, making her the antithesis to her sister's dreamy up-swept strands.

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Kim Kardashian
(Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Curled tendrils and a Cinderella-esque updo perfectly frame Kim Kardashian's signature nude lip and smouldering eye look.

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Ashley Park
(Image credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

How perfect are Ashley Park's dramatic side part, voluminous curls, and metallic eye shadow?

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Lil Nas X
(Image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

There were multiple Choupette-inspired looks on the Met Gala red carpet this year (looking at you, Jared Leto and Doja Cat). But Lil Nas X's interpretation included shimmering chrome skin and jewel-crusted lips. 

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Florence Pugh
(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Florence Pugh debuted a buzz cut, and we might be more shocked than we were seeing Jessica Chastain's platinum blonde strands earlier in the night. Her A+ smokey eye and peachy matte lip pull everything together. 

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Gigi Hadid
(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

We immediately wanted to copy Gigi Hadid's understated eye jewels and pulled-back half-up hairstyle.

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Anne Hathaway
(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

We think Anne Hathaway's retro half-up hairstyle, glossy nude lip, and dramatic winged shadow would make Miranda Priestly proud. 

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Lizzo
(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Hot-pink blush, the sharpest cat-eye liner, and micro bangs with a high pile of curls: Lizzo's beauty aesthetic is one of our favourites. 

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Elle Fanning
(Image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Elle Fanning is another celebrity who got the pink-blush memo this year! The effect is dainty and elegant paired with her floral accents.

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Billie Eilish
(Image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Billie Eilish proves again and again that she's the ultimate chameleon when it comes to beauty. Stunning makeup aside, her beaded-and-ribbon-streaked braid is the star here.

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Quinta Brunson
(Image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

We're not sure what we love more, Quinta Brunson's beautiful lilac eye shadow or her amazing updo and perfectly curled edges. "For Quinta’s look, we decided to traverse the intersection between hair and high fashion, creating an artistic crown headpiece using her natural voluminous curls and coils to make a statement and up the ante on her signature updo," explains her hairstylist Alexander Armand

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Ashley Graham
(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

The epitome of immaculate, Ashley Graham's glossy finger waves and rosy makeup are what beauty dreams are made of. "Inspired by her pink satin and black velvet gown, I decided to give her a classic 90’s glam, matte skin, flushed rosy blush, matte smokey eyes, and a beautiful matte lip," says makeup artist Ivan Núñez. "A timeless and beautiful look for the Met Gala.” 

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Sydney Sweeney
(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

We're getting major retro vibes (inspired by Lagerfield muse, Claudia Schiffer, no less!) from Sydney Sweeney, thanks to her megawatt volume of hair and almost Twiggy-like bottom lashes.

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Kerry Washington
(Image credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Pearls are definitely a recurring theme on the red carpet. The ones Kerry Washington wore complemented her gorgeous updo, which had pearls pinned in the back, and shimmering charcoal gaze.

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Salma Hayek
(Image credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Even though pink is quite notably the colour trend for Met-Gala makeup this year, Salma Hayek makes a great case for red. And can we take a moment for her rose-dipped pony?

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Jessica Chastain
(Image credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Jessica Chastain shocked everyone by showing up to the Met Gala with platinum blonde hair instead of her signature red. Her highlighted skin and moody smokey eye are the cherries on top. 

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Doja Cat
(Image credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

We're not saying we called this, but we totally called this. Doja Cat stepped onto the red carpet as Choupette, Lagerfeld's beloved blue-cream tortie Birman cat.

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Amanda Seyfried
(Image credit: Getty Images/Noam Galai)

And just like that, Amanda Seyfried has us craving disco-esque curls and the boldest of crimson lips. 

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Suki Waterhouse
(Image credit: Getty Images/Theo Wargo)

With neon pink and green dusted from her cheekbones to the inner corners of her eyelids, Suki Waterhouse looks completely ethereal. We're also in love with her romantic, Bardot-inspired hairstyle. 

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Grace Elizabeth
(Image credit: Getty Images/Noam Galai)

We're mesmerised by the model's work-of-art-caliber hair and makeup. From pearl-studded hair, ears, and skin, to pink, glitter-spackled eyes, we're obsessed.

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Naomi Campbell
(Image credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

We can't get over Naomi Campbell. From her glossy pink lips to her perfectly winged cat-eye liner to her opalescent pink eye shadow, her look is everything. 

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Irina Shayk
(Image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Speaking of pink, Irina Shayk's monochromatic hot pink eyelids and popsicle-stained lips are already one of our favourite makeup moments of the night. She kept the rest of her look fresh with a light coat of mascara and radiant skin. 

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Kate Moss
(Image credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Kate Moss accentuated her green eyes with brow-grazing lashes and a healthy coat of eyeliner. She kept it classic with the I-just-woke-up-like-this textured hair she's known for. 

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Gisele Bündchen
(Image credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

The supermodel kept her look effortless and minimal à la glowing bronzed skin, fluttery lashes, and light pink lips. Her signature beachy-bronde waves punctuated her look, of course. 

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Emily Ratajkowski
(Image credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

EmRata is always one of our most-anticipated Met Gala attendees—her micro bangs and smouldering smokey eye don't disappoint. 

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Emma Chamberlain
(Image credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

We love that Emma Chamberlain is back to host the 2023 Met Gala red carpet. We also love her monochromatic look, complete with hazy blue lids and lots (and lots) of eyeliner. 

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Penelope Cruz
(Image credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Penélope Cruz is a vision in white, with a shimmery copper lid and a glossy pink lip to complement. 

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Dua Lipa
(Image credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

It's hard not to stare at Dua Lipa's 100-carat necklace. To accent it, the singer kept her look understated with a peachy-matte lip, glittering eyes, and ultra-glossy waves.

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Rita Ora
(Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Our jaws literally dropped when we saw Rita Ora arrive on the red carpet. Her lined nude lip, smudgy eyeshadow, and long crimped strands are perfection. 

Up next, The Most Jaw-Dropping Red Carpet Looks From the 2023 Met Gala

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear US. 

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Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.