"Cheap" and "relatable" are not words you’d use in the same sentence as the Met Gala. In fact, last night’s kitschy camp-themed affair proved to be quite the opposite. The outfits coming down the pink carpet were opulent, grandiose, and avant-garde in every way — from Cardi B’s crystal-studded fingernails to Lady Gaga’s huge metallic eyelashes.
But it’s not all smoke and mirrors and performance art. We mere onlookers can pull useful, everyday tips from the out-there Met Gala looks. That’s because some of the most gorgeous looks from the event — including Gal Gadot ‘s celestial silver eyeliner and Ashley Graham ‘s sleek rope ponytail — were created using under-$15 beauty products. Ahead, click through all the drugstore finds that the celebrities actually wore to fashion camp.
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Ashley Graham
Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images.
Ashley Graham
Hairstylist Justine Marjan used these handy anti-frizz sheets to keep the supermodel’s embellished rope braid free of flyaways — which can be especially tricky with NYC’s unpredictable humidity index in early spring.
TRESemmé Tresemme Anti-Frizz Smoothing Sheets – 1ct, $4.99, available at Target
Gal Gadot
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage.
Gal Gadot
Makeup artist Sabrina Bedrani partnered with Revlon for the Met Gala, giving Gadot an angelic makeup look complete with a skinny stripe of silver shimmer on her lower lashline. Bedrani used the Revlon Liner/Shadow duo stick to get the precise undereye accent.
Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art in Steel Spark, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Lupita Nyong’o
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage.
Celebrity manicurist Casey Herman channeled a bright and colorful carnival celebration for for Lupita Nyong’o’s nail look. “With Camp being the theme and Lupita’s gorgeous colorful Versace look, I immediately thought of carnival in Rio," Herman said. "I wanted to put the party on her nails with a little drama," she explains, adding that she used KISS’s gel extensions and Nail Art Kit in Masquerade to achieve the theatrical rainbow mani.
Kiss KISS Nail Art Paints – Masquerade, $6.99, available at Kiss USA
Chloë Grace Moretz
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage.
Makeup artist Mai Quynh partnered with E.l.f. for the Met Gala glam on actress Chloë Grace Moretz. The whole look was gorgeous, but the standout element was the bright-pink lipstick. It’s the $3 Velvet Matte formula in the shade Fuchsia Fantasy.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Velvet Matte Lipstick in Fuchsia Fantasy, $3, available at Ulta Beauty
Imaan Hammam
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
When we were done gushing over model Imaan Hammam’s neon ruffled gown, we transitioned to her modern spin on ’80s makeup: a chrome smoky eye courtesy of makeup artist Porsche Cooper and Revlon’s creamy shadow pot.
Revlon Revlon colorstay creme eye shadow, earl grey, $4.49, available at Walmart
Lily Collins
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images.
Hairstylist Gregory Russell went for a major Priscilla Presley moment with Lily Collins. "I was inspired by Lily’s Giambattista Valli Couture gown. I wanted to create a Sharon Tate wedding look with a Priscilla Presley hairdo," he explains. "I thought the exaggerated proportions and adornments really played into this year’s Met theme of Camp,” he continued, adding that he used this Marc Anthony thickening foam from roots to ends to really amp up the volume.
Marc Anthony Dream Big Volume 7-in-1 Thickening Treatment Foam, $8.99, available at Rite Aid
Adwoa Aboah
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Makeup artist Celia Burton worked with Adwoa Aboah and Revlon for this year’s Met Gala, playfully emphasizing up the supermodel’s high cheekbones by layering on this powder-pink blush.
Revlon Powder Blush, $10.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Lana Condor
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Celebrity stylist Matt Fugate used Dove hair products to give Lana Condor her piece-y, tousled updo — but this voluminzing dry shampoo in particular was the real must-have. "I loaded her entire head with Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo," Fugate explains. "I avoided using hairspray as the dry shampoo allows for the perfect, airy hold and matte finish to keep the style feeling fresh."
Dove Dove Care Between Washes Dry Shampoo Volume & Fullness, $5.88, available at Walmart
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Source: Refinery29 – Megan Decker