The Met Gala — also known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit — is what Andre Leon Talley once called "the Super Bowl of social fashion events." You’re not going to get the regular ol’ cocktail dress and Christian Louboutins here. Celebrities go all out for the first Monday in May, either adhering to designated theme or doing their own thing. On this night, anything goes.
From tartan dresses to sheer ensembles, the gala’s red carpet (which isn’t even always red) has seen pretty much everything. But while the gowns might be a sight to behold, don’t forget to look above the neck, too.
The yearly benefit always provides the most inspirational hairstyles and makeup looks that people will be talking about for years to come. Click ahead to see SZA looking like a straight-up angel, Jennifer Lopez with short hair, Lily Aldridge with gold eyebrows, and Rihanna… well, being Rihanna.
SZA 2018
Since the 2018 Met Gala theme was centered around the Catholic church and its imagery, a lot of angels showed up on the red carpet. But SZA, who arrived with a gold halo headpiece and gold teardrops painted on her face, upstaged them all. Between her luminous skin, the lilac eyeshadow, and the popping gold inner-eye highlight, it remains a look we think about frequently.
Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images.
Lily Collins 2017
In 2017, Lily Collins paid homage to Rei Kawakubo with this short black bob. The secret to its supreme sleekness? Stylist Gregory Russell applied a pearl-sized drop of oil treatment to the mid lengths and ends, along with Suave Professionals Leave-In Cream to protect against humidity.
Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.
Jaden Smith 2017
Some people choose reattach their locs after cutting them off. Jaden Smith carried his to the 2017 event.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Zendaya 2017
Zendaya looked like a million bucks at the 2017 event, but her Covergirl Melting Pot Liquid Lipstick (in Tan-Gel-O) only costs $6.94.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Cara Delevingne 2017
When Cara Delevingne shaved her head for her upcoming film Life In A Year in 2017, it served as the ultimate canvas for this silver bedazzled look.
Photo: Jackson Lee/FilmMagic.
Taylor Swift 2016
The old Taylor Swift might not be able to come to the phone — but we’d surely pick up for this one in 2016. The platinum blonde bob and vampy lip was the edgiest look we’d seen on her at that point.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Ciara 2016
César Ramirez told People that he wanted to adhere to the 2o16 Manus x Machina theme "while still keeping a soft and sexy feel.” To create the futuristic finger waves, he prepped Ciara’s hair with Mizani Curl refresher spray, molded her curls with an iron, then pin curled them before sculpting the finger waves and securing them with silver pins.
Photo: James Devaney/GC Images.
Lily Aldridge 2016
Leave it to a supermodel like Lily Aldridge to make gold brows look totally normal and effortless.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Lupita Nyong’o 2016
Hairstylist Vernon François took inspiration from traditional African hairstyles for Lupita Nyong’o’s 2016 sculptural ‘do.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images.
Rihanna 2015
Rihanna didn’t just wear flipped ends to Coachella this year — she also rocked the retro style (along with shimmery pink highlighter and an epic crown) in 2015.
Photo: Lars Niki/Corbis/Getty Images.
Beyoncé 2015
Can you believe that Beyoncé’s Neil Farinah-crafted updo was a last minute job? "We were in the elevator on the way down, and she looks at me and says ‘Neal, I want to change my hair, will you change my hair?’" he told Us Weekly in 2015."She says, ‘You have 5 minutes.’ And I said, ‘Girl, what do you want me to do with the hair?’ And she wanted a high ponytail."
Photo: James Devaney/GC Images.
Selena Gomez 2015
Selena Gomez’s white flowers were a gorgeous contrast to her dark brunette updo and cherry red lip in 2015.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Joan Smalls 2014
Makeup artist Sir John used navy eyeliner and a mix of pink and red creams to create Joan Smalls’ custom shade, according to Fashionista.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Nicole Richie 2014
Purple is the color of royalty — and Nicole Richie looked like a queen on the Met steps in 2014.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Jennifer Lopez 2013
It’s rare to see Jennifer Lopez with short hair, so we’re still savoring this moment from 2013 — even if it was a faux chop.
Photo: Karwai Tang/FilmMagic.
Solange 2012
We’re getting disco diva vibes from Solange at the 2012 gala — which she ironically attended with Rachel Roy, who also designed her dress.
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic.
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Source: Refinery29 – Us