From sculptural nails to glowing skin and artistic makeup, these are the standout beauty moments from the Met Gala 2026 red carpet
The Met Gala 2026 delivered a masterclass in beauty as artistry, with this year’s theme, “Fashion is Art”, setting the tone for some of the most creative makeup and nail looks seen on the red carpet in recent years. Held on Monday, May 4 at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the event celebrated the Costume Institute’s new exhibition, “Costume Art”, inspiring attendees to blur the lines between fashion, beauty and fine art.
While couture gowns commanded attention, it was the beauty details – from intricate nail designs to statement makeup – that truly elevated each look. For beauty professionals, these red carpet moments offer a clear insight into emerging trends set to influence salons and treatments in the months ahead.
Some of Professional Beauty’s editorial team have selected their standout looks from the night. From Sabrina Carpenter’s polished glamour to Tyla’s modern edge, here are the Met Gala 2026 beauty and nail looks everyone will be talking about.
Sabrina Carpenter’s vintage Hollywood beauty look at the Met Gala 2026
By Ellen Cummings, Deputy Editor
Sabrina Carpenter brought vintage Hollywood glamour to the Met Gala 2026, perfectly interpreting the “Fashion is Art” theme. Wearing a custom Dior slit tulle dress by Jonathan Anderson, inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s 1954 film Sabrina, her look was rich in cinematic detail, from rhinestone film reel embellishments to her cohesive beauty choices.
Her makeup by Carolina Gonzalez offered a softer take on her signature style, with a berry-toned lip, cool brown eyeshadow and precise highlighter placement on the inner corners and brow bone to enhance her blue eyes, while her strong brows kept the look recognisable.
Her nails stood out as a key trend moment. Created by Zola Ganzorigt, the black-tipped French manicure featured delicate silver detailing inspired by film reels, paired with a glazed chrome base using OPI’s “Tin Man Glaze”. The look highlights the growing demand for story-led, editorial nail art in salons.
Keke Palmer’s bold red monochromatic makeup at the Met Gala 2026
By Josie Jackson, Senior Content Writer
When it comes to makeup, red is often reserved for the lips – which is why I was excited to see actress Keke Palmer embrace the colour across all elements of her glam.
Created by celebrity makeup artist Kenya Alexis, the look amplified a bold scarlet lip by pairing it with striking, smoked out eyeshadow and a generous wash of vibrant blush.
Paired with her crimson Prabal Gurung gown, this look was a masterclass in monochromatic styling – and with maximalist makeup trends on the rise, it felt particularly fresh and relevant.
Ashley Graham’s sculptural skin and chrome beauty at the Met Gala 2026
By Ellen Cummings, Deputy Editor
Ashley Graham embraced the Met Gala 2026 theme, “Fashion is Art”, with a sculptural, body-focused look created by Greek designer Dimitra Petsa of Di Petsa. Inspired by the brand’s signature wet-look aesthetic, the nude mesh gown was hand-sewn directly onto Graham’s body, using draping techniques to mimic serpent scales and create a striking “second skin” effect.
Her beauty look complemented the artistry of the dress thanks to makeup artist Kabuki using Revlon. Glowing, natural-looking skin and a soft rose-toned lip kept the focus on texture and form, aligning with the exhibition’s exploration of the human body in fashion.
Adding a bold, editorial edge, Graham opted for silver chrome-dipped hands by Dawn Sterling – a standout detail inspired by the craftsmanship of artists and sculptors. More pared-back than many of the night’s maximalist looks, this combination of skin-first makeup and art-led detailing points to a growing shift towards beauty looks that focus on skin, texture and the body itself.
Doechii’s tonal, textured beauty look at the Met Gala 2026
By Josie Jackson, Senior Content Writer
Two-time Grammy-winning rapper Doechii made a striking return to the Met Gala in a burgundy Marc Jacobs dress, complete with a sculptural headpiece. Her beauty look was intentionally understated: makeup artist Chelsea Uchenna told Vogue she aimed to complement, not compete with, the outfit – “that one piece that can just tie it all together”. The result was a rich, tonal palette of earthy hues and jewel tones, featuring iridescent green eyeshadow diffused with a deep plum matte, and finished with a bronzed lip.
Her manicure, created by nail artist Rachel Sun, drew on the organic structure of crystal formations, adding a subtle, textural edge.
Bringing the entire look into focus, Doechii honoured her Senegalese heritage with her first henna stain, applied by Amiinah (aka Meenah Dizigns), who blended black and red tones to echo the overall palette.
Anok Yai's, golden sculpture look at the Met Gala 2026
By Connie Cooper, Editorial Assistant
Makeup artist Sheika Daley channeled sculptural beauty with Anok Yai’s golden look, inspired by Black Madonna artwork – which is often seen across Christian paintings and statues – for this year's Met Gala theme, “Fashion is Art”.
Taking the trend of glowing bronzed skin to another level, the model was coated head-to-toe in gold shimmer, while her flawless complexion reinforced the overarching theme of a walking art piece. Bringing art to life, Yai’s look featured 3D prosthetic tears as a nod to the religious style.
Sheika Daley is notorious for her radiant looks and defined eyes, and Anok’s 2026 Met Gala look was just that. Aside from her glistening complexion, her elongated eyeliner added depth, paired with a subtle black smoky shadow blending into the solid tears.
Tyla's shimmering mermaid glam at the Met Gala 2026
By Connie Cooper, Editorial Assistant
For her third Met Gala, singer Tyla embodied mermaid beauty with her iridescent luminous look, courtesy of Valentino. Tyla wore a custom Valentino body-skimming ensemble designed by Alessandro Michele, creating a sleek, sculptural silhouette.
Her makeup was also strictly Valentino Beauty, created by London-based makeup artist, Ngozi Edeme. Her look represented the growing trend of adding colour to an otherwise natural look, reminiscent of her latest collaboration, “She Did It Again” with the queen of colourful makeup, Zara Larson.
Keeping with the theme, Tyla was a masterpiece in motion with full-body shimmer and layered glitter reflecting hints of blue under the Meta Gala red carpet lights.
Her soft bronzed eye makeup complemented her bronzed complexion, with the iridescent tones extending from the outer corners of her eyes down to her cheekbones, and even onto her ears and hips in a dusting of glitter.
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