The Best and Wildest Beauty Looks From the 2021 Met Gala

The best Met Gala looks are the ones that go beyond simply being a look and create a moment. Unlike other red-carpet events, the Met Gala is a chance to really go for it — “it” being anything from crowns to sculptural updos to green hair to just looking exceptionally beautiful. Here’s a round of all of the biggest beauty moments from this year’s Met Gala — the best and wildest looks from Yara Shahidi, Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish, and more.

See: All the Looks From the Met Gala

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Emma Chamberlain has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it flash of neon. The neon came directly from the Syren shade in the BYREDO Eyeshadow 5 Colour Palette and was created by makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan.

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

If Lil Nas X’s full metallic look was a play, then this triangle of golden eyeliner would be the denouement.

Photo: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

You might have some thoughts about J.Lo’s hat and Western look, but we can all agree that her skin looks flawless and impossibly smooth as always.

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Timothee Chalamet’s hair continues to look good.

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

To fully showcase her double inspirations of Haiti and Japan, Naomi Osaka really went for it (and the hairspray). Applause to Osaka for one of the most labor-intensive beauty looks, and prayers that she has help (and many makeup wipes) removing it all to sleep at the end of the night.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Gemma Chan paid homage to Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American Old Hollywood star. She worked with makeup artist Daniel Martin to create an eye look with a subtle wash of green, featuring May’s signature elongated eyeliner.

Photo: John Shearer/WireImage

Grimes said that her look was inspired by Dune and that she hoped her green-card application would go through. Here’s hoping it all works out for her.

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

No one worked as hard or as well as Keke Palmer this Met Gala. Her upbeat energy and good vibes ensured that the Vogue red-carpet livestream never got dull. But working almost as hard were her smoky eye and highlighter all evening long. Read more about Keke Palmer.

Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock/Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

Iman said on the Vogue livestream that she wanted her look to appear like a “bright light.” With her headdress, golden-highlighted hair, and her dewy skin, she succeeded.

Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock/Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

A little Marilyn Monroe, a little Grace Kelly, and a lot of Billie Eilish leaning into her new-yet-classic Old Hollywood look. Makeup artist Rom Rumsey used a mix of BYBI and Charlotte Tilbury.

Photo: John Shearer/WireImage

Hunter Schafer has urged us to find our “unique light.” Schafer is so committed to it that she gave up some of hers with Storm-like blind contact lenses (the arachnid face accessory is a bonus). The look was created by makeup artist Sandy Ganzer, using Shiseido makeup.

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Yara Shahidi demonstrates the 29th way to style your baby hairs and look very pretty while doing it.

Photo: Taylor Hill/WireImage

Why do regular eyeliner when you could make yours float like Blackpink’s Rosé?

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

It’s not just hair, it’s art.

Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

The Met Gala is always a great excuse to wear a crown, and Lorde sure took advantage. Her look was created by Cameron Rains for Matrix.

Photo: Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum

Eiza González said that her beauty look was inspired by Rita Hayworth and the lack of Latin diversity in old American cinema.

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Hair dyed to match?

Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

For once, we weren’t looking at Alicia Keys’s great skin but her pearl-bedecked hair.

Photo: Noam Galai/GC Images

There is a 75-inch ponytail behind Kim Kardashian West’s Balenciaga look.

Photo: James Devaney/GC Images

Rihanna wearing a lipstick color that she has created as part of her billion-dollar beauty business.