Beauty Was Art, Too, at the 2026 Met Gala

Last night, some of the biggest names in fashion took to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the 2026 Met Ball, themed around the art of costume. But the evening began with, and continued throughout, many different forms of art, in addition to those within the hallowed halls of the museum.

Give an example? Hairstylists and makeup artists work behind the scenes at the museum to add glamor to the performing artists scheduled throughout the evening. Dozens of hairstylists and makeup artists outfitted the crew, led by MAC global artistic director Romero Jennings, Glamsquad co-founder Giovanni Vaccaro and hairstylist Dre Demry-Sanders.

Just as the artists are experts in their field, the head of hair and makeup’s brief introduction to the performing artist focuses on personality. The first troupe to take the stage performed a cover of Whitney Houston’s famous “I Wanna Dance With Sombody” on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, complete with lifts, harmonies, high kicks and more. “Their looks were an evolution of the clean-girl aesthetic that’s still popular today,” Jennings said of the group’s styling direction. “Use Multisculpt Matte Liquid Eye Shadow and Habit Lipstick Color to add a slight tint to the eyes, basically like your lips but with a little more.” Hair was also kept simple. “We keep the hair natural and work by enhancing the texture of the hair,” Vaccaro shares, adding that a Shark SpeedStyle blow dryer and Oribe products help get the hair looking just right. Simple yet stylish.

Inside the museum, harp music awaits Met Gala guests. Their hair and makeup are more artistic. Jennings described the look as “a mix of Dutch masters and ’90s cool tones,” which included more Mutisculpt eyeshadow and accentuating cheeks and collarbones with Extra Dimension blush in the shade Into the Pink. “It gives off a glow you can see from across the room,” Jennings added. Demry-Sanders’ hair also has an artistic buzzword: Bottecelli. Specifically, Birth of Venus. “The Harpers were wearing these beautiful clothes and looked like they had just come out of the water,” she said. “I wanted their hair to match, which meant the hair should look dynamic even when it’s set.” Swirling tendrils curl around the cheeks and forehead to achieve the desired effect.

Whether simple or more artful, every look proves that beauty is an art form. A complete masterpiece.