Over the weekend, most of the world was glued to their TVs in anticipation of the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight. Us, not so much. But the Met Gala is something worth sweating over—just look at the timestamp on these posts for proof. The Costume Institute’s latest exhibit, China: Through the Looking Glass, inspired models, actresses, and editors to look East and slip into embroidered gowns, colorful silks, and truly impressive hair accessories (SJP, we’re looking at you). The night’s best beauty looks were inspired by China, too. Red is a significant color for the continent (it symbolizes everything from fire to good luck), so you won’t be surprised to find dozens of vibrant crimson lips on the carpet. We also saw jade eyeliner inspired by the Chinese stone and a few beauty looks that, while not directly on-theme, made a serious punch on one of fashion’s biggest nights. Below, scroll through all of the trends and highlights thus far.
Artistic Tats
Cara Delevingne’s faux body art was in a league of its own. Instead of a heavy beaded gown, she slipped into a simple jumpsuit and let the cherry trees, birds, and traditional Chinese fan covering her chest, arms, and neck make the statement.
Red Lips
There were more red lips on the carpet than we could count—but don’t expect anything with pink or blue undertones. The color of the night was “Chinese red,” an extra-bold crimson with touches of orange. Chloë Sevigny slicked on Tom Ford lipstick in Wild Ginger to complement her custom J.W. Anderson ensemble.
Jessica Chastain’s gilded dress and ColourPop lipstick in Fighter lent a bit of old-Hollywood glamour to the red carpet.
Carey Mulligan’s chic and subdued look included a brushed-back chignon and a dark crimson lip—specifically Tom Ford’s matte lip color in Velvet Cherry.
Jade Eyeliner
Not only is jade liner a subtle nod to the East, it also flatters nearly every skin tone and eye color. Keri Russell opted for a smudged, emerald and sapphire smoky eye that matched her feathered Altuzarra gown.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s blended-out jade shadow (Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick in Jungle) was only upstaged by her massive tasseled headpiece.
Pigtails
Girls would emulate Mary-Kate Olsen if she showed up wearing a shower cap, so you can bet lots of them will be trying out low, loose pigtail plaits tomorrow.
Vera Wang separated her signature long black strands into two tails just below her ears.
Julie Macklowe ditched her classic blond in favor of a blue wig with waist-grazing braids.
Crimson Lids
Perhaps the most daring beauty look we saw tonight was red eye makeup. Imogen Poots experimented with ruby shadow and color-coordinated lips.
Rose Byrne’s crimson lids didn’t just match her gown—they matched her sandals and clutch, too.
J.Lo’s rust-tinged shadow was applied with a light hand so it wouldn’t compete with her intricately beaded Versace dress and jeweled earrings.
Fresh Dye Jobs
Hailey Baldwin traded her golden locks for a dark chestnut hue that complemented her silvery dress—and made her look like Bella Hadid’s twin.
Longtime bleach-blond Miley Cyrus soaked her strands in seafoam and azure, which looked surprisingly chic against her studded dress.
Crowning Achievements
It wouldn’t be a Met Gala red carpet without some over-the-top headpieces. Sarah Jessica Parker famously wore a Philip Treacy mohawk to the 2013 Chaos to Couture Met Gala, and tonight she enlisted the milliner for a creation inspired by traditional Chinese iconography. Others experimented with crowns, too, like Karen Elson, who looked positively regal in Dolce Gabbana.
Zendaya Coleman’s starry tiara matched her dramatic Fausto Puglisi skirt and cuffs.
Bangs and Bobs
There’s no place like the Met Gala to test-drive your new look. Lots of starlets chopped their strands into either chin-length bobs or blunt fringe; Katie Holmes opted for both just hours before hitting the carpet.
With a new, soft bob, Dakota Johnson is gradually moving away from her famous Fifty Shades character.
Never one to shy away from the limelight, Linda Evangelista opted for micro fringe and a sleek updo.
Donatella Versace is updating her signature. Tonight she revealed a new mid-length cut and eye-grazing fringe—but kept the platinum color.
Rihanna accented her flipped-out, fiery bob with a jeweled headpiece and defined arches.
Katy Perry worked a short wig similar to the one we spotted on Instagram a month ago—this time on the red carpet.
