Bow Down to Cardi B, Queen of Met Gala Beauty Looks
When it comes to the red carpet—the Met Gala red carpet specifically—Cardi B is a planner. “We’re always thinking ahead,” the rapper once told The Hollywood Reporter. “I feel like the Met Gala is almost like going to the Grammys. It’s very nerve-racking, and even though we make it look so easy, we really be so nervous.”
But the hard work and nerves seem to be worth it as Cardi consistently gives us the best looks of the night. Whether she’s collaborating with the coolest designers (Jeremy Scott, Thom Browne, and Windowsen, to name just a few) or showing off ultra glam in the beauty department with bold lips, long lashes, and the most incredible headpieces, Cardi is always one to watch on those steps.
After last night s 2025 Met Gala and her feminine “main character" dandy look, we wanted to take a look back at some of her best moments. Below, see Cardi’s Met Gala beauty looks throughout the years.
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2018’s Holy Red Lip
Cardi B made her first Met Gala appearance in 2018. To honor the theme of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” and show off her baby bump, she partnered with designer Jeremy Scott to create a look inspired by Madonna and child. To match her embroidered gown, she wore an ornate baroque headpiece on top of her long, natural textured coils and a bold red lip. “When you see my look, I feel like you don’t just see a pregnant woman,” Cardi B told Vogue. “I feel like you see royal-goddess-woman-motherhood.”
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2019’s Oxblood Lip
Per the 2019 theme of “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” Cardi B teamed up with Thom Browne and wore a custom oxblood quilted gown that covered her from head to toe (and beyond thanks to the massive train). “I designed this dress for Cardi specifically because she has the ultimate beauty in a woman’s body,” Browne told Vogue. “And that is what the dress is about for me: taking advantage of that beauty.” To match the deep burgundy shade of her dress, she wore a bold lip and long lashes for extra glam.
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2022’s Mauve Lip and Smoky-Eye Combination
Leave it to Cardi B to make a memorable arrival. In 2022, the rapper pulled up to the Met steps in a Barocco-print convertible to match her gold chain Versace gown. Cardi swept hair in a high updo and kept makeup minimal with a mauve nude lip and smoky eye combo.
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2023’s Jeweled Headpiece
For the 2023 Met Gala, Cardi B opted for not one, not two, but three looks for the evening. The first look involved a pink Miss Sohee gown with jeweled details. To match the embellishments, Cardi wore a jeweled headpiece on top of slicked back hair. Makeup was minimal with a mauve lip and smoky eye.
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2023’s Silver Strands
Cardi B quickly changed from her pink number into a black-and-white gown designed by Chen Peng. As an ode to Karl Lagerfeld, who was the subject of the 2023 Met Gala’s theme, Cardi told Vogue she wanted to reference the iconic quilted Chanel bag and wardrobe of the late designer with her outfit. For her hair, she opted for long silver strands with a black headband.
