Janelle Monáe only slays red (and, in this case, pink) carpets [1], so we're not surprised that her Met Gala hair was a delightful surprise. The "Make Me Feel" singer carefully donned four teetering hats, but the look only got better once she turned around [2]. The moment — created by Monáe's longtime hairstylist Nikki Nelms — featured a knee-length braided ponytail decorated with pop-out, red cutout kisses and a gem-encrusted clip — a fresh take on the hair accessory trend.

This isn't the first time Monáe has rocked a full-length braid [3], but we swear, they get better every time. To get the look, Nelms employed a few beloved beauty products, Maui Moisture's Coconut Milk line and a GHD flat iron, to help create the textured, pulled-back look.

Keep reading see her hair from every angle via a few behind-the-scenes snaps.