The Best Beauty Interpretations of "Gilded Glamour" at the Met Gala

The 2022 Met Gala is finally underway, and attendees are showing off their interpretations of this year's theme: "In America: An Anthology of Fashion." The night's dress code calls for "Gilded Glamour," a nod to the trends popular from the 1870s to the 1890s. This time period is where fashion was marked by wealth and a newly revolutionized economy, thanks to the Second Industrial Revolution.

When it comes to past Met Gala beauty looks, there's a lot to live up to. For example, last year's Met Gala theme, "American Independence," saw major hair moments like Billie Eilish in a platinum-blond bob and Lupita Nyong'o's head-turning structural hairstyle. The makeup looks were just as awe-inspiring, from Hailee Steinfeld's bleached eyebrows to Olivia Rodrigo's floating graphic eyeliner to Storm Reid's pearl-studded eye makeup.

This year's looks so far are even more opulent and over the top. Not only were there enough tiaras and bedazzled hair accessories — on everyone from Blake Lively and Alicia Keys to Emma Chamberlain and even Anna Wintour — to fill up a museum, but there were also countless glittery nails and makeup moments. (That doesn't even include Kim Kardashian's iconic Marilyn Monroe homage.) All of this is to say: this year is shaping up to be one of the best in beauty so far.

While the night is far from over, there are plenty of hair and makeup moments to celebrate already. Take a look at the best beauty looks from the 2022 Met Gala ahead.

Blake Lively's Crown Braid
Getty | Mike Coppola

Blake Lively's Crown Braid

Blake Lively's tiara was punctuated by the crown braid that sat just below its base.

Rachel Smith's Monochromatic Plum Makeup
Getty | Dimitrios Kambouris

Rachel Smith's Monochromatic Plum Makeup

Rachel Smith had a monochromatic makeup moment and matched her purple lipstick to her sultry, purple smoky eye.

Emma Chamberlain's Platinum-Blond Bob
Getty | ANGELA WEISS

Emma Chamberlain's Platinum-Blond Bob

Emma Chamberlain went much shorter and even more blond for this year's Met Gala. Chamberlain's hairstylist Laura Polko was inspired by the Gilded Age, but she wanted to keep the look more "modern and cool," Polko tells POPSUGAR.

La La Anthony's XL Ponytail
Getty | Dimitrios Kambouris

La La Anthony's XL Ponytail

La La Anthony's interpretation of "Gilded Glamour" was to bring the drama, and she delivered. Her extra-long ponytail was in her signature deep-brown color and decorated by a stunning headpiece.

Kaia Gerber's Voluminous Curls
Getty | Jamie McCarthy

Kaia Gerber's Voluminous Curls

Kaia Gerber's hair was the star of her Met Gala look. The model had voluminous, bouncy curls that went well below her back for a dramatic hairstyle that was fitting for the night's opulent theme.

Janelle Monáe's Crystal Manicure
Getty | Dimitrios Kambouris

Janelle Monáe's Crystal Manicure

We aren't sure which was better: Janelle Monae's headpiece or their eye-catching red lip. What is certain is that her jewel-encrusted manicure perfectly matched her dress and the night's "Gilded Glamour" theme.

Sydney Sweeney's Soft Waves and Curtain Bangs
Getty | Taylor Hill

Sydney Sweeney's Soft Waves and Curtain Bangs

Sydney Sweeney's soft waves and curtain bangs came courtesy of Bobby Eliot using John Frieda hair care products and GHD hot tools.

Quannah Chasinghorse's Blue Eyeshadow
Getty | Jamie McCarthy

Quannah Chasinghorse's Blue Eyeshadow

Quannah Chasinghorse's eyeshadow was the perfect shade of blue to match her dress and accompanying accessories.

Venus Williams's XL Braids
Getty | Mike Coppola

Venus Williams's XL Braids

Venus Williams's hairstyle also brought the drama to the Met Gala carpet. The tennis star's braids reached down to her knees and featured crystal embellishments throughout the style.

Sophie Turner's Goth Makeup
Getty | Jeff Kravitz

Sophie Turner's Goth Makeup

Sophie Turner's red monochromatic makeup added a gothic touch to her ensemble. The actor's hair, eyeshadow, and lipstick were in varying shades of red for a slightly edgy but still glamorous finish.

Vanessa Hudgens's Crystal Manicure and Updo
Getty | Kevin Mazur/MG22

Vanessa Hudgens's Crystal Manicure and Updo

Vanessa Hudgens also channeled gothic gilded glamour and wore crystal-embellished nails that complemented the crystal hairpiece in her updo.

Wendi Murdoch's Monochromatic Pink Makeup
Getty | Theo Wargo

Wendi Murdoch's Monochromatic Pink Makeup

Monochromatic makeup was having a moment last night, as Wendi Murdoch was also seen in the trend. Her iteration saw her pink lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow matching her dress.

Maude Apatow's Finger Waves and Burgundy Lipstick
Getty | John Shearer

Maude Apatow's Finger Waves and Burgundy Lipstick

Maude Apatow channeled a gilded-era flapper look and touted finger waves and a deep-burgundy lipstick that gave her classic, Old Hollywood look some edge.

Cynthia Erivo's Bedazzled Nail Art
Getty | Jamie McCarthy

Cynthia Erivo's Bedazzled Nail Art

Cynthia Erivo's bedazzled nail art was an additional touch of glamour that couldn't be missed.

Chloë Grace Moretz's Wet Hairstyle
Getty | Jamie McCarthy

Chloë Grace Moretz's Wet Hairstyle

Wet hairstyles have been making their rounds this year, and Chloë Grace Moretz joined the trend at last night's gala. The actor's side-swept, wet-looking ponytail was accompanied by a fresh-faced, "glazed" makeup look.

Winnie Harlow's Hair Accessory
Getty | Arturo Holmes/MG22

Winnie Harlow's Hair Accessory

Hair accessories were also seen all over the red carpet last night, and Winnie Harlow's added an ethereal finish to her look.

Alicia Keys's Bedazzled Bubble Ponytail
Getty | Kevin Mazur/MG22

Alicia Keys's Bedazzled Bubble Ponytail

Alicia Keys also put her own spin on "Gilded Glamour" hair accessories and wore crystal-encrusted discs along the length of her ponytail.

Dove Cameron's Futuristic Hairstyle
Getty | Theo Wargo

Dove Cameron's Futuristic Hairstyle

Dove Cameron's hairstyle was inspired by "Romeo and Juliet." "When I first saw Dove's dress, I thought of a futuristic woman and wanted to reflect the dress details in the hair," Cameron's hairstylist Jacob Rozenberg tells POPSUGAR. "I wanted to also lean into the romantic side of the dress, which reminded me of 'Romeo and Juliet.'"

Billie Eilish's Black Hair and Curtain Bangs
Getty | Jamie McCarthy

Billie Eilish's Black Hair and Curtain Bangs

Billie Eilish wore black hair for this year's Met Gala, a stark contrast to the blond bob she wore last year. To add an elegant finish to her outfit, Eilish also sported piecey curtain bangs.