The first Monday in May — also known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit — is what Andre Leon Talley once called "the Super Bowl of social fashion events." You're not going to get the regular ol' cocktail dress, Christian Louboutins, and Dry Bar blowout here. Celebrities go all out for the Met Gala, either adhering to the Costume Institute-designated theme or doing their own thing. On this night, anything goes.
Though the gowns might be a sight to behold, don't forget to look above the neck, too. The yearly benefit always provides the most inspirational hairstyles and makeup looks that people will be talking about for years to come. Click ahead to see Jennifer Lopez with short hair, Lily Aldridge with gold eyebrows, and Rihanna... well, being Rihanna.
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The old Taylor Swift might not be able to come to the phone — but we'd surely pick up for this one in 2016. The platinum blonde bob and vampy lip was the edgiest look we'd seen on her at that point.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Rihanna didn't just wear flipped ends to Coachella this year — she also rocked the retro style (along with shimmery pink highlighter and an epic crown) in 2015.
Photo: Lars Niki/Corbis/Getty Images.
In 2017, Lily Collins paid homage to Rei Kawakubo with this short black bob. The secret to its supreme sleekness? Stylist Gregory Russell applied a pearl-sized drop of oil treatment to the mid lengths and ends, along with Suave Professionals Leave-In Cream to protect against humidity.
Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.
Some people choose to reattach their locs after cutting them off. Jaden Smith carried his to the 2017 event.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
César Ramirez told People that he wanted to adhere to the 2o16 Manus x Machina theme "while still keeping a soft and sexy feel.” To create the futuristic finger waves, he prepped Ciara's hair with Mizani Curl refresher spray, moulded her curls with an iron, then pin curled them before sculpting the finger waves and securing them with silver pins.
Photo: James Devaney/GC Images.
We're getting disco diva vibes from Solange at the 2012 gala — which she ironically attended with Rachel Roy, who also designed her dress.
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic.
Can you believe that Beyoncé's Neil Farinah-crafted updo was a last minute job? "We were in the elevator on the way down, and she looks at me and says 'Neal, I want to change my hair, will you change my hair?'" he told Us Weekly in 2015."She says, 'You have 5 minutes.' And I said, 'Girl, what do you want me to do with the hair?' And she wanted a high ponytail."
Photo: James Devaney/GC Images.
Zendaya looked like a million bucks at the 2017 event, but her Covergirl Melting Pot Liquid Lipstick (in Tan-Gel-O) only costs around £5.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Leave it to a supermodel like Lily Aldridge to make gold brows look totally normal and effortless.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
It's rare to see Jennifer Lopez with short hair, so we're still savouring this moment from 2013 — even if it was a faux chop.
Photo: Karwai Tang/FilmMagic.
You won't find this lip colour in stores; Makeup artist Sir John used navy eyeliner and a mix of pink and red creams to create Joan Smalls' custom shade, according to Fashionista.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Purple is the colour of royalty — and Nicole Richie looked like a queen on the Met steps in 2014.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
When Cara Delevingne shaved her head for her upcoming film Life In A Year in 2017, it served as the ultimate canvas for this silver bedazzled look.
Photo: Jackson Lee/FilmMagic.
Hairstylist Vernon François took inspiration from traditional African hairstyles for Lupita Nyong'o's 2016 sculptural 'do.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images.
Selena Gomez's white flowers were a gorgeous contrast to her dark brunette updo and cherry red lip in 2015.
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