The first Monday in May signals the return of the Met Gala, and this year’s event, as always, was a spectacle of breathtaking extravagance.
The 2024 theme, “The Garden of Time,” drew inspiration from J.G. Ballard’s short story, accompanied by the exhibition “Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion.” Celebrities graced the red carpet in delicate, otherworldly outfits while pushing beauty boundaries with striking hair and makeup.
The hair at the 2024 Met Gala was a standout element, bringing an ethereal quality to the event. The dreamy, esoteric theme inspired attendees to embrace the transformative power of hair, communicating a sense of otherworldliness through their looks. From extra-long extensions to intricate updos, the hairstyles were as spectacular as the outfits.
Despite TikTok’s sponsorship, the red carpet saw fewer TikTokers than in previous years, and overt attempts at viral moments were scarce. Makeup and hair looks at the event fell into two main categories. Attendees opted for bold, vintage-inspired glamour or fresh-faced, boho-themed styles to reflect the emphasis on gardens and florals.
The Met Gala often showcases avant-garde styles, but this year, we were also treated to many beautiful, wearable hair looks. From elegant up-dos and sassy bobs to flowing waves and curls, these styles offer plenty of inspiration for your next glamorous event.
Below are our top hair moments from the 2024 Met Gala, showcasing a range of looks from the pretty to the playful and the mesmerizing.
Lady Godiva Waves
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker’s flowing waves perfectly complemented her dramatic ensemble, emphasising the whimsical nature of the night.
The And Just Like That star complemented her Richard Quinn dress with a dramatic Philip Treacy headpiece. Hairstylist Paul Edmonds dubbed this style “Guinevere hair,” inspired by the long-haired beauty from Arthurian legend.
For voluminous waves like SJP’s, Paul suggests using hair extensions and a generous amount of mousse. The hair should be tonged and then combed out for a slightly disheveled look.
Zoe Saldana
Zoe Saldana’s extended waves further enhanced the ethereal quality of her floral-themed attire.
Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel’s whimsical waves, featuring a mixture of textures, complemented the botanical-meets-sleeping beauty theme. Her petal pink makeup mirrored her gown.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner’s long, luxurious waves added a touch of medieval romance to her look.
The model sported symmetrical braids, pulling back her brunette locks to reflect the strong shoulders of her gown. Edmonds describes this as a soft, medieval-inspired half-up, half-down look. For glossy and tousled hair, he recommends using moisturising serum and texture spray.
Icy and Irreverent
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried’s silver, vining, leaf-bedecked coiffure was an icy delight. Seyfried’s icy-silver hair was styled with botanical-like kiss curls and accessorized with a Chaumet tiara. Her cool-toned purple lip added a futuristic touch.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian’s beach-inspired blonde locks offered a relaxed yet striking contrast to the evening’s more intricate styles.
Intricate Up-Dos
Chloe Sevigny
Chloe Sevigny’s Victorian “mourning hair” featured polished braids looped into bows and blooms, inspired by the themes of birth and decay.
This hair, inspired by Victorian mourning traditions, featured sleek braids adorned with jewellery. Edmonds suggests creating a more relaxed version by messing up the braids slightly for a softer, sexier look.
Hari Nef
Hari Nef’s burgundy bouffant up-do, framed geometrically, was a bold, modern take on retro styling.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez embodied her signature ‘JLo glow’ with radiant highlights that matched her beaded Schiaparelli haute couture gown. Her high, romantic bun was crafted by Lorenzo Martin, lending a soft, ethereal feel.
Lopez chose a softer hair look to pair with her Schiaparelli couture dress. The intentionally mussed-up bun looked goddess-like, especially with her butterfly wing-inspired outfit. Achieving this look involves roughing up the hair before putting it up and using hairspray to maintain a slightly fluffy appearance.
Unique and Modern
Iris Law
Iris Law’s flippy wet-look pixie cut played up her spritely features and stylized eyebrows, giving her a sleek, contemporary vibe.
This cool wet-look pixie cut was a showstopper. Edmonds recommends using a combination of gel and oil for this drenched style.
Gwendoline Christie
Gwendoline Christie’s peroxide blonde cloud hairstyle was an all-out ode to her Met-ready Margiela.
Tyla
Tyla’s textured bob was a standout, featuring volume at the roots and separation at the ends. The sexy, tousled look can be achieved at home with mousse, tongs, and nourishing hair oil.
Retro Reimaginings
Kaia Gerber
Kaia Gerber’s brunette brush-up hairstyle, inspired by the 60s, added a retro flair to the night’s lineup of looks. Inspired by her mother, she opted for a structured beauty look with a voluminous, gravity-defying hairstyle and a similarly tailored makeup look.
Gerber also channelled the 90s supermodel vibe with her bouncy blowout. Achieving this look requires a professional touch, with lots of mousse and blow-drying using rollers for that full, voluminous finish.
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid opted for a classic red lip and a high-shine take on an old Hollywood look. Her Marilyn Monroe-inspired hairstyle by Laura Polko for Joico made for a voluptuous bob cut.
Hadid’s Old Hollywood-inspired jaw-length curls matched her rose-embellished Thom Browne gown perfectly. You can use heated rollers or a curling wand, finishing with stronghold hairspray to keep the curls intact.
Dramatic Transformations
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney transformed with a black, fringed bob, styled with a fluffy texture, offering a stark contrast to her usual buoyant blonde locks.
Sweeney looked unrecognisable, pairing this black fringed bob styled with a fluffy texture, wide-eyed lashes, over-lined lips, and shimmery skin, thanks to makeup artist Melissa Hernandez.
This statement bobworked to complement her ice blue and black floral Miu Miu gown. This full, rounded fringe made the classic style look more editorial. It’s likely a wig, but it fits perfectly with the current bob trend.
Whimsical Touches
Zendaya
Zendaya’s monochromatic merlot red lips, eyes, and nails were a stunning combo. Her low bun, inspired by a calla lily, was crafted by Ursula Stephen using Living Proof haircare and Dyson tools, per Harper’s Bazaar.
Zendaya’s final look of the evening featured a literal bouquet as a headpiece, adding a whimsical, floral touch to her ensemble.
FKA Twigs
FKA Twigs extended her jewelry to her face and head, adorned with crystals that complemented her high-shine lips and platinum nails.
Alexandra Daddario
Alexandra Daddario’s golden graphic eye makeup by Lottie Stannard for Dior Beauty perfectly complemented her serpent-styled hairdo.