10 Met Gala Hair Tutorials

The dress code for this year's Met Gala was "The Garden of Time." 

Based off of the book by J. G. Ballard, "The Garden of Time" focuses on two aristocrats trying to stop the passage of time using time flowers to avoid being overrun by commonwealth rapidly approaching their villa. With this very topical and relevant theme in mind, there's plenty of opportunities for creative exploration. 

Here, we are rounding up 10 defining hairstyles sported at this year's Met Gala and providing tutorials for how to recreate the looks, so you can be prepared for what hair trends are on the horizon for the Spring/Summer 2024 season. 

Sydney Sweeney 

Sydney Sweeney debuted dark at this year's Met Gala, which proved to be a stunning pairing and contrast from her powder blue Miu Miu gown. 

To style her hair, Glen Coco (@glencocoforhair) used hair tools from SUTRA’s Infrared series, utilizing the brand's flat iron to "flutter" her ends. 

How-To: 

1. To prep damp hair, directly apply serum on the scalp and massage it in.
2. Create a center part, apply elixir from roots to ends.
3. Start to wrap the hair around flat on the head, brush as you go and secure with clips.
4. Apply the wig, secured with hair pins, around the nape of the neck. Cut to desired length that will complement the face shape.
5. Dampen the wig with water, apply serum for a little glide to the hair before cutting to desired length.
6. To dry use SUTRA Beauty’s Healthy Infrared blow dryer, which utilizes infrared technology to dry the hair efficiently without damage. With the round brush in one hand and the blow dryer in the other, begin drying hair in sections. Use the round brush to lift the hair at the roots for added volume. Aim the blow dryer nozzle downward along the hair shaft to seal the cuticle using infrared technology to create a shiny finish.
7. Once hair is dry and freshly prepped, use SUTRA Beauty’s Healthy Heat™ IR2 Infrared 1” Flat Iron to create the style. Set iron to 390 degrees, start by clamping the flat iron near the roots and gliding the flat iron back and forth along the length of the hair, alternating directions to create flat waves with fluttered ends. This technique helps to add texture and dimension to the hair, resulting in a beautifully tousled and healthy look.
8. To lock in the look, finish with hairspray.  

Maleah Joi Moon

Monae Everett (@monaeartistry) styled Maleah Joi Moon's hair for the Met Gala. The actress is best known for her lead role in Alicia Keys' Broadway sensation "Hell's Kitchen" — the most Tony-nominated production of 2024.

"For this momentous occasion, we channeled the elegance of the 1920s with a sleek hairstyle that revived the era's iconic finger waves. We selected top-notch products from Curls to enhance and define Maleah's natural hair texture. Additionally, we utilized the precision of a Denman Brush to meticulously sculpt the waves, marrying classic style with modern sophistication," Everett shares. "This hairstyle not only highlights Maleah's exquisite features but also echoes the gala's theme of reawakening timeless elegance, merging historical inspiration with contemporary fashion for a truly show-stopping red carpet look."

How-To:

1. Apply Curls Blueberry Bliss Aloe & Blueberry Juice Moisturizer to damp hair. This will add shine, help prevent breakage, and strengthen the strands.
2. Add a drop of Curls Blueberry & Mint Hair and Scalp Strengthening Oil to lock in moisture, ensuring the hair remains hydrated and fortified.
3. Apply Curls Blueberry Bliss Repair & Grow Sculpting Mousse to the hair. Proceed with a wrap setting technique on the entire head to create a smooth and firm base for the hairstyle.
4. Use the Denman Brush Edge Tamer to meticulously smooth down the cropped sides and back of the head.
5. Dry the hair thoroughly using the Dyson Supersonic blow dryer.
6. After drying, reapply a drop of Curls Blueberry & Mint Hair and Scalp Strengthening Oil. Loosen the wrap set by gently blow-drying the hair with the Denman Brush D4 Original 9 Row Styler. Create loose curls throughout the hair using a small flat iron to add volume and movement.
7. Add hair extensions at the hairline to increase length and fullness. Smooth the hair into waves around the face using Blueberry Bliss Control Paste for precision styling.
8. Use Blueberry Bliss Control Paste to slick down the edges and sculpt large, defined waves. Employ the Denman Brush D81M Style & Shine Brush With Synthetic Bristles to sleek all the hair down, enhancing the smoothness and shine.

Ayo Edebiri 

Celebrity Hairstylist Miles Jeffries (@milesjeffrieshair) created Ayo Edebiri’s dreamy Met Gala updo using products and tools from Maui Moisture and Olivia Garden. 

How-To: 

1. Start by prepping damp hair with Maui Moisture Frizz-Free + Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Mist.
2. After thoroughly detangling, neatly section the hair into quadrants, twisting and clipping to keep the hair organized.
3. Then, use the comb attachment with Olivia Garden's Super HP Dryer to dry and stretch each section.
4. Once the hair is dry, spray Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil Mist before flat ironing with the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Flat Iron. Using the mist before hot tools adds a layer of heat protection and gives the hair beautiful luster and shine.
5. After the desired texture is achieved, working off of a center part, organize the hair in a low ponytail, leaving some pieces out by the ear to create balance and add softness.
6. To finish the look, use 3D cotton flower guipure that is hand painted and hand embroidered to sculpt a hairpiece that is wrapped into place with the hair. 

Lil Nas X 

Coree Moreno (@theonlycm123) used As I Am's Rosemary Collection to restore balance to Lil Nas X's hair, following a double process bleach treatment to create an icy blonde color. 

How-To: 

1. After color toning service, use As I Am's Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner.
2. On damp hair, thoroughly drench the hair with Rosemary Water followed by Rosemary Styling Mousse. Allow the product to naturally absorb and define the curls with minimal manipulation.
3. Defuse hair on medium heat, and add a couple drops of As I Am Rosemary Oil, gently patting throughout. 

Lea Michele

Lea Michele’s long, flowy hair look was created by Celebrity Hairstylist Ryan Richman (@ryanrichman) using hairtalk extensions.

“Lea’s custom Turquoise Rodarte dress has a beautiful satin sheen mixed with a lace cape and is embellished with flowers across the chest and shoulders. I wanted to mimic the satin sheen in her hair and add length using hairtalk extensions for added drama," Richman shares. "I created Lea’s hairstyle using hairtalk Professional Tape-In Extensions which are made with top quality 100% Remy human hair. hairtalk provides the ability to create bold and innovative, yet simple and time-saving methods with complete customization to create any style.”

How-To: 

1. Prep towel dried hair to take flyaways and smooth the hair. 
2. Blow dry the hair with a round brush, and set it into a full set using clips.
3. As you release each section, add both level 3 and 4 hairtalk Tape-In extensions in 17” length at the hair and 21” towards the crown for added volume and to dent your client's hair length.
4. Curl each section with a 1.5” curling iron, and finish with hairspray.

Karol G 

One of the standouts of the night for hair was Karol G for her very first Met Gala, with hair styled by Cesar Ramirez (@cesar4styles) using Aveda. 

"Our creative idea was to transform Karol G into a beautiful Queen of the Fairies," Ramirez reveals of his inspiration for Karol G's ethereal elf hairstyle. "I love fairy tales, so this was a dream come true."

How-To: 

1. To create these ethereal waves, the hair had to be a beautiful creamy blonde color. On freshly washed hair, apply Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Style Prep and Smooth Infusion Perfect Blow Dry to protect from heat damage while achieving a smooth finish with shine. 
2. Once the hair is all smooth and dried, use Hot Tools triple barrel waiver to create soft ethereal waves. Work the iron on large sections to create a looser, larger wave pattern. 
3. Once you create your texture, pin back one side back to really expose the elf ears and perfectly frame the face. To seal the look, spray Aveda’s Air Control Hairspray and apply Aveda’s Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade to smooth away all the flyaways and ensure the look will last all night.  

Ashley Graham 

Celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan (@justinemarjan) created Ashley Graham’s show-stopping pixie fringe and stunning updo using The Coveted Tape extensions by Covet & Mane.

“We were inspired by the “Garden of Time” story from the 1960’s and wanted to create a hair look that felt like a dark fairytale. Ultimately we decided to give Ashley a pixie bang and twisted updo," Marjan shares. 

How-To: 

1. Apply Nutrafol Hair Serum to support scalp and hair health.
2. Apply TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Weightless Perfecting Leave in Lotion and TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave in Spray through mid lengths and ends and brush through.
3. Blowdry with the ghd helios dryer.
4. Apply The Coveted Tape tape-in extensions from Covet & Mane in the shade Southampton and lengths 18” and 22” for added fullness. Additionally, apply The Coveted Tape tape-in extensions to the front of the crown where you would typically section hair to cut for bangs. Cut extensions into bangs.
5. Use the ghd chronos styler and work in sections to create loose waves by bending the hair along the tool’s curved edges.
6. Section away two pieces of hair from the ears forward and clip away.
7. Gather hair half up and twist into a chignon, securing with pins.
8. Spray TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray on a smoothing brush and back brush the roots before twisting sections into the bun and pinning to secure.
9. Gather remaining hair in sections and twist then pin.
10. Release front sections and blowdry fringe created with The Coveted Tape tape-in extensions forward, cutting bangs if desired and using hairspray on fingers to create a piecey finish on faux-bangs.
11. Smooth sides back into the chignon, allowing ends to fall free, then pin back to secure.
12. Finish the look with TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray. 

Naomi Watts 

Celebrity hairstylist Danilo (@officialdanilohair) used PHYTO to achieve Naomi Watts' elegant look at the Met Gala.

“As Naomi wore Balenciaga couture, it was very important for her hair to be streamlined and contemporary," Danilo shares. "We chose a center part, with a pulled back ponytail paired with a net-veil I made, to achieve a chic and sleek look, which made her feel both elegant and empowered.”

How-To: 

1. Start off by using PHYTO’s REPAIR 230°C Heat Protection Anti-Breakage Spray to prep the hair.
2. Next, add the VOLUME Volumizing Spray before blow drying the hair and add a little of the PRO Style Texturizing Powder, which gives the hair a ‘lifestyle’ quality with an elegant quality.
3. Then, added PRO Style Shine Wax for shine and hold.
4. Flat ironed the hair, and pull it back into a chic, sleek center-part ponytail, adding some of the PRO Style Workable Gel for sheen.
5. For the finishing touch, use PRO Style Laque Soie, as it doesn't leave hair stiff and allows you to manipulate the hair while still giving it the perfect hold. 

Emma Chamberlain

Celebrity stylist Sami Knight (@samiknighthair) created Emma Chamberlain’s hair look for the Met Gala, using BELLAMI’s Silk Seam Hair Extensions in Moacchino Brown and Dark Brown to achieve a slick and sophisticated bun.

"Emma's gorgeous gown from Jean Paul Gaultier was totally the inspiration for her hair. The lace is so delicate and ethereal, I wanted to create an elegant updo fitting the event, and incorporating the archive lace." Knight shares. "We toyed with many different textures and settled on a mix of smooth and soft." 

How-To: 

1. To start, use a Kristin Ess Hair’s Soft Volume Blow Dry Brush to direct all of the hair back and up towards the crown. Use a little Emi Jay Angelstick Smoothing Balm at the hairline to give a little grip and ensure all the hair is laying in the right direction.
2. Pull the back of the hair up into a ponytail with a Emi Jay Mini Boar Bristle Brush, secure with an elastic and pull the hair either side in the front back to join it, leaving a center part and a couple of wisps out to frame the face. Then, split the pony into three even sections, and secure each section with a tiny elastic.
3. To add in a little extra volume, secure a BELLAMI Silk Seam Hair Extension to the base of each ponytail. The clips are sturdy enough that you can attach it directly to the pony. Cover the weft (base) of the extension when you coil it back later.  
4. Next, use the Kristin Ess Hair’s 1” Curling Iron just on the ends of the pony tails, to add in a little shape.
5. Next, apply more Emi Jay Angelstick directly from the bullet, smoothing it down the lengths of each ponytail. This catches all the flyaways, and perfectly smooths the texture. Coil each pony back on itself, securing them into buns with hair pins. Leave the ends out for a tousled look.
6. To complete the look, cut out shapes from the lace, and secure them to the hair with a little eyelash glue. Emi Jay Popstar Clips are extremely handy holding the lace in place as the glue dried. They hold firm without leaving a crease.
7. Lastly, touch up any frizz or flyaways with the Emi Jay Angelstick.

Greta Lee 

Celebrity Hairstylist Jenny Cho (@jennychohair) created a strong and edgy hair look for Greta Lee. 

“The inspiration for MET came from Stella Tennant’s choppy boyish haircut to sit opposite of the delicate Loewe dress and make the look feel stronger and edgier," Cho shares. 

How-To: 

1. Apply FEKKAI Clean Stylers Root Lift Volume Spray on towel dried hair, concentrating on the roots, and spray throughout the rest of the hair for even distribution. 
2. Rough dry the roots with your fingers and a blow dryer. Use a Maison Pearson mix boar and nylon brush to smooth. 
3. Once the hair is dried, apply FEKKAI Clean Stylers Flexi-Hold Hairspray, and flat iron random pieces. 
4. Once the hair is prepped and dried with the hot tools, apply a dime size amount of FEKKAI Brilliant Gloss Finishing Cream. Mist the FEKKAI Full Blown Volume Dry Texturizing Spray by using fingers to twist and flip and the palm of the hands to flatten to make it lived-in. 
5. Mist FEKKAI Clean Stylers Flexi-Hold Hairspray. Apply a drop of the FEKKAI Brilliant Gloss Glass Hair Anti-Frizz Oil Serum to add shine and luster. 
6. Lastly, mist FEKKAI Clean Stylers Volume Lock Hairspray to lock in the look.