9 Statement-Making Lipsticks From the Met Gala Red Carpet That You Need to Try Now

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The first Monday of May always abounds with beauty inspiration: This year, we eyed beachy waves, matte blush, and skinny brows on the 2024 Met Gala red carpet. Not ready to pick up the tweezers? A tube of fresh lipstick is one of the easiest ways to shake up your beauty routine with on-trend colors and finishes — and the Met Gala served up a rainbow’s worth of celeb-approved lipstick formulas to try out at home.

This year, we saw celebrities opt for classic red carpet shades: Gigi Hadid went with high-glamour red lipstick to anchor Marilyn Monroe-inspired glam, while Zendaya took a vampy turn with a burgundy-red lipstick. But we also saw stars embrace the “Garden of Time” theme, opting for petal-pink pastel lipsticks, as seen on Taraji P. Henson, and earthy brown tones, which Zoe Saldana modeled with her Chloé ensemble. Of course, no Met Gala is complete without a surprise, and Amanda Seyfried delivered with an electric purple lipstick look.

These top lipsticks run the gamut from drugstore lipsticks you can order on Amazon to department store mainstays from beloved labels like Bobbi Brown and Lancôme. Our editors were excited to see cult-favorite makeup brands take over the Met Gala red carpet, too, with Naomi Watts wearing Lisa Eldridge and a slew of celebs stepping out with Danessa Myricks’ pigments on their smiles.

Ready to step into summer with a new signature lip? Browse our favorite lipsticks to try, all freshly plucked from the Met Gala red carpet.

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For her Marilyn Monroe-inspired glam, Gigi Hadid wore Maybelline’s Superstay Vinyl Ink Lipstick in a blue-red shade that oozes Old Hollywood. Our editors love this formula for its high-shine finish that doesn’t budge during hours of wear, and that it’s available on Amazon in 18 gorgeous shades.

Zoe Saldana teamed her terracotta-hued Chloé gown with Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines Matte Suede Lipstick in Seductive, an earthy mauve shade chosen by makeup artist Vera Steimberg. This shade has a touch of warmth to it that looks natural on olive undertones, while popping against fair skin. It’s richly pigmented and long-wearing — but the matte finish feels creamy, not dry.

Makeup artist Saisha Beechman gave Taraji P. Henson a dreamy, monochromatic makeup look, applying Danessa Myricks’ Colorfix Pigments in Bunny on her eyelids, cheeks, and lips. For added shine, Beechman topped off her lips with the same product in a clear tone. It’s available in over 30 shades, ranging from mattes to metallics.

Lisa Eldridge makes some of our editor’s favorite nude lipsticks — expect carefully-calibrated colors in comfortable formulas. For Naomi Watts’ rosy smile, makeup artist Mary Wiles used Lisa Eldridge’s True Velvet Lip Color in Velvet Petal. Although it’s a matte formula, it applies with a slight sheen that looks gorgeous in photos.

Pamela Anderson has been on a no-makeup makeup spree, and Pat McGrath Labs’ Lust Gloss in Dare to Bare naturally enhanced her smile. Her lip combination includes another Pat McGrath lip product that has yet to release, but we love this gloss on bare lips or applied over nude lip liner.

For Sydney Sweeney’s natural pout, makeup artist Melissa Hernandez layered on coats of Armani Beauty’s Lip Power Long-Lasting Lipstick in Romanza. This lipstick feels more like a balm but boasts the wear time of a great lip stain, making it the perfect choice for a wedding or a big night out.

Rather than lipstick, Janelle Monae went with nearly-bare lips: Makeup artist Keita Moore opted for the Guerlain’s Kisskiss Bee Glow Lip Oil in Honey Glow. We love that the formula stains the lips while delivering major hydration from royal jelly and propolis.

Kerry Washington’s glam played up the eggplant tone of her Oscar de la Renta gown, with pretty purple eyeshadow and a mauve lip to match. Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez layered a trio of Bobbi Brown lipsticks for this lived-in lip look, including the Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lipstick in Neutral Rose.

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Meet the Author

Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands.