Suki Waterhouse Channeled a "Modern-Day Goddess" With Her 2026 Met Gala Glam

Her hair and makeup artists gave us all the details.

On Monday, May 4, the singer arrived at the 2026 Met Gala looking like a Grecian statue in a plunging salmon-colored Michael Kors gown. Her hair and makeup fell right in line with the vision.

"The inspiration came from classical sculpture. There’s a softness and quiet strength you see in figures like Aphrodite and the Venus de Milo that felt really aligned with the moment," explains her hairstylist, Jacob Rozenberg. "We wanted to channel that effortless, timeless beauty in a way that still felt modern."

Ahead, Rozenberg and celebrity makeup artist Cedric Jolivet offer a full breakdown of the classically beautiful (but isn't she always?!) look.

Suki Waterhouse's Met Gala Glam Inspiration

As mentioned, classical sculpture was the main muse here.

"Suki has such a distinct, iconic haircut, so it was about honoring that while subtly transforming it with added length and movement," explains Rozenberg. "We kept coming back to the idea of something sensual, fluid, and undone. Never overworked."

The makeup vision was similar.

"The inspiration for the makeup came from the fluid draping of the dress designed by Michael Kors, echoing the timeless elegance of a Greek statue," adds Jolivet. "I envisioned Suki Waterhouse as a modern-day goddess, radiant, effortless, and luminous."

About the Hair

Waterhouse's signature shag was worn down and topped with a glittering olive branch headpiece.

"There’s a real shift toward hair that feels more natural and touchable right now," says Rozenberg. "People are moving away from overly structured styles and embracing softness, movement, and that slightly undone finish. Length with dimension and airy texture is a big part of that. It gives a polished feel without looking too 'set.'"

Prior to the event, Waterhouse prepped her locks at home by making sure they were plenty hydrated. Her hair needed to be "in its best condition" leading up to the big event.

"When the hair is healthy and nourished, everything else falls into place much more effortlessly, especially for a look like this that relies on softness and movement," Rozenberg notes.

Get the Look

The hairstylist says prep was "really important" for the look. Aside from the at-home groundwork, he kicked things off with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, then applied Dae's Prickly Pear Hair Oil through the ends for a bit of softness and shine without weighing the hair down.

"I followed with Mirage Mist Leave-In Conditioner to control frizz, and layered Agave Dry Heat Protection Spray for structure and longevity before blow-drying," he says. "To build out the shape, I added custom-colored clip-in extensions for seamless length and dimension. Then I used Fairy Blaster Dry Texturizing Spray and Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo Powder through the fringe to create that airy, lived-in texture. I finished with just a touch of Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream on the ends for definition."

Rozenberg explains that the key is layering products lightly: "Each one should enhance the hair without making it feel heavy or overly styled." And his number one tip for achieving the look at home? Focus on prep and restraint.

"If the foundation is right and the hair is hydrated, smooth, and protected, you don’t need to overwork the hair," he notes. "Let it move naturally and avoid over-styling; that’s what gives it that effortless, modern feel."

About the Skin

How does one achieve statuesque skin? By chiseling with a NuFace Trinity+ device, of course.

"Skin was definitely the main focus. The prep started with a “face workout” using the incredible NuFACE microcurrent device paired with red light therapy, one of my absolute favorites for achieving a smoother, lifted, and more sculpted complexion," says Jolivet.

"I always begin with the NuFace device, it’s the non-negotiable first step before any makeup," he explains. "Also, the Ampra Volumizing Serum from Skin Better is truly amazing for deeply hydrating and visibly plumping the skin. Just press a couple of pumps into the skin and let it fully absorb for an instant boost of smoothness and bounce."

The Finishing Touches

Because the skin was so important to the look, makeup was focused on "enhancing her skin with a soft, glowing finish, subtle contours, and light-catching tones, that feels both natural and elevated."

To even out Waterhouse's complexion, Jolivet used his "all-time favorite" foundation: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk. "It gives the perfect natural, skin-like coverage with a luminous finish that still feels weightless," he explains. Other highlights include the brand's Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in shades 62 and 42S, Eye Tint in 22M, and Lip Power Lipstick in shade 107.

Then, before she stepped on the carpet, she received a little extra sparkle—visibly (for her face) and energetically (for her hair).

"[The finishing touch was] a touch of shimmer on the eyes, cheeks, and body to softly catch the light, creating a goddess-like glow," says Jolivet.

"Right before she stepped out, I applied a small amount of the dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream just through the ends," adds Rozenberg. "It’s a subtle detail, but it really pulls everything together. It smooths any flyaways, adds a soft sheen, and gives the ends that clean, defined finish without weighing the hair down. I used it very sparingly on dry hair so the texture still felt light and touchable, but with just enough polish to elevate the overall look."

Read the full article on Byrdie by Sophie Vilensky.