When Quinta Brunson stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet in 2023, it was her first time at the fashion world’s most coveted beauty moment — and she arrived with a stunning combination of high fashion, striking hair, and deliberate makeup that felt both elegant and expressive.
While the evening celebrated the legacy of Karl Lagerfeld, Brunson’s look stood out as a fresh statement of personal style and careful beauty execution — merging sculptural hair, soft color palettes, and precise makeup details.
Hair: Architectural and Elevated
Brunson’s hairstyle was one of the evening’s most talked‑about elements. Created by hairstylist Alexander Armand, her hair was transformed into an artistic crown‑like updo that pushed the boundaries of a traditional red‑carpet style.
Using her natural curls and coils as a foundation, Armand sculpted a braided, voluminous updo that extended skyward and was accented with subtle feather details — blending texture and high‑fashion structure in one striking silhouette.
He meticulously styled her baby hairs with precision, using products — like a curl‑control pomade — to lay them in delicate swirls along her hairline, framing her face like decorative filigree.
This headpiece‑level look didn’t just elevate her outfit; it functioned as its own artistic statement, echoing runway sensibilities while honoring her personal beauty roots.
Makeup: Soft Pink Tones With Dramatic Definition
Quinta’s beauty was anchored by a makeup look created by Jessica Smalls that balanced soft hues with architectural precision — a perfect complement to her bold hair.
Before applying makeup, Smalls prepped Brunson’s under‑eye area with de‑puffing eye patches to ensure a smooth and rested canvas under event lights.
For the eyes, the look leaned into romantic floral tones and defined shapes:
- A base of matte pink eyeshadow was pressed into her lids using firm brushes to ensure pigment payoff and precision rather than a diffused haze.
- A deeper rose tone blended outward helped add dimension and softness to the color story.
- A soft, elongated black liner at the outer corner lent subtle drama to her eyes without feeling heavy.
- Long, fluttery faux mink lashes completed the effect, bringing both glamour and balance to the soft eye palette.
The end result was an eye look that was both delicate and striking — rosy, expressive, and perfectly in sync with the gown’s tonal accents.
Lips and Finishing Touches
To complement her rosy eye makeup, Smalls chose a neutral lip strategy that kept attention on texture and shine.
- Brunson’s lips were lined with a soft liner for subtle definition.
- She wore a muted pink lipstick that enhanced her natural lip color.
- A gloss layered on top gave her pout a juicy, luminous finish that caught the lights on every photograph.
This balance of soft shine and subtle color ensured her makeup looked refined, camera‑ready, and in harmony with the rest of her beauty elements.
Why the Look Worked
What made Quinta Brunson’s Met Gala beauty work so well — beyond just great products and expert application — was the way it linked personal style with visual storytelling. Her dramatic hairpiece acted as a sculptural frame, while her makeup highlighted her features without overshadowing them.
The combination of architectural hair, romantic pink tones, and soft, glowing skin made her look feel both avant‑garde and intimately expressive — a fitting style for her first Met Gala debut.
Quick Beauty Breakdown
- Hair: Sculptural braided updo built from natural texture with feather accents.
- Eye makeup: Matte pink and rose shadow, elongated liner, and long lashes.
- Lips: Soft pink lipstick with clear gloss for shine.
- Skin prep: Under‑eye patches and smooth foundation base.
