The Met Gala Beauty Trend That Just Killed The “Instagram Lip”
At the 2026 Met Gala, there was a clear trend in the beauty department. Even more important? What was noticeably absent. This year, stars actually looked like themselves. In recent years, we’ve witnessed an indulgence in overly plumped lips, but the pendulum is swinging in favor of a barely-there look. The color du jour is a dependable nude that prioritizes texture over volume. This isn’t your matte Kylie Lip Kit of 2016. It’s a 3D, somewhat-wet look nude that’s all about creating sculptural elegance. Think of your natural self with a bit of oomph. Adut Akech and Teyana Taylor’s barely-there lip combos were perfect examples.Picture the ever-enduring allure of the ‘90s. The simple yet noticeable look was evident in Zoe Kravitz and Nicole Kidman’s taupe nudes. Surprisingly, Kendall and Kylie Jenner leaned in the most with muted hues that blended into the creamy beige tones of their dresses. It’s a total monochromatic moment that’s subtly flushed instead of distracting.Yes, we are officially in a new era, and these are the lipsticks, tips, and tricks elevating our makeup bags.All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.For more can't-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.Never one to gatekeep, Mary Phillips shared the trick that gave Jenner her flushed, yet natural-looking lips. The key to achieving this finish is with a lip stain. Phillips let it sit on the lips for a few minutes, then wiped it away to add a flush of color. The secret weapon in Jenner’s makeup arsenal: L’Oréal Paris Hyaluron Tint Lip Stain. To go from flat to fab, follow Phillips’s lead and add a dab of L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil for soft shine.L'Oreal Paris Hyaluron Tint Lip Stain Serum, $, available at AmazonGetty ImagesFor the perfect “my lips, but better” finish, makeup artist Min Kim swiped the Dior Addict Lip Glass in Rose Charms on Ejae’s pout. “The look features softly diffused smoky eyes with depth and fluidity, paired with clean, luminous skin and nude, glossy lips for a refined, modern finish,” Kim explains in her Instagram caption.Dior Addict Glass Lipstick, $, available at NordstromGetty ImagesAgain, today’s winning lip looks are all about sculptural dimension and texture, not balloon-level volume. Teyana Taylor and her makeup artist Yeika Glow showed us how it’s done. “The lips needed to be a standout moment, so I relied on Revlon ColorStay Multi-Liner in [the color] As Is to really define and shape them,” Glow explains on Instagram. “We finished with a touch of Revlon Super LustrousGlass Shine Balm in Girly Swirly to add dimension and the perfect hint of pink.”Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Balm, $, available at UltaGetty ImagesContinuing to prove that less is more, Nicole Kidman worked with Gucci Westman to create a timeless look that also felt unforgettable. “There’s a subtle nod to the ’70s in her hair and makeup, that effortless, undone feeling like Jane Birkin,” Westman explains via email. While subtle, the key to achieving this look requires a bit of layering. “I kept the lip nudey and softly flushed,” Westman says. “I love layering, mixing creams and powders, then pressing a bit of cream back on top to bring back that fresh radiance.” Here, she started with Clé De Peau Beauté’s Lipstick Matte in 110/Exuberant & 122/Pink Petunia followed by Clé De Peau Beauté’s Cream Rouge Shine in 201 Calanthe Orchid.Clé de Peau Beauté Lipstick Matte in 110/Exuberant & 122/Pink Petunia, $, available at Saks Fifth AvenueGetty ImagesTo sculpt Akech’s lips, Keita Moore lined them with Makeup By Mario’s Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Dark Chocolate. For that subtle flush of color, Makeup By Mario’s SuperSatin lipstick in the shade Dumbo was smoothed over the pout. Moore calls the look: “skintentional—the kind of beauty that stops everything.”Makeup By Mario SuperSatin Lipstick, $, available at SephoraGetty ImagesAriel Tejada helped Jenner achieve a taupe nude lip with a winning combo. First, Kylie Cosmetics Precision Pout Liner in Cool Nude was blended into the Chill Brown liner. Next, Plumping Powder Matte Lip in Nude Mood added a textural color that defines the moment. “My girl ATE!” Tejada captioned an Instagram post. Say less.Kylie Cosmetics Plumping Powder Matte Lip, $, available at UltaGetty ImagesLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?5 Met Gala After-Party Outfits To CopyThe Best Beauty Looks From The 2026 Met GalaThe Best Artistic References At The 2026 Met Gala
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At the 2026 Met Gala, there was a clear trend in the beauty department. Even more important? What was noticeably absent. This year, stars actually looked like themselves. In recent years, we’ve witnessed an indulgence in overly plumped lips, but the pendulum is swinging in favor of a barely-there look. The color du jour is a dependable nude that prioritizes texture over volume.
This isn’t your matte Kylie Lip Kit of 2016. It’s a 3D, somewhat-wet look nude that’s all about creating sculptural elegance. Think of your natural self with a bit of oomph. Adut Akech and Teyana Taylor’s barely-there lip combos were perfect examples.
Picture the ever-enduring allure of the ‘90s. The simple yet noticeable look was evident in Zoe Kravitz and Nicole Kidman’s taupe nudes. Surprisingly, Kendall and Kylie Jenner leaned in the most with muted hues that blended into the creamy beige tones of their dresses. It’s a total monochromatic moment that’s subtly flushed instead of distracting.
Yes, we are officially in a new era, and these are the lipsticks, tips, and tricks elevating our makeup bags.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
For more can't-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.
Never one to gatekeep, Mary Phillips shared the trick that gave Jenner her flushed, yet natural-looking lips. The key to achieving this finish is with a lip stain. Phillips let it sit on the lips for a few minutes, then wiped it away to add a flush of color. The secret weapon in Jenner’s makeup arsenal: L’Oréal Paris Hyaluron Tint Lip Stain. To go from flat to fab, follow Phillips’s lead and add a dab of L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil for soft shine.
L'Oreal Paris Hyaluron Tint Lip Stain Serum, $, available at AmazonGetty Images
For the perfect “my lips, but better” finish, makeup artist Min Kim swiped the Dior Addict Lip Glass in Rose Charms on Ejae’s pout. “The look features softly diffused smoky eyes with depth and fluidity, paired with clean, luminous skin and nude, glossy lips for a refined, modern finish,” Kim explains in her Instagram caption.
Dior Addict Glass Lipstick, $, available at NordstromGetty Images
Again, today’s winning lip looks are all about sculptural dimension and texture, not balloon-level volume. Teyana Taylor and her makeup artist Yeika Glow showed us how it’s done. “The lips needed to be a standout moment, so I relied on Revlon ColorStay Multi-Liner in [the color] As Is to really define and shape them,” Glow explains on Instagram. “We finished with a touch of Revlon Super LustrousGlass Shine Balm in Girly Swirly to add dimension and the perfect hint of pink.”
Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Balm, $, available at UltaGetty Images
Continuing to prove that less is more, Nicole Kidman worked with Gucci Westman to create a timeless look that also felt unforgettable. “There’s a subtle nod to the ’70s in her hair and makeup, that effortless, undone feeling like Jane Birkin,” Westman explains via email.
While subtle, the key to achieving this look requires a bit of layering. “I kept the lip nudey and softly flushed,” Westman says. “I love layering, mixing creams and powders, then pressing a bit of cream back on top to bring back that fresh radiance.” Here, she started with Clé De Peau Beauté’s Lipstick Matte in 110/Exuberant & 122/Pink Petunia followed by Clé De Peau Beauté’s Cream Rouge Shine in 201 Calanthe Orchid.
Clé de Peau Beauté Lipstick Matte in 110/Exuberant & 122/Pink Petunia, $, available at Saks Fifth AvenueGetty Images
To sculpt Akech’s lips, Keita Moore lined them with Makeup By Mario’s Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Dark Chocolate. For that subtle flush of color, Makeup By Mario’s SuperSatin lipstick in the shade Dumbo was smoothed over the pout. Moore calls the look: “skintentional—the kind of beauty that stops everything.”
Makeup By Mario SuperSatin Lipstick, $, available at SephoraGetty Images
Ariel Tejada helped Jenner achieve a taupe nude lip with a winning combo. First, Kylie Cosmetics Precision Pout Liner in Cool Nude was blended into the Chill Brown liner. Next, Plumping Powder Matte Lip in Nude Mood added a textural color that defines the moment. “My girl ATE!” Tejada captioned an Instagram post. Say less.
Kylie Cosmetics Plumping Powder Matte Lip, $, available at UltaGetty Images
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
5 Met Gala After-Party Outfits To Copy
