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For ballerina Misty Copeland—who has recently had hip surgery following her retirement from American Ballet Theatre—this year’s Met Gala theme was particularly meaningful. The “Costume Art” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art examines “the importance of the dressed body,” matching clothing with paintings, sculptures, and items that cover 5,000 years of art. No other artistic expression is as closely connected to the human body as ballet—a truth that Copeland recognizes.
The concept of ‘bodies’ feels very personal to me at this moment. After surgery, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what the body holds—strength, history, and resilience,” she says. “It’s also amazing to consider how the human body has always been a key source of inspiration in art and fashion, and for me, that’s closely tied to movement and dance. As a dancer, my body has always been my tool, but I’ve also had to learn to listen to it more deeply over time.
For her Met Gala outfit, Copeland aimed for something that celebrated all of it—”something that felt powerful yet gentle, and still very much like me. And something that, to me, represents a beautiful part of the legacy of Black ballerinas throughout history,” she says. “In terms of beauty, I kept it simple and radiant. I always want to still look like myself, just enhanced.”
It was Copeland’s tanned outfit that established the style for the makeup artistMali BoykinThe look instantly reminded me of the concept of brown as representing richness, warmth, and presence, and I wanted the makeup to reflect that same energy through the skin,” she explains. “Bronzed skin became a crucial element of the vision because it helped create depth while still embracing softness. It was more about enhancing the mood of the outfit rather than matching it.
Boykin aimed for Copeland’s skin to appear “fresh and glowing, yet refined enough for the Met.” She began with her eyebrows before any skin preparation or complexion work (a routine she always follows to keep them in place), priming the skin with Merit Great Skin Priming Moisturizer and applying light layers of Merit The Uniform in Shade 20 to balance the skin tone. She then applied Merit The Minimalist in Amber (to add warmth and definition), Flush Balm in Lusitano (for a natural blush on the cheeks), and Day Glow in Citrine (to illuminate the face). The eyes had a soft, glossy finish, while the lips were gently defined using the Merit Signature Lip Liner in June (a new shade) and Signature Lip Blush in Archival.
Boykin collaborated closely with Copeland’s hair stylist,Miles Jeffries, when developing the appearance. “It was a genuine creative collaboration from the beginning,” she says. “We exchanged mood boards, references, and instincts constantly. It was really about ensuring every element of the look felt unified. Hair, makeup, and styling all needed to feel connected, like one complete narrative.”
For Jeffries—who also collaborated with Copeland for herappearance and performanceAt this year’s Oscars—”the concept was to make the texture appear as if Misty had her hair in a bun and then let it down; the hair needed to move!” he explains. For this, Jeffries blow-dried and slightly straightened the hair before gathering it into a ponytail at the center back of the head. He then used the same straightener to form gentle curves and subtle waves, adding a “flirty motion” to the hair. He concluded with a spray ofParfums de Marly Valaya Hair Fragrance.
In the end, Boykin believes she not only provided Misty with what she desired, but also designed a look that captured the essence of the night’s theme. “If fashion is art, beauty must be part of that discussion,” she states. “Makeup should never seem disconnected from the overall concept. Every decision was deliberate. I wanted the beauty to align with the entire narrative and produce something artistic that remained authentic to Misty.”
More fashion updates from the 2026 Met Gala:
- Nicole Kidman Adopted a Full Rapunzel Look at the 2026 Met Gala
- Laufey’s Met Gala Looks Were Truly Ageless
- Top Beauty Highlights from the 2026 Met Gala
Now, observe ballerina Tiler Peck’s stage makeup process:
