Behind the Met Gala’s Outrageously Camp Hairstyles

This year’s Met Gala, debuting The Costume Institute’s 2019 exhibition Camp: Notes on Fashion, delivered nothing short of extravagant. Fashion houses like Gucci, Moschino and Chanel displayed their best works paired with killer hairstyles at the event described as the “Oscars of Fashion.” Scroll the looks below and get the scoop on the stylists’ inspiration, tips and recommended products.

Ashley Graham’s Bauble Bubble Pony
Stylist: Justine Marjan

The inspiration: “We were inspired by the ’70s and wanted something that felt masculine in the front to go with her androgynous suit but that felt over the top on the back,” Marjan says.

Steps:

1. Prep damp hair by applying a dollop of the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum. Blow-dry with the ghd air festival collection hair dryer.
2. Smooth roots with the ghd platinum+ festival collection styler. Then section out the front fringe and clip away.
3. Gather hair at the back of the head and apply the TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Gel to roots and brush through.
4. Attach a Hidden Crown Halo around the base of the pony. Then flat-iron hair using the ghd platinum+ festival collection styler.
5. Run the  TRESemmé Anti-Frizz Sheets through the ponytail to tame frizz.
6. Create bubbles through the pony with string.
7. Unclip the front section and create a side part and lock it in place with the TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Gel. Then hold in place with the Kitsch #KitschxJustine Snap Clips.
8. Spray TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Spray all over to secure the look.
9. Attach additional pins throughout as desired.

Lucy Boynton’s Blue Fairy Waves
Stylist: Jenny Cho

The inspiration: “When I saw the sketch of her Prada dress, I envisioned Lucy as a fairy walking through magical fields of delicate and dainty fresh baby spring flowers. So, we decided to put on a rinse over her hair and make it dusty blue to give the hair a fairy bend, complete with a headpiece made of soft pastel flowers,” Cho says.

Steps:

1. Start with Suave Professionals Rose Oil Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner.
2. On towel-dried hair, apply a drop of Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Smooth & Shine Cream and layer with Suave Professionals Firm Control Boosting Mousse. Blow-dry hair with a small round brush.
3. Mist each section with Sam McKnight Hairspray before using a flat-iron to create a flat bend.
4. Lightly tease ½-inch on the roots and mist Suave Professionals Firm Control Hairspray all over to prepare for the headpiece.
5. Place the headpiece and make final touches.

Lupita Nyong’o’s Textured Coiffure
Stylist: Vernon Francois

The inspiration: “I drew so many inspirations from our heritage in particular a self portrait by @laurendkelley “Pickin” as well as #MarieAntoinette and considering the portions of #lupitanyongo dress and of course the theme. Our goal is to continue to demonstrate the power of our hair #texture that it is the most moldable and luxurious #hair texture there is,” Francois wrote on Instagram.

Steps:

1. Apply Vernon Francois Mist-Nourishing Water comfortably all over until hair is damp.
2. Use the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer professional edition with the diffuser on low blast to get the hair to absorb the product.
3. Spray Vernon Francois Braid and Locs Scalp Nourish-ment Spray onto the roots and mid-lengths of the braids or locs for a beautiful and comfortable finish. This will also create protection from any heat styling tools.
4. Use extensions (Francois used Knappy Hair Kinky Blowout Texture) and back-comb into a beehive. Apply holding spray and gently diffuse with the hair dryer.

Ciara’s Larger-Than-Life Diva Afro
Stylist: Cesar DeLeon Ramirez

The inspiration: “It’s actually inspired by Ciara’s love for big, curly, textured hair. We wanted to almost do a dramatic version of a Diana Ross afro. She’s wearing [Peter] Dundas, and he drew up a mock of the dress that he’s designing for her, and in his mock, he drew a really big afro. So I think we played off of each other to create the inspiration for the look behind the hair,” Ramirez explained on @maneaddicts Instagram Story.

Steps:

1. Ramirez says to align the center part of the wig with the center part of the canvas head so you know how it’s going to sit on an actual face. Remember, your mannequin reflects a real human face, so make sure your design compliments its features. Pin the wig near the ears, where the sideburns would be.
2. Ramirez used the detangling brush by The Wildform to brush out the wigs. “We deconstructed three wigs and maintained the tight curls of the other three. The volume of the deconstructed wigs will help to push out the loosened curls of the others. Once attached, the curls interact with each other within the wig for dimension, texture, maximum volume and drama.
3. Six Sensationnel 4b/c texture wigs make up the final custom Wildform wig. Ramirez says to use nothing but durable nylon thread.
4. Ramirez used Unite hair products to style the final wig: GO365 Hairspray for light, medium to heavy hold, 7 Seconds Glossing Spray for thermal protection and shine, and the Conundrum Paste for sleek, flexible and long-lasting hold on wet or dry hair.

Kristen Stewart’s Tribute to Bowie
Stylist: Adir Abergel
Colorist: Daniel Moon

The inspiration: “The inspiration was '70s Bowie and the obscurity of gender, playing into both masculine and feminine extremism," Abergel says. Daniel Moon colored the hair dark underneath, pale yellow in the front and a classic Chanel red through mid-shaft and ends to create a very dimensional and colorful camp look.

Lily Collins’ Bridal Bouffant
Stylist: Gregory Russell

The inspiration: "I was inspired by Lily's Giambattista Valli Couture gown, so I wanted to create a Sharon Tate wedding look/Priscilla Presley hairdo. I thought the exaggerated proportions and adornments really played into this year's Met theme," Russell says.