Top 6 Met Gala Men's Hairstyles 2023

Every year, the first Monday of May welcomes the Met Gala:  one of the biggest dates in the A-list fashion diary. If you’re not sure what that involves, it’s basically an excuse for the crème de la crème of Hollywood, music, sports, business, and the fashion world to come together, get dressed up in some crazy outfits, and help fundraise for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York.

This year the theme celebrated the work of Chanel’s late chief designer Karl Lagerfeld, with the exhibition entitled “A Line of Beauty”. Every year fashion addicts are glued to their phones to catch a glimpse to see what outrageous and stylish 'get-ups' their favourite actors and artists are wearing, including their hairstyles.

Now you might have seen a few people dressed as Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, who unfortunately couldn’t make it onto the multi-coloured carpet, but the male celebrities didn’t let us down. We’ve put together a list of some of our top male celebrities at the Met Gala who really pulled it out of the bag with their hair. You can’t go to the Met Gala and not make an effort, so although some of these men’s hairstyles might need a bit of practice, we know exactly what men’s hair styling products you will need to help your hair on its way to feeling and looking red-carpet-worthy!

Image Credit: Valentino Instagram

Pedro Pascal

We know we’ve spoken about Pedro Pascal before, but who isn’t talking about him?! His hair has grown (unsurprisingly!) since we last wrote about him, and again he decided to go for a classic slicked-back hairstyle. It was a bit more extreme for the Met with an impeccably high shine and not a single hair out of place. The high shine matched his impressive black polished boots, school-boy shorts, and vibrant oversized red coat. Although the clothing has become a serious talking point, the hair still speaks volumes and is the perfect style for a black-tie event.

How to achieve this hairstyle

To achieve the ‘Pascal’ sheen, you’ll need a lot of styling product and one with a high shine. You’ll notice the hairstyle is styled close to the head and this means making sure the hair stays in place. An important step in creating this men’s hairstyle is to not let your hair dry. We advise towel-drying to get rid of any excess moisture, but then you will want to apply your styling product of choice as soon as possible. A pomade, such as Murdock Vintage Pomade, with a high hold and high shine will be your best bet for creating this. Start with a small amount to see how it takes to your hair, and use a comb to distribute it evenly.

Murdock London Vintage Pomade

$29.00

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Image Credit: Karl Lagerfeld Instagram

Jared Leto

Leave it to Jared Leto to make one of the biggest statements on the Met carpet. He arrived dressed as a cat (yes, you read that right) in a head-to-toe furry cosplay creation. Once he removed the gigantic head to reveal his identity, he also let loose his long locks. He’s been sporting this long hairstyle for a while now, and whilst it might not suit everyone, he certainly knows how to look after it. For this year’s event his long beachy waves worked well with his long cape hidden underneath.

How to achieve this hairstyle

For long hair like Jared Leto’s, the main priority is keeping it conditioned. His hair showed off a natural healthy shine, secretly stored under the fur, and this will be mainly down to the shampoo and conditioner he uses. Long hair tends to get greasy quickly, due to the overall surface area and amount of friction between each strand, so for hair this length make sure you keep it well cleansed with a decent men’s shampoo. For styling, we can recommend 3”’ Inches Volumising Mousse. It will work really well for those of you with fine hair that need a bit of a boost but still want a natural hold. To be honest it doesn’t look like Jared uses a huge amount of styling product and prefers leaves his natural hair to do the talking. We reckon he may have used a spritzing of a lightweight sea salt spray to keep those waves in place. 

Looking at his hair colour, to achieve this blonde/brown ombre effect, speak to your barber about what will work with your own hair.

Image Credit: Labrinth Instagram

Labrinth

"Labrinth, come in!" This was Labrinth’s first time at the Met and he certainly didn’t hit the carpet quietly! His grown-out afro looked incredible with the powerful Valentino red coat, shirt and trousers. The British-born musician (recognised for his Euphoria soundtrack) decided to match his hairstyle with his outfit with a crimson hue - supposedly inspired by his love for Japanese anime. He definitely turned up the volume at the prestigious event, with the bright colour of his chosen outfit, and the length of his hair.

How to achieve this hairstyle

This hairstyle is all about keeping your afro curls in the best condition possible. To be able to create this amount of length and volume, curls need to be continually nourished and hydrated so that the ends don’t split and break. Once your hair is in good condition (try using Aaron Wallace Hydrating Hair and Beard Shampoo), the hair can be teased, most likely using an afro comb, and finished off with hydrating hair oil. You can use the oil to help define the ends of your curls. To create a show-stopping colour like this, definitely speak with your hairdresser/barber about the appropriate treatments for afro hair.

Image Credit: James McAvoy Instagram

James McAvoy

Not only did Scottish actor, James McAvoy, embrace bringing a fan as his chosen accessory to the Met Gala (it’s already gone viral!), but he’s also embraced letting his natural grey hair shine through. Dressed by British luxury brand Dunhill, James McAvoy sported a dapper all-black suit with a white waistcoat which matched his suave, and chamring, softly-styled quiff. The natural grey streak at the front of the quiff really made his look stand out, for all the right reasons. We really enjoy the natural movement in his hair which doesn’t look over-styled and has clearly only had help with a bit of volume and texture.

How to achieve this hairstyle

To create this mid-length style we recommend using a volumising or thickening pre-styler whilst the hair is wet. As you dry the hair, use your fingertips to tease the hair into shape and style, and also consider using a round brush to build some volume at the front and then push it back and over to the side to create the quiff. A bit of styling powder will help to add texture with a matte finish, alternatively you could try a tiny bit of pomade on the ends of the hair for a more natural shine. Use a hair spray to keep the hairstyle in place.

3 More Inches Holding Spray

$24.00

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Image Credit: Met Gala Official Instagram

Jackson Wang

K-Pop global superstar Jackson Wang brought all the drama to the Met Gala with his Louis Vuitton gothic ensemble and unique hairstyle to match. His leather gloves may have been an obvious nod to Karl Lagerfeld, but his multi-toned hairstyle was definitely his own creation. This centre-parted, and dare we say slightly 'mad scientist' hairstyle is not a look for those of you who prefer to stay under the radar, but it's definitely one for those who like to add some edge to their style. Jackson Wang certainly caught our attention!

How to achieve this hairstyle

Let's look at the colour first. As with every coloured hairstyle, we don't recommend trying to achieve this at home! This is one for the professionals, so have a chat with your barber. If you have dark Asian hair, it will be particularly hard to bleach/dye, and once you achieve this sort of colour, you will need to make sure you use a hair treatment or leave-in conditioner to maintain the hair's health.

Jackson has clearly grown out some length on the top to be able to create this hairstyle. After drying the hair, it needs to be parted dead in the centre down the middle of the head. Then, it's all about texture, paying particular attention to sides. Asian hair tends to be very straight, so it's possible Jackson has had a salon treatment to add some waves to the hair. If you have similar hair, a sea salt spray will help to add some movement. You can use it as a pre-styler or apply it after drying your hair, using your hands to scrunch the hair. Alternatively, try something like Murdock's Sea Salt Paste which adds texture, volume, and a matte finish. 

Captain Fawcett's Sea Salt Spray

$29.00

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Image Credit: GQ Recommends Instagram

Bradley Cooper

It might not be the most dramatic or adventurous men's hairstyle to be seen at the Met Gala this year, but Bradley Cooper hit the carpet with a modern take on the classic crew cut. This hairstyle was an ideal choice to wear with his classic tuxedo jacket and bow tie, accessorised with some stylish sunglasses. You can't really go wrong with this sort of hairstyle; it's inoffensive and the texture brings a youthful finish. For someone who prefers to keep it a bit more casual for a black-tie event, this could be your next go-to hairstyle. It's perfect for anyone with mid-length hair. 

How to achieve this hairstyle

We picked this men's hairstyle out because of the great texture in the hair. Bradley seems to have gone a bit shorter than his usual style for the Met Gala, however there is still a good amount of length all over. A men's hair styling powder will be the perfect tool for this: just a sprinkle at the roots and it will absorb any oil in the hair, leaving a matte and dry finish. Use your fingertips to rub the powder into the roots to create a bit of volume, and if you want a bit more definition to the ends use a matte finish clay, like Daimon Barber's Texture Hair Clay, to tease the ends of the hair. This product also has a strong hold so it will help keep the style in place whilst you party the night away!

Ruffians Hair Powder

$23.00

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