Monday was a big day for Blake Lively. Not only did it see her and Justin Baldoni’s court case reach a settlement, it also saw her return to the Met Gala red carpet, her first appearance at the star-studded event in four years.
And what a tumultuous four years it’s been, with a war raging between her and her It Ends With Us co-star Baldoni, with Blake lobbying claims of sexual harassment against her co-star, who in turn alleged defamation.
I’m not here to dive into the legal back and forth between the two (enough of that has been done online), instead, I want to focus on the mother-of-four’s makeup at the Met, which sent a clear statement to everyone who said the Gossip Girl star was cancelled.
Blake Lively’s 2026 Met Gala moment
Blake has long been hailed as Met Gala royalty (she’s attended 11 times in total and even co-chaired the event with Anna Wintour) with her red carpet looks often topping best dressed lists and Monday night was no different.
The 38-year-old wore an archival Atelier Versace dress from spring 2006, created from a medley of powdery pinks, lemon yellows, corals, soft peaches and frothy lilacs, with colours inspired by a sunset.
© WireImageHer beauty look was equally magical, with purple glitter eye makeup that wouldn’t look out of place on a Disney princess. Fluttery lashes framed her eyes, with her cheeks dusted a soft rose and perfect pink lipstick. Some might call Blake’s choice of makeup boring, but the actress was undoubtedly sending a clear message with her decision.
She made a nod to the struggles she’s been through, saying of her look: “Every year I am a different version of myself than the last, so to be able to stand in the version of myself that I am today – and all the experiences I’ve had – in strength and confidence is important to me.”
Playing it safe
Of Blake’s decision to play it safe with her soft, pretty makeup, mental health and wellbeing expert Dr. Radha explains: “When you’ve been through a period of turmoil or vulnerability, we tend to rely on what worked for us before, during times we felt safe.
© FilmMagic“Blake’s look isn’t boundary-pushing; it leaned into a style from when she was happy and part of a community and tried to recreate this vibe.”
Dr. Radha muses that Blake’s choice of makeup reflective of how she wants to be seen. “She’s been referred to as ‘queen of the Met Gala’ and with her princessy, royal-worthy look, she proved her status, and subtly said she’s still in control, proving she’s still who she always was.”
Blake’s choice of a tried-and-tested beauty look also works to prove she’s reliable – she’s still who she always was, reminding fans why they loved her.
Victoria Beckham is a good example of someone who leaned into a reliable look after a scandal. Post the Brooklyn statement debacle earlier this year, VB, known for being a beauty chameleon, stayed steadfast in her appearance. By not changing a thing, she proved she didn’t need to create a distraction from her family drama, she stayed as she was, remained calm and weathered the storm.
The other side
Dr. Radha notes that after a scandal, people attempting a comeback tend to go one of two ways – playing it safe, a ‘la Blake, or making a total statement with their look.
Take Blake’s BFF Taylor, when she reappeared after a year in hiding to release Reputation, she totally shed (snake pun intended) her good girl image, rocking dark lipstick rather than her signature red and all-black outfits, signalling a total rebrand after being mass-cancelled.
© Getty ImagesAnother popstar who is a master of the post-scandal rebrand is Ariana Grande. Known for her super-high ponytail (almost as high as the high notes she hits) and trademark flicked eyeliner, after she reportedly broke up her partner Ethan Slater’s marriage, she shifted to a soft, fairy-like beauty, framing herself and innocent and vulnerable.
© Getty ImagesWhether you think Blake belongs in the cancelled category or she’s deserving of her Met Gala royalty title, there’s no denying that she looked as perfect as ever on the first Monday in May.
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