Emmy-winning actress Zendaya is known for her showstopping fashion and beauty looks, and Monday night’s 2024 Met Gala red carpet was no exception. Along with Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, and Jennifer Lopez, the Challengers star served as co-chair for this year’s event, which means she had to up the ante once again with her interpretation of the “Garden of Time” dress code and corresponding theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
For a behind-the-scenes look at Zendaya’s getting-ready process for the gala, Bazaar spoke exclusively with her hairstylist, Ursula Stephen, ahead of the event, to learn more about the actor’s beauty prep process. Here, Stephen shares the inspiration behind Zendaya’s final styles, along with the product staples she used to prep and create them before and during the Met Gala.
How early did you and Zendaya start planning for her Met Gala look? Did you coordinate with the rest of her glam team?
We began Met Gala preparations at the end of March while we were on our international press tour for Challengers!
Did you all use any reference images to channel her final look?
I created a beautiful Pinterest board with a mix of beautiful images. One image of Paloma Picasso I loved not because of the hair, but because of the energy she possesses in the photo. I wanted to bring that to life.
In what ways does Zendaya’s hair look complement her outfit for the Met red carpet?
The floral hair design was crafted to subtly complement the outfit, aiming for a delicate yet confident aesthetic.
How did Pinterest inform your creative planning process for the Met Gala?
Pinterest serves as the launching pad for my inspiration journey. I look for everything [there], from old hair and fashion magazines to cartoons and architectural details. When it came to organizing my inspirations, I pinned everything in one place without any particular order, mirroring the flow of my thoughts. The platform’s layout transforms the mix of pins into a visually captivating mosaic. As we near the event, I get even more creative. I discover myself pinning not just my visions but also the energy I aim to convey through the final looks.
As Zendaya recently dyed her hair blonde, did you all shift your original hairstyle plan at all?
No. The Met look came after the color—blonde was always in the cards.
Could you briefly describe some of the key products and tools used to create Zendaya’s hairstyles?
After shampooing Zendaya’s hair, I applied Living Proof’s Triple Bond Complex to strengthen and protect the strands. Using the Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer, I blow-dried the hair until it was completely dry. Next, I applied the Living Proof 5-in-1 Styling Treatment to add hydration and shine. Gathering the hair into a low bun, I secured it with a hair tie and then twisted and pinned it into a beautiful shape, drawing inspiration from the elegant calla lily flower. To add volume and texture, I fussed up the top layer of hair, separating it from the rest. Finally, I curled any flyaways to create a soft and angelic finish and kept them in place with Flex Hairspray.
Were there any current trends that helped inform this year’s final Met Gala hair decision?
Engaging in collaborative and enriching conversations with wonderful people in inspiring spaces brought a lot of clarity to the final decision about Zendaya’s Met hairstyles.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
