Shop the Under-$50 Makeup Essentials Flau'jae Johnson Used For Her First Met Gala
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The 2025 Met Gala was a night of Black excellence, power, legacy, and evolution. Household names like Rihanna and Dapper Dan dominated the iconic Met stairs in innovative looks that nailed the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme, but the night also boasted a slew of newcomers that are making their own mark — namely, Flau'jae Johnson. Styled by Amiraa Vainqueur, Johnson brought her sartorial best in a black-and-white Walter Mendez dress tailored by Marquise Foster, as she hosted E! News's CreatorCam—powered by Samsung. "This year's theme was about Black fashion and self-expression, so I wanted every part of my look, from the silhouette to the glam, to reflect that legacy while also pushing it forward," she says. She completed the look with a Lynn Paul headpiece and Grown Brilliance jewelry.
The young rapper and basketball star has amassed major accolades within less than a decade of being in the spotlight, including being one of the highest-earning college athletes in history. With her domination on the court and behind the mic, it's no surprise she found her way to fashion's biggest night. We caught up with the 21-year-old amidst the Met madness and learned everything she used to get ready for the monumental night, her tips for choosing a red carpet look, and much more.
While she leaves the bulk of the styling work in Vainqueur's capable hands, Johnson prioritizes self-expression when curating a red carpet moment. "Does it say something about who I am?" Then, "Is it going to make people feel something when they see it?" are some of the questions she asks herself when prepping for an event. "And of course, I need to be able to walk, pose, vibe, and be me in it. It's all about owning the moment and being confident," she says.
Ahead, read more about Johnson's getting-ready essentials for the first Monday in May, from her favorite lip gloss to the tech product she can't live without.
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Flau'jae Johnson's Skin-Care Essential For the Met Gala
Johnson always starts her mornings with a cold jade roller. It not only helps to depuff the face, but aids in muscle tension relief, helping her skin inside and out. Picks like this Baimei IcyMe Jade Roller ($7) help the star get in the zone before a long day.
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Flau'jae Johnson's Makeup Essentials For the Met Gala
Makeup artist Jasmine Madison used all Covergirl products for Johnson's glam, with the Covergirl Trublend Skin Enhancer Blush Balm ($10, originally $13) in Radiant Peach being her favorite. "This blush balm added the softest, most natural flush to my cheeks. It melts right into the skin and gave me that fresh, radiant glow without feeling heavy," Johnson says.
To warm up her eyes, Madison went in with the Covergirl Clean Color Eyeshadow ($14) in Spiced Copper, which added a perfectly subtle touch of drama.
No glam is complete without a good mascara, and Johnson raves about the brand's Covergirl Lash Blast Supercloud Mascara ($10, originally $13) that added the right amount of volume to her lashes. "It felt weightless but made a big impact — exactly what I needed for a night like the Met."
Madison also wanted to give the star's skin a "lit-from-within" look, so she used the Covergirl TruBlend Skin Enhancer ($10, originally $13) in Gelly Bronze Glow (shade 60). Made with ingredients like glycerin and squalane, Johnson's skin had the perfect warmth, while staying hydrated all night.
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Flau'jae Johnson's Must-Have Lip Product For the Met Gala
Johnson's favorite beauty product for the Met Gala was the Covergirl Yummy Gloss Plumper ($10, originally $13) in the shade Minter is Coming. "It gave my lips a glossy, minty finish that felt fresh and looked amazing on camera," she says.
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Flau'jae Johnson's Go-To Gadget For the Met Gala
In partnership with Samsung, Johnson had the Galaxy S25 Ultra ($1,188) at her fingertips to stay grounded during the get-ready madness. It boasts many high-tech features that keep the user organized, from its high-quality camera to other aspects like the Audio Eraser and Gallery Search—all, which Johnson loves. "From setting the vibe with getting-ready music to capturing my look and documenting the surreal experience of being at the Met Gala, my smartphone was my ride or die product throughout the whole day."
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Naomi Parris is the assistant shopping editor at PS, based in New York. With over eight years of experience and previous roles held on the brand's Beauty and Operations teams, she enjoys telling stories that merge fashion, beauty, and Black culture. Naomi has also lent her skillful pen to Essence Girls United, Elle, Bustle, and Elite Daily. When she's not crafting shopping roundups, high-profile features, beauty op-eds, or trend guides, you can find Naomi behind her blog "Eli-Nay," where she inspires readers through style guides, cultural pieces, and innovative content on her Instagram.
