The Met Gala is a spectacle of art and fashion, but for those who step onto the red carpet, the transformation begins long before the flashbulbs ignite. Weeks of preparation culminate in those few shining hours—gowns are fitted, hair is sculpted, and skin is coaxed into radiance by a small army of beauty experts. Among them is Sophie Carbonari, the Paris-based aesthetician whose touch is as sought after as any couture dress. With clients like Naomi Campbell, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga, Carbonari has built her reputation on skin that doesn’t just look luminous but feels alive.

For the 2025 Met Gala—this year themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, honoring the legacy of Black dandyism and the influence of Black culture on global fashion—Carbonari traveled to New York for a whirlwind residency at The Fifth Avenue Hotel. With a lineup of eight celebrity clients and a suitcase full of her own skincare creations, she carved out a packed schedule that blended ritual, artistry, and the kind of quiet discipline that keeps chaos at bay.

Thursday, May 1: The Calm Before Departure

Back in Paris, Carbonari’s final day before departure began not with facials but with fashion. She and her photographer, Gabrièle Laborde, carefully curated her wardrobe—pieces from Ganni, John Smedley, and Mango, punctuated by a couture jacket from Zuhair Muradat for a Saturday dinner that promised to be as glamorous as the Gala itself.

Then came the tools of her true trade. In her Palais Royal studio, Carbonari sanitized each instrument and meticulously bottled her arsenal of skincare: botanical oils, hyaluronic toners, restorative masks, exfoliants, and cleansers—all part of her self-developed line. Packed, prepped, and reviewed, she allowed herself a rare moment of rest before the journey.

Friday, May 2: Crossing the Atlantic

By 3AM, the glamour gave way to practicality. Compression socks, hydration, and layers replaced makeup as she boarded her flight to New York. Even at 30,000 feet, skincare rituals prevailed: collagen eye patches, thermal spray, a sweep of toner, and her signature serum kept her glowing midair.

Upon arrival, there was little time to acclimate. A quick check-in at The Fifth Avenue Hotel, a light lunch, and by 5PM she was at work—though her first client, true to Met Gala secrecy, remains unnamed. By 7PM, melatonin and an early bedtime were her final indulgences.

Saturday, May 3: The Work Begins

The day began with strategy over lattes and fruit plates. The client list was confirmed: a mix of actors, stylists, and cultural powerhouses, all entrusting their pre-Gala skin to her care.

Her morning opened with a session for photographer Tyler Mitchell, followed by a deeply rejuvenating treatment for Tracee Ellis Ross, whose radiant presence is matched only by her appetite for self-care. Carbonari’s signature method—the SC Protocol—was on full display: a sculpting blend of fascia work, lymphatic drainage, and deep tissue stimulation that treats the skin from within, creating balance rather than just surface glow.

By afternoon, stylist Solange Franklin took her place in the chair, and later Carbonari ducked out briefly for a Sephora run, hunting down the perfect Sophia Loren–inspired eyeliner for her evening look.

That night, she attended The Modern Flâneur dinner in a curated ensemble, seated among editors, designers, and creative luminaries. Even amidst oysters, blush palettes, and laughter, the hum of the Gala countdown remained in the background.

Sunday, May 4: The Marathon Continues

The day opened with a grounding bath—charcoal-infused and deeply restorative—before diving back into the whirlwind. At 11AM, journalist Alina Cho arrived for a tailored treatment designed to sculpt and hydrate. Lunch was quick but elegant: oysters and sardines at Café Carmellini.

The afternoon saw the arrival of Regé-Jean Page, the Bridgerton star whose regal energy matched the meticulous care Carbonari delivered. Actress Drena De Niro followed, her session designed for restoration and calm ahead of the frenzy of Gala week.

That evening, Carbonari reserved her focus for one last, highly confidential VIP appointment scheduled for Monday morning. It would be her finale—a private session centered on fascia-sculpting and contouring, ensuring her client stepped onto the carpet both luminous and grounded.

Monday, May 5: The Final Touch

At 8AM sharp, the undisclosed client arrived. Afterward, Carbonari indulged in a quiet breakfast: a warm muffin, fresh fruit, and a juice blend of orange, carrot, and ginger. With her residency complete, she packed her kit with almost ceremonial precision, ensuring every serum and tool was accounted for before heading to JFK.

By the time her flight touched down in Paris, the Gala would be in full swing, her clients glowing under the lights of the Met’s iconic steps. For Carbonari, though, the work was already done. After a brief rest, she was due on set for a jewelry campaign—proof that in her world, the rhythm of beauty rarely pauses.

The Hidden Hands of Glamour

Though the Met Gala dazzles with gowns and cameras, the artistry of skin often goes unseen. Sophie Carbonari’s journey is a reminder that behind every red carpet radiance is a meticulous, intimate process—equal parts science, ritual, and artistry. Her work is not simply about preparing faces for a single evening but about crafting balance and vitality that linger long after the last flash fades.

For those watching from afar, it’s easy to marvel at the spectacle. But for Carbonari, the magic happens in the quiet moments: a serum massaged into the skin, a breath taken between appointments, a breakfast shared before the storm. That is the true glow of fashion’s biggest night.