For her first-ever appearance at the Met Gala, and fresh after being named as the new global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, Alysa Liu stepped out in an elegant custom gown. Her look incorporated a subtle edge that felt unmistakably Alysa. Anh Co Tran helped her create a refined, modern look that complemented her presence at one of fashion’s biggest nights.
Here’s exactly how Anh created Alysa’s hairstyle for the Met Gala.
Step 1. The Prep
Anh began by lightly dampening Alysa’s hair. He then applied three palmfuls of Milbon&’s Monochromatic Froth Blowout Foam throughout her hair from roots to ends. Next, he layered one pump of Milbon’s Smooth Luminous Bodifying Oil through the mid-lengths and ends to enhance softness and shine.
Using the Bio Ionic AeroGravity Featherlight Dryer, Anh first rough dried the hair before attaching the Precision Concentrator nozzle to refine and smooth the blowout with a Wet Brush Paddle Detangler.
The result was a polished foundation with natural body and movement.
Step 2. The Waves
Once the hair was blown out smooth, Anh used a 1.25-inch Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron to outline Alysa’s waves.
He then followed with the 1-inch Bio Ionic 10X™ Styling Iron to soften, smooth, and further define the wave pattern. This layering technique helped create cleanly defined waves.
Anh sealed each section with Milbon’s Flex Memory Hold Hairspray 7 as he worked throughout the hair to ensure longevity for the evening.
Step 3. The Details
After the waves were complete, Anh returned to detail Alysa’s bangs using the Bio Ionic Styling Iron. He lightly refined their shape so they would sit softly away from her face while blending seamlessly into the rest of the style.
To bring all the waves together, Anh gently brushed through the hair using the Wet Brush Frizz-Free Detangler, creating soft movement and a cohesive finish.
He then tucked select pieces of hair behind the ears, while leaving out the bangs and delicate side pieces, to maintain balance and softness throughout the look.
Step 4. The Finish
To finalize the style, Anh sealed her waves with Milbon’s Flex Memory Hold Hairspray 7 and misted Milbon’s Brilliant Shine Spray over the top for a luminous finish.
To control any remaining flyaways, he detailed the hair with one final application of the Flex Memory Hold Hairspray 7.
The Final Result
Alysa’s surprise appearance at the 2026 Met Gala quickly generated buzz. Her finished look was soft, polished, and effortlessly modern.
To see Alysa getting ready for the Met Gala, watch her behind-the-scenes feature with Vogue.
For more details on Anh’s inspiration behind the look, read this article with The Tease.
“We worked closely to keep the hair soft with a bit of an edge, while emphasizing a clean polish. The slight tuck behind the ears was an intentional detail that allowed the overall look to feel balanced and in harmony.” – Anh Co Tran
Hair: @anhcotran
Hair Assist: @mikameoki
Stylist: @katieqian
Makeup: @tamielsombati
Nails: @betina_goldstein
BTS Photos: @offthecheng