Ayo Edebiri Makes Met Gala Debut in a Backless Floral Gown and 'Fresh, Glowy Skin' (Exclusive)

Ayo Edebiri is quickly becoming a fashion inspo to many — and her appearance at the Met Gala 2024 proved exactly why!

On Monday, May 6, The Bear star, 28, shared her take on the Met Gala dress code of “The Garden of Time" in a Loewe gown designed by Jonathan Anderson.

The floral, floor-length dress — which cascaded from white to full-color blooms in an ombré style — featured a halter top and a vine-like detail draping across her back.

The rising star paired the gown with complementary flower details to embellish her sleek up-do.

She also accessorized with jewels — specifically, aquamarine and diamonds set in stunning white gold — from Maison Boucheron's Timeless High Jewelry collection, including Bleu Infini pendant earrings and the Hopi, a Hummingbird ring.

And, to achieve her fresh-faced, blushed beauty look, which pulls from the rosy pinks in her Loewe gown, Edebiri partnered with iconic skincare brand SK-II.

The garden-inspired appearance marked the Bottoms star's debut at the annual fashion event, which takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Edebiri tells PEOPLE exclusively that the beauty look is "me – just a bit amplified."

"My approach to beauty is: skincare first. I wear makeup often on set, so it's nice to give my skin breaks [and] I also love doing my skincare because it's relaxing. For everyday makeup, I use mascara, brow gel, a lip gloss/oil and maybe some blush if I’m feeling wild. For this floral moment, my makeup artist added pink draping of blush (which I love), a bee-stung lip and little sheen for my eyes." 

Edebiri calls prep for the annual gala "an event in itself" describing the process as a little bit more extra" – including her skincare. That said, that critical first step, she says, "is the most relaxing part of getting ready for Met Gala, because I take the time to do a mask (life hack is that I put it in the fridge beforehand), and then get to use the most indulgent serums and creams. I prefer a really light and airy makeup look so having great, glowy skin is super important for me."

Be sure to check out all of PEOPLE's Met Gala coverage to get the latest news on fashion's biggest night.

For her routine, the award-winning actress turned to SK-II, a brand she learned about from her makeup artist, Dana Delaney. "She loves using the Facial Treatment Mask to give me a boost of hydration. She also uses the Facial Treatment Essence which is like a multi-tasker for your skin. Together, they’re both like an instant facial," Edebiri says.

After the power duo (the former is drenched in an entire bottle of serum and the latter is formulated with over 90% of the brand's exclusive PITERA ingredient, which improves everything from firmness to radiance) Dana applied the GenOptics Ultraura Essence Serum for a brightening effect.

Of the beauty moment, Edebiri says, "I love that it is really fresh with glowy skin and touches of pink. The draping of the pink blushes brightens everything. [And] my overall look is this floral, blooming effect – it’s all very romantic and a nice way of continuing to honor the theme."

While the Emmy winner only just attended the Met Gala for the first time, her looks have been all the buzz over the last year.

Speaking with W Magazine in July, the actress described her relationship with designer Thom Browne, and how even after a "wild year" of successes, "getting to wear Thom has been weirdly a nice anchor."

During the conversation, Edebiri also detailed her "uniform" as "big T-shirt vibes" — especially when she performs stand-up comedy sets.

"Instead of limiting myself or my scope, I realize how much fashion can help you tell stories, really," she told the outlet. "As an actress, as a storyteller, that's so crucial. Being able to mold and create new stories for yourself, new journeys, it's very freeing. And being able to do it in clothes that are so carefully thought out and made and so explorative and more conceptual is very cool."

And beyond her latest looks and the ongoing success of The Bear and her 2023 film Bottoms, Edebiri kicked the year off in February with another major milestone: Her Saturday Night Live hosting debut. During the show, the actress described her hosting gig as a "homecoming," calling it a "dream come true."

"Genuinely, I am so excited for tonight," she said. "I came up in the New York comedy scene with some of my best friends who I am so blessed to be working with here tonight and it really truly feels like a homecoming."

This year's Met Gala is co-chaired by Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth, and it pays homage to the theme for Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion." According to Vogue's announcement, the theme is set to have an emphasis on "moody florals."

The exhibit itself will feature 250 items, dating back 400 years (including an 1877 Charles Frederick Worth silk satin ball gown.

Other pieces on display will include Christian Dior’s 1949 Junon ball gown, a 17th-century English Elizabethan-era bodice and works from Phillip Lim, Stella McCartney and Connor Ives — as well as designs from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy and beyond.