I’m having a hard time deciding if Mary-Kate Olsen looks more like a vampire or a zombie. With those round glasses she’s clearly channeling John Lennon – though I doubt he’d appreciate it. Mary-Kate and boyfriend Nate Lowman attended the Metropolitan Opera’s gala in New York on Sunday night. Her style looks very different – her hair is big and flowing, and I actually like it on her. But she went for this unfortunate uber-pale look that makes her appear sickly. However lighting clearly had a lot to do with it – in some photos she looks paler than a ghost, whereas in others she looks relatively normal.

She’s the child star who’s grown up in public, so every image change is a big deal. Mary-Kate Olsen transformed into a grungy teen from the schmaltzy child star in the Full House show that made her famous – and now she’s moving into adulthood. The actress twin, now 21, unveiled an edgy new look at the Metropolitan Opera’s gala in New York last night.

Seemingly inspired by an early Madonna and Courtney Love, she worked tousled blonde curls, bold red lips and smoky eyes as she arrived for the event. The experimental look has already won praise from fashion quarters, with Elle magazine noting they ‘love it’, adding it was ‘much more grown-up and polished – but not too groomed.’

The event honored the company’s 125-year history, previewed its current stars in upcoming roles, and found time to pay tribute to Placido Domingo’s 40 years at the house.

When it comes to fashion Mary-Kate, who battled anorexia as a teen, prefers create trends rather than follow them. She says: ‘I can’t stand looking like everybody else.’

[From the Daily Mail]

I go back and forth on this look. I think Mary-Kate could have pulled it off a little better – and eliminated a lot of the potential creepiness – if she’d gone with a different eye shadow. The reddish/pink is just not helping things. Yet I must be somewhat alone, because she’s gotten a lot of good reviews for her ensemble.

OK, so the lips are a little Joker-ish and the skin is a little kabuki, but this morning I find myself singing the praises of Mary-Kate Olsen’s new look. Mostly thanks to the hair. Throughout her post-“Full House” years, the ‘do has always been MK’s biggest don’t, but last night at the Metropolitan Opera’s 125th anniversary gala, the teeniest star in the galaxy sported some seriously hot big ol’ country hair. And I am loving it.

It looks healthy, full and luxurious — but enough about Mary-Kate. I can’t say enough about this off the charts sexy side-swept style. Hey, I think this is the first time I’ve used “Mary-Kate” and “sexy” in the same breath. Fun!

[From the New York Post]

It’s definitely a dramatic change for the pocket-sized actress. Mary-Kate likes to get attention for her fashion sense, and she certainly got it on Sunday night. She was far and away the most photographed person at the event. While I’m always obsessively promoting the pale look (for my own selfish halfbino-related agenda), I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a little rouge. But I do prefer this look over some of Mary-Kate’s true fashion mishaps, and look forward to her next attempt.

Images thanks to WENN.com and Fame.com.