From the runway to the day-to-day fashionista, don’t be surprised when you see someone donning brightly colored eyeshadows or gemstones scattered across their face.
This wild makeup trend can be attributed to the HBO show Euphoria. Premiering in June of 2019, this dark teen drama has taken pop culture by storm. With only one season underwraps, Euphoria has completely changed the makeup industry for good. Throughout the show, the main characters wore these intensely colorful and fantasy-like makeup looks, whether they were going to school or experiencing a drug trip. These dreamy looks combined with the gritty plot made Euphoria truly a stand out in modern TV.
Euphoria follows high schooler Rue, played by Zendaya, getting out of rehab and her struggles to stay clean. The story introduces amazingly deep and complex characters as they navigate highschool, heartbreak, drug use and so much more. Makeup artist Doniella Davy really wanted to use makeup as a way to show how characters are feeling and what stages they are at in life. She says, “There’s subliminal emotional messages always in all the makeup,” crediting this as the reason why we’ve never seen makeup like this before. Every look symbolizes an emotion and character development.
Each character has a different relationship to makeup and that is a reason why the audience resonates so much with each creation. Every main character is so different from one another, yet they have in common the struggles that come with being a teenger– makeup acts as a common thread. Rue, typically barefaced, is seen at times wearing subtle glitter.
Jules, Rue’s transgender best friend, stuns in bold color block looks. At one point even the toxically hypermasculine character is seen wearing glitter on his face. All these creations give a deeper look in the character. The show uses makeup so thoughtfully and skillfully to portray characters.
Teens and young adults all across America have taken part in this makeup movement. A popular TikTok trend has people singing along to the song “Still Don’t Know My Name” by Labyrinth, which is featured on the Euphoria soundtrack, as they fall backwards and land with glittering and vibrant makeup looks inspired by the characters from the show.
Although these makeup looks seem like impossible works of art, anyone can do them which is another reason why this trend has exploded. Colorful lashes, bold eyeshadows and liners, gemstones and glitter is the perfect recipe to recreate looks inspired from Euphoria. Don’t think you have to be precise and flawless; it’s the messiness that makes these looks more human and moving. The unconventional beauty of these types of looks is just the beginning of a new wave of teengagers and young adults further exploring themselves and redefining society. This trend doesn’t seem to be dying out anytime soon, so go out and buy some gemstones and have yourself a euphoric moment.
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