No Longer High School: Euphoria’s Lead Makeup Artist Reveals Secrets of the New “Capital G Glam” in Season 3

The show that once revolutionized the beauty world, forcing millions of girls to stick rhinestones on their faces and draw neon liners, is back with new rules. But don’t rush to grab your old glitter stash — “Euphoria” has grown up. After a five-year time jump, our favorite characters find themselves in the real world, where their problems are deeper and their makeup is significantly more complex, reports MODISTA.

The project’s lead makeup artist, Donni Davy, invited journalists to her “base” — a makeup trailer in the heart of Los Angeles — to show what the show’s new aesthetic code looks like. If we previously saw teenage experiments, the third season proclaims the era of Capital G Glam — uncompromising Hollywood glamour.

Technical Magic: Why Did the Makeup Get “Harder”?

This time, the show’s creators ditched the soft digital look in favor of specific film stock with extreme contrast. This challenged the makeup team: what looked spectacular in person simply “disappeared” or looked dull on screen.

“We were watching the first rushes and realized: some looks just weren’t ‘reading.’ We needed a certain amount of audacity and ‘cunt-ery.’ We had to push it to the max so the makeup would literally burn into the memory and not get lost in the California sun glares,” Donni frankly admits.

Main Trends of the Season: A Manifesto Against the “Clean Girl”

Forget about minimalism and “no-makeup makeup.” “Euphoria” goes against the grain again, offering juicy, unapologetic glamour.

• Inner-corner wings: Get your liners ready — now wings should be both outer and inner. Sharp, piercing eye corners resembling a feline gaze are the main hit of 2026.
• Brown tightliner: Brown kohl on the waterline has become a must for all characters. It adds depth to the gaze without making it as heavy as a black pencil.
• Frosty lips and Body shimmer: A return to the 90s and the Pamela Anderson aesthetic. Lips with a slight “frost” effect and an unreal amount of shimmer on the body’s skin — something we’ll see in every episode.
• Blue eyeshadow: It’s not just a color. For Donni Davy, blue is the shade of a woman who is either “losing it” or allowing herself to be as extravagant as possible.

Cassie’s Evolution: From Copycat to Femme Fatale

In past seasons, Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) tried to mimic Maddy’s or Jules’s style while searching for herself. Now she’s found her look — a modern Brigitte Bardot. Her makeup has become a tool for manipulation and grabbing attention.

Sydney’s prep for filming took over two hours every day. And it wasn’t just about the face — the actress was covered in full body makeup from head to toe. Donni mixed Suqqu foundation with Saie Super Glowy gel and self-tanning lotions to create that “million-dollar skin” effect. It’s the “vixen” look — a fatal beauty who knows the value of her appearance.

Maddy: The “Mob Wife” Era in Hollywood

Maddy (Alexa Demie) is now working in Hollywood as an assistant to a top executive. Her “inner light has dimmed,” as Davy puts it, and this is reflected in the makeup. She’s in her “hustler era” — fighting for her place in the sun, so her look has become more restrained but even more powerful.

• Style: Mob Wife meets Old Hollywood.
• Details: Matte textures, a flawless double-winged liner, and sharply defined lips in the style of Italian icons like Edwige Fenech.
• Technique: For her eye makeup, Colourpop Shadow Stix in brown was used as a base, sealed with a powder taupe for a velvety finish.

Rue, Lexi, and Jules: New Faces of Drama

Rue (Zendaya) finally looks healthy. Her skin glows thanks to Half Magic sprays, and in wedding scenes, we’ll even see her with a full makeup look featuring brown liner.

Lexi (Maude Apatow) has completely ditched the “good girl” look. Her signature red lipstick has transformed into a mature brick-red shade, complemented by lashes and precision Hollywood contouring. She is the embodiment of discipline and mature style.

Jules (Hunter Schafer), on the other hand, is leaning into minimalism. Her life has become serious and grim, which is reflected in the absence of bright colors. Her makeup is a play on textures, like the famous scene with the peel-off mask from Pat McGrath Labs, which she removes right on camera.

Secrets of Staying Power: How to Replicate It

For filming bed or pool scenes, makeup artists used Allied FX Bluebird alcohol-based paints, which don’t leave marks on clothes and withstand any heat. And for that everyday “glow from within,” Donni recommends applying foundation with a damp sponge soaked in setting spray.

Season 3 of “Euphoria” isn’t just a continuation of the series. It’s a manifesto of true glamour, where every stroke of eyeliner tells a story of growing up, loss, and finding one’s own strength.

Advice from MODISTA

• Try double wings: Draw a line not only on the upper but also on the lower lid, leaving space between them — this visually “lifts” the eye.
• Mix textures: For long-lasting lip makeup, use a pencil over the entire surface first, then top it with gloss or lip oil.
• Body glow: Don’t be afraid to add highlighter to your collarbones and shoulders — this season, it’s the main accent of adult glamour.

Are you ready to ditch the “clean girl” look in favor of bold Hollywood vibes? Share this article with a friend who is waiting for the Euphoria premiere as much as we are!

ℹ️ REFERENCE

Allure magazine is a leading American beauty publication that has been shaping global beauty trends and conducting independent cosmetic testing since 1991. This report on the filming of Euphoria Season 3 is based on an exclusive interview with the series’ lead makeup artist, Donni Davy. You can learn more about this on the official website 🌐.