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Euphoria Makeup Tutorials Straight From the Makeup Artist Behind the Looks

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Photo by Jemal Countess / Stringer/Getty Images

It’s hard to believe there’s only been one full season of Euphoria. The HBO drama, which was created by Sam Levinson, stars Zendaya as well as other teen and young adult newcomers who are quickly becoming household names. The subject matter is heavy, but Zendaya plays her character Rue Bennett with ease. She’s so good, she became the youngest actor to win an Emmy award for the best lead actress in a drama category this year. But that’s not the only way Euphoria is making history.

You wouldn’t think a show with such heavy subject matter would also be known for its makeup. But that’s all thanks to Euphoria’s makeup director and makeup artist Doniella Davy. She’s single-handedly changed the game when it comes to makeup looks on TV. People of all genders and ages, but especially those in gen Z, became obsessed with the creative beauty looks. Sure, we not only saw tons of Euphoria-inspired costumes on Halloween, but we also saw glitter tears, shimmery eye makeup, Nina Simone-inspired rhinestones, and cloud eyeliner IRL. And it’s not slowing down.


About the Expert:

Doniella Davy is the Makeup Director on HBO’s Euphoria.

Behind Euphoria Makeup:

Davy tells a story through Euphoria’s makeup. “I'm inspired by the storylines of the scripts, the backstories, and personalities of the characters, their emotional highs, and lows,” says Davy. “In more literal ways, I'm inspired by their outfits that the costume designer creates and their bedrooms that the production designer creates. Spending some time with these collective color scapes heavily influences my color choices.” Actors Alexa Demie, Barbie Ferreira, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, and of course Zendaya, have a say in their out-of-this-world beauty looks.

“They've all spent so much time coming to life as their characters, so they have the most reliable insider information and insight into who these characters are,” explains Davy. “My challenge is to marry the director's vision with the casts' interpretations with my own aesthetic as an artist. What makes this an extra special challenge is doing this for half a dozen or more characters, simultaneously, spanning eight episodes, filmed out of chronological order over the course of nine months.”

We expect the eye-catching makeup looks to continue in season two. And that’s for us non-actors, too. It’s something Davy hopes people take from the show. “I think the Euphoria makeup serves as a reminder that fun and creative makeup is for everyone, anytime—not just models on the runway,” she says. “Be it boredom, or the need for fantasy, I think the combination of the Euphoria makeup trend along with nearly a year in quarantine, resulted in a lot of self-expression and self-celebration through makeup.”

Ready to try your own Euphoria makeup? Here’s how to create some of our favorite beauty looks.

Here’s How to DIY Your Own Euphoria Makeup:

1. Jules (Hunter Schafer)

The glitter eyebrows Jules wears, played by Hunter Schafer, is one of Davy’s favorite eye makeup looks. “Pat glitter gel into your eyebrows with a flat concealer brush,” she says. If you want to take the look one step further, fake glitter tears with a shimmer eye makeup palette such as SMASHBOX COSMETICS Cover Shot Eye Palette in Bold Glitter.

2. Maddy (Alexa Demie)

“I love this color combo so much. It clashes but is so harmonious and pleasing to look at,” says Davy of Maddy’s colorful eyeliner, played by Alexa Demie. “Try these other color combos: coral and olive green, orange and electric blue, and violet and chartreuse,” she adds. Trace your eyes with any bold eyeliner shade, such as SKONE COSMETICS Pretty Eyes eyeliner, and then outline your cut-crease with a contrasting hue.

3. Kat (Barbie Ferreira)

“Both Barbie [Ferreira] and I are obsessed with Kat serving green looks,” says Davy. “If you haven't tried green eyeliner or eyeshadow, there is still time to turn your life around.” She says there are a few different ways to wear green makeup: a matte dark green wing, a shimmery wash of light green or chartreuse shadow over the lids, dark green mascara, or an opaque color-block application of a green gel liner, like Kat wears here. Apply each with a flat concealer brush. We’re fans of LORD & BERRY Velluto Eye Pencil in Supreme Green as a starting point.

4. Cassie (Sydney Sweeney)

“I love how the glitter looks along the lower lashline,” says Davy of Cassie’s makeup look, played by Sydney Sweeney. “In addition to glitter gels or liquid liners, high-impact shimmer pigments look beautiful as well, in a slightly more subtle and refined way.” Put clear glitter on top of that same green eyeliner or look for a glittery green eyeshadow for a Cassie vibe. Finish with blurry, just-kissed lips. “I love a bee-stung, lip stain, blurry lip line look,” adds Davy. Get the look with PHASE ZERO MAKE UP Matte Liquid Lipstick in Undercover and blurring the lines.

Ready to create your own Euphoria makeup look? Get all the products you need in the IPSY Glam Bag! Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.

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About the author
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Elizabeth Denton
Elizabeth is a freelance beauty writer. Previously, she was a beauty & fashion editor at Time Out New York, Seventeen, & Allure. She has more than a decade of experience in the beauty and fashion world, writing for Nylon, StyleCaster, Cosmopolitan & more.
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Article Last Updated May 3, 2021 12:00 AM