‘Bridgerton’ make-up artist on creating magnificence seems to be for steamy scenes: We ‘do smooch assessments’
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The makeup and hairstyles on “Bridgerton” never fail to be the talk of the town (er, ton).
LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX; ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
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“Bridgerton” Season 3 features plenty of dewy, blush-based beauty looks — and no shortage of blush-inducing romance scenes.
For makeup artist Erika Okvist, the latter shots require special consideration, as she tells Page Six Style the cast conducts “smooch tests” to ensure their makeup stands up during steamy moments.
“[They’re] scenes where our actors are feeling vulnerable and our job is to make them feel really special and looked after,” says the beauty pro, who reaches for primers and setting sprays when she can’t find a kiss-proof product in the perfect color.
Among her favorites? The Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer ($58), a multitasker she says “makes everything look dreamy.”
“We want [them] to look as good as they did when they stepped into the carriage when they step out,” she quips, referencing the now-viral makeout between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).
And while the on-screen couple broke furniture filming their love scenes, you needn’t break the bank copying the show’s glam; plenty of on-set hero products can be found at the drugstore, including the No. 7 Age Defying Mascara ($13) Okvist used “a lot” for the show.
Other “diamonds of the season” include the Fenty Match Stix Contour Skinstick ($32), La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen ($20) and By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder ($54), which she says helps you avoid looking “chalky” post-powder application.
The beauty pro also kept products from fellow makeup artist Pat McGrath on hand for the “empowering” looks, including the Skin Fetish Highlighter & Balm Duo ($50) she used for both male and female characters.
“That is a wonderful highlighter for cheekbones,” she says. “Even if you didn’t have anything in your pocket going out and really desperately needed to look just a little bit better, that dual stick is fantastic.”
Not all of the show’s styles can be tried at home, however. Queen Charlotte’s famous sky-high wigs had the team splitting hairs — especially one show-stopper filled with motorized swan figurines.
“The swans moving around inside the Queen’s wig created a sound that was difficult for the sound man,” she recalls. “So we had to soundproof the wigs, and that was a problem that I hadn’t foreseen.”
When it comes to making noise online however, Penelope’s makeup is perhaps the buzziest right now; the former wallflower’s come into full bloom this season, complete with a major beauty glow-up inspired by iconic starlets.
“Old Hollywood glamour is very much designed to honor a very feminine woman and really help to make her look soft, but still really strong,” Okvist says. “That was something we really wanted for Penelope. She has to go through quite a lot in this season.”