Davy confirmed that the third installment will include her beauty brand, Half Magic Beauty, which she co-founded with Sam Levinson and A24.
Euphoria didn’t just change makeup for TV shows—it shook up the entire beauty industry.
https://www.instagram.com/hunterschafer/?hl=enMakeup department head Donni Davy first saw the glitter trend she started during Season 1 take off. Fans stayed hooked through Season 2, inspiring Davy to create fresh looks for every character. Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) dressed to impress Nate (Jacob Elordi) in high school halls, while Jules (Hunter Schafer) stood out with her bold clubbing styles.
The hit HBO series Euphoria, now confirmed for Season 3, has set a high bar for creative makeup looks. The big question is: What trend will Donni Davy come up with next? In a recent interview with IndieWire, Davy shared,
[With] Season 1, no, I did not think it would go viral. I didn’t think it would shift the beauty industry or that the beauty industry would react. I thought maybe people would think, ‘Hey, this is really cool for TV makeup. It’s different. Side note: “Euphoria” is great and the makeup’s cool, too.’ That’s what I thought would happen. I had no idea it would literally create a movement, which is crazy.
Donni Davy admitted feeling pressure to meet fans’ expectations.
It’s hard not to think about it, When I’m designing for Seasons 2 and 3, I keep hearing that people watch the show just for the makeup. It’s impossible to ignore.
she said.
While plot details for Season 3 remain limited, creator Sam Levinson revealed it will be a noir story focusing on Zendaya’s Rue, with a time jump that moves the characters out of high school. Davy got her Euphoria job after working on the 2018 A24 film Under the Silver Lake, starring Riley Keough and Andrew Garfield.
The director of this HBO pilot wanted to meet me because he liked my work on Under the Silver Lake, It was a dream job for a makeup artist. That project led directly to Euphoria, which was such a proud moment for me.
she shared
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Levinson specifically requested the same glittery, sparkly makeup style from Under the Silver Lake for Euphoria, making Davy’s signature look an essential part of the series.
Donni Davy described the makeup for Under the Silver Lake as colorful and intense, perfectly matching the film’s energy.
Sam Levinson isn’t afraid of bold makeup, which is rare, A lot of TV directors think makeup is distracting, which is why TV makeup is often boring. I wasn’t interested in doing TV until I read Euphoria’s scripts. Sam wanted expressive makeup, and that was my chance to push boundaries.
she said
Although Levinson gave her creative freedom, Davy always checked in with him.
My job isn’t just about doing cool makeup. It’s about delivering what the project needs and staying true to the director’s vision, I focus on the script, not what people expect to see.
she explained
Davy shared how unpredictable things are on Euphoria.
Scripts change, vibes on set shift, or dialogue gets tweaked, If a scene turns out more emotional than I expected, I might tone down the lip color to keep the audience focused on the character’s eyes. If an outfit changes, I adjust the makeup too.
she said
Her team stays flexible, ready for last-minute changes. “I always tell them to expect anything,” she said. With seasons taking around eight months to film, Davy stays committed to the process. “It’s a long show, but I’m in it for the long haul.”
Season 3 of Euphoria will have a more “toned down” look since the characters are older now. The makeup choices will reflect the plot, with fewer sparkles and neon colors.
There will be times when the makeup is more subtle, but also moments when it’s more dramatic depending on the story, You won’t see as many bright colors or sparkles from Season 1. The makeup will feel more refined.
Davy explained
As the show shifts to a more mature, noir style, Davy shared her favorite looks from the series. She loved Jules’ New Year’s Eve look in Season 2 with the double inner eye spikes. Davy also found Cassie’s white eyeliner with rhinestones, which made her look like Maddy, funny and powerful.
And who can forget the famous “never, ever been happier” scene with Cassie? Sweeney’s character wears big lashes and a gingham dress, which became a meme. Davy explained that they wanted Cassie’s look to be cute but also a bit over the top.
We aimed for something comical, but not too crazy, If we’d gone too extreme, like with bright blue eyeshadow, it would’ve felt gimmicky. Instead, it came out delicate. Cassie was thoughtful, which made it sadder when people told her she looked bad.
she said
When it comes to the actors’ makeup, Davy said they’re welcome to share ideas, though it varies. “Some days, actors just let me do my thing. Other days, we have deep discussions. I don’t need their input, but I love collaborating with them. It makes the makeup feel more true to the character.”
Now, viewers can get their hands on the makeup too! In Season 3, Davy’s cosmetics line, Half Magic Beauty, will officially be featured on the show. “It’s exciting because we were using lab samples in Season 2, but now the trailer is stocked with Half Magic,” she said. They might even have product placements.
Half Magic Beauty is co-founded by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, producer Ashley Levinson, and A24. Davy says A24 is her main partner in this venture. With Half Magic Beauty now part of Euphoria, Davy hints that the show’s makeup is about to make even bigger waves.