Eyelids swathed in a pool of crystals, cheeks blushing in shades of tangerine and eyelashes fluttering out of shape. For those who love the appeal of barely-there, second-skin makeup, the watercolour-meets-disco era trend is the rebellious antithesis. The maximalist look swells with a rush of colour and character, fuelled by fans of American drama series Euphoria which went on air in June 2019.
Photo: donni.davy/instagram
Actor Sydney Sweeney in 'Euphoria.'
The show, with its moody and dark storyline and screenplay has found a following of beauty enthusiasts for the makeup looks the characters wear. The show’s beauty artist, Doniella Davy, regularly feeds her audience with updates on each character’s episodic looks—from face lace and Amazon-ordered crystals to shocking blue eyeliner and jewel-toned eyeshadow. Euphoria’s popularity, combined with recent New York Fashion Week runway looks at Jason Wu and Anna Sui with colours that scream spring and sunsets, has ushered in a trend of “expressive” beauty, also inspired by the growing noise around drag makeup and its transformative quality.
Here, we curate products from global brands that form a democratic playground for colour-heavy, sparkled-out makeup.
British beauty artist Daniel Sandler offers a range of makeup products, including a line of liquid blushes for a high dosage of pigment. The Watercolour Liquid Blush in shade ‘Trip’ is described as “an intense flush of hot tangerine” that can cut the monotony of subtle rose-tinted cheeks. The brand suggests only a smidge of product for application, however, the colour can be built up with extra drops that can be applied with a makeup brush. Sandler ensures that the liquid blush, which comes in a “silicone based oil free formulation” is suitable for all skins. Experiment with the product by applying it with just a pat of your finger on the eyelids for a luminescent effect atop your regular eye shadow.
Price: £16.50 (₹1,468 approx) excluding shipping
If you are up for some shimmer and shine, American beauty brand ColourPop is right down your alley. Amid the array of loose glitter, the brand has on offer its “Flying Squirrel” variant which comes in “a bright watermelon pink with a teal duo chrome shift.” The vegan product is available in a 5gm jar which houses the sparkle particles and can be applied in varied ways. From strategic application via skin-friendly adhesive to mixing with pigmented liquid blushes, eyeliner and shadows, the product is a smart way to mix it up.
Price: $7 (₹497 approx) excluding shipping
Inspired by the colour and make of crayons, American brand Marc Jacobs Beauty has on offer its ‘Kiss Pop Lip Color Sticks.’ Pick the shade ‘Crush’ which is a bright clementine hue for a day out. The buttery shade can be used along with a sheer gloss to amp the intensity, or, with a slightly darker shade of lip liner to get a non-conformist, fun look. The chrome case of the product is inspired by late American artist Tom Wesselmann who was a part of the Pop Art movement.
Price: ₹2,149 excluding shipping
Musician Lady Gaga’s recently released beauty line, Haus Laboratories, has been making quite the buzz for the inclusivity not only in its campaigns, but also in the range of makeup. The products include makeup stickers, shimmers, lip colour and more in a wide range of holographic colours. Choose the liquid eye-shadows that are potent with shine and come with a packaging that feature a functional wand for easy application. The Glam Attack Liquid Shimmer Powder come in a liquid to powder formula in six shades that range from an emerald to a bold gold.
Price: ₹1,557 excluding shipping
Face Lace by Phyllis Cohen is an experimental American beauty line with stick-on makeup products. The brand is responsible for the drama-infused faux “lashes” that circle the eyes worn by one of the leads, the character of Jules, in a popular episode of Euphoria. The “Flash Glance” inspired by lightning bolts comes in a yellow-orange neon shade that glows in the dark. You can also choose from other painstakingly detailed designs. The celebrity favourite brand also creates custom makeup and runs with a motto of “Peel off, stick on and show off!”
Price: £12.95 (₹1,557 excluding shipping)
Forget matte blacks and tones of grey. To line your eyes, pick a variant from the Colorblock Liner range by the French beauty brand (and multinational retail store) Sephora. ‘Splash’ is a shade of bright blue, and there are two darker versions—Beach Walk and Ocean Waves—to complete the palette. The felt tip liner comes in an easy-to-lug, sketch pen-like packaging that can make space in the back pocket of your handbag for last minute touch-ups.
Price: ₹900 
Mascara can be a one-product fix to add (or take away) drama from a bare face. Rather than loading up the layers on your lashes, pick a variant which provides some colour relief. The BeYu Color Play Lash Tip Mascara in shade ‘Think Pink’ can add the watercolour effect for a look that pops. Use a lash primer to prep the hair and maximise the effect of the product. Pair with a stark black eyeliner so the pink plays out perfectly.
Price: ₹1,050
An iridescent shade of glitter is a must have to complete a no-hold-barred, pro-shine palette. The US-headquartered label Nyx Professional Makeup offers a range of ‘Glitter Brilliants’ that come in 12 shades. The 2.5 gm capsule bottle in shade ‘Crystal’ is a silver-tinted opal shade great for a holographic effect, and can be applied on the eyelids, as highlighters to sculpt the cheekbones or in a freewheeling way, with varied intensities as per your preference.
Price: ₹550
A tube of pigmented highlighter can add the glow needed for an out-there makeup mix. American cosmetic company Stila’s Glitter and Glow Highlighter comes in five shades that range from a petal-pink tinted hue to a pop crystal pink. The brand described the highlighter as a “complexion-enhancing formula (that) contains a sheer base with a multi-color mix of pearls and visible flecks of glitter that lets skin shine.”
Price: $10 on discount (₹710) Excluding Shipping
American brand Lime Crime offers sparkle in a bottle with its liquid shadow that is a burst of shimmer. The iridescent palette ranges from a berry-tinted ‘Chameleon’ and emerald hued ‘Dragon’ to a lavender ‘Aurora’. Choose from the series to pack up on a water-coloured lid and add a dash of gleam to a matte base in a matching or a contrary colour for a pop-meets-the-future effect.
Price: £18 (₹1,596 approx) Excluding Shipping
