Euphoria season 3: Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney’s make-up is more sober and grown-up

Season 3 of Euphoria marks a major turning point in the cult series’beauty aesthetic. As fans discover the first episodes, make-up looks are already the talk of the town. Gone are the sequins and bright colors: the series is becoming more toned-down, like its characters who have grown up.

An aesthetic shift that accompanies the maturity of the characters

In 2019, the first season of Euphoria sparked a veritable beauty revolution. Everyone started wearing glitter on their eyes, pink blush and holographic highlighters. Gen Z enthusiastically embraced maximalism.

However, the series is now undergoing a radical change. From Zendaya to Hunter Schafer, via Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi, the protagonists display a more poised beauty. In this third season, marked by a five-year leap in time, the looks reflect changing identities.

Star make-up artist Doniella Davy, who created all the beauty looks, now imagines faces rooted in adult reality. Her approach remains deeply narrative and thoughtful.

“I always start by immersing myself in the script and the emotional trajectories of the characters. Make-up becomes an extension of the character.”

Looks that tell a personal story

Rue, played by Zendaya, adopts a more minimalist, sober appearance. This choice is consistent with her quest for stability. In contrast, other characters assert their place in an adult world with more structured codes.

Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, takes on different beauty references. Maddy, played by Alexa Demie, adopts a more traditional glamour style. Previously, her make-up was a real theatrical performance, according to the make-up artist.

• Street: minimalist, sober appearance to reflect its stability
• Cassie: more structured beauty codes to assert her place as an adult
• Maddy: traditional glamour with frosted eyes and lips, tanned complexion
• Jules: darker, more neutral looks linked to a difficult period
• Make-up that becomes social armor for every character

Make-up as social armor in Euphoria

This new season introduces an extra dimension. Make-up becomes a form of protection, almost a form of social armour. This notable evolution is in line with the issues of power and image.

For a character like Maddy, adopting a more classic make-up look becomes a way of being taken seriously in a professional setting. Her beauty look is resolutely mature and modern. In concrete terms, this means frosted eyes and lips combined with a tanned complexion.

What’s more, this approach shows how beauty reflects inner transformations. Aesthetic choices are never gratuitous in the series. Every detail tells something about the character’s journey.

Jules is going through a dark period

In another style, Jules, played by Hunter Schafer, is going through a difficult period of adulthood. Doniella Davy reflected this in her make-up with darker, more neutral looks.

These choices are aimed more at the male gaze, according to the make-up artist. This marks a break with the bold looks of previous seasons. Beauty becomes a mirror of emotional states.

An evolution that speaks to a whole generation

Euphoria’s aesthetic has always had a major cultural impact. In 2019, the series popularized expressive make-up for millions of young people. Now, it’s accompanying that same generation into adulthood.

Gone are the days of teenage make-up: the make-up artist imagines faces that reflect changing identities. This transition resonates with the experience of fans who have grown up with the series. The passage to adulthood is accompanied by more thoughtful beauty choices.

As a result, season 3 proposes a reflection on the function of make-up. It’s no longer just about artistic expression. Beauty becomes a tool for social navigation, a way of protecting and asserting oneself.

Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and their partners embody this new maturity. Their characters show that growing up also means rethinking one’s relationship with one’s image. In this way, the series continues to influence beauty trends with relevance.

• Euphoria