Euphoria's Jules: Makeup Artist Reveals Secrets Behind Iconic Red Lips and Eyeliner

“Euphoria’s” third and final season marks a significant departure from the characteristic crystal, glitter, and bold makeup looks of its initial two seasons. This shift is a deliberate artistic choice by makeup artist Donni Davy to reflect a five-year time jump, portraying characters like Rue, Jules, and Cassie as young adults with new motivations and priorities. Davy explains that this season's makeup is less about self-exploration and more about the pursuit of power, fame, recognition, money, and control, describing it as “more feral” with higher stakes.

For Jules, the makeup transformation illustrates her journey away from art school and into a lifestyle as a sugar baby, where her appearance is tailored to the “male gaze.” Davy purposefully gave Jules a red lip for a dinner with an older man, signifying an attempt to adapt her naturally expressive style to a world lacking color and authentic self-expression. Another notable detail is the black eyeliner under her eyes, which Davy describes as “baby doll-like,” yet “darker and more about sexuality with these men and turning herself over to them in exchange for money and comfort.” Her looks are intended to feel a little “odd,” highlighting her struggle to conform.

In stark contrast to Jules's evolving glam, Rue's character in Season 3 is depicted with no makeup whatsoever. Showrunner Sam Levinson specifically requested this, a decision Davy explains by stating, “She's sleeping in her car a lot. It's not part of her priorities. Rue is surviving, trying to find a path toward getting some money and working herself up in the world. She's lost.” This minimalist approach underscores Rue's dire circumstances and her focus on basic survival rather than outward presentation.

Cassie's makeup journey continues to revolve around attracting male attention, but with a heightened intensity and new avenues. Now a fledgling digital content creator, Cassie constantly experiments with glam looks. Davy notes a change this season: heavy eyeshadow, sparkle, contour, a sparkly lip, and long, claw-like nails. These elements are part of her ongoing metamorphosis. Early in the season, she adopts a puppy dog outfit for clicks, with Davy enhancing her lips using a big lip liner and adding fake freckles, reflecting current TikTok and Instagram beauty trends. As Cassie delves into OnlyFans, her look swiftly becomes “more sexy and fierce.” This transformation is further amplified by blonder hair and a tanned complexion, as she “pulls out all the stops to get as much attention as possible in Los Angeles.” Davy draws parallels to iconic figures like Pam Anderson, Marilyn Monroe, and Brigitte Bardot, particularly in a pool photo shoot scene where Cassie sports a red-and-white gingham outfit, continuously trying different looks to maximize her perceived sexiness and achieve her ultimate goal of widespread attention.