In the world I imagined at that time, season two would’ve already aired by now.
Clearly, that didn’t happen.
I’m not the first one to say it, but I will anyway: the makeup onEuphoriais iconic.
Eddy Chen/HBO
Her vibrant looks evoke a feeling of vitality, joy, and hope.
I see her not only in myself but also in my trans girl friends.
This idea of expanding ones sense of self is at the heart of the show.
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BeforeEuphoria, I had never seen this pop in of narrative played out on TV.
Until college, I didn’t realize I could feel good about my appearance.
I told Danielle I only wanted to do it if I could be one of the girl characters.
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For the first time, I was excited about the wayI presented myself.
My love for it signaled a shift in personal style.
I started buying lipstick, liquid eyeliner, and nail polish.
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Eventually, I developed a taste forbold makeup: glitter, color-blocking, geometric shapes.
As I tried out new colors, products, and techniques, I became comfortable with identifying as trans.
I relished painting with vivid colors, drawing unconventional shapes, letting the edges be harsh and unblended.
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Not yet on hormones, I already stood out wearing makeup so why not be bold?
After all, I was not doing makeup to pass as cisgender.
Before starting hormones, I chose not to engage with these resources.
Ironically, the deeper I get into HRT, the more I employ feminizing makeup techniques.
Jules exhibits this same struggle.
However, when Jules is doing makeup just for herself, she breaks all the rules.
She paints on colors and shapes in an unconventional, dramatic way.
Our society hascountless systems and cultural scriptsthat keep people from exploring their gender.
Personally, growing up with these restrictions certainly stopped me from experimenting with my aesthetic.
Jules isnt the only character onEuphoriacreating a new reality through aesthetics, though.
Nearly all of her peers are also experimenting with makeup in unique ways, as well.
Through all these characters,Euphoriaalso shows how fun and transformative makeup can be if you let it.
Covering my eyelids in glitter makes me feel like a deliciously flirty, shiny alien.
Mixing purple and orange turns me into a sunset fantasy.
I’m still creating new ones.
I think I always will be.
For so long, makeup was inaccessible to me.
I, like the characters inEuphoria, want to keep leveling up.
Makeup helped me realize that I wanted to start HRT, and two years later, I did.
While watching season one ofEuphoria, I remembered the gift of exploration is foreveryone.
Recently, two bridge episodes of Euphoria were released to hold fans over until the next season.
I miss the social aspect of makeup.
