The Bridgerton makeup artist just spilled some major beauty secrets from set, including her go-to for Sophie's 'flawless' skin
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreDearest gentle reader, Bridgerton is officially back. Netflix has dropped the first four episodes of season four and if your idea of a perfect evening involves a blanket, a cup of tea (or something stronger) and disappearing into the ton, you’re very much in good company.This Cinderella-inspired season finally turns its attention to second son Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), who, despite persistent nudging from Lady Violet, has no interest in settling down. That is, until he comes face to face with a mysterious masked woman at his mother’s masquerade ball.Enter Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha – a resourceful maid working ‘downstairs’ for the formidable Lady Araminta Gun and, unbeknownst to Benedict, the very same Lady in Silver who has completely captured his heart.As Benedict wrestles with fantasy versus reality and society’s rigid class rules, Sophie quietly becomes one of the most compelling new heroines the show has introduced. And, as ever with Bridgerton, her story is told not just through costumes and sets but through beauty looks that subtly evolve alongside her journey.Hair and makeup designer Nic Collins, who oversaw the series’ beauty direction, says Sophie’s makeup was intentionally pared back at the start of the season. ‘My favourite part of creating Sophie’s look was setting up the whole “downstairs” world,’ she explains, ‘and making sure there was a clear distinction between the two worlds. Sophie’s makeup needed to feel very natural and paired back compared to how we see the “upstairs” cast members.’That philosophy is evident in Sophie’s everyday makeup in the early episodes, where her skin looks impossibly fresh without ever tipping into ‘done’. Collins reveals that achieving that effect started long before any foundation touched her skin. ‘Skin prep was a big part of the morning routine,’ she says. ‘Most days the makeup calls were very early, so we used cryo balls straight from the fridge for a lymphatic drainage massage to wake up the face. It’s such a simple thing but it really sets the tone for how the skin looks all day.’Hydration followed, with a spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir and a layer of Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream. ‘Together, these created a flawless “lit from within” base,’ Collins notes, ‘which meant the natural makeup looked effortless and real on camera. It’s all about creating that subtle glow that doesn’t feel like makeup at all.’Sophie’s most dramatic beauty moment comes during the masquerade ball, where much of her face is hidden by a mask. Collins focused on making the eyes and lips do the storytelling. ‘With so much of her face covered, I really concentrated on making the eyes and lips pop,’ she says. ‘We added soft definition around the eyes and kept the lips hydrated and luminous. It’s a fun challenge because the mask does half the work, but you have to make sure the rest still reads on screen.’The lips, in particular, became central to the look. ‘Yerin already has beautiful lips, so I just enhanced them with a sheer wash of colour,’ Collins explains. She reached for one of her favourite products for achieving a natural, lustrous finish – the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in ‘Super Strawberry’. ‘I love how easy this product is to use and how it keeps the lips looking soft and fresh all day,’ she adds. To finish, she defined Sophie’s cupid’s bow with Sleek MakeUP’s Locked Up Super Precise Lip Liner in ‘Friend Zone’, creating a look that felt effortless rather than overdone.Behind the scenes, this look wasn’t quite so seamless. Collins admits there were plenty of laughs during filming, particularly when it came to keeping the masks in place – something the team hadn’t fully anticipated until cameras started rolling. ‘We definitely underestimated how tricky it would be to get the mask just right,’ she laughs. ‘It became a little comedy on set.’As the season unfolds, Sophie’s makeup quietly transitions alongside her emotional arc – a shift Collins hints at without giving too much away. ‘I can tell you Sophie’s makeup does transition as we move through the season, following her character arc,’ she teases. ‘Her looks reflect where she’s at emotionally, but it’s all very subtle. You’ll notice little changes in colour, intensity, and glow as her confidence grows.’When it came to complexion, Collins relied on one technique again and again. ‘My favourite way to create beautiful skin on Sophie was to mix the foundation with a glow-enhancing primer,’ she says. This meant blending Armani Luminous Silk Foundation with Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer – a combination she calls her ‘go-to for flawless natural skin every time’. ‘It’s a simple trick that always works and gives everyone that “lit from within” finish we love on set,’ she adds.To get more of what you love from your favourite Sunday supplement, follow us on Instagram (@youmagazine), Facebook (YOU Magazine) and X (@YOUMagSocial).
