How early were you brought into The Beauty, and what were the initial conversations about the show’s makeup aesthetic?
I was brought on about three months before shooting and was immediately interested—it’s a makeup artist’s dream to be able to blend beauty, prosthetics, and special effects at this level. From the beginning, it was clear that makeup would play a major role in the storytelling. Early conversations focused on how each character would look before, during, and after their transformations, and how we could map that progression in a way that felt grounded but still visually striking.
The series sits between aspirational beauty and something more unsettling. How did you strike that balance in the makeup design?
It was definitely a process. We had a lot of time to prep and test, which allowed us to explore that tension between beauty and discomfort. There was a constant push and pull—how far we could go before something tipped from aspirational into something more unsettling. Over time, we refined those choices and really settled into a visual language that supported both sides of that spectrum, which then informed every department moving forward.
Skin plays a central role—especially for the characters who have transformed. How did you approach creating that almost impossibly flawless look?
That balance really came through in the skin. We treated each actor as a canvas, using their natural features as the starting point and enhancing what was already there. Skin prep was key. We focused on creating a healthy, balanced base so everything felt luminous rather than overly done. It was less about covering and more about refining, allowing the skin to feel elevated while still believable within the world we had established.
Several characters undergo dramatic physical changes. Can you talk about the prosthetic or special effects makeup—like Jeremy’s plastic surgery or Dr. Dilegre—and how those looks were developed with the SPFX team?
As the transformations became more extreme, the collaboration with the special effects team was essential. They really led those designs, and their work was incredible. Our role was to support the in-between moments, building up elements like pre-transformation sweat and the post-transformation “goo” so everything felt cohesive. It was a very collaborative process, and seeing how seamlessly the makeup and SPFX work came together on screen was incredibly rewarding.
What were some of the biggest technical or logistical challenges on set?
Those transformation sequences were also some of the most challenging days on set. We used an arsenal of products—UltraSlime, blood, UltraPuss, water, and more—to create and maintain the post-transformation look. One of the biggest challenges was that the silicone elements would often remove a lot of the “goo,” so we were constantly reapplying between takes. It required a lot of coordination and quick resets to keep everything consistent.
What was the design behind Bella Hadid’s look in that opening scene?
That same progression applied to Bella’s opening scene as well. The goal was for her to feel very high-fashion at the start, polished, elevated, and then completely broken down by the end, while still retaining a sense of beauty. Bella is so beautiful and was very collaborative, so we had a lot of fun developing that arc together. As the scene progressed, we layered in sweat, blood, and dirt, but always with the intention of maintaining that underlying beauty.
How did you manage continuity across episodes?
With so many evolving looks, continuity became a major focus—especially since we were block shooting. We relied on tools like SyncOnSet and Google Albums to keep everyone aligned, and we also printed reference photos that lived in set bags or were posted in the trailer. It was a lot of organization, but once we found a rhythm, it really helped us maintain consistency across episodes.
Were there any products that became absolute essentials in your kit during production?
A few products quickly became staples—UltraSlime, UltraSweat, and UltraWet in particular. There was a lot of layering involved, and those textures were essential to achieving the final look. It was definitely a very hands-on show in that sense. Lots of goo, lots of sweat.
Looking back, was there a particular character or moment where the makeup really captured the world of the show for you?
The Jeremy transformation early on really set the tone. It was one of those moments where everything came together—the makeup, the special effects, the performance—and it established the visual language of the show in a very immediate way.
Words: Shannon Levy
Photos courtesy of FX
