Last updated: 14/05/2024
Dearest readers...
The ton (AKA, the Cult Beauty office) is abuzz with the latest gossip. The latest gossip being that Bridgerton’s Lady Whistledown (and the whole gang) are back with season three — or, at least, part one of the long-awaited third installment — finally arriving on Netflix this month.
In this season — which follows the same timeline as the Julia Quinn novels that inspired the Netflix adaptation — we’ll see love blossom between Penelope Featherington (played by Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). And the timing of Bridgerton’s return couldn’t be better, as Penelope and Colin’s love isn’t the only thing that’s blooming — our regency-inspired Defiant Romancetrend is, too.
WHAT IS THE DEFIANT ROMANCE TREND
The successor to Coquettecore, the Defiant Romance trend takes inspiration from the sorbet-hued palettes of director Sofia Coppola and photographer Corinne Day, putting nearly bare skin and an outdoors-y flush at the forefront. Think: blushed cheeks, faux freckles and a soft-focus finish à la your favourite Bridgerton characters — Penelope, of course, but also Simone Ashley’s Kate Sharma and Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne Bridgerton, to name a few.
As for why the trend lends itself so well to the regency-esque looks of the ton, you can thank Pat McGrath Labs for that. Yep, this Cult Beauty-favoured make up brand was used exclusively on-set, with Bridgerton’s hair and make up lead, Erika Ökvist, giving Glamour magazine all the details.
“Pat has been a very big part of this production,” Erika previously revealed to Glamour. “The pigments are really good and photograph incredibly well,” she added. “Almost all of her [Pat’s] colors, even the bright ones, are based on skin tone undertones. Even though you think you’re going way too strong with peach or pink, you’ve got those colors naturally in your skin, so it actually doesn’t read as harsh.”
As for her on-set make up essentials, Erika said: “The two products that I found invaluable for me on-set were the Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Powder and Skin Fetish: Highlighter and Balm Duo. Many of the scenes were filmed in candlelight, and the blurring powder gave a beautiful finish and really helped to lift the under-eye area, while the balm from the duo creates a healthy, glowing, daytime look and the shimmer added dimension, light and sparkle for the ballroom scenes.”
Also speaking about her Bridgerton collaboration, Pat McGrath herself told Glamour: “I have always been obsessed with the regency era, which has long been the inspiration behind many of my Pat McGrath Labs products, as well as the basis of every show, magazine cover and editorial shoot I've ever done.”
She went on, “As an artist [it has been] an absolute joy to interpret an era I’ve long been mesmerised by and it felt like a natural partnership to work with the magical and major Shonda Rimes [Bridgerton’s creator], whom I have long admired.”
CREATE YOUR OWN BRIDGERTON BEAUTY LOOK
Feeling inspired? From Erika’s must-haves to beloved bestsellers (like the Pat McGrath Labs Legendary Glow Colour Balm), here’s everything you need to enter your Bridgerton (read: Defiant Romance) era, courtesy of Pat McGrath Labs...
MORE DEFIANT ROMANCE COMPLEXION NECESSITIES
This season, skin is in, and that means barely-there coverage. Let your skin do all the talking with the likes of Saie’s Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer or VIEVE’s Skin Nova, then load up with blush to create that windswept-period-drama-protagonist-waltzing-through-the-leafy-countryside effect. Our current go-tos? The Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in 'Minette' and Tower 28 Beauty’s BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm in ‘Magic Hour’.
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MORE DEFIANT ROMANCE EYE ESSENTIALS
Drench your lids in subtle shimmers (see: Charlotte Tilbury’s Luxury Palette - Pillow Talk) and rose-hued tones (like Natasha Denona’s Mini Starlette Eyeshadow Palette) to create a main character energy eye look.
MORE DEFIANT ROMANCE LIPS LUST-HAVES
When Seal sang ‘I compare you to a kiss from a rose’ back in 1994, we’re pretty sure he was looking into the future and found the Defiant Romance trend. Akin to being kissed by a rose (or your true love) is the NARS Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil in ‘American Woman’. Alternatively, if you prefer a more subtle swipe of colour, the Kosas Wet Stick leaves a trail of ultra-smoothing squalane and a noticeable shine.DEFIANT ROMANCE FINISHING TOUCHES
Not lucky enough for natural freckles? No problem! Simply add a sprinkling of faux freckles with VIEVE’s Power Ink Liner in ‘Dark Brown’. And for the ultimate finishing touch, complete the Defiant Romance look with a fragrance to match. We’re thinking Maison Margiela’s REPLICA Flower Market Eau de Toilette or Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria Forte Rosa Palissandro Eau de Parfum. We can almost smell the florals from here...
