The Woman Who Changed How a Generation Does Its Makeup
If you've ever lined your eyes with rhinestones or reached for the glitter pot on a night out, you've almost certainly been influenced by Donni Davy — whether you knew it or not. The Emmy-winning makeup artist behind HBO's Euphoria has become a cultural force in her own right, credited with single-handedly challenging the so-called clean-girl era and inspiring millions of bold beauty recreations across social media. Now, as Euphoria draws to a close, Davy is reflecting on a legacy that stretches far beyond the small screen.
Speaking over pasta at the Broadwick hotel in Soho, London, Davy revealed how it all began — with an A24 film, a visionary director and a shared love of unapologetic beauty. Creator Sam Levinson spotted her work on Under the Silver Lake, starring Andrew Garfield, and the rest is television history.
'Sam said to me, "I want to bring that sensibility into Euphoria." — Donni Davy, Emmy-winning makeup artist
Rethinking Your Routine After 50
While Euphoria's aesthetic celebrates maximalism, plenty of women are quietly reimagining their relationship with makeup as they get older — and that's no bad thing. Celebrity makeup artist Vivian Baker, who has worked with the likes of Bette Midler and Blake Lively, says too many women over 50 unknowingly stop having fun with beauty altogether. Her advice? Keep experimenting and ignore the rules you think you're supposed to follow.
Fellow makeup artist Kerry-Lou Hensen urges women to be wary of dramatic before-and-after transformations on social media. "One of the biggest pitfalls is being influenced by unrealistic before-and-after images on social media. Lighting, angles, expressions, and often retouching, can create the illusion of dramatic results that simply aren't achievable," she says. Her top tips for mature skin include swapping powder blush for cream formulas and reaching for a soft, blendable eyeliner that won't look harsh against more delicate features.
The Products Worth Knowing About
From Bobbi Brown's cult Jones Road Miracle Balm — which works as a highlighter, bronzer, blush and tinted moisturiser all in one — to the NARS Multiple in the gold-flecked Orgasm Crave shade, the products winning over women in their 50s tend to share one thing in common: they work with skin rather than against it. Lightweight, buildable and forgiving on fine lines, these are the formulas beauty editors and real women alike keep reaching for.
Don't Skip the SPF — But Choose Wisely
One non-negotiable that cuts across every age group and aesthetic? Sun protection. Dermatologists are clear that relying on SPF-infused foundation alone simply isn't enough — you'd need to apply far more product than anyone actually wears to hit the stated protection level. The good news is that a new generation of lightweight mineral and chemical sunscreens has made it easier than ever to layer
SPF underneath your makeup without any pilling, patchiness or greasy residue. Whether you prefer a dewy finish or a barely-there feel, there's a formula out there that'll sit beautifully under your base.
