Palm Royale: The Art of Sun-Kissed Scheming
Apple TV+'s 'Palm Royale' is a visual feast of late-1960s high society, and its nominations in both Period Makeup and Hairstyling are a huge reason why. The story, about an outsider clawing her way into an exclusive world, lives and dies by its aesthetics.
The makeup team, led by Tricia Sawyer, had to create looks that were both aspirational and slightly brittle. Look for the precise application of pastel eyeshadows, the carefully drawn lips, and the sun-kissed but never-sweaty complexions that scream poolside status. The hair, from Karen Bartek’s team, is just as crucial. It’s a world of towering, sprayed-solid bouffants, elegant flips, and elaborate updos that function as social armor. Watch how a character’s hair can signal her confidence or desperation—the bigger the hair, the closer to godliness, or at least, to the top of the Palm Beach pecking order.
Fallout: Grimy, Gorgeous Post-Apocalyptica
Translating the world of a beloved video game to the screen is a minefield, but Prime Video's 'Fallout' pulled it off spectacularly, earning nominations for its Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup and Hairstyling. This isn't about traditional glamour; it's about world-building through grit and decay. The makeup team, under Elisa Marsh, masterfully crafted the distinct looks of the different factions. The Vault Dwellers are clean, almost unnaturally so, while the surface dwellers are weathered, scarred, and irradiated. The Ghouls, of course, are a triumph of prosthetic and non-prosthetic makeup, creating a look that’s monstrous but still allows the actor's humanity to shine through. The hairstyling, led by Dennis Bailey, similarly tells a story of survival. Notice the pristine, retro-futuristic styles of the Vaults versus the matted, practical, and radiation-thinned hair of those struggling in the Wasteland. It’s a subtle but powerful storytelling tool.
Wednesday: Reimagining a Goth Icon
How do you update a classic? Netflix's 'Wednesday' answered that question with a style that was both instantly recognizable and entirely fresh, snagging nominations in the Contemporary Makeup and Hairstyling categories. The show’s aesthetic hinges on its title character, and the teams had to nail a look that felt authentic to a modern teenager, even a macabre one. The makeup, designed by Lynn Johnston, avoided a heavy-handed goth approach, instead opting for a subtle, almost ethereal darkness with a signature lip color that launched a thousand TikTok trends. For the hair, designed by Francesco Pegoretti, Wednesday's iconic braids were updated with severe, face-framing bangs, creating a new yet classic silhouette. Don't just watch Wednesday; look at the other Nevermore Academy students, whose makeup and hair subtly hint at their supernatural cliques, from the werewolves' wilder textures to the sirens' aquatic color palettes.
The Gilded Age: Unsparing Historical Detail
HBO's 'The Gilded Age' is a monument to historical detail, and its nominations for Period Makeup and Hairstyling are a testament to that commitment. Creating the look of 1880s New York City high society requires more than just corsets and fancy hats. The makeup team, headed by Nicki Ledermann, had to replicate a look from an era before modern cosmetics. This means skin that looks natural, not pancaked, with subtle coloring on the cheeks and lips that appears to come from within. The real heavy lifting comes from the hairstyling department, led by Sean Flanigan. The elaborate updos, intricate braids, and perfectly coiffed curls were not just fashion statements but indicators of wealth, status, and even marital status. Pay attention to the sheer architectural complexity of the hair, often supplemented with period-accurate hairpieces, and how it changes from a daytime social call to an evening ball. It’s artistry that requires immense research and skill.
Margo's Got Money Troubles: Contemporary Character Craft
Not all great craft is about fantasy worlds or the distant past. Apple TV+'s 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' shows how hair and makeup can define character in the modern world, earning it big wins at the Creative Arts Emmys for both Contemporary Makeup and Hairstyling. The show tracks a young woman's journey into the world of professional wrestling, and her look is central to her identity. The makeup, by Erin Ayanian Monroe and team, has to work on multiple levels: the everyday look of the main character and the larger-than-life, sweat-proof persona she adopts in the ring. Similarly, Jaime Leigh McIntosh's hairstyling team must create styles that not only reflect personality but can also withstand a suplex. When watching, notice the subtle shifts in her 'real life' look as her confidence grows, contrasted with the bold, empowering aesthetic she crafts for her wrestling alter ego.
