Should you boast the remarkable ability to think about anything other than Meryl Streep's epic premiere as Mary Louise Wright [1] on Big Little Lies (in which case, reveal yourself, warlock), you may have noticed that a lot has changed since season one [2] — even on the beauty front. Jane has bangs [3]! Tori got her breasts done! Bonnie is one freak-out away [4] from full-blown stress acne!
This also applies to the cast's makeup. "There are some aesthetic changes for the ladies of Monterey you can expect this season [5]," said Michelle Radow [6], the show's makeup department head. "Some are subtle, while others will be more obvious to viewers. You'll see some shifts in colour palettes, makeup deconstruction, and sometimes the addition of more makeup [7] to help visually tell the story."
From hidden tattoo meanings you never saw coming [8] to the one mascara that holds up to Streep's cry-screams, the behind-the-scenes beauty secrets [9] ahead may not be about the murder of Perry Wright, but they are pretty killer.
The Secret Behind the Big Little Lies Casts’ Glow
"There are several illusions throughout the series my team and I created with makeup," said Radow. "Cuts, bruises, and scratches are the obvious ones, but you'll also see dark circles, sweat, red eyes, burns, tattoos, and freckles all crested from different makeup mediums."
To create the look of sweat or sheen, Radow says she likes to use the Elizabeth Arden Online Only Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant [10] ($24) or the Aloe Gator Gel Sunscreen [11] ($11) "with water misted on top." (Psst, the former is also the secret behind the sweat you see in The Handmaid's Tale [12].)
The Hidden Meaning Behind Douglas's Tattoos in Big Little Lies
The makeup team conjured a host of designs on the tattoo front, too — this time for new addition to the cast, Douglas Smith (played by Corey Brockfield [13]). "Designing tattoos is one of my favourite tasks as a department head," she said. "The director Andrea Arnold told me very early on she envisioned Corey with tattoos. This particular character was a fun one for me."
Why? Because each tattoo has a meaning that's more than meets the eye. "I teamed up with Alexei Dmitriew at HookUp Tattoos [14] to custom design five tattoos for his character. Three of his five tattoos have hidden meaning [15]. I incorporated morse code into the designs."
"Three of his five tattoos have hidden meaning. I incorporated morse code into the designs."
The ink on his right forearm, for example, is a sound wave inspired-design with a hidden message that says "There is always music" in morse code. On his left forearm, the tattoo is a hybrid between a heartbeat and a sound wave that reads "Keep dancing" when decoded. The design on his upper left shoulder, though, is her favourite: "This tattoo is two paper aeroplanes flying in opposite directions," said Radow. "The dotted and dashed trail left behind each plane says, 'It is what it is.' I love this one."
The ones without a hidden meaning — but hold significance to the character nonetheless — are the solar system tattoo that's inked down his upper back and anchor tattoo located on his right rib cage. "In addition to his tattoos, I also added a slight tan [16] and layers of freckles on his T-zone and the high points on his face."
The 1 Mascara Meryl Streep Swears By
While Radow didn't work with Streep directly during filming (she has her own personal hair and makeup artist, because, hello, she's Meryl Streep [17]), she did say they have both confessed their love for one product: the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara [18] ($7). "We both agree this is a favourite to stash in our kits."
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara [19] ($7)
The Cast Member With the Most Surprising Makeup Changes
"I had a lot of fun with actress Kathryn Newton, who played Madeline's teenage daughter Abigail (at left)," said Radow. "We experimented with more makeup, mascara being super chunky [20], chipped polish colours, and layering colours over one another."
The Lipstick That Lasts Through Kissing, Screaming, and Telling Big Little Lies
There's a lot of tension, tears, and screaming going on in season two – and the makeup team needed a lipstick that would make it through the bumpy ride. "I love the NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Creams [21] ($7 each)," she said. "They make fantastic colours that give a nice stain and last [through filming]."
The Big Little Lies Scene That Took the Most Pre-Planning
Everybody loves a good party scene (especially when it includes endings like the one you saw in last season's finale). This one is no different: "One of my favourite makeup scenes is the disco party [22] at Renata's house [which airs later this season]," she said. "On a regular day, the makeup department had 10 artists, eight of which were personals to our leading six ladies. For the disco party week, I had 18 additional makeup artists each day helping me with our principal cast and over 100 extras every day that all had to be seen by the makeup department."
The scene also required a lot of pre-planning between her, costume designer Alix Friedberg, and department head of hair Jose Zamora. "The three of us worked on Sharp Objects together so we all jive really well together. I did a lot of research on the disco era, late night Pinterest [23] and Google searches, and walking the aisles of Michaels craft store."
The 2 Beauty Products Used Most Often on Set of Big Little Lies
One of Radow's all time favourites is the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots [24] ($19 each, originally $22). "I've tried every eye primer, and I always go back to this one."
Temptu Air Perfect Canvas Foundation
She also swears by the Temptu Perfect Canvas Airbrush Foundation [25] ($36), and for good reason: "It gives a natural, skin-like finish and you don't have to powder it afterward."