The White Lotus is TV’s most exciting show. The award-winning, satirical dark comedy created by Mike White is currently in its third season. Set in Thailand, with an all-star ensemble cast that includes Walton Goggins, BLACKPINK‘s LISA, Jason Isaacs, and Aimee Lou Wood, The White Lotus explores the social, wealth, and power dynamics of strangers at a luxury resort.
Beyond its signature slow-burn plot lines and razor-sharp dialogue, the show is an architect of lewks. (Remember Jennifer Coolidge in the pink headscarf or Beatrice Grannò’s sparkly teal eyeshadow? Of course you do.)
As the season’s drama continues to unravel, we caught up with Emmy-nominated makeup designer, Rebecca “Bex” Hickey, to chat about this season’s looks, the pros and cons of shooting on location, and which cast mate is the chattiest in the chair.
EW: What was the brief for this season’s looks? How did you go about developing each look? Was Mike White or any of the actors involved?
RH: “I think the brief for The White Lotus is always big and bold, with a touch of realism. This season was all about wellness so I wanted the characters to have a real ethereal look for daytime and bump it up at night! Mike gives a lot of creative freedom, and the actors are always involved but are so incredibly trusting with my vision.”
You’ve done makeup for all three seasons of The White Lotus—Hawaii, Sicily, and now Thailand. Which place did you find most inspiring and which was most challenging?
“Hawaii has such a rich history, but we weren’t allowed to leave the hotel because of Covid—so I would definitely say Thailand has been the most inspiring with so much culture and such beautiful people.”
“It was also most definitely the hottest climate yet. The cast and crew were always so hot and it makes it even harder to take care of the talent when you’re dripping in sweat yourself!”
What products were you constantly reaching for during filming, or keeping in your kit for quick touchups?
“It was SPF, bug spray, hydrating mists, and FANS. Lots and lots of fans! Also we cut paper towels in little squares to touch up sweat quickly. We kept those in every actor bag.”
Who is the most talkative from this season in the makeup chair?
“We all had so much fun in the makeup room, but Aimee Lou [Wood] and I would get in trouble for chatting too long in the Makeup Chair. Oops!”
Which character had your favourite look? Can you describe it?
“I played with Leslie [Bibb]’s makeup the most, which was fun. But my favourite look is on Aimee Lou in Episode 5 when they attend the full moon party. Glitter! That’s all I can say!”
For people at home, what is your best tip for doing makeup in a hot or humid climate?
“I think less is more in humid climates. A full face of foundation is a disaster in hot temps, you just sweat it off. I would use a stick concealer or foundation (I love BASMA or Merit) as opposed to anything too creamy or hydrating. And only place it where you need it. But hydrating sprays are helpful to reactivate the makeup throughout the day.”
On-Set Beauty Secrets From ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 With Makeup Designer Rebecca Hickey
1 / 2
You mentioned sunscreen earlier, how do we make sure we’re getting our SPF coverage after our makeup is already done?
“Well, Vacation makes a face mist that we kept in every actor bag to use over the makeup. And Ciele Cosmetics has SPF in their powder and all of their makeup, so those are lifesavers when it comes to keeping the skin protected without moving the makeup.”
On-Set Beauty Secrets From ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 With Makeup Designer Rebecca Hickey
1 / 2
