THE MAKEUP INSPIRATION
BEHIND THE BUCCANEERS

June 28, 2025 by Cat Quinn
The makeup on Apple TV+’s The Buccaneers Season 2 brings a whole new meaning to gilded glamour. Think more glitter, more shimmer and, for The Buccaneers, a whole lot of M·A·C Dazzleshadow Liquid. Jenny Rhodes McLean, the show’s hair and makeup designer, drew inspiration from art during that time period (and anything and everything that glitters) to make the looks really shine. “John Atkinson Grimshaw’s Spirit of the Night (1879) – with its radiant fairy bathed in ethereal light – beautifully captures the mood I envisioned for Episode 3,” says McClean.

Grimshaw would layer delicate washes of paint and even mix sand into his pigments to give the surface a sparkling, shimmering texture. Inspired by his techniques, McLean set out to do the same, with the principal cast as her canvas and high-performance shades of M·A·C Glitter, Pigment and Eye Shadow as her paints. “Each look was built with sheer layers of shimmer, iridescence and glitter,” she says. “I softened the overall effect to give it a period-appropriate feel.”

McLean transformed the characters into glimmering, ethereal fairies for the A Midsummer Night’s Dream party in Episode 3. We visited the set of The Buccaneers Season 2 to get the full scoop on how she did it – and how you can recreate the main characters’ looks.

LIZZY

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LIZZY’S NOSTALGIC-YET-PLAYFUL LOOK

In Episode 3, Lizzy, played by Aubri Ibrag, throws an epic surprise party with a nod to the girls’ childhood — and her look leaned into that. Makeup Artist Lucy Rowley brought the aesthetic to life through intricate braided pigtails, antique jewels and soft blue hues. “As her storyline unfolds, Lizzie reveals a wild alter ego as the ‘good girl’ exterior begins to unravel,” says McClean.

  1. Sweep Dazzleshadow Extreme in Emerald Cut all over lids.
  2. Highlight inner and outer corners with Dazzleshadow Liquid in Not Afraid to Sparkle.
  3. Accent the temples with temporary tattoos, gemstones, and Glitter in Reflects Transparent Pink.
(181)
Dazzleshadow Extreme
$26.00
An eye shadow with a molten metallic finish that features one-swipe saturation and 12-hour staying power.
(336)
Dazzleshadow Liquid
$26.00
An ultra-shiny liquid eye shadow that glides across lids for a wash of brilliant colour that keeps its splendour for up to eight hours.
(38)
Glitter
$25.00
A glitter that creates a high-level sparkle effect on face, skin and hair.
Lizzy wears antique jewels and soft blue hues to attend her epic surprise party.
Dazzling details set the scene for the romantic sparks flying on-screen.

CONCHITA

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GET CONCHITA’S MAXIMALIST LOOK

In Season 2, Conchita, played by Alisha Boe, is a mother stepping into a new entrepreneurial role. Brought to life by Hair and Makeup Artist Abbigail Richards, her style evokes maximalist glamour, inspired by her opulent home and its stunning House of Hackney wallpaper. “I envisioned her as a Victorian socialite — the 19th-century version of a modern influencer — using fashion and beauty to command attention and promote her business,” says McClean.

  1. Sweep Eye Shadow in If It Ain’t Baroque from lids to brows.
  2. Mix Pigment in Copper Sparkle with Mixing Medium to form a paste. Create floral swoops and shapes from the outer corners to the temples, enhancing with 3D flower appliqués.
  3. Tap Frost Lipstick in Bronze Shimmer on lips.
(1025)
Eye Shadow
$25.00
A highly pigmented eye shadow powder that applies evenly and blends well.
(243)
Pigment
$17.50
A concentrated loose colour powder used for a wash of colour or a more intense look.
(1)
Water Base Mixing Medium
$24.00
(193)
Frost Lipstick
$23.00
A Lipstick formula with smooth, medium buildable coverage, high pearl and a semi-lustrous finish.
Conchita wears a gilded, glitter mask starring a mix of M·A·C golds.
Eyes were accented with dried flowers for M·A·Cximum elegance and opulence.

NAN

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UNCOVER NAN’S LIPSTICK EASTER EGGS

Nan (Kristine Frøseth) and her gilded finishes are giving main character energy in Episode 3. Fun fact: Throughout the season, Nan’s Lipstick shades serve as Easter eggs. “The product names just happened to align with each episode,” says McClean, who created her fairy look alongside Hair and Makeup Artist Mia Currie. Watch out for M·A·Cximal Lipstick shades Guessing Game, D for Danger and Ring the Alarm in future episodes.

  1. Sweep Eye Shadow in If It Ain’t Baroque all over the lids and lower lashline.
  2. Accent the inner corners, brow bone, temples, and bridge of the nose with Dazzleshadow Liquid in Not Afraid to Sparkle, adding additional decals and gems for flare.
  3. Mix Lustreglass Lipstick in Thanks, It’s M·A·C! with $ellout for a custom pinky-nude lip.
(1025)
Eye Shadow
$25.00
A highly pigmented eye shadow powder that applies evenly and blends well.
(336)
Dazzleshadow Liquid
$26.00
An ultra-shiny liquid eye shadow that glides across lids for a wash of brilliant colour that keeps its splendour for up to eight hours.
(453)
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
$27.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
(453)
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
$27.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
Nan’s signature looks include gilded finishes — and Lipstick shades that align with each episode.
A low updo allows Nan’s beauty look to shine, accentuating her shimmering cheekbones and T-zone.

MABEL

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GET MABEL’S WHIMSICAL LOOK

From hair to makeup, a hidden duality was woven into the whimsical looks worn by Mabel, played by Josie Totah. “On one side, she wears free, loose locks symbolizing the side of her that knows exactly who she is, and the beauty in that self-assurance,” says Mclean. “The other side is more structured: a delicate, netted braid traces her hairline, representing the version of herself she’s still holding back. I placed delicate wire flowers into the braid – like butterflies escaping a cage,” she shares. For Mabel’s soft-spoken glam, McLean and Hair and Makeup Artist Debbie Black leaned into a dreamy palette of golds, corals, peaches and pinks – brought to life by the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded in Burgundy.

  1. Sweep lids with Eye Shadow in Giga Glitz from the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded In Burgundy.
  2. Accent the temples with Dazzleshadow Liquid in Not Afraid to Sparkle.
  3. Finish with several coats of M·A·CStack Mascara.
(91)
Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded in Burgundy
$34.00
A burgundy-toned six-pan eye shadow palette with pigment packed colour in one-swipe for limitless sultry to sophisticated looks.
(336)
Dazzleshadow Liquid
$26.00
An ultra-shiny liquid eye shadow that glides across lids for a wash of brilliant colour that keeps its splendour for up to eight hours.
(18675)
M·A·CStack Mascara
$29.00
An endlessly buildable, clump-resistant mascara that stacks on infinite layers of volume and length.
The duality of Josie’s look is anchored by a soft, dreamy palette that complements her colouring.
M·A·CStack’ed lashes completed Josie’s makeup metamorphosis.

HONORIA

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CAPTURE HONORIA’S ETHEREAL LOOK

Honoria, played by Mia Threapleton, spreads her wings in Episode 3 with an otherworldly look inspired by Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. “We took a ‘less is more’ approach with soft golds and brown mascara — a subtle hybrid of period-appropriate and perfectly on-trend,” says McClean. To complete Honoria’s look, Hair and Makeup Artist Charlotte Allen added pearl flowers into the makeup, and placed around 50 tiny beads in her hair, resulting in pure magic.

  1. Sweep Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Bare Study all over lids.
  2. Accent the inner corners, temples and high points of the face with Dazzleshadow Liquid in Not Afraid To Sparkle. Detail with gems and decals.
  3. Finish with M·A·CStack Mascara in Chestnut Stack.
(855)
Pro Longwear Paint Pot
$28.00
A long-wearing, blendable eye primer and/or cream shadow that can be worn alone or with other products and lasts for 24 hours.
(336)
Dazzleshadow Liquid
$26.00
An ultra-shiny liquid eye shadow that glides across lids for a wash of brilliant colour that keeps its splendour for up to eight hours.
(18675)
M·A·CStack Mascara
$29.00
An endlessly buildable, clump-resistant mascara that stacks on infinite layers of volume and length.
Pearl flowers add dimension, texture and detail to Honoria’s shimmering monochromatic look.
Soft golds and wearable brown mascara reigned supreme to create this less-is-more look.
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THE MAKEUP INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BUCCANEERS

June 28, 2025 by Cat Quinn and Sasha Kleinman

 

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