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Bridgerton Season Four Makes a Grand Return to Netflix
Dearest gentle reader, Bridgerton is officially back with a flourish. Netflix has released the first four episodes of season four, offering a perfect escape for those who dream of evenings wrapped in a blanket, sipping tea or something stronger, and immersing themselves in the opulent world of the ton. This season draws inspiration from Cinderella, shifting the spotlight to the second son, Benedict Bridgerton, portrayed by Luke Thompson.
Benedict's Journey and Sophie's Introduction
Despite persistent nudging from his mother, Lady Violet, Benedict has shown little interest in settling down. That changes dramatically when he encounters a mysterious masked woman at his mother's masquerade ball. This enigmatic figure is Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha, a resourceful maid working downstairs for the formidable Lady Araminta Gun. Unbeknownst to Benedict, Sophie is the very same Lady in Silver who has captured his heart, setting the stage for a tale of fantasy versus reality and society's rigid class rules.
As Benedict grapples with these conflicts, Sophie quietly emerges as one of the most compelling new heroines in the series. Her story is told not only through lavish costumes and intricate sets but also through beauty looks that subtly evolve alongside her personal journey, reflecting her emotional arc and growing confidence.
Sophie's Makeup: A Tale of Two Worlds
Hair and makeup designer Nic Collins, who oversaw the beauty direction for the series, explains that Sophie's makeup was intentionally pared back at the start of the season. My favourite part of creating Sophie's look was setting up the whole downstairs world, she says, and making sure there was a clear distinction between the two worlds. Sophie's makeup needed to feel very natural and paired back compared to how we see the upstairs cast members.
This philosophy is evident in Sophie's everyday makeup during the early episodes, where her skin appears impossibly fresh without ever looking overly done. Collins reveals that achieving this effect began long before any foundation was applied. Skin prep was a big part of the morning routine, she notes. Most days the makeup calls were very early, so we used cryo balls straight from the fridge for a lymphatic drainage massage to wake up the face. It's such a simple thing but it really sets the tone for how the skin looks all day.
Hydration and Base Creation
Following the massage, hydration was key. Collins used a spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir and a layer of Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream. Together, these created a flawless lit from within base, she explains, which meant the natural makeup looked effortless and real on camera. It's all about creating that subtle glow that doesn't feel like makeup at all.
The Masquerade Ball: Eyes and Lips Take Centre Stage
Sophie's most dramatic beauty moment occurs during the masquerade ball, where much of her face is concealed by a mask. Collins focused on making the eyes and lips tell the story. With so much of her face covered, I really concentrated on making the eyes and lips pop, she says. We added soft definition around the eyes and kept the lips hydrated and luminous. It's a fun challenge because the mask does half the work, but you have to make sure the rest still reads on screen.
The lips became a central element of this look. Yerin already has beautiful lips, so I just enhanced them with a sheer wash of colour, Collins explains. She opted for the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Super Strawberry, praising its ease of use and ability to keep lips looking soft and fresh throughout the day. To finish, she defined Sophie's cupid's bow with Sleek MakeUP's Locked Up Super Precise Lip Liner in Friend Zone, creating an appearance that felt effortless rather than overdone.
Behind-the-Scenes Challenges and Laughter
Behind the scenes, achieving this look was not without its challenges. Collins admits there were plenty of laughs during filming, particularly when it came to keeping the masks in place. We definitely underestimated how tricky it would be to get the mask just right, she laughs. It became a little comedy on set.
Sophie's Makeup Evolution Throughout the Season
As the season progresses, Sophie's makeup subtly transitions in line with her emotional arc. Collins hints at this evolution without giving too much away. I can tell you Sophie's makeup does transition as we move through the season, following her character arc, she teases. Her looks reflect where she's at emotionally, but it's all very subtle. You'll notice little changes in colour, intensity, and glow as her confidence grows.
For creating beautiful skin, Collins relied on a consistent technique. My favourite way to create beautiful skin on Sophie was to mix the foundation with a glow-enhancing primer, she says. This involved blending Armani Luminous Silk Foundation with Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer, a combination she describes as her go-to for flawless natural skin every time. It's a simple trick that always works and gives everyone that lit from within finish we love on set, she adds.
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