From "Vacation Skin" to "Orchid Lips"—3 White Lotus Beauty Trends That Will Shape the Summer

      Our time at The White Lotus has just begun, yet we're already captivated by the vibrant greenery, lavish floral fabrics, and beach-inspired beauty trends in Thailand—an enjoyable distraction from the darker narrative lurking beneath. As passionate film enthusiasts, we recognize that Mike White’s acclaimed vacation drama series leaves no detail overlooked, particularly concerning intentional beauty choices. From the painted lips of Harper Spiller (Aubrey Plaza) in season two—symbolizing her rigid marriage—to the dramatic contouring and false lashes on Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge)—potentially a reflection of her poor choices in men—there's always a message linked to the makeup. To unveil the wellness-centric theme of this season, lead makeup artist Rebecca Hickey shares behind-the-scenes insights, hinting at the summer beauty trends inspired by these on-screen looks. “This season focuses on spirituality and wellness, so I aimed to ensure everyone’s skin appeared hydrated and fresh during the day,” Hickey tells Who What Wear. “Evenings were for playful looks, where we embraced the sexy and sultry.” Season 3 of TWL features strong personalities, including Parker Posey’s Victoria Ratliff and a group of affluent blondes (Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, and Michelle Monaghan), each harboring their own hidden motivations. From vibrant “orchid” lips to radiant vacation skin, Hickey immerses herself in a blend of facial mists, colorful eyeshadows, and rosy lips to discuss the season's looks that will influence upcoming summer beauty trends.

      While the concept of glowing, fresh skin isn't new for summer beauty, Hickey took a meticulous approach to skincare this season. Her principle? Skip the foundation when possible—and similar rules applied in the makeup chair (for the most part). “I believe in ‘less is more’ with foundation,” Hickey points out. “I appreciate the skin's authenticity, which remains a priority in my work, so I’m careful about concealing and powdering. That’s the secret to achieving a fresh yet polished appearance.” Hickey employed a blend of facial sprays (Eminence, Osea, Vie en Rose!), luminous skin serums (“Merit Instant Glow for that dewy effect”), and cream blush applied to the apples of the actors’ cheeks and on their noses (“Beauty Pie has great options”) in the makeup chair for a flawless vacation complexion—though skincare was undeniably a critical component of the process.

      The glowing skin preparation featured a mix of Lyma lasers ($2695 for a starter kit!), ice rollers (available for $8), LED masks, and eye patches (111Skin for Leslie Bibb), all prior to applying serums—finalized with a generous amount of sunscreen, with Vacation and Dr. Jart being two of Hickey’s preferred SPF brands. However, the cast’s radiant “vacation skin” required touch-ups during filming, and Hickey relied on a few celebrity-favored products to combat the thick Thai humidity as effectively as possible. “The weather posed some challenges, but I wasn’t going to let it interfere with achieving a beautiful makeup look,” Hickey reflects. “It requires damage control, but on The White Lotus, we set high standards, and I needed to maintain that, no matter how humid it was!” A primer from Iconic London laid the groundwork for lightweight yet long-lasting foundations from Haus Labs, Ciele, and Basma Beauty that Hickey preferred, with cream blush bringing a dewy flush to the cheeks (Tower 28 and Ogee being some of her favorites, with Merit being a regular for Parker Posey).

      Orchids, being one of the most prevalent flowers in Thailand, also influenced the makeup styles of nearly every actress in season 3. “Parker (Victoria) consistently wore a lip, varying from pinks to reds,” Hickey explains, a deliberate nod to the character’s Southern heritage. The Merit Beauty Shade Slick Lip Oil was a staple for Posey (and a hydrating choice for the heat), but Hickey frequently opted for stick balms and highly pigmented compacts to achieve the vibrant colors she desired on other actors. “Everything from Hourglass and Fara Homidi lips were top choices,” she mentions, enhancing the color at night with an extra layer or a slightly darker shade. Hickey detailed Amrita’s (Shalini Peiris) beauty regimen in an Instagram post, including Glossier’s popular Ultralip Lipstick for a sheer hint of color. For fans looking to embrace this floral-inspired trend, she recommends layering Tower 28’s LipSoftie Balm “for that ‘orchid’ lip.”

      Hickey anticipates a resurgence in colorful eyes for summer. “I see people experimenting with bold colors again,” she suggests, indicating that fans may want to incorporate more vibrant shades into their beauty routines, and she knows which shades are set to be in vogue. Last season showcased an array of jewel-toned eyes