How to get that Bridgerton glow for just £5: HANNAH BETTS reveals the make-up secrets of the Netflix hit

The second half of Bridgerton’s third series is now on Netflix, and honestly, I could watch it with the sound off, on loop, and just wallow in its cosmetic glory.

Forget Pen or Francesca, the real star of the show is hair and makeup designer Erika Ökvist.

I’m especially in love with her signature ‘Bridgerton glow’, the dazzling highlight that adorns the cheekbone above each heaving bosom. You’ll understand why Erika and her crack team won an Emmy for season two.

I felt obligated to grill this slap supremo for her secrets on set so we could all become Bridgerton beauties.

The show is set in an ‘eternal’ summer, with cosmetics bigger and bolder than they would have been in real life – anachronisms such as Penelope’s (pictured right) red lipstick from season three were allowed to serve a larger, artistic purpose.

“Every face has been given a glow, a level of sophistication,” Erika, 52, explains. ‘The brief for each character is to make them as desirable, sexy and sultry as possible.’ The entire cast seems to be in a first wave of love, with passions inflamed.

Hundreds of products were used by Erika’s army of makeup artists (30 on normal days, up to 150 for balls). ‘Pre-makeup skin prep is a big part of the look, varying from actor to actor. We use facial masks, lymphatic drainage massage and beauty techniques such as LED masks and microcurrent devices that improve texture, plump and plump.”

Erika admires Eucerin (from £9, Boots.com), the budget-conscious dermatology giant that’s been trusted for more than a century. She also uses the newer Emma Hardie skincare (from £10, emmahardie.com), including the multi-award winning Moringa Cleansing Balm (from £18), cherished as a facial in a jar.

Her pick for sensitive skin is Örn Kuu (from £6, ornkuu.com), formulated by make-up artist Alice Hopkins, who struggled with chronic eczema.

“Choosing primers and foundations is just as personal as skin care,” Erika emphasizes. ‘With some artists I use two to four different primers: mattifying on the nose perhaps, perfecting on the cheeks. Sometimes a good primer with an under-eye corrector is all you need.”

Her top primer is Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (from £24, johnlewis.com). For concealer and under-eye tone, she prefers Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer (£35.50) and Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation (£49, shiseido.co.uk); or Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer (£27) and Airbrush Flawless Foundation (£39, charlottetilbury.com). Her budget pick: No7 Instant Radiance Under Eye Concealer (now £14.41, boots.com).

Erika thinks By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder (from £20, cultbeauty.com) is ‘great for mature skin as it doesn’t dry it out’. She likes Burts Bees Lip Tints (£5.09, hollandand barrett.com) and advocates Rumi VolumeCare+ Mascara (£31, uk.rumicosmetiques.com), designed for mature women with thinning lashes.

To customize the Bridgerton glow for older women, Erika notes, “I love layering a few different highlighters on top of each other.” For black and white photography I use the old Hollywood technique. The light hits the cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin, so use a dewy gloss to brighten and lift. Apply a matte texture to dark areas to create a subtle contour.’

Erika encourages us to innovate with makeup, be artsy, and keep an eye on Gen Z techniques. “Always experiment,” she orders. ‘When in doubt, start with very little on your brush and build up. Don’t be afraid to mix colors; apply blusher by layering at least a few shades. If you want to experiment with color, buy an inexpensive brand first and then invest once you know what you like. There are no age-appropriate looks.”

‘Make-up should give you strength.’ Amen to that.

Hair perfume

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Hair Perfume (now £51, johnlewis.com)

Hot date? Try Jacques Polge’s amber flirt.

Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume (from £34, cult beauty.co.uk)

Inspired by the brand’s bee garden, this scent adds shine and helps strengthen.

Diptyque Hair Mist Eau Capital (£58, spacenk.com)

Nourishing camellia oil and scented with pink peppercorns, patchouli and rose.

Byredo Blanche hair perfume (£60, byredo.com)

This addictive, fresh, light aroma leaves hair delicately perfumed all day long.

Moroccooil Hair and Body Fragrance Mist (£12.85, sephora.co.uk)

A portable option for a quick zhoosh in warm weather: an exotic blend of spicy amber and sweet floral notes.

Cosmetic desire

I’m late to the party with Trinny London Miracle Blur (£26, trinnylondon.com), one of this amazing British businesswoman’s most loved products. Infused with collagen and elastin, this brilliant fade sold out six times – at its peak it was bought every six seconds.

The reason? It functions. Apply with fingers before or after makeup using the flawless, fast application for which the Trinny Woodall brand is famous, and your lip lines, wrinkles, acne scars, hollow pores and/or cushion dents will be instantly veiled. It’s also wonderful if you go without makeup.

Here’s the quick fix we’ve all been dreaming of.

My icon of the week

Jessica Alba

The actress, 43, starts her day with Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Powder drink mix (from £30.65, amazon.co.uk) to keep skin hydrated.

During the day, she uses Honest Beauty Daily Green Juice Antioxidant Super Serum ($24.99, honest.com); overnight, Honest Hydrogel Cream (£26.45, amazon.co.uk). She massages with a Shani Darden Sculpting Wand (£236.60, cultbeauty.co.uk).