From Wuthering Heights to Bridgerton, ‘period drama make-up’ is this season’s biggest trend. Here’s how to nail it
From heavy-handed windswept blusher to ‘corset hair’, the hair and make-up looks in Bridgerton and the upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights are encouraging us to recreate period drama beauty. Here, we break down exactly how to achieve it.
Ever since the first Wuthering Heights teasers dropped back in September, we’ve been somewhat obsessed. From the velvety tones of Charli xcx singing in the background to rendering us incapable of ever seeing bread kneading in the same way again, there’s so much to take in from the snippets we’ve seen ahead of the film’s release on 13 February. But one major talking point in the Stylist office? The incredible hair and make-up.
There are so many different parts to Catherine Earnshaw’s (Margot Robbie), beauty looks that we’re eager to try ourselves. In fact, Robbie’s own looks while promoting the movie have been saved for future beauty inspo, too.
To help you recreate them yourself, we’ve broken them down into our four favourite beauty elements from the movie’s trailer: heavy-handed windswept blusher, a ‘just-bitten’ lip, tumbling Wuthering waves and, of course, ‘corset hair’. In fact, a lot of these beauty moments cross over with another period drama favourite of the moment: Bridgerton season four. It’s fair to say that period drama is very much in, and it’s set to be a huge trend this year. Keen to get on board? Scroll on for our breakdown…
A windswept flush
It wouldn’t be a period drama look without some serious layers of blush. In all of the Wuthering Heights trailers and teasers, Robbie can be seen with bright, flushed cheeks. While in Bridgerton, heavy-handed blusher is a standout feature to any beauty look. To create this, the key is to opt for a balm or liquid texture, where you can concentrate the pigment and diffuse out the edges for a more natural finish.
Chanel N°1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm
When make-up artist Patti Dubroff posted the beauty breakdown for Margot Robbie’s look at the LA world premiere of Wuthering Heights, she confessed: “It’s all about the blush.” On Robbie’s cheeks, she used these Chanel lip and cheek pots, blending Berry Boost and Red Camelia together on her hand before applying it to the cheeks.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash Blush Water Tint
Some people might find tints intimidating but this water-based one has a lovely sheer wash, which means it’s hard to go overboard. I recommend using the pipette directly to the face and then buffing it out with a brush to get your perfect blend.
Shop Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash Blush Water Tint at Victoria Beckham Beauty, £44
Vieve Sunset Blush Balm
This liquid blush delivers the perfect amount of pigment that can be built up beautifully, depending on how windswept you’d like to look. Plus, it’s packed with skin-soothing ingredients like anthemis nobilis flower water which helps to prevent dry patches.
Tumbling Wuthering waves
While out promoting Wuthering Heights, Margot Robbie has been serving some incredible beauty moments, and one of our favourites comes in the form of these waves. Nostalgic and mermaid-esque, her hairstylist, Bryce Scarlett, takes any beachy-ness away by pulling the front sections into a hair-up hairdo.
Hershesons Wavemaker
Ever find your arm goes achy holding up a set of tongs in order to achieve the perfect wave? Hershesons solved the dilemma with this clever automatic rolling barrel, which not only does all the hard styling work, but has a cooling and setting function, too.
Ghd Wave Triple Barrel Hair Waver
If you prefer a slightly more structured and defined finish, opt for a triple-barrel hair waver like this. You simply run it down the lengths of your hair, clamping in sections – and yes, like its other tools, Ghd has ensured it only goes up to 185˚C to maintain hair health.
Beauty Works Waver
Similar to the Ghd option, this waver requires clamping down onto the hair in sections to get glossy S-shaped waves. This is Beauty Works’ smaller option, meaning it works well on all hair lengths, including a lob.
A just-bitten lip
When it comes to period dramas, heavily pigmented, overbearing lipsticks are out. Instead, the main characters in Wuthering Heights and Bridgerton often sport a tint on their lips with a blurred finish, nailing the ‘just-bitten’ trend that is set to be huge in 2026, thanks to make-up artists like Nina Park.
Violette_Fr Bisou Balm
Combining the powers of a sheer-matte lipstick with a hydrating balm, this beauty editor favourite is inspired by the French favourite lip look ‘bouche mordue’, meaning a ‘just-bitten’ finish. It achieves this perfectly with a soft, blurred finish.
Caudalie Tinted Lip Conditioner
If you want to tick off the just-bitten trend but have seriously dry lips (*slowly raises hand*), this is the formula for you. It hydrates lips while also protecting them against further oxidative stressors. Plus, it delivers an on-trend raspberry shade that suits all skin tones.
Nars Afterglow Lip Balm
Not only is this lip balm formulated with an ultra-hydrating monoï complex, it delivers a subtle wash of colour with a slight hint of glossiness, making lips look healthy and moisturised.
Delicate hair ribbons
One big talking point from the Wuthering Heights trailer is Cathy’s ‘corset hair’. We catch a quick glimpse of the back of her head in a teaser, which shows a ribbon woven through her hair in crosses. Or, you could make like Robbie IRL, and tie the ribbons into sweet little bows and dotted around your hair.
John Lewis Double Satin Ribbon
Made with a satin finish, use this ribbon in your plaits to add a glossy touch every time you move.
Shop John Lewis Double Satin Ribbon at John Lewis, from £3.75
Hobbycraft Wine Satin Ribbon
Match your hair ribbon to your berry-bitten lip or windswept flush with this wine-coloured ribbon. Again, made with satin, it brings a pretty shine to any hair look.
Images: Getty; courtesy of brands
