The Dazed Beauty Community, an ever-expanding encyclopaedia of global creatives and emerging talent, continues to highlight individuals redefining beauty, among them Los Angeles-based nail artist Caroline Cotten, whose distinctive work on HBO’s Euphoria has cemented manicures as a pivotal element in the series’ groundbreaking aesthetic. Since its 2019 debut, Euphoria has been a cultural phenomenon, dramatically reshaping beauty trends and influencing a generation with its avant-garde approach to makeup, fashion, and now, intricate nail artistry. As the series progresses into its highly anticipated third season, the meticulous attention to detail in its beauty looks shows no sign of abating, with Cotten’s contributions becoming an increasingly prominent feature, deeply integrated into the show’s visual storytelling.
The Euphoria Effect: A Paradigm Shift in Beauty
Euphoria did not merely follow trends; it created them. Its initial season cracked open the floodgates for glitter-heavy eyeshadow, rhinestoned liner, and vibrant, experimental makeup that transcended conventional beauty standards. This bold, unapologetic embrace of maximalist and emotionally charged aesthetics resonated deeply with audiences, particularly Generation Z, who found in the show a reflection of their own desire for authenticity and self-expression. The series became a touchstone for discussions around identity, mental health, and the complexities of adolescence, with its visual language playing a crucial role in conveying these themes. Doniella Davy, the show’s head makeup artist, became a celebrated figure, lauded for her innovative vision that transformed makeup from mere cosmetic application into a powerful narrative tool. It is within this established framework of artistic freedom and character-driven beauty that Caroline Cotten’s nail artistry found its perfect canvas, expanding the show’s visual lexicon to the fingertips of its characters.
Caroline Cotten: From Dallas Dreams to Hollywood Sets
Cotten’s journey to becoming a sought-after nail artist for one of television’s most iconic shows is rooted in a lifelong passion for intricate design and self-expression. Long before the bright lights of Hollywood, her artistic inclinations blossomed in Dallas, Texas. As a young girl, inspired by the older girls on her track team, she began painting elaborate acrylic sets after school. This early fascination quickly evolved into a dedicated practice, with Cotten meticulously planning new designs during her classes, often as a form of creative procrastination from homework. "Every day after school, I would come home and paint a whole new set of nails I had planned out during my classes that day," she recounts, highlighting the depth of her early obsession. This foundational period of relentless experimentation and self-taught skill laid the groundwork for her future career, demonstrating an innate drive to create and innovate.
Her passion, far from waning, only intensified. Cotten articulates her philosophy: "I’m always creating to find that missing puzzle piece in a look. Nails can express so much and hold so much energy at our fingertips, and I truly believe there’s a design for any mood, expression or occasion that fits just right. When you find it, nothing feels better!" This perspective underscores the profound belief in nail art as a powerful medium for personal communication and emotional resonance, a philosophy perfectly aligned with Euphoria‘s narrative ambition.
Her earliest beauty memory, experimenting with her mother’s mascara at the age of seven, further illustrates this deep-seated connection to beauty as a transformative force. "At that moment, I fell in love with make-up and thought ‘wow, I love being a girl’," she recalls, emphasizing the joy and empowerment she found in beauty from a young age. This personal connection to makeup and artistry is evident in her "covered in paint" aesthetic, a descriptor that captures her hands-on, artistic approach to beauty.
The Collaborative Vision: Nails as Narrative
Working alongside Donni Davy, Cotten’s role extended beyond mere application; it involved a deep collaborative process aimed at developing beauty looks that authentically reflected each character’s complex personality and internal emotional world. This synergy between head makeup artist and nail artist is crucial in a show where every visual detail is meticulously curated to convey subtext and character development. Davy would brief Cotten on specific scenes and the overarching creative vision, providing context that Cotten, not privy to the full scripts, could translate into tangible nail designs.
The creative process for Euphoria‘s nails was dynamic and multifaceted. Cotten utilized extensive Pinterest mood boards for each character, compiling inspiration from diverse sources including fashion, art, objects, nature, interiors, color palettes, and, naturally, countless nail designs. This comprehensive approach allowed for flexibility and rapid ideation, essential for a production schedule that often demanded last-minute sets. "It was so helpful to have a fully fleshed-out vision board to help communicate my ideas at any given time," she notes, highlighting the practical necessity of her detailed preparation. This systematic yet artistic method allowed her to create options for each character, often working directly with the actors to ensure the final designs resonated with their portrayal. Some sets were meticulously developed over weeks, while others required an intense 12-hour turnaround, showcasing Cotten’s adaptability and technical prowess under pressure.
Character-Specific Nail Art: A Deeper Dive
The diversity of Euphoria‘s characters provided Cotten with a rich palette for her artistry, ensuring that each manicure was not just an accessory but an extension of their evolving narratives.
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The Silver Slipper Dancers: Characters working at The Silver Slipper, a strip club featured in the series, often sport eye-catching, maximalist acrylics. These designs reflect their profession’s demand for glamour, confidence, and a certain performative flair. A prime example is Rosalía’s character, Magick, who in episode five, showcases a striking dollar bill and scorpion-themed manicure. This specific design is not merely decorative; the dollar bills symbolize the transactional nature of her work and perhaps her aspirations, while the scorpion could represent a fierce, protective, or even dangerous aspect of her personality, or simply a connection to her environment. Cotten teases a future appearance for Magick, hinting at "extremely long, multi-coloured, multi-textured, striped nails," a design she eagerly anticipates receiving screen time, suggesting its complex visual impact and narrative weight.
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Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer): Hunter Schafer’s Jules, an artist grappling with identity and emotional turbulence, opts for abstract, painterly styles. These designs are a direct mirror of her artistic soul and her often-fluid, dreamlike perception of the world. Her nails are less about overt glamour and more about introspective expression, using color and form in ways that suggest creativity, vulnerability, and a search for meaning. This approach aligns perfectly with Jules’s character arc, which often explores themes of self-discovery and artistic release.
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Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie): Maddy, known for her sharp wit, unwavering confidence, and impeccable style, receives designs that complement her bold personality. Cotten cites Maddy’s sheer blue floral nails from episode two as a favorite. These nails, while perhaps softer than some of Maddy’s more overtly assertive looks, still carry a sophisticated edge, blending femininity with a subtle power, reflective of Maddy’s complex persona which balances fierce independence with moments of vulnerability.
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Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney): A significant detail Cotten reveals is a "floating rose set for Cassie that references the scene from season two where Cassie is in a surrealist dream surrounded by floating pink and white roses." This design, yet to air, is a genius idea from Donni Davy that directly links Cassie’s nails to her internal world and past trauma or fantasy. Such a direct thematic connection elevates the nail art from mere aesthetic choice to a crucial narrative device, offering viewers a subtle yet profound visual Easter egg that enriches their understanding of Cassie’s psychological state. This level of detail exemplifies how Euphoria‘s beauty team meticulously crafts every element to contribute to the overall storytelling.
The Broader Impact and Future of Beauty
Euphoria‘s influence on beauty trends is undeniable, sparking a resurgence in experimental makeup and a greater appreciation for specialized artistry. Caroline Cotten’s work is a testament to the growing recognition of nail art as a legitimate and powerful form of artistic expression within the entertainment industry. Her career highlight, undoubtedly working on Euphoria, speaks volumes about the show’s iconic status and the creative freedom it affords artists. "This is definitely the longest and biggest project I’ve worked on, and it’s obviously such an iconic show for beauty!" Cotten states, expressing profound gratitude to Donni Davy for the opportunity. She emphasizes that "there aren’t many film or TV opportunities with as much creative freedom as Euphoria," highlighting the unique environment that fostered such innovative nail designs.
The implications of Euphoria‘s beauty philosophy, championed by artists like Cotten and Davy, extend beyond television screens. It has contributed to a broader cultural shift towards valuing individualism and uniqueness in beauty. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok, have amplified these trends, with countless users recreating Euphoria-inspired looks, further democratizing experimental beauty and elevating nail art to mainstream prominence. The demand for intricate, personalized manicures has surged, inspiring both professional nail technicians and at-home enthusiasts to push creative boundaries.
Looking ahead, Cotten envisions a future for beauty defined by "Individualism! Uniqueness!" This perspective aligns with the current trajectory of the beauty industry, which is increasingly moving away from prescriptive standards towards a celebration of personal style and diverse forms of self-expression. As society continues to embrace individuality, the role of specialized artists like Caroline Cotten in shaping and reflecting these evolving beauty landscapes will only grow in significance. Her work on Euphoria is not just about creating stunning nail designs; it is about contributing to a cultural dialogue on identity, emotion, and the boundless possibilities of artistic expression through beauty.
