When it comes to shaping culture through color, few names shine as brightly as Donni (Doniella) Davy. The two-time Emmy-winning makeup artist and visionary behind Euphoria’s unforgettable beauty looks has turned glitter tears and rhinestone liner into emotional storytelling tools—and in doing so, helped redefine what makeup can mean.
But Donni’s impact extends far beyond the screen. She’s also the founder of Half Magic Beauty, a boundary-breaking brand that invites everyone to express themselves with boldness and joy. She’s also racked up a roster of powerhouse collaborators like Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp, and Mindy Kaling, proving that she’s more influential than ever.
As we wait for Season 3 of Euphoria to finally hit our screens, we caught up with Donni to talk about the emotional roots of her work, the creative energy of working with fearless artists, and why the future of beauty is deeply personal—and a whole lot more fun.
When you think back to Season 1 of Euphoria, did you have any idea it would become this influential?
Honestly, no. In the beginning, I was just focused on building a visual language for the characters that felt truthful to who they were. I wasn’t thinking about trends or virality. I just wanted the makeup to feel alive, like it belonged to them. The fact that it resonated so widely still amazes me. It showed me that people were craving something more emotional and experimental from beauty than what they were being offered.
How do you approach designing makeup that’s not just gorgeous, but emotionally resonant for each character?
For me, it always starts with the inner world of the character. Makeup is never just decoration; it’s storytelling. I think about what they’re going through, how they want to be seen, or what they might be hiding. Sometimes a rhinestone or a smudged eyeliner says more than the dialogue needs to!
You’ve also worked with bold voices like Chappell Roan and Reneé Rapp—what’s the energy like when creating with artists who bring
