'Bridgerton': Why Penelope Featherington's jaw-dropping glow-up for Season 3 was much-needed
LONDON, ENGLAND: 'Bridgerton' isn't just all about the matchmaking of the nobility. It also enjoys dabbling into stunning makeovers every season.
Every time a character takes center stage in 'Bridgerton', they undergo a massive transformation that's hard to ignore. 'Bridgerton' Season 3 keeps the tradition alive as Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) share the spotlight with their steamy transition from friends to lovers.
Let's be honest! Penelope hasn't been a charming diva up until this moment. She definitely had some notable moments in the earlier seasons, but she was constantly undervalued and poorly dressed by her erratic mother.
One may wonder if her dramatic transformation from an "ugly duckling" to a stunning marriage prospect was required.
How was Penelope Featherington transformed into an eye-candy in 'Bridgerton' Season 3?
From her hair to make-up to her clothes, everything has changed about Penelope in Season 3. Erika Okvist, hair, and makeup designer for 'Bridgerton', aimed for a classic Hollywood siren look for Penelope.
She told Slate, "We’re just enhancing all the lines going up. So, we’ve got these cheekbones going up to God, as I say. We’ve got a snatched jawline, we’ve got the cat eyes. All of these shapes that I talk about are very well documented on almost all Hollywood starlets. Basically, we wanted to create a siren."
For Season 3, Penelope’s signature natural curls have been styled with an Old Hollywood glam touch. Her eye shadow and lashes are winged and she's also wearing shimmery shadows in bolder shades.
There's an evident change from her childish look in Season 1 to being a fully-grown woman, overcoming the shadows of her mother in Season 3.
Commenting on her wardrobe change, Okvist further said, "With the early Penelope, the clothes were wearing her, and now she’s wearing clothes that she glows in. We use colors that are absolutely perfect for this type of alabaster skin."
Penelope Featherington's transformation highlights her journey in 'Bridgerton'
Penelope's makeover was a calculated decision. The idea was to break the myth that she couldn't ever get a husband. However, was the transformation in physical terms necessary?
Well, the real reason behind Penelope’s glow-up isn't just fashion but confidence. In previous seasons, she was shy and insecure. Now, she’s breaking away from her mother and becoming her own person.
She has finally come to terms that she could never be with Colin Bridgerton. And therefore, she dresses up to slay. She is here to seduce a nobility with her charm.
Midway through Part 1 of Season 3, it is realized that it's not her physical appearance that can swoon a man. Her honesty and comfort in her own skin is what finally makes her find a match.
This visual transformation is just used to highlight her journey to becoming a strong, confident woman.
How to stream 'Bridgerton'?
'Bridgerton' is available to stream exclusively on Netflix. All the episodes of Seasons 1 and 2 are available for binge-watch on the platform.
The release of 'Bridgerton' Season 3 has been divided into two parts. The first part, consisting of four episodes, premiered on May 16, 2024. 'Bridgerton' Season 3 Part 2 is scheduled to be released on June 13, 2024.
'Bridgerton' Season 3 trailer
