What did we learn From The Shards’ beauty looks? The ’80s have never been this cool
Ever since the first trailer dropped online, there was little doubt that The Shards, the TV series produced by Ryan Murphy and inspired by Bret Easton Ellis’ thriller novel of the same name, would win over plenty of viewers. And it’s not just because of its exceptional cast, which includes industry kids like Homer Gere and Kaia Gerber. While its intricately twisted plot and countless splatter-level plot twists draw viewers into an irresistible mix of action and glamour, the beauty looks of the teen drama, now ready to stream on Disney+, are set to take over the current hair and make-up trend cycle. Accompanied by the unforgettable sound of Heart of Glass, perfectly in tune with the decade in question, the series gives us a style map built around nostalgia, boldness and freedom of expression.
The Shards’ beauty looks confirm the ’80s comeback
Set in a glittering Los Angeles in 1981, The Shards follows the lives of a group of upper-class American high school students who find themselves dealing with the arrival of a new classmate and, at the same time, a brutal and mysterious serial killer ready to claim a considerable number of victims across the city. Between over-the-top parties, picture-perfect mansions that become golden cages to escape the pressure of growing up, and vinyl records that spark fleeting dreams, the characters of the teen drama that has already made Gen Z and Millennials fall in love become beauty icons in their own right. They allow us to experience, even if only through a confident swipe of mascara, a golden age defined by contradictions, mystery and an undeniable sense of sexiness.
Susan Reynolds and Debbie Schaffer: powerhouse femininity
The first, played by Kaia Gerber, is a model student and the daughter of Los Angeles’ most respected doctor. The second, portrayed by singer Hayes Warner, is a somewhat ditzy girl who hides a deep-rooted fragility beneath the surface. Although they share a privileged lifestyle and a long-standing friendship that sometimes slips into subtle rivalry, Susan Reynolds and Debbie Schaffer are defined by beauty looks that are different yet perfectly complementary. Susan embodies the essence of old-money style: a second-skin base, voluminous but never overly showy hair, bare/nude nails, a touch of black mascara and a hint of eyeliner softly blended along the inner lash line. Debbie’s make-up and hairstyle, on the other hand, are deliberately more fancy and pop. From her peroxide blonde hair, à la Blondie, framing a mid-length butterfly cut, to layer after layer of tinted gloss reapplied between classes, her vampy look could only be completed by a seductive red manicure. Together, the two become different sides of the same coin, embodying a confident, magnetic kind of femininity.
Bret Ellis, Robert Mallory and Thom Wright: the allure of rich kids
When it comes to grooming, too, The Shards offers plenty of interesting references. Driving their vintage cars while invariably wearing sunglasses, enemies/lovers Bret Ellis (Igby Rigney) and Robert Mallory (Homer Gere) sport, respectively, a voluminous side-part with a preppy attitude and a short haircut styled into a soft, voluminous slicked-back finish. Tom Wright (Graham Campbell), Susan’s boyfriend and future prom king, takes a different approach. Unlike the other two protagonists, Tom’s angelic blonde hair is enhanced by perfectly defined, soft curls, reinforcing the archetype of the Los Angeles golden boy. And if we had to imagine what fragrances these rich kids would wear? The only confirmed scent across the different episodes is Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent, an aromatic fougère that was particularly popular at the time. But if we were to reinterpret these characters through a contemporary lens, we’re pretty sure they would go for bold, instantly recognisable scents built around spicy or sophisticated floral notes, blending seamlessly with the scent of their favourite aftershave. To finish it all off, one swipe of nourishing lip balm is enough to create lips made for kissing under the lights of a disco ball.
Style tips for a flawless outfit
No beauty look is complete without the right clothes to elevate it and make it feel authentic. To recreate an ’80s outfit inspired by the characters of The Shards, focus on the decade’s coolest staples: high-waisted trousers, oversized silk shirts, preppy polos and tailored jackets. The goal? To imagine yourself wandering the halls of Buckley School or heading to an end-of-school-year party in a lavish Bel-Air mansion.
