When I was recently featured in the Daily Mail talking about Claudia Winkleman’s signature look on The Traitors, it reminded me just how powerful makeup and personal style can be when used as a form of self-expression. Claudia’s look has become nothing short of iconic – and what might be seen as a “beauty mistake” on someone else, she completely owns and transforms into her trademark aesthetic. It’s bold, confident, and unapologetically her.
For me, that’s what beauty is truly about – not perfection, but empowerment through authenticity. Makeup isn’t about hiding; it’s about expressing. Claudia proves that when you embrace what makes you unique, you move from following trends to setting them.
Take her tan versus pale lip combo. Many might shy away from the sharp contrast, but that’s exactly what makes it work. The golden warmth of her skin against the matte, almost ghostly lips creates a high-fashion effect – deliberate, stylised, and full of attitude. It channels a kind of 60s mod glamour, but through Claudia’s modern, mischievous lens. She doesn’t soften the edges – she leans into them.
Then there’s the eye makeup – that intense, smoky kohl liner that’s practically become part of The Traitors set design. It’s mysterious, cinematic, and full of drama. You can’t imagine the show without that stare from beneath her fringe. The makeup used not just to enhance, but to tell a story – of power, intrigue and confidence.
And of course, the fringe. Heavy, statement-making and slightly rebellious. It frames her eyes like a curtain and adds that rock’n’roll energy that makes her instantly recognisable. It’s not “neat” in the traditional sense – and that’s exactly why it works. It’s effortless, yet deliberate.
What I love most about Claudia’s style is that it breaks every rule and still feels utterly timeless. She reminds us that beauty doesn’t need to be symmetrical, soft or universally approved to be striking. It just needs to feel like you.
At Backstage, we believe in that same philosophy. Whether it’s your makeup, hair or nails, the goal isn’t to create a version of beauty that fits in – it’s to help you own your individuality and wear it with pride. Because confidence in your quirks will always outshine perfection.
