Will the Hair & Makeup in Hamnet become the Biggest Beauty Trend for 2026?

How the Hair & Makeup in Hamnet quietly Captivated Me!

There’s a special kind of grace in beauty that doesn’t announce itself, the work that doesn’t tell you it’s art, but makes you believe it. That was my overwhelming response to the hair and makeup in Hamnet, one of the most beautiful films I went to see recently.

The design in this emotionally rich film is so deeply authentic that you absorb it as part of the world. It never distracts. It doesn’t sparkle for attention. Instead, it breathes life into every face and every scene. That level of believable beauty, i believe, is the hallmark of artistry at its best.

Hamnet : Hair & Makeup as Storytelling

In Hamnet, the Hair & Makeup Designer credited is Nicole Stafford, with Marie Deehan as Key Hair and Makeup Artist, whose work helps anchor the film’s 16th-century world with subtle historical integrity and tactile realism. Their invisible craft quietly supports the emotional rhythm of the story. From the earthy tones to the authentic imperfections of everyday life of that period, this eloquent artisty profoundly enhances the narrative.

Why This Artistry Deserves Celebration

Professional hair and makeup artistry in film and editorial are not merely “beauty work”

they are essential components of storytelling. The best work feels inevitable. It feels true. It feels like it could only have existed in that place, that time, on that character.

This is why we call these artists, artists. They don’t just apply products; they interpret worlds, translate history, and shape belief.

To be truly informed for creative expression, an artist must understand not just anatomy or technique, but ideally history too. Knowing how people lived, the social codes, cultural markers, everyday realities, is central to creating period authenticity we believe without conscious thought.

Looking Beyond Hamnet: Celebrating World-Class Talent

Some of the most respected voices in both editorial and film makeup know this beautifully:

• Morag Ross, BAFTA-winning Make-Up Artist and member of the ABAB26 judging panel, has spent decades bringing cinematic characters to life with nuanced, character-driven makeup. Her film work spans artful beauty and transformative character design, and her presence on the panel speaks to the calibre of artistry we revere.

• Sara Raeburn, a make-up artist whose film experience informs her refined sense of texture, tone, and narrative suitability, brings the discipline of cinema into every face she touches — whether on set or in editorial.

• Kim, Florrie, and Kelly - editorial and celebrity artists whose portfolios include unique but unforgettable beauty moments, remind us why editorial makeup is not flashy for flashiness’s sake, but a foundational force in shaping cultural aesthetics.

Together, these artists embody what I think of as believable beauty, looks that resonate and endure precisely because they are anchored in reality, informed by history, and executed with profound skill and love of what they do. I am so grateful to have these incredible artists and peers on the ABA26 judges panel - every beauty or skincare entry will be tested by the best in real-time situations.

The Unseen Backbone of Every Frame

When an editorial, red-carpet moment or a film like Hamnet mesmerises you, it’s not just the performances or the cinematography that pull you in. It’s the way each element, including hair and makeup feels just right.

It’s the kind of design that doesn’t make you see it; it makes you feel it.

That, to me, is what beauty truly is: the unseen talent behind every unforgettable story.

Attracta Courtney - Editorial Make-Up Artist & Founder!