"She did it again!" That's the general reaction I hear from my peers whenever Sophia Sinot pops up on their social media feed, gushing over her most recent masterpiece. It's almost like her appearance is a breath of fresh air in the age of laissez-faire beauty routines and aesthetics—and this is coming from someone who lives by that on a daily basis. Similar to the waves made by Donni Davy's work on Euphoria, the Dutch makeup maestro has shaken up the beauty scene with her unapologetically bold, strikingly hyperfeminine glam recreated by millions online. Reflecting on the fanfare, she says, "The impact my more recent work has had globally is honestly unbelievable. Especially considering where I grew up and where I came from."
Born and raised in the small village of Huizen in the Netherlands, she grew up with an affinity for the visual arts which later led into the realm of powders and pigments. "Once I realised I could express moods, emotions, and entire concepts through a face, it felt clear that this was what I wanted to do." Crediting her mother for her outlook on the world, she finds inspiration at every turn: Nature, fashion, architecture, you name it. "I also get a lot of inspiration from my dreams. I have notes filled with strange, random drawings when I wake up and immediately try to sketch whatever idea I had, but sometimes, I look at them the next morning and don't remember what it was," she laughs. She’d go on to hone her craft at the House of Orange Makeup School in Amsterdam before registering herself as a business and grinding to build her name in the industry.
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Fast forward to today, the London-based Sinot has done makeup for the likes of Katseye, Doja Cat, Troye Sivan, and, most recently, SZA at the 2026 Met Gala. Her work isn't just about looking pretty, rather, it's about creating a feeling or telling a story through a kaleidoscope of colours and textures. "I don't love over-planning because it can take away from the honesty of a look. I start with the person, mood, styling, sometimes even the music, and then let the look evolve naturally as I work," she shares of her creative process. "I love the painting aspect of makeup. It's meditative for me, and what makes it better is going with the flow and getting inspired throughout the process."
While her creative process is instinctive, there are a few details you’ll always spot on a Sophia Sinot makeup look. “A lot of my signatures include keeping the brows natural, and high blush placement, bringing it across the bridge of the nose,” she explains. “I also love an overlined cupid’s bow, a glittery highlighter above the brows and on the nose bridge, and contour that makes the face look snatched.” As for her own routine, she prefers matte products and exaggerated features. “I love a full beat and looking like a doll,” she says. “I swear by the Haus Labs foundation, Charlotte Tilbury pressed powder, Caia Cosmetics eyeliner, half lashes from Lilly Lashes, and lip liners from Anastasia Beverly Hills.”
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While she has a slew of star-studded clients under her belt, the name that pops up in everyone's minds when it comes to her work is Swedish superstar Zara Larsson. Having worked together since 2020, Sinot describes their workflow as easy. "There's a lot of trust between us, and we understand each other creatively," she shares. "She gives me the freedom to experiment and try things without overthinking, but beyond that, I also consider her a friend." She continues: "She’s incredibly inspiring, super talented, and also just really funny and silly, which makes working together feel more like fun than work."
Together with stylist Caterina Ospina, the trio's creative synergy helped build the looks for Larsson's most recent album Midnight Sun—a sun-soaked, dopamine-filled, summer spectacle that's taken the pop culture world by storm. "The Midnight Sun era was all about warmth, glow, and freedom, and I wanted everything to feel playful with sun-kissed skin, lots of colour, and a sense of movement," she explains. "It was really about capturing that feeling of being in the sun for hours and just having fun in life." The result? A colour-drenched Y2K dream that some might call a Bratz meets Winx Club fantasy of endless rhinestones, glitter, and high-impact pigments. In short—as the lyrics from Larsson's "Hot & Sexy" go—it's beautiful, fly, hot, and sexy.
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This concept translates perfectly on stage as seen on Larsson's recent tour, with each beauty look at every stop capturing the hearts of beauty aficionados worldwide. These include the crystal butterfly spine and pink cheetah print rhinestone tattoos created in collaboration with designer Lucas Stowe, multicoloured lashes and rhinestones in Denver, tiger striped eyes for day two in New York, hot pink star-studded galore in Sweden, and tangerine-rhinestone makeup beat in Raleigh inspired by Australian makeup artist Summer Martin's video. Martin's creation is one of the many inspired by Sinot's artistry, which has been one of the craziest parts of her career. "I love that people interpret them (her looks) in their own way and make them personal—it means everything to me," she admits. "It really shows that makeup can be a shared form of self expression and seeing those recreations also inspires me all over again. It feels like a full circle moment where creativity keeps passing back and forth."
Inspiring a new wave of maximalist beauty, Sinot’s work has been read by some as a rejection of the clean girl aesthetic that’s dominated the last few years. I was curious to know what Sinot thought of this and she doesn’t quite see it that way: “I don’t think trends die; they just shift,” she says, adding that there’s room for both to exist. "I really appreciate clean makeup and it definitely has its place. I hope people feel free to do whatever they want—makeup should be about self expression, not following one specific aesthetic."
That same thinking shapes her advice to those recreating her looks. “It doesn’t have to be perfect,” she says. Play with a cohesive colour palette or experiment with colour blocking. If something doesn’t work, wipe it away and try again. And for overthinkers like myself, she shares the best advice she’s ever received: "Not everything has to be so serious, both personally and professionally. At the end of the day, we are really just vibing on a tiny rock in the universe." Above all, she insists, “the most important part is to have fun and experiment.”
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity
With summer around the corner, Sinot shares her tips and tricks for a long-lasting makeup beat, as well as must-haves for the hot, humid season.
"Sunscreen is a must for me. Right now, I'm using the Supergoop PLAY Everyday Lotion and their SPF lip balm."
PLAY Everyday Lotion, $58 for 162ml, SUPERGOOP!.
"On days when I’m not wearing makeup, I like refreshing my skin with the Evian Mineral Water Spray."
Brumisateur Facial Spray, $10.90, EVIAN.
"I think keeping it simple works best in hot, humid weather. I stick to a minimal skincare routine, a good sunscreen, and a lightweight foundation with a bit of concealer."
Studio Radiance Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation, around $56, MAC COSMETICS.
"Instead of layering on powder, I prefer using blotting papers if my skin starts to look oily."
Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers, $25, TATCHA.
"Lip stains are also great for long wear. Lately, I’ve been loving the Lip Stay-N products from Sacheu and finishing them with a clear gloss."
Lip Liner Stay-N, $19, SACHEU.
"When I am wearing makeup, the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Setting Spray is one of my favourites."
Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, $58, CHARLOTTE TILBURY.
"For mascara, the Maybelline Sky High waterproof mascara is one of my go-tos."
Sky High Mascara, $26.70, MAYBELLINE.