The world has gone mad for Bridgerton and any little behind-the-scenes anecdote that gets leaked about life on set makes headlines instantaneously. When Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey (who plays Anthony Briderton) appeared in discussion with Lorraine Kelly on Lorraine, the much-loved presenter questioned him about a picture the actor had posted on social media showing a make-up artist applying make-up directly to his derriere. Lorraine commented 'Now that's got to be one of the best jobs in the world - that's the wee lady who is, I think they call it 'fluffing' - is that what they do?'. Jonathan neatly swerved Lorraine's 'fluffer' confusion before replying 'I don't know what they call it Lorraine - I think they call it ice breaking!'. He then revealed that the event occurred during his very first scene.
Why was the Bridgerton make-up task force applying product to Anthony Bridgerton's bottom? Jonathan relayed on the show that 'it was just a de-shine of the botty'. That was the answer given by Jonathan Bailey on Lorraine but Grazia has a bit of inside intel that tells a different story.
Grazia had the pleasure of talking all things Bridgerton with the show's legendary make-up and hair designer Marc Pilcher and hair and make-up supervisor Lynda Pearce who clarified that Jonathan Bailey's bum required the attention of the make-up department that day not because it was too shiny, but because it boasted, on the day in question, a very visible Speedo tan line, not something the average Viscount would have been is possession of in Regency London!
'Johnny's bottom was out and he had a slight Speedo tan line,' explained Marc. 'He made a joke and said he had a shiny bum, but Johnny's ever the clown so he was always going to say something like that, but that was the real reason. I would normally do Johnny's make up but I was back at the bus at that point so one of the girls looked after him and she said "Oh can I check your bum?" and he had a visible Speedo tan line so she set about covering that up.' See, you can always count on Grazia to get to the bottom of an behind-the-scenes make-up mystery. No pun intended.
All The Best Hairstyles In Bridgerton And What They Say About Each Character:
Best Hairstyles In Bridgerton
Daphne Bridgerton The Debutante
Daphne Bridgerton enters society as a debutante via her presentation to the Queen. The occoasion at the start of each season in London was an elaborate affair and important in setting the tone for each lady's season and prospects on the marriage mart. Daphne wears her hair curled in the latest fashions, leaves her neck exposed (this was thought the most elegant part of a woman's body at the time) and wears her family jewels to best represent the Bridgerton name. The message? Daphne Bridgerton is a viable contender to be named the season's diamond of the first water.
Eloise Bridgerton
Eloise Bridgerton is yet to make her debut in society. As such she is not soliciting callers and not yet looking for marriage. Her hair and her hemlines are both sound signals. Her hair is left to drop over her shoulders as was the fashion for children of the time, rather than being tied up to reveal a more adult and elegant stretch of neck.
Daphne Bridgerton At Home
Home life for a lady out in society called for modesty. Here Daphne eschews her fine hair accessories and jewels (which might be deemed vulgar outside of a ball) for a simple half-up-half-down do, which signals her adulthood whilst speaking to her purity - an essential trait in the marriage mart.
Lady Danbury
Lady Danbury hails from an era that followed the fashions of France to the letter. Women in England copied the towering powdered hairstyles that became so popular at the court of Versailles (think Marie Antoinette). That Lady Danbury's hairstyle is, in comparison to those fashions, unelaborate and modest, unpowdered and entirely elegant speaks to her character. We must assume, from her hairstyle, that this woman is unfussy, forthright an forward thinking.
Marina Thompson
Here Marina Thompson wears flowers in her hair, speaking to her love of the outdoors and appreciation of nature. Women of the time were required to be accomplished. Most learned to play an instrument, all took up needlework, many drew and a few studied botany. There was a focus on the outdoors and English countryside during the Regency period as the Napoleonic wars very much closed society off from travel. Society's gaze turned from exploring the continent to making the most of the great outdoors on their doorstep. In wearing flowers in her hair Marina appears at once fashionable and modest.
Anthony Bridgerton
Don't for one minute think that men put any less thought into their hairstyles during the Regency period than women. Men like Beau Brummell became celebrities of the time and set fashions as keenly as the A-listers of today. In wearing their sideburns bold and their hair on top long they sought to channel the power of the warriors of Ancient Greece. And who better to wear a power-heavy haircut than Lord Bridgerton?
Penelope Featherington
We'd hazard a guess that if Penelope Featherington had things her way her hair would be styled in the more fashionable, less-is-more way like Daphne. As it is she's under the rule of Lady Featherington and her hair appears more in the style of the elaborate French courtiers of the late eighteenth century. Penelope's hairstyle at the time would have been seen as outdated and a little OTT - more a reflection of her mother than Penelope we think.
Cressida Cowper
Cressida Cowper's high and elaborate hairstyles make her look severe and intimidating - if that's not a true reflection of her Briderton character we don't know what is! Ladies of the time would be helped to dress for balls by their lady's maid and it's clear Cressida's is required to devote a lot of time to her hair. Her accessories and elaborate style speak to both her wealth, and her determination to snag a husband before the season is out.
Benedict Bridgerton
Benedict Bridgerton's hair doesn't boast the bold sideburns of his brother Lord Bridgerton, but that subtle sweeping of the hair on top is reminiscent of the style of the Romantic poets that became popular towards the end of the Regency period. Benedict is an artist and his hair speaks to his creativity.
Colin Bridgerton
Colin is the second youngest Bridgerton boy and it is evident he feels free of the duties that both his older brothers Anthony and Benedict feel bound to. As such his hairstyle appears a longer, livelier and more playful.
Queen Charlotte
Regality. That is the message that emanates from Queen Charlotte's hair and rightly so. As an older woman the Queen would likely have adhered to the fashions of her youth, meaning the bold, high, powdered wigs of the late eighteenth century, before the days of the French revolution when the English studiously followed the fashions of France and the decadence of the court at Versailles was entirely a la mode.
READ MORE: Why Daphne Bridgerton's Micro-Fringe Is The Mood We All Need Right Now
READ MORE: Bridgerton Beauty: How Regency Women REALLY Did Their Hair And Make-Up