Bridgerton fans have a theory as to why Eloise Bridgerton is looking a little different this season.
The first half of season four of the Netflix series turns its attention to Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), following his fairytale-leaning romance with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) after the pair cross paths at a masquerade ball.
Even with Benedict and Sophie at the heart of the story, the rest of the Bridgerton clan are dealing with their own shifts. Eloise (Claudia Jessie), in particular, has declared herself “on the shelf” and seems noticeably more reserved as she grapples with what her future is supposed to look like in society.
Viewers have also clocked that her makeup appears much more minimal this time around, and many are questioning what’s behind the change.
Hair and makeup designer Nic Collins spoke to Teen Vogue about the approach to Sophie Baek’s styling and where the broader beauty choices were headed this season.
Collins said the team’s choices were guided by what felt most appropriate for the period.
“You’re always trying to hit within the period; the roses, the blushes, all those kinds of colors that were fashionable back then,” she told the publication.
“And it’s the season of romance as well. It’s like everything is kind of a bit muted and pastel and kind of pretty.”
That softer, more romantic palette could explain why Eloise’s look feels less bold than in earlier seasons.
Still, plenty of fans don’t think it’s purely an aesthetic decision.
On Reddit, members of the r/Bridgerton community have been analysing Eloise’s styling, and some believe the subtler makeup is intentional foreshadowing.
“What is going on with the makeup this season?” one viewer asked just days before season four part two was due to release.
“This is specifically about Eloise, because I love her + there’s (of course) been loads of speculation as to who’s going to be the next season’s main character, and people have wondered if the reason she’s been looking the way she does is because they want that extra OOMPH for her glow up if she IS the mc for s5.”
They added: “I’d like to point out that I am loving this season and Eloise has looked beautiful in certain episodes, but I just don’t understand why they’ve taken this route.”
Other commenters echoed the idea, suggesting the show could be deliberately holding back on Eloise’s styling to make a future transformation feel more dramatic—especially if she steps into the spotlight in season five.
“I think part of it is her ‘glow down’ before her season. I also think part of it is her ‘on the shelf’ storyline. They’re trying to make her look more spinsterish,” one fan weighed in.
“Potentially because she’s meant to be hitting a bit of a rock bottom with everyone this season,” another agreed.
“I think it’s one part for the stark comparison, much like we got for Penelope and her awful wigs and dresses s2 and gorgeous styling for s3, and one part showing just how much being stuck in society is wearing her down emotionally and physically,” somebody else reckoned.
Another person pointed out that Eloise looked “really pretty” in a moment shared with Sophie, adding: “I don’t get why they didn’t keep this energy throughout?”
One fan suggested a story reason for the difference: “She’s having a moment of connection with Sophie here (I think?)… so maybe that’s why she looks a lot brighter?”
Meanwhile, others thought the shift might be less deliberate, and more about practical factors during filming—like unflattering lighting, or Claudia Jessie not feeling her best on certain shooting days.
Bridgerton season four part two releases with four episodes on Thursday, February 26.
In the US, they’ll drop at midnight PT, 2am CT and 3am ET.
UK viewers can stream the episodes from 8am GMT.
In Canada, the four new episodes release at 12am in Vancouver and 3.00 am in Toronto, while Australian fans can tune in from 4pm in Perth and 7pm in Sydney.