Fans of the hit BBC show The Traitors were left stunned during Friday night's episode, but not just by the high-stakes banishment of secret traitor Fiona. In a dramatic departure from her iconic beauty look, host Claudia Winkleman swapped her beloved nude lipstick for a vivid shade of bright pink, sending social media into a frenzy.
The Dramatic Round Table Reveal
Claudia Winkleman's signature style, characterised by heavy black eyeliner and a nude lip, has become almost as talked-about as the show's twists and turns. However, during the particularly tense round table scene on Friday 9 January 2026, viewers witnessed a bold change. For this pivotal moment, Claudia chose to wear a striking magenta lipstick, a move that did not go unnoticed by her dedicated audience.
Social media platforms lit up with reactions. One Instagram user, @lucyg_on_tour, exclaimed, "@claudiawinkle in pink lip shocker!" while a fan on X declared their love for the new look. The switch was so significant that some viewers believed it was a deliberate signal. One suggested, "Claudia wore that lip because she knew this was going down in history," implying the host knew the scene would become an iconic moment from the series.
Identifying Claudia's Bold Beauty Choice
The exact product was soon identified by none other than celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge. She revealed Claudia was wearing her Insanely Saturated Lip Colour in the shade New Wave, a semi-matte bold magenta that retails for £27. The lipstick is part of Eldridge's own acclaimed cosmetics range.
The so-called 'Claudia effect' appears to be in full force, with the shade quickly selling out on Space NK following the broadcast. However, it remains available at Selfridges and directly from the Lisa Eldridge website, where it boasts dozens of five-star reviews. Fans describe it as "ultra feminine and punk at the same time" and praise its long-lasting, comfortable wear.
Back to Basics: Claudia's Usual Nude
For those who prefer Claudia's classic aesthetic, her forever-favourite nude lipstick has also been making headlines. She once told Good Housekeeping she "would marry a MAC Fleshpot if I could." Shoppers keen to emulate her usual look can currently snap up the cult product for less, as it's on sale for £20 (down from £25) at Lookfantastic.
Whether a calculated style statement for an historic TV moment or simply a playful experiment, Claudia Winkleman's pink lipstick has proven that even the smallest detail on The Traitors can become a major talking point, blending the worlds of reality TV drama and beauty into one unmissable spectacle.
