When it comes to beauty, there’s a certain thrill in going all out and embracing the glitz and allure of a glam makeup look. Doing so can help you standout from the crowd and look your best, especially for big events and special occasions.
One of our favorite things about going glam is that there are so many different glam makeup looks, meaning you’ll be able to find something that truly feels like you. You might opt for a soft glam makeup vibe, sporting neutral lids and glossy lips, or prefer to sport full glam makeup with a sparkly cut crease and vivid red lipstick. You can even add rhinestone embellishments to your look. All are stunning and worthy options to consider.
If you aren’t sure where to start with glam makeup, follow our step-by-step tutorial below. We’re breaking down everything that goes into a good glamorous look.
Glam makeup embraces bold, dramatic elements to create a striking and sophisticated look. It typically involves wearing foundation, contour, a smokey eye, a dramatic lip color, and plenty of highlighter. However, it can be tailored to your tastes and comfort level. Really, glam makeup looks can be anything that goes beyond your everyday norm for occasions where you want to be a little fancier.
Full glam makeup takes the concept of glam to the next level. It usually starts with a full-coverage foundation to create a smooth, even base, followed by contouring to sculpt and define the face. The eyes are often enhanced with bold eyeshadow and complemented by dramatic false lashes for added intensity. The lips are typically finished with a rich, statement color or glossy finish. A generous amount of highlighter is key for completing the look, ensuring that every angle of your face catches the light just right.
Like glam makeup in general, there are lots of full glam variations to try. A statement-making cut crease, flattering red lip, and sharp winged eyeliner are a few of our favorite ideas. You can even inject some nostalgia into your look with Y2K-inspired makeup. The options are essentially endless, but the bottom line is: Full glam makeup is all about achieving a dramatic, show-stopping effect that stands out and leaves a lasting impression.
Glam makeup may require a few more steps and products than you’re used to. This is when you break out all your glitters, long-wear formulas, and dramatic highlighters. As for how to use them, you’ll find our complete guide to creating a glamorous makeup look ahead.
Preparation is key for most things in life, and this holds true for makeup. Prepping your skin helps create a smooth, clean canvas for your makeup look.
First things first, you don’t want to apply makeup on top of dirt, oil, and other impurities. That’s why cleansing should always be the first step in your routine. Reach for a gentle yet effective cleanser like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser. The formula with vitamin C helps to remove all traces of makeup and impurities while gently exfoliating dead skin cells and helping to enhance skin smoothness.
Next up is adding moisture to your skin. This is an important step for everyone, regardless of skin type, but you’ll want to select a moisturizer that suits your skin. Oily skin types should look for a lightweight, non-greasy formula (such as L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer) while drier skin types should look for intensely hydrating formulas (like L’Oréal Paris Moisture Filler Facial Anti-Aging Moisturizer).
If you’re doing glamorous makeup in the daytime, don’t forget to also apply SPF. The L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion is a great option because it layers well with makeup.
Finally, it’s time for a primer. You might be tempted to skip this step, but it’s key to long-lasting glam makeup, especially if you have oily skin or live in a hot climate. If large pores are a concern of yours, the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Pore Minimizer is a great option. You can apply it either all over your face or focus it on problem areas, like your T-zone.
Editor’s Tip: The Prime Lab line includes options for other skin concerns, too. Try the Redness Eraser, Dullness Reducer or Matte Setter depending on your skin’s needs.
Once you’ve prepped your skin, it’s time to reach for foundation and concealer to start creating a flawless-looking complexion.
With any makeup look, you don’t want a harsh line where your foundation meets your neck. That makes selecting the right shade of foundation essential. This isn’t always easy, but we know a few tips:
Going beyond color, you’ll want to select a formula that suits your skin type and desired level of coverage. For example, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 32HR Fresh Wear Foundation offers buildable coverage, while L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum is a more sheer and lightweight option. If you prefer powder, you can try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder, which has buildable coverage and delivers a long-lasting, flawless-looking finish.
Once you choose your foundation, you can apply it with a makeup brush or sponge. To get a natural-looking, skin-like finish, take a less-is-more approach. It’s difficult to remove foundation once you’ve applied it but you can always build-up coverage if you find you need more in certain areas. Last but not least, make sure to blend well.
Take your complexion perfecting a step further by using a concealer that’s one to two shades lighter than your skin tone to brighten your eye area. Try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer, which helps neutralize dark circles. Dot the concealer at the outer corner of each eye and blend it out for a wide-awake finish.
If there are any blemishes you’d like to cover, stick to a shade of concealer that’s true to your skin tone. Dab a tiny (and we mean tiny) amount onto the blemish and lightly tap to blend. Repeat this process if you need more coverage.
For both full glam and soft glam makeup looks, sculpting and highlighting is a must. This includes applying contour and highlighter, as well as using other face-defining products like blush.
Google “glam makeup,” and you’ll notice everyone pictured has sharp cheekbones and other well-defined features. To get the look, take a dense blending brush and apply the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, sides of your nose, jawline, and temples. Use a damp makeup sponge to help blend out any harsh lines.
Editor’s Tip: If contour intimidates you, try underpainting. Grab a shade of concealer that is two shades darker than your skin tone and use it to contour before you apply foundation. When you add foundation on top, you’ll be left with softly sculpted cheeks.
If you ask us, you can’t have super glam makeup without a dramatic highlight. It makes all the difference in how eye-catching your look is. For a bold look, we love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up To 24HR Highlighter Longwear Powder, whereas the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer is perfect for soft glam makeup. Apply either highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow for a balanced, glowing visage.
Blush helps pull the rest of your face makeup together. It also can help you look more radiant and youthful, which is why we never recommend skipping this step. Pick a shade of the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush that suits your skin tone, and apply it to your cheeks. A dusting on the apples of your cheeks is great for a soft, rounded look, and applying it higher can have a sculpting effect. We recommend reading our article on blush placement to determine what will work best for you.
Glam eye makeup requires expert application, so be sure to take your time with this step. And remember: Practice makes perfect.
As we mentioned, the smokey eye is something of a hallmark of glam makeup. To create one, start by applying a shimmery nude or champagne eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Twinkly Rose. Swipe it all over your lid, around the inner corner of your eye, and beneath the arch of your brow. Then, brush the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Mix and Matte into your crease as a transition shade. Next, layer the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte It Up on top to define your crease. You can stop there or, If you want more shimmer, layer the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup onto the center of your lids.
Once you master this eyeshadow look, you can also have fun with it and try different styles and colors. A great way to choose colors is based on your own eye color. Blue eyes look amazing with peaches, bronzes, and golds. Brown eyes are well suited to greens, plums, and blues. Hazel eyes go great with browns, golds, greens, and purples. And green eyes can pull off purples, golds, and pinks perfectly.
After you’ve completed your eyeshadow, grab your favorite liquid eyeliner to create your wings. We love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner because it has an ultra-precise felt tip and a long-wearing, waterproof formula. If you haven’t mastered winged eyeliner just yet, check out our tutorial, which breaks down the process based on your eye shape.
You can also use a gel eyeliner pencil, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner, to tightline your upper lash line. This will make your lashes look thicker, and who doesn’t want that? For an edgier look, apply the same liner to your lower lash line and use the built-in smudger to smoke it out.
No makeup look is complete without a few coats of your favorite mascara. Amp up the drama and give your fringe a lash lift effect with the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Washable Mascara. For an extra dose of glam, you can also add a pair of false lashes to your look. (Here’s How To Apply False Lashes Step-by-Step, if you need a refresher.)
Your eyebrows frame your face, adding structure and balance. This makes them a crucial element in achieving the polished, glamorous finish that you’re seeking.
There are a number of different eyebrow makeup products you can use to shape and define your arches. Pencils, gels, mascaras, pomades, and so on are all great options. If we had to choose though, we’d recommend the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up To 24HR Brow Lamination. This easy-to-use gel gives brows a salon-inspired, laminated look. It’s perfect if you want celeb-worthy glam makeup since brow lamination has been all over red carpets lately. Simply swipe the precise, angled applicator through your brow hairs in short, upward strokes for lifted, fuller-looking brows.
There are just two steps left to perfect your look.
When you’re going glam, your choice of lipstick is very important. For a velvety lip, reach for matte lipstick, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick. The ultra-pigmented formula is infused with hyaluronic acid and doesn’t feel dry on the lips. It also comes in a variety of gorgeous shades, including deep reds, berry pinks, and soft peaches (check out all the options below).
If you’re hoping for something more luminous, try a satin lipstick, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick. This creamy lipstick has a smudge-proof finish and comes in a variety of neutral shades to suit all skin tones. It also doesn’t hurt to layer a lip gloss on top if you really want to shine bright.
After your makeup is done, set everything in place with a setting mist, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist. Hold the bottle six to eight inches from your skin and spritz the formula over your entire face. The formula is transfer-, smudge-, and water-resistant, so you can rock your glam look all night (or day) without fear of your makeup fading away.
Next Up: How To Apply Makeup Like a Pro
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