I’m a Makeup Artist & Here’s How to Nail the ‘Soft Glam’ Look You’re Seeing Everywhere
Valerie from Marielou Makeup is Melbourne's inclusive makeup artist and a beauty content creator. You can follow her work on Instagram @marielou.makeup.
If I had a dollar for every time a client has asked me for a Kim Kardashian 'natural makeup' look, I would probably be living in a mansion just like Kim K.
What they're really asking for is soft glam makeup.
As a bridal makeup artist, soft glam is my most requested makeup look. It's also my favourite look to do on myself.
But what exactly is soft glam? And what about how to do soft glam makeup at home?
Read on for your step-by-step guide to achieving a soft glam makeup look.
What Is Soft Glam Makeup?
I describe 'soft glam makeup' as a step up from natural makeup, and a step down from full glam.
Unlike a full glam look, soft glam makeup looks have no harsh lines.
Everything is nicely blended, mostly monochromatic and, well, soft!
For example, instead of a winged eyeliner, you would do a smudged eyeliner.
Colourful cut-creases become an earthy-toned smokey eye, and you'd flaunt a beautiful neutral lip instead of a bright lip.
Unlike a true 'natural' makeup look, the base of a soft glam look includes a few more complexion steps.
Think colour correction, a medium to full coverage foundation and concealer, and a soft contour, blush and highlighter.
Your soft glam look will look something like this!
Soft Glam Makeup Tutorial.
So, who can wear natural soft glam makeup looks? YOU can!
I know the thought of recreating a soft glam look à la Kim Kardashian can be a bit overwhelming.
But with time and practice, the right products (listed below) and some pro makeup tips from yours truly, you've got this in the bag.
Let me walk you through the steps I used to create this flawless soft glam.
Note: This isn't a 5-minute makeup look.
Give yourself enough time to blend (and reduce stress!). Around an hour will ensure you're not flustered rushing.
Step 1: Skin Prep.
Prepping your skin for makeup is one of the most important steps in your makeup application.
Since we are in the colder months, I like to use Skinstitut Moisture Defence - Normal Skin as it provides deep hydration and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Also, it would be a crime not to prime when creating a soft glam look.
Pro tip: You should choose a primer according to your skin type.
E.g. I'd recommend using a pore-refining or oil-controlling primer like Benefit The POREfessional Pore Primer 22mL if you have oily to combo skin.
M.A.C Cosmetics Strobe Cream is what I used for this look.
It's great for balanced or dry skin, and will give you an incredible under-foundation glow!
Step 2: Corrector for Dark Circles.
If you have dark circles as I do, use a colour corrector to cancel out the blue from under your eye area.
Since I have brown skin, I like to use the Bobbi Brown Skin Corrector Stick in shade 'Dark Peach'.
There are a whole range of shades to suit different skin tones and undertones.
Step 3: Prep the Eyelids.
Apply a matte, full coverage concealer on your lids. Why?
Matte, so as you don't have to powder, and full coverage to hide any discolouration or pigmentation on the lids in order to create an even eyeshadow base.
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Concealer in shade is my fave full coverage concealer.
Step 4: How to Do Eyeshadow for a Brown Smokey Eye.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette is a MUST-HAVE eyeshadow palette when creating a soft glam look.
I love how earthy, pigmented and buttery the shades are. Here's the ones I use, and where:
- Brow bone: Tempera.
- Crease: Burnt Orange.
- Outer corner of the eye: Sienna.
- Upper lash line: Noir.
- Lower lash line: Rustic.
Step 5: Mascara & Brows.
There's one mascara I have been obsessed with for YEARS...
L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Clean Definition Lengthening Mascara - Black is everything, and I am sure you will be too once you try it.
I love how it lengthens and defines my lashes without clumping.
Then, onto eyebrows because your brows define your face.
Take your time to shape them with a brow gel like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze before using something like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo to fill them in. I used the shade 'Dark Brown'.
Step 6: Foundation & Concealer.
I like to use MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Foundation in shade 3N54 (y463) for a medium to full coverage foundation.
This foundation is weightless and looks like skin once applied. One pump will give you medium coverage, and two pumps, full coverage.
Pro tip: Apply your foundation in a stippling motion for a fuller coverage. You can also use a beauty blender or fingers if you like!
By this time, the corrector has dried under my eyes, so I use my favourite MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Concealer again to conceal and brighten my under-eye area.
This concealer is very pigmented and does. not. move!
I apply two dots around and under the inner corner of the eyes, and two dots around and under the outer corner, making sure to blend up towards the temples.
Pro tip: I like to let the concealer set for a minute before blending it out.
Step 7: Contour.
Contouring your face does not have to be complicated. It's about giving back the dimension to your skin.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer can be applied right under your cheekbones, along your hairline and down the sides of your nose.
Then blend it out with your foundation brush. I use the shade 'Chestnut'.
I find that this product has a natural skin finish and adds a bit of warmth to the skin.
Watch this video below to see the product in action, plus our ABH cream bronzer reviews.
Step 8: Blush & Highlighter.
Blush will bring colour and life back onto your skin, and highlighter is the extra va-va-voom.
Lately, I've been obsessed with M.A.C Cosmetics Mineralize Blush in the shade 'Love Joy'.
The colour is just perfect for tan to brown skin as it is not too pink and has a very smooth texture.
M.A.C Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish is a stunning highlight.
It catches the light so beautifully and gives you the right amount of glow.
Apply your blush from the centre of your cheeks and up to your temple. This will give the illusion of a lifted face.
I'd recommend using a highlighter on the highest part of your face like the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupid's bow.
Step 9: Soft Glam Lipstick.
Before lipstick, the secret to a beautiful plump lip look is a lip liner.
Not only will the lip liner stop your lipgloss or lipstick from bleeding, but it also defines your lips for that perfect pout.
M.A.C Cosmetics Lip Pencil in shade 'Chestnut' is my go-to brown lip liner.
I then pair this with M.A.C Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lipstick in shade 'Kinda Soar-Ta' (now discontinued sadly) but, I would opt for 'deep-tone beige' as a close second.
Optional: Powder.
If your skin tends to get shiny, feel free to set your makeup with some translucent loose powder.
Pro tip: Use a powder puff to apply your powder.
Kryolan Powder Puff - Triangular White has the perfect shape for the under-eyes and all-over face application.
Does soft glam makeup have more steps than perhaps your everyday face?
Sure. But it's stunning, right?
If you're a makeup beginner or haven't tried this soft glam tutorial before, take your time and go easy on yourself!
And finally, always keep this in mind:
Pores and wrinkles are natural.
You can blur pores to some extent, but makeup does not remove wrinkles.
Makeup should be fun, so put on some Beyonce and enjoy the ride!
Keen for some more fun makeup ideas? Check out one of these articles below:
