How To Do a Soft Glam Makeup Look In Just 7 Simple Steps

It’s no secret that makeup trends come and go (often, fueled in large part by social media). However, some makeup styles, such as the soft glam look, are totally timeless—they never go out of favor.

Whether you’re over the full-glam makeup looks, need some soft glam inspiration, or are simply looking for a way to soften your go-to look, we’re here to help. Ahead, we’ll explain what soft glam makeup is, share tips on achieving the barely-there look, and offer a look at some of our favorite takes on the classic style.

What Is Soft Glam Makeup?

Soft glam makeup is an effortless makeup style that enhances, rather than overpowers, your natural features. You can think of it as an elevated take on TikTok’s clean makeup trend. It typically involves almost everything you’d use in a full glam makeup look (including foundation, concealer, blush, and lipstick), but utilizes neutral tones to create a natural look that works for nearly any occasion.

How to Make Your Makeup Look Softer

When applying your makeup, consider the following tips to make any foundation, highlighter, and eyeshadow application look softer.

Reach for neutral makeup colors

Instead of using bright, electric colors for your blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow, opt for natural colors like pink, beige, brown, and taupe. These neutral colors blend more seamlessly with your natural complexion, making your makeup look softer. For example, you could soften your classic black smokey eye by using the same technique to create an eyeshadow look in various shades of brown.

Apply makeup in thin layers

To avoid cakiness, apply your makeup in thin, even layers (you can always build it up as needed). For a fresh look, start your makeup routine with a face primer that will create a smooth base. Try the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer—the hydrating formula illuminates the skin and helps prep it for your makeup application.

Then, instead of reaching for a full-coverage foundation, opt for a lightweight, sheer foundation or skin tint to even out your complexion. Try a tinted serum like L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, which offers sheer coverage with skincare benefits. This skincare-makeup hybrid is formulated with hyaluronic acid to give skin a hydrated feel, while the luminous pigment gives skin a natural, radiant finish.

Blend, blend, blend

Regardless of the texture of the makeup products you’re using, make sure you’re gently blending and buffing them onto your face. This is fundamental in soft glam makeup—harsh lines can detract from the look.

Keep a fluffy blending brush on hand to blend in any harsh lines that look uneven and unnatural. When applying gel eyeliners, use a product like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Liner, which includes a small sponge on the bottom of the slim pencil to smudge in the color for a blurred, soft look.

How To Create a Soft Glam Makeup Look

Learn here—step by step—how to create soft glam looks with affordable and lightweight products from L’Oréal Paris.

1. Even out your complexion with a lightweight base product

One of the most important keys to mastering a soft glam look is ensuring your skin looks natural. To do this, heed our earlier advice and swap your full-coverage foundation for something more lightweight that you can build up. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation is perfect for this, as it boasts an ultra-thin formula that feels breathable on the skin. Apply it with your fingers or a damp makeup sponge for a soft, natural-looking finish.

2. Subtly brighten your under-eye area

If you have any darkness under your eyes (many of us do), you can go ahead and spot-correct with a concealer to brighten the area. To do so, grab a lightweight, buildable concealer, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Up To 24H Full Coverage, in one shade lighter than your skin and blend it beneath your under-eye area using your fingertips. This will cover dark circles and illuminate the area without it looking overdone.

3. Give your cheeks a flush

Flushed, rosy cheeks instantly bring your complexion to life. To get an effortless flush, snag the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush. This weightless blush delivers a bold wash of color that can be built up to create a more dramatic flush. Plus, the sweatproof formula stays fresh and vibrant for up to 24 hours, and it won’t emphasize your skin texture.

4. Create soft eyeliner

One way to ensure your makeup looks elevated while still being soft is to create a soft wing with eyeshadow rather than eyeliner. Grab an eyeliner brush and the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Brown Bliss and trace a thin line along your upper lash line. When you get to the outer corner of your eye, flick the brush upward ever so slightly to create a soft, subtle wing shape. Then, lightly define your lower lash line with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Brown Denim. Use your finger to smudge the line for a soft, blurred effect.

5. Layer on mascara

To give your eyes more definition, apply a lengthening mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara, to your upper lashes. For a toned-down look, apply just one coat, wiggling the wand as you swipe it from base to tip for added volume. If you’d prefer bolder lashes, layer on one to two additional coats.

6. Apply a hydrating lipstick formula

One of the defining characteristics of a soft glam makeup look is natural-looking lip color—this goes for the finish as much as it does for the color. For a classic satiny lip, snag the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Worth It or Worth It Medium. The former is the perfect pinky-nude for those with fair skin, while the latter is ideal for those with medium and deep skin tones. If you’d like a glossy finish, skip the lipstick and apply a layer of the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Hyaluron Lip Oil in Latte Glacéinstead. You’ll enjoy up to 24 hours of hydration with a sheer tint of flattering color.

7. Set the look in place

To ensure your look lasts all day, set it in place with a setting spray, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist. Opting for a setting spray over a powder helps ensure your skin remains fresh-looking and healthy all day long.

5 Soft Glam Makeup Looks to Try

Look 1: Soft latte makeup

Latte makeup takes inspiration from the muted, milky tones of a frothy caffé latte. This makeup look is easy to achieve and can easily be made softer or more dramatic, depending on your preferences. If you’re going for the latter, add the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer to your routine. Pick a shade slightly darker than your natural skin tone and sweep it beneath your cheekbones to sculpt your features and give your skin a warm, sun-kissed bronze.

Look 2: Soft no-makeup makeup

No-makeup makeup is soft, subtle, and (best of all) requires only a few products to achieve. Simply even out your complexion with a luminous foundation or skin tint, dust some blush onto the apples of your cheeks, and swipe through your lashes with a brown mascara. Finish the look with a tinted lip balm or gloss for a sheer wash of color.

Look 3: Soft gold makeup

If matte neutrals feel a little too one-note for you, try experimenting with gold makeup instead. The earthy hue is soft, but the metallic finish adds a glamorous flair. To keep your makeup looking soft, we recommend spotlighting one feature, such as your eyes. Color in your lids with the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Twinkly Rose, add a coat or two of mascara, and finish it all off with a nude glossy lip.

Look 4: Soft ’60s glam

Your makeup can look soft and still turn heads. There’s no look to prove that more than '60s-inspired glam makeup. This makeup trend puts your lashes in the spotlight while leaving the rest of your makeup dewy and fresh-looking. First, apply a dewy foundation (if needed), then define your top lashes with a few coats of a lengthening mascara (we love the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara). Then, exaggerate your lower lashes by drawing a few short vertical lines down your undereye to mimic more lashes. Use a long-lasting liquid liner like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner for a smudge-proof and transfer-resistant application. Complete the look with a touch of pink blush and lipstick.

Look 5: Soft berry makeup

The iconic strawberry girl makeup is an adorable (and trendy) soft makeup look that everyone should try. It features bold, bushy brows and vibrant pink cheeks—both of which you can achieve with just a couple of products. For your brows, start by filling any sparse areas with the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Mechanical Eyebrow Pencil. Then, set your brows with a clear brow gel, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Brow Lamination.

Next, sweep a layer of pink or red blush onto your cheeks, dusting a tiny bit of pigment onto the bridge of your nose for a sun-kissed feel. To round out the fresh-faced look, swipe on a pinkish gloss, such as the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Hyaluron Lip Oil in Rouge In Love.

Next Up: How To Do a Selfie-Worthy No-Makeup Makeup Look

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris