All the time? A few times a week? Once in a blue moon? Never?
I think full-on glam is a phase. I know I’ve gone through it…repeatedly. 🙂 I think almost everyone who likes makeup goes through a glam phase. It’s like wanting a pony…
Last time I went through it (which was probably 2015), the full-on glamn-ness was so hardcore that I was wearing A LOT of makeup. I was doing ALL. THE. STEPS. too.
I was even doing the brows, where I’d fill them in with two shades of brow powder, then use pencil, then carve them out with concealer, and I mean everything was extreme.
I hardly went out in the world without any makeup on. In fact, I remember going to a spa with my friends Jen and Cindy and getting a massage while wearing a full face of makeup through the entire thing. I was THAT serious about it the last time.
It doesn’t necessarily make a ton of sense…but who cares? It was a phase. It’s what I liked.
It’s fun! I love seeing girls and guys in full-on glam because I’m just in awe of the artistry and the creativity, but, you know, I just can’t do that all the time now… I’m currently not in that phase. I think at one point in time I was watching nonstop YouTube tutorials and got it into my head that everyone everywhere wears that much makeup. I felt like my makeup skills were at their best at that time, but at least for now, full-on glam is not happening around here.
It’s been a hot second since I wore full-on glam Instagram-style makeup. I rarely do it now, but there was a time… I definitely feel like I’ve lost a step in terms of my makeup game since I stopped pushing the envelope as much, so I need to practice a bit more, but I do the best I can with the time I have.
Without a doubt, though — doing all the contouring, the bronzing, the layering, everything — pushes your skills. It’s just very time consuming, and I’m not in the ideal place to do it very often right now.
How about you? How often do you wear full-on glam Instagram-style makeup?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Barb says
During the workweek, I wear a full face for work. Foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, brows, eye shadow and mascara. If I am going out over the weekend, it’s pretty much the same thing. However, if I’m not doing anything, no makeup at all.
Sierra says
Similar to Barb, if I have a big something at work, I may do a full “beat” but not outlandish just something that is fool proof and that will keep me looking picture perfect throughout the day. However, if I don’t have anything big planned, and I’ll be at my desk most of the day, I probably will just wear mascara and blush or mascara bb cream powder and blush, something light. On the weekends, if im going out I will do a full face, but I don’t go out all the time, so I just keep it clear. I like to at least three days or four days out the week with no foundation, just for my skins sake
ChynnaBlue says
I don’t consider a “full face” of makeup and Instagram-style make up to be the same. I almost never do a full face and have never done Instagram makeup, which to me looks like full face x 5, with heavy foundation, contour, heavy brows, and highlighter you can see from the space station. Instagram makeup doesn’t look real to me and that’s not the look I want. (I enjoy watching the video and love how creative those artists are, but the look isn’t for my life.)
Most days I just wear moisturizer and sunscreen because of the heat and high humidity.
Lupe says
Your makeup looks amazing! I do a full face probably every other weekend. I don’t really wear makeup during the week,
Rachel says
I live in a college town and while shopping at Target one evening I couldn’t believe all the young girls decked out in total instagram makeup! I think it’s definitely a trend for the college age girls to wear kardashian level contouring makeup and foundation. I will only wear full on glam if I’m going to dinner/drinks on the weekend.
Nisha says
I wear a full face of makeup to work Monday-Friday, that’s my war paint. I have 2 young ones and a ADHD cat who keep me busy and sleep is a luxury I do not have. Putting on makeup is my “me time”, I need it to relax and mentally prepare for the day ahead!
Savannah says
I don’t think I’ve ever truly mastered Instagram perfection, but for dates and pictures (sometimes) I normally go with a neutral smoky eye (unless I’ve done a bold lip). It’s not too different from my regular full face (concealer, foundation, blush, highlighter, brows, eyeshadow, liner, mascara, lips) but I tend to apply more for pics. Unless I’m not going anywhere then I wear nothing. I’m an all or nothin’ type of gal! 🙂
Efrain says
The last time I wore a full face was for my graduation photo, and actually I don’t know if it can be considered Instagram worthy because I wore a lot of stuff but I didn’t look as produced as them.
I wore primer, two layers of foundation, setting powder, bronzer, blush, highlighter, brow kit, brow mascara, lip liner, lipstick and individual lashes. So yes it was a lot but I was far from look like an Instagram guru.
Suzanne C says
I’ve never really tried full-on Instagram makeup. No one in my family was into makeup when I was growing up, so there wasn’t anyone to really teach me how to apply it. Makeup wasn’t a ‘thing’ for me until I was in my late 20’s. I’ve learned a lot since then, but no way I have the skills to do full glam mode.
Astrid says
I did a 100 days of makeup look on instagram like two years ago, so I experimented a lot. I couldn’t find the patience to wear my makeup the instagram way though, with multiple delicate layers of everything (sometimes I wish I do!) but I guess that’s probably why the looks aren’t as impressive as the famous instagram ones :D.
I wear makeup daily though, because it’s fun to put and combine colors. From time to time I don’t wear anything just to remind myself that it’s ok to go bare-faced :P.
Lelde says
Karen, maybe you’ve applied Insta-amount of make-up in Insta-way, but it still looks lovely, natural and healthy on you ?.
So called “instagram” face for me was during 2102. It was a time when I realized a lot of fun makeup tutorials on youtube. I started to wear everything in heavy layers. It took me at least 1,5 hours to get ready for work. Bringing out the garbage to the container without purple smokey eye? Nope! That wasn’t me! ? Summer heat? No problem to wear heavy layer primer, foundation, concealer, powder etc…
Then at the end of 2012 I discovered Lisa Eldridge videos and realized that actually everything on my face looks as heavy, cakey and unnatural as it feels?
Now on a daily basis I use the same products, but I use maybe 10% of the previous amount of make up.
I see now on the streets, that “flawless face” Insta-makeup is a big trend. But for me, this phase is over.
Christina says
I only wear full face makeup if I’m going out on the weekends at night. Otherwise, it’s just light foundation, blush, a tiny bit of highlighter, and eyes if I have the time. I’m not into heavy contouring, so full make up for me is probably less than the instagram look. I prefer a more youthful look to my face with the occasional fun eyes.
Lulle says
A full face of makeup, about once-twice week.
An Instagram-style full face of makeup? Never. I’ve never “carved my brows”, I never wear false lashes, I very rarely contour. I don’t know how much makeup you’re wearing in the pic above, but you still don’t look overdone. The IG-style is very overdone in my opinion, and while it can look great in pictures, it rarely looks that bomb in real life. Super duper full coverage can look very unnatural in natural light when you move around. It’s really not my thing!
Gina Bullard says
I wear a full face when I have to go somewhere – but I’ve never carved an eyebrow! I know that they look awesome when they’re done like that though. I do love my makeup and I enjoy its application. I’m like you though – if I haven’t done it full on (even like my base) in a while, I will be a tiny bit afraid that I can’t pull it off. I know that I break all the eyeshadow rules because I’m 55 and still wear shimmer and an occasional glitter — but hey this is totally supposed to be fun first! I just absolutely adore eyeshadow and I always have since I was about 12 years old. LOL. I just got a new palette today. I can’t possibly imagine your collection! I”d die!!!
I wish I knew how to do photos I’d post some looks sometimes – but they always end up looking stupid.
You always look beautiful Ms. Karen — I’ve followed you for years — and I suspect you always will.
Have a great day!!
Gina and Gracie.
kellly says
Nevah.
janine says
It seems everyone goes they phases with their makeup application and I know I have. The worst phase is when I couldn’t see well enough to apply eye makeup..I could do a one and done shadow and mascara but no eyeliner or shadows.
I scaled back when I was in charge of the open heart unit also.
There have been times I was so bored with my eye shadow and didn’t know any new techniques.
Now with renewed interest I’m trying to learn some new stuff like falsies and red lips which I’m getting good at but haven’t worn in public. I’m trying to do winged liner hard with wrinkles and partial hoods.
I think Instagram looks are very fake for the most part and nothing I would do. I wouldn’t consider your look Instagram it’s a soft look and very beautiful on you!
Erin says
I equate that look with fake lashes so never!
Tatiana says
I have never and will never do an “Instagram” face. For me makeup is about subtly enhancing. I love seeing others do it, but it’s just not me and I feel when it comes to makeup “You Do You” is the perfect motto.
Besides anyone who knows me knows that if faced with the choice of full on makeup or a pony, I’m always going to want the pony.
Chelsea says
Only for shows or costumes!
Mona says
Girl, you’ve got that J. Lo glow going on! Full-face makeup is fun to do sometimes, but I probably only do it twice a week, max. I usually wear only BB cream, gel eyeliner, a medium brown crease color, cream blush, eyebrow pencil and a nude lipstick. Instagram looks are so unreal to me. I like looking at them, but they’re not for real life.
Linda Libra Loca says
I wear a full face to work, but the toned down full face, where you use all the products, but most of them only lightly. A real Instagram worthy full face only on occasion, when I am filming, so once a week at max.