2016 Glam

The 'Instagram Era.' Heavy contour, 'baking' powder, thick dip-brow eyebrows, cut crease, ultra-matte liquid lipstick.

2016 Glam is a highly stylized, full-coverage makeup technique characterized by intense matte finishes, razor-sharp brows, and dramatic cut-crease eyeshadow. Originating during the peak of the Instagram beauty guru era, this bold style relies on heavy contouring, "baking" with loose powder, and blinding metallic highlights to create a flawless, filtered appearance. It is ideal for photography, formal events, and anyone looking to make a striking, hyper-perfected beauty statement.

To create 2016 Glam, start by sculpting bold brows with pomade and carving them out with concealer. Apply a full-coverage matte foundation, then heavily highlight under the eyes and contour the cheekbones before baking with translucent powder. Finish with a sharp cut crease, dramatic winged eyeliner, intense metallic highlighter, and an ultra-matte liquid lipstick.

Full Look Face/Base Brows Eyes Lips Glamorous Matte Bold Sharp Party Photography Formal Event

~18 min 6 steps 17 products

The Kit

Brow Pomade
Angled Brow Brush
High-Coverage Concealer
Flat Concealer Brush
Matte Eyeshadow Palette
Fluffy Blending Brush
Flat Synthetic Brush
Black Liquid Eyeliner
Full-Coverage Matte Foundation
Beauty Sponge
Cream Contour
Loose Translucent Powder
Fluffy Powder Brush
Metallic Powder Highlighter
Fan Brush
Lip Liner
Ultra-Matte Liquid Lipstick

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How to Create 2016 Glam

Carve And Fill Brows

Use a brow pomade and an angled brush to draw thick, sharply defined brows with a prominent arch. Clean up the bottom edges meticulously using a high-coverage concealer and a flat brush.
Create Cut Crease

Blend warm matte eyeshadows heavily into the crease, then carve out the entire eyelid using concealer and a flat synthetic brush. Set the lid with a light matte powder and draw a thick, dramatic winged eyeliner.
Apply Matte Base

Stipple a full-coverage, matte-finish foundation all over the face using a damp beauty sponge to create a completely flawless, shine-free canvas.
Contour Conceal And Bake

Apply a bright concealer in large triangles under the eyes and blend a dark cream contour into the cheek hollows. Press a thick layer of loose translucent powder under the eyes and below the cheek contour with a sponge, letting it bake for five minutes before dusting off.
Highlight High Points

Sweep an intense, metallic powder highlighter onto the very tops of the cheekbones, the tip of the nose, and the brow bone using a fan brush.
Apply Liquid Lipstick

Sharply overline the natural lip boundary with a lip liner. Fill in the lips entirely with a long-wearing, ultra-matte liquid lipstick to complete the look.

Pro Tips

To prevent your under-eye bake from looking overly dry or cakey, ensure your delicate under-eye area is thoroughly prepped with a hydrating eye cream before applying your heavy, high-coverage concealer.
When working with brow pomade, use a very light hand at the front of the brow and apply more pressure toward the tail to create a subtle gradient effect, preventing the brows from looking completely blocky.
For the sharpest cut crease, use a little bit of makeup remover on a precision cotton swab to wipe away the dark crease eyeshadow from your lid before applying your concealer; this prevents the shadow from mixing with your base and turning muddy.

Common Questions

What does 2016 Glam look like?

2016 Glam looks like a real-life social media filter, featuring a completely matte, full-coverage base, dramatically sculpted features, and heavily structured brows. The eyes typically showcase a sharp cut crease with thick winged eyeliner, paired with an opaque, ultra-matte lip.

What products do I need for 2016 Glam?

To achieve this high-glam look, you will need a full-coverage matte foundation, a thick concealer, loose translucent powder for baking, and a brow pomade. Additionally, a metallic powder highlighter, matte eyeshadows, black liquid eyeliner, and an ultra-matte liquid lipstick are essential.

Is 2016 Glam good for beginners?

Because 2016 Glam involves advanced techniques like baking, cut creases, and heavy cream contouring, it is generally considered a difficult look best suited for intermediate to advanced makeup enthusiasts. Beginners can still attempt it by taking their time and focusing heavily on blending out harsh lines before setting with powder.

How long does 2016 Glam take to apply?

Due to the multiple layers of product, precise brow carving, intricate eye makeup, and the required five-to-ten minutes of baking time, you should allocate at least 45 minutes to an hour to complete a full 2016 Glam look.

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