A new beauty trend called Glitchy Glam is gaining popularity on social media. Pinterest predicts that this look will be one of the top-rated beauty searches for 2026, indicating a dramatic departure from minimalist makeup towards boldness and colours in creative ways and the acceptance of ‘flaws’.
What Is “Glitchy Glam”?
The media depicts this style as defining “trend” but rather it is a social commentary about beauty. The last few years have indicated a shift in taste from clean and polished to intentionally mismatched, bold artistic expression. Glitchy Glam celebrates asymmetrical, contrasting colors or shapes on the same face or body as opportunities to reject the traditional notions of beauty.
Core principles of Glitchy Glam:
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Unmatched fingers on both hands as well as a unique design for every finger on both hands. Glittery nails to enhance the boldness.
Layered Eyeshadow – A mix of colors so that none of them look the same, and definitely not two eyes looking the same!
Two Colors of Lipstick or Liner – A major departure from traditional thinking on how to wear lipstick.
Asymmetrical Hair – A shoulder length (or higher) hairstyle that defies what most would consider “normal” to have on your head.
Data on the Pinterest site shows that searches for avante-garde make up tutorials have increased by ~270% and for nails with a unique color on each hand have increased by ~125%. These statistics reveal an increased interest in this type of art form.
In summary, Glitchy Glam is about expressing yourself through your makeup, utilizing artwork and inspiration as a starting point, and not trying to create a perfect, polished appearance!
Why It’s Emerging Now
Reasons for Its Growth at This Time
There are several cultural dynamics driving the rise of glitchy glam:
Digital to Individualized Creativity
For several years, algorithms have promoted the use of “perfect” makeup tutorial videos, with an aesthetic that is heavy on transformation and clean “beauty” spaces. As a result of this, audiences desire the opportunity to express themselves through creativity and individuality. Social media platforms reward users for their originality and the most unique and creative look has the greatest opportunity to go viral.
Millennial and Gen Z Influences
Millennials and Generation Z have historically challenged traditional beauty norms and have been pioneers in the acceptance of glitchy glam as an aesthetic that represents the qualities that they consider to be representative of their values — expressive, bold, and fearless. This demographic has influenced everything from nail and hair styles to general fashion and lifestyle trends.
Nostalgia Meets Modern Expression
Glitchy glam also embodies an nostalgic interpretation of prior aesthetic periods, characterized by color combinations and styles similar to those of the early 2010’s, with a contemporary twist. For example, it might be reminiscent of your childhood artistic creations but expressed through a language of high-fashion beauty.
The Influence of Glitchy Glam on the World of Beauty Culture
So, in what ways is glitchy glam taking form in real life?
Social Media and the Creation of Viral Content
Many beauty influencers and creators are pushing the limits of creativity by creating looks that feature different color combinations for each eye, unconventional eyeliner shapes, and a deliberate “messy” style. These types of posts typically generate a large amount of engagement, as
The Future of Beauty Is Imperfect
Glitchy Glam represents a movement to celebrate all the beauty trends (as opposed to perfection), and to encourage anyone and everyone to reinterpret their idea of beauty. The digital society, full of filtered photos and aesthetically curated Instagram feeds, is starting to embrace the idea that “beauty can be beautiful even if it is not perfect”.
As the glitchy glam market grows, so will the amount of creativity in the form of tutorials, collaborations and crossover apparel focused on the idea of creating beauty through imperfection. CLCIK HERE FOR THE SOURCE
