A soft shimmer is taking over the winter beauty scene, and it’s not subtle. The sugarplum glam makeup trend, defined by cool pinks, frosted finishes, and a nostalgic glow, is rapidly becoming a seasonal staple. With roots in Y2K aesthetics and a modern twist on ethereal beauty, this trend is turning heads across runways, red carpets, and social feeds alike.
What Sugarplum Glam Really Looks Like
At its core, sugarplum glam is about embracing rosy tones, subtle sparkle, and layered light. The typical palette includes lavender lids, soft mauve blush, pearlescent highlights, and sheer glosses that reflect just enough shimmer under cold daylight.
Unlike heavy winter trends that rely on bold pigments and matte finishes, this look leans into radiance and softness. The textures are key: liquid shadows, balm highlighters, and glossy lips, because they blend into skin rather than sitting on top of it. The goal is glow, not glare. In the right hands, the result is an iridescent look that feels delicate but composed, light but dimensional.
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Where It’s Trending and Why It Works
Much of the trend’s momentum can be traced back to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where creators have embraced this icy-pink aesthetic as a softer counterpoint to louder trends. Influencers such as Hailey Bieber, Alix Earle, and Zoe Kim Kenealy have all leaned into the look recently, showcasing tutorials and cool-toned shimmer that looks ethereal rather than excessive.
This makeup trend has also been visible on runways and red carpets, with designers and makeup artists reimagining early-2000s frosted beauty for today’s cleaner, skin-forward aesthetic.
How to Wear It Well (and Avoid the Frostbite Effect)
Wearing sugarplum glam well means understanding balance. The makeup should feel cohesive, not costume-like. The base should be light and luminous, with no heavy foundation or aggressive contouring. A light skin tint or dewy foundation helps keep everything fresh. Color should remain cool-toned, with emphasis on one feature at a time: either glowing eyes or glossy lips, but rarely both.
The trick is to work with light rather than pigment, letting sheen do the work where color would normally dominate. Brows should stay natural and brushed up, not sharply defined, and liner should be minimal or softly smoked out with shadow.
Adaptable For All Tones And Ages
The best part about sugarplum glam is its adaptability across skin tones and age groups. For deeper complexions, plum and berry versions of the look offer the same luminous effect without turning pastel. Highlighters with silver or violet undertones work particularly well on darker skin, while medium skin tones can explore dusty rose and pink-beige for a similar glow.
On fairer skin, pale lilac and icy pinks deliver the frosted effect without overpowering the face. The key is staying on the cool end of the spectrum to maintain harmony with the trend’s winter aesthetic. Creams and balms also work better on mature skin.
