Okay, so Zendaya’s red carpet glow is next level, right? Like, every time she steps out, people pretty much lose their minds over how her skin looks. It’s that perfect blend of radiant, glowing, I’m-a-superstar-and-I-know-it kind of look. And the best part is: you can totally rock that same glow WITHOUT having a team of 20 makeup artists at your side (although, let’s be real, that wouldn’t hurt).
I’m going to show you how to get that Zendaya-approved, chef’s kiss vibe straight from your own makeup bag! Grab your brushes, maybe pop on your fave playlist (I’m currently obsessed with Olivia Rodrigo in case you needed inspo), and let’s get into it.
Step 1: Start With a Bomb Skincare Routine 🎯💧
Look, no makeup can out-glow healthy skin. Zendaya’s secret weapon is her flawless base—and that comes down to skincare. You gotta prep that skin, my loves! Think of it like you’re setting the stage for the magic to happen.
Here’s a manageable, easy-peasy skincare prep you can do at home:
| Product | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Cleanser | To get rid of excess oils and dirt before you even think about the glam. |
| Toner | Balances your skin out and shrinks them pesky pores. |
| Serum (Vit C) | Instant brightness. Like, ✨ BAM ✨. |
| Moisturizer | Hydration, babe. Dewy skin is all the rage. |
| SPF (YES, EVEN AT NIGHT) | This keeps your skin protected and keeps your glow game strong. |
Zendaya has mentioned numerous times how her skincare routine is super important. She doesn’t mess around, especially with hydration. So, hydrate that skin like you weren’t always paying attention to the water bottle on your desk. I gotchu.
Pro tip: Use a moisturizer that doesn’t make you greasy (unless you’re INTO that glow from the top floor, which is also a vibe).
Healthy skin is the foundation of any gorgeous makeup look! No skipping that moisturizer, okay?
Move over skincare, it’s makeup time! 🎉
Step 2: Prime, Prime, Prime ✨
Zendaya’s never looking less than smooth on those red carpets. Why? Because a good primer keeps it alllll together during those zoom-in moments (like photographers are brutal, we can’t all hide from that HD).
Here’s the tea: you need a primer that smooths texture but still makes your skin look glossy-af. Go with one that has a lil bit of luminosity in it to start building that glow from the ground up. Basically, think of your face like a canvas. You want it smooth like butter, but with sparkle. Zendaya goes for it every time, and so can you.
Personally, I love [insert whatever primer you’re obsessed with RN], but you do you!
Step 3: Get That Perfect Glow Foundation 🏆
Zendaya’s foundation is always about even coverage—but it never looks cakey. The KEY is to find the balance between flawless and natural. Not too heavy, but you’re still flawless. Think breathable, seamless skin.
What foundation formula should you go for? Dewy or radiant. Matte foundations will take the glow goodbye, and that’s not Zendaya’s vibe. You want something that’s easy to blend but doesn’t show up oily.
Here’s a breakdown of the essentials:
| Skin Type | Foundation Type |
|---|---|
| Oily | Go for a dewy foundation but with a matte primer underneath. |
| Dry | Hydrating, dewy foundation all the way baby! |
| Combo | Mix it up. Dewy wherever you want the “glow” to pop but matte where you want control. |
A lot of makeup artists recommend applying with a damp beauty sponge because it gives that flawless, airbrushed look. Trust me, you’ll love it. Blend, blend, blend until you’re glowy and perfect!
Oh, and take your time. This isn’t a race; it’s about getting that red carpet-worthy finish.
Glowy makeup is about blending seamlessly. Blend till your hand cramps a little, honestly.
Step 4: Illuminate with a Natural Glow-Boosting Concealer 💅
Zendaya’s makeup artists often keep everything looking seamless. Her under-eyes and any “concealer zones” (you know—under the eyes, middle of the forehead, down the nose) stay bright and highlighted, but not crazy obvious.
You can use a concealer lighter than your skin tone: but just by one shade! We’re going for “I woke up like this,” not “I slept under harsh stage lights.”
A small brush or your damp beauty sponge is your BFF right here, helping blend everything into your foundation so you don’t have those harsh lines. You know what I mean, the tell-tale sign that ohh you have concealer on kind of lines? Yeah, we don’t need that energy here.
Pro Tip: Use the warmth of your ring finger (the OG of blending) to gently pat the concealer into your skin if a sponge isn’t cutting it.
Step 5: It’s Time for The Glow-Up: Highlighter ✨💫
Okay, this right here is where the Zendaya magic happens. The glow. This girl doesn’t play around with highlighter and neither should you.
Here’s how to keep that highlight in check while still unlocking that glow! (Oops, did I just say unlock? Whatever, roll with me):
Powder or Liquid Highlighter?
- Powder Highlighter: Best for oily skin or when you want a subtle glow on areas like the cheekbones (just tapping on that Levitating by Dua Lipa energy).
- Liquid Highlighter: Great for dry skin or if you want that full-out Dewy Goddess energy to shine through.
Zendaya’s glow is often super diffused—if you ever noticed, she’s rarely all spotlighted into one place. Take your highlighting brush or a damp sponge and dab it on gently. Should you go heavy-handed? Absolutely not. Blend it out, so it diffuses naturally into your skin.
Hit all the high points where the natural lighting gods bless you: top of cheekbones, bridge of your nose, brow bone, maybe a lil’ chin action, and of course, the Cupid’s bow is a must.
A good highlighter can make you feel like you’re walking around with a spotlight following you. Zendaya knows this– you should too.
Pro Tip: Apply highlight first and THEN blush on top. It looks wayyyy more natural because the two blend together seamlessly.
Step 6: Blush, But Make It Glowy 🍑
Excuse me for a sec while I put a soapbox on blush for a second: don’t forget your blush ever again! Blush is poppin’—it lifts the entire face, makes you look cute, AND gives you that fresh-faced Zendaya glow.
Zendaya’s been rocking those natural peachy-pink tones that add a burst of life to her cheeks without overpowering the highlight. Get yourself a blush with a hint of shimmer for that Instagram-ready look. Stay clear from super matte blushes because Zendaya = Radiant Queen, and we’re keeping those matte products for another day.
Swipe that baby on the apples of your cheeks, blending back into your temples. Zendaya’s blush vibe is always “sun-kissed” and not “Barbie doll cheeks*.” Your goal? Soft, glowy—like you just lightly jogged to Starbucks. 😂
Step 7: Brows On Fleek 🌿
Zendaya’s brows are mostly natural—thank goodness. We’re longggg over that over-drawn brow phase (RIP 2014). Her brows are usually kept thick and bushy but still neat. Grab a brow pencil or brow gel to fill them in softly and brush them up.
If you over-plucked in the 2000s era (a struggle I’m STILL dealing with), use soft strokes like you’re mimicking real eyebrow hairs for a natural look.
Step 8: Eyes Like Yes 🤩 👁️
Okayyy, now we have to talk eyeshadow. Zendaya is ALL about those soft (sometimes bronzy) tones. You’ll rarely catch her in a bold eye look on the red carpet, but that doesn’t mean she skimps out. Soft browns, golds, champagne shades—these are her BFFs for any elegant, glowy red-carpet moment.
Use a soft transition shade in your crease (like a light brown), then pop a shimmery champagne or gold on the lid. Blend a little bit of the brown under your eyes for that subtle I’m lowkey smizing at you smokey effect.
Top it off with mascara (or falsies if you’re feelin’ fancy), and boom—you’ve Zendaya-fied your eyes.
Bonus? Keep it glowy but simple. Zendaya doesn’t often wear super heavy eyeshadow; she lets her gorgeous natural features and skin takeover.
Less is more when it comes to eyes—keep the focus on the glow, babe.
Step 9: Zendaya Nude Lip, Every Time 💄
Zendaya and nude lips are in a long-term relationship, and I’m here for it. Grab a nude lipstick (or gloss) that matches your skin tone for the perfect finishing touch. Glossy finishes will give you a little extra glow action, or if your lips are feeling a bit dry, pop on some creamy lipstick instead that matches those blush tones.
Lip liners are your BFF to give a lil plumpness and structure. After all, Zendaya’s lips always look perfectly defined.
Step 10: Finishing Spray = The Everything ✨
Zendaya’s full glam look wouldn’t be complete without a setting spray. Use something with a dewy finish; anything matte is simply canceled for this tutorial. A spritz of dewy setting spray is what’s going to pull together your entire look and give that final glow goddess realness.
And there we go!
Ten steps to go from your regular Wednesday self in your living room to Zendaya’s red carpet glowy glam. It’s all about layering that glow, doing some blending work, and keeping the vibes very natural and dewy.
Now grab your fave lights for selfies, because babyyyy your glow deserves a full photo shoot.
