"Aussie Girl Glam" Is the Sun-Kissed Makeup Aesthetic I Can't Wait to Try This Summer

Instagram and TikTok trends come and go, but only a few are strong enough to stick. "Aussie girl glam" is one of them. The low-lift, high-impact aesthetic mimics the natural, sun-kissed effect of summer in a refined, elevated way. It has all the hallmarks of internet virality: 1) a catchy name, 2) makeup artist approval, and 3) exceptional wearability. Then, there's the cultural authenticity. "Aussie girl glam" isn't any old internet-contrived trend; it's popular in its designated geography.

Take it from Australian-born, NYC-based makeup artist Bronte Scullion, who says it's one of the most common makeup styles seen in the Australian beauty industry. "It’s deeply influenced by the sun and warmth that surrounds us in Australia, which naturally translates to the way we approach makeup, favouring glowing, bronzed, and buttery looking skin." In fact, she says it's often the requested aesthetic for editorial campaigns. "The brief for many photo shoots in Australia leans towards warm, radiant complexions," she says.

Tanielle Jai is a makeup artist based in Queensland. She's also the founder of her eponymous beauty brand. She agrees that Aussie girl glam was conceived on set, during photo shoots. "A lot of the viral looks you see are actually created on set for brand campaigns, where makeup artists are focused on making the skin look fresh, bronzed, and effortless on camera," she says. "I’ve been working on commercial photoshoots for the past ten years, and while some shoots are indoors, many are on location, often in the heat. The days are long, so the makeup needs to be breathable, photograph beautifully, and be easy to touch up throughout the day."

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Aussie girl glam is set to become one of the biggest beauty trends in summer 2026 and beyond. Ahead, learn everything you need to know about this trend before it officially takes over your FYP, courtesy of three top makeup artists.

Aussie Girl Glam, Explained

The experts agree that the three best adjectives to describe Aussie girl glam are as follows: warm, sun-kissed, and effortless. Scullion adds "lived-in" to the mix. "[It] feels effortless rather than too structured. The look is minimal but really intentional with placement. It’s heavily influenced by Australia’s climate and coastal lifestyle, which naturally translates into a softer, more radiant approach."

Jai agrees. "Living in Australia, where it feels like summer most of the year, especially in Queensland, the focus is on lightweight, breathable makeup that enhances your natural skin rather than covering it."

Recently, Kelli Anne Sewell, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder of the Makeup by Kelli Anne app, posted a tutorial on how to achieve authentic Aussie girl glam. "Aussie girl glam has come straight from the best Australian makeup artists," she says. [Australian makeup artist] Jenna Bellhouse came on my app, Makeup By Kelli Anne, to recreate a signature Aussie girl glam on me and explained that this is just the type of makeup every MUA gets asked to do on set. Bronzy, freckles, warm tones. It’s very fresh-looking and very sexy. Think hot-girl bronze summer glam."

The Key Elements of Aussie Girl Glam

The most important element of Aussie girl glam is (surprise!) bronzer. Or, "A lot of bronzer," as Sewell puts it. More importantly, though, is the bronzer's placement and how it blends with the other makeup products on the skin. (Hint: Sewell says to put it everywhere—even where you'd normally swap out bronzer for contour). Let Sewell, Scullion, and Jai explain the exact Aussie girl glam process they use.

"There are a few key elements that really bring Aussie girl glam to life," Scullion says. First and foremost, "It’s all about cohesiveness, especially between the eyes and cheeks. I try to always lean into multi-use products to keep the routine effortless."

Step 1: Complexion

After skin prep, the experts start with foundation. Scullion prefers to use a radiant, buildable formula, such as the Dior Backstage Foundation ($45). Jai prefers a "one-layer makeup look," AKA skipping out on foundation and choosing a lightweight skin tint instead, specifically the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint ($72). "Use concealer only where you need it, then bring warmth and dimension to the face with bronzer."

Here's the important bit. The bronzer should be applied basically everywhere, but not in a messy, muddy-looking way. It should be brushed or dabbed on evenly and intentionally. "Bring warmth and dimension to the face with bronzer," Jai says. "Don't be scared of the bronzer. Apply it to the forehead, cheeks, nose, eyes, and lips."

All three experts use and recommend Jai's very own Bronzour ($59), an innovative cream product that adds warmth to the skin. Jai recommends applying it generously to the skin. In fact, she uses it to add coverage to the skin instead of foundation. It's her trick for keeping the skin looking fresh, natural, and sun-kissed—never cakey.

Finish off the complexion with a swipe of cream blush. The experts love Rhode's Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy ($25), which is a bronze terracotta shade—perfect for this trend. They recommend applying it across the cheeks and nose per the "sunburn blush" trend.

Step 2: Eyes & Lips

Eyes are kept extremely simple. The experts recommend skipping out on eye shadow and using bronzer instead—the same bronzer you apply everywhere else. Although Jai sometimes opts for a "soft brown wing on the outer corners for subtle definition." Finish with brown, maroon, or black mascara.

"For the lips, outline with a liner one to two shades deeper than your natural lip colour and blend it in for a soft, seamless finish," Jai says. And last but not least, add freckles. Yep, you read that correctly, freckles are more than a finishing touch.

Step 3: Freckles

This is a major, not-to-be-missed element of Aussie girl glam. "It wouldn’t be an Aussie girl glam without running the blush across the nose and adding beauty marks and faux freckles back into the skin, so it feels lived in," Scullion says.

Jai emphatically agrees. "We always define the beauty spots and add some faux freckles across the nose. Enhancing the beauty spots makes the base look more natural."

Extra Tips & Tricks

• Skin Prep Is Important: Aussie girl glam is a "natural glam" look, meaning it's fresh and glowy. That starts with skin prep. Both Jai and Scullion recommend the Rhode Glazing Milk for lightweight hydration.
• Warm Cream Products on the Back of the Hand: "With cream products, I prefer to dab rather than swipe for a smoother blend, and I warm it on the back of my hand first so it melts into the skin more seamlessly," Jai says.
• Blend, Blend, Blend: Aussie girl glam is synonymous with seamlessness. Scullion emphasizes the importance of multi-use products and intentional placement. For example, she likes to put bronzer down the bridge of the nose and blend it up into the inner eye. "It ties everything together beautifully and creates a seamless blend across the face, ensuring the dimension feels connected and cohesive."
• Keep Powders to a Minimum: Jai says this allows her to "rework the skin as needed and maintain that fresh, natural finish [...] I love a lightweight loose powder through the T-zone, and I opt for a fixing spray for the rest of the face to lock in the look."
• When In Doubt, Stick to Warm Tones: "Brown-toned eyeliners are preferred to softly create depth, blending seamlessly with the warmth used throughout the rest of the makeup," Scullion says. "Complexion products tend to sit on the warmer side. Pair the bronzer with a terracotta-toned blush to beautifully marry the two."

The Best Aussie Girl Glam Makeup Products