We investigate why enthusiasts are now integrating the craft tool to create a futuristic beauty look
The digital sphere is never short of beauty entries. Content creators continue to supply a slew of makeup techniques and skincare practices with the hope to become a new breakthrough, while enthusiasts make the final verdict. Of course, anyone who’s fallen down the beautytok rabbit hole would agree that among thousands of tutorials posted on the daily, there are ones that are hard to miss. Entering the chat: the hot glue makeup.
It appears that creators have taken face stickers to the next level with the use of a hot glue gun. On TikTok, fans showcase numerous ways to create futuristic decals with the craft tool. Threads such as #HotGlueMakeup garnered 18 million views, whereas #DigitalMakeup collected 29 million views. And while the latest trend is quite startling, it’s important to note that it still requires the glue to cool before applying.
A look into the beauty trend
Vanessa Funes is one of the beauty content creators who recently popularized the category. In fact, her first melted beskar eyeliner tutorial gathered 2.7 million views, and it wasn’t soon until the creator turned it into a series. After the video went viral, she created an intergalactic duo-chrome eyeliner look that also captured the attention of 5.6 million fans. To say the least, there is a growing beauty interest in digital and futuristic makeup looks.
@cutcreaser how i created my own hot glue eyeliner designs! 💫 inspirations: @pinkmonadeee @theystella @maytahmi @blondetaki @ines.alpha and the entire editorial/sfx makeup community who have used this technique before i did! 🫶🌟 THANK U FOR THE LOVE!! #hotgluemakeup #chromemakeup #fyp #makeup #xybca #fypシ #eyeliner #graphicliner #3dartist #digitalmakeup ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design
Given the world’s admiration for her hot glue makeup series, Vanessa Funes released a short masterclass about the beauty trend. “Please don’t put hot glue on your face. I am begging you,” she punctuated in her video. Meanwhile, the beauty content creator clarified that she did not originate the look, and instead was inspired by Ellaine Correndor to create her melted beskar eyeliner. Funes also credited fellow creators like Camilla Lacobitti, Caylin McDonie, and May Tahmina who ushered in the hot glue makeup over the years.
Achieving the look
In her video, the beauty content creator expressed, “I’m excited to use the makeup technique again, but with a new take, making it look like a graphic liner.” With a stainless steel palette and hot glue, Funes created a design using a light hand. “You want to get the design in one pull for a smooth finish,” she explained. “I recommend dropping the glue and holding on to the trigger and moving your hand wherever you want the eyeliner to go.” The beauty creator also shared a trick to elevate the look by applying pressure for a thicker shape and releasing the trigger slowly to get a thinner iteration.
It comes as no surprise that recreating the beauty look requires time. However, Funes reminded fans to be patient with themselves because makeup should always be fun. “I also recommend drawing on the stainless steel palette first and tracing the glue along the sketch.” Once the hot glue dried, the content creator proceeded. “Use eyeshadow or pigments to give the design some color.” Her pick for a futuristic feel? Formulas with a holographic finish.
As the tutorial comes to a close, Funes mentioned an important detail one shouldn’t miss: “Use scissors to cut off any leftover glue strands and shape the design however you want. In parts of the design where you make it thin, it’s easier to manipulate onto your eye shape. And use eyelash glue to make it stick to your eyelids or your face.”
Take caution
While the latest beauty trend is undeniably inviting, it’s still important to take caution. “Vanessa makes safety her priority by firstly mentioning to fans that they should not be using hot glue guns directly onto the face, which is super important when sharing a hack like this,” graphic makeup artist Sarah Hughes expressed. “I love the effect this hack gives but of course, glue is glue and is not formulated to come into contact with delicate skin areas such as the eyes. Ingredients in hot glue could cause irritation to the eyes or allergic contact dermatitis, especially when mixed with additional products such as glitters and chrome powders to mimic the effect of digital art.”
Photos from VANESSA FUNES (via Instagram)
