GlowUp - Makeup & Beauty

I tried several apps before this one, only to be disappointed with the level of information, guidance, and basic functionality of the tools. GlowUp seemed promising based on the initial UI and advertised features, and I was excited to see a “no makeup” look in the aesthetic options! I’m 48 years old and have never learned how to do/use makeup because I’ve never needed or wanted to. Even those of us with youthful genes and good skin age, though, and I’m increasingly aware of how makeup might help me be more confident. However, I have NO IDEA how to even shop for appropriate makeup, much less apply it in a way that seems true to me. Apps (any products) that don’t allow users to see what they’re actually purchasing before committing are frustrating and not worth the risk or my investment. Because GlowUp actually asked some important foundational questions that other apps didn’t, I thought I might have found a helpful solution. However, after selecting a preferred “look” and waiting for AI to “customize my routine/products/look,” I was met by the paywall. I have absolutely no objection to paying for an app, but NOT BEFORE I can determine whether it’s useful to me. What kind of instruction does it provide - video? Writing? Explanations about why to do something in a certain way? Tips on HOW to choose colors based on skin tone, seasons, outfits, etc? Lost a potential customer and rave reviewer because I couldn’t see what you’re actually offering. I think I’ve decided to just go old-school and ask a friend.

I’ve been financially cọmmitted to this app for what feels like weeks now, and I’m not regretting it one bit. Every update brings a new wave of features, from better shade matching to more advanced facial recognition. It’s crazy how far it has cọme since I first downloaded. The tutorials are so intuitive, it’s like having a makeup mentor 24/7. If you’re in it for the long haul, you’ll definitely see the payoff.

This app is fundamentally flawed for women with diverse ethnic features. As a Black woman, I not only wasted my money, but it also continually diminished the prominence of my natural features. The modified images bear no resemblance to me. Instead, the app imposes Eurocentric ideals onto my appearance, which is unacceptable. How am I supposed to evaluate makeup styles when my image is altered to conform to a narrow standard of beauty? This app blatantly lacks true diversity and fails to accommodate individual features; it simply changes them altogether. Even women who are white likely experience the same frustrations. This app is terrible, designed to make people look appealing only if they meet a specific beauty standard. The creators need to seriously rethink their approach. It reduces users to generic looks, resembling nothing more than an Instagram model, all while applying what looks like a TikTok filter. If I could give this a lower rating, I would—0.5 stars is generous, considering its only redeeming quality is the good suggestions for makeup brands. This app needs significant improvement.