Romanian makeup artist Raluca is bringing new meaning to the word ‘glam’. Posting to her 68,000 followers on Instagram, Raluca’s makeup looks dial up the saturation and show no restraint towards glitter, reviving that 2010’s era of maximalist glam we used to all want to perfect.
Since Raluca first started posting to her audience of beauty-obsessed fans in 2019, her followers have grown from close friends to millions of users who now treat her work as a step-by-step guide to achieving bold, confident makeup looks.
We linked up with Raluca to find out how she got started posting on social media, who her own biggest inspirations are, and more. Keep reading to find out.
XO: When and how did you first realise you had a talent for makeup?
R: “I’ve always been a person with artistic interests, since I was a child I liked drawing, dancing, playing instruments, and I’ve been encouraged by my parents to explore this side of myself.”
“Funny enough, I didn't really get into makeup until my first year of university, when one of my friends gifted me two Lime Crime eyeshadow palettes, Venus II and III. I immediately started experimenting with them and I think it all came pretty naturally to me. I was watching a lot of beauty YouTubers at the time, and I was also surrounded by my gorgeous friends who wore makeup. I always admired their looks, so I guess I was inspired to give it a try myself.”
“Looking back, I think I was actually pretty good at it from the start, at least for a beginner haha. I was never afraid to play with crazy colors or try something unconventional.”
XO: Your makeup style tends to lean heavily towards glam. What draws you towards this more maximalist, bold aesthetic?
R: “I feel like that is what represents me most and what makes me feel most like myself. From a technical perspective, I think it compliments the natural contrast of my features, but besides that, I see it as an extension of my personal style, just like my clothes or my hair. Ever since I can remember I’ve been drawn to more dramatic aesthetics.”
XO: What made you want to start taking social media seriously, and go down the path of being a beauty influencer?
R: “I don't think there was ever a defining moment when I decided to take social media seriously. I actually started my Instagram account back in October 2019, right after I started University in the UK, without telling anyone, because, to be completely honest, I thought it was a little cringe at the time.”
“My boyfriend was the one who encouraged me to start posting, since I was already spending a lot of time doing my makeup and taking self-portraits with my camera. I've always loved photography, editing and retouching, and at the time I was watching a lot of photographers on YouTube, getting inspired by their creative process.”
“Eventually, I started sharing my own photos on Instagram, and my account slowly began to grow. It all happened organically, without any particular expectations or a bigger plan in mind. I wouldn't really consider being a beauty influencer my job, as it's not something I currently make a living from. To me, it's more of a creative outlet, something I genuinely enjoy doing in my free time.”
XO: What have you found the most challenging about posting on socials?
R: “Video content, for sure. I started posting on Instagram before Reels were even a thing, and I think I'm still trying to adjust to the shift towards short-form content. I've always enjoyed longer formats, like the old-school YouTube beauty tutorials where someone would spend five minutes explaining how to blend a transition shade. I love that level of detail, so having to condense an entire creative process into a few seconds can be challenging."
“Also, talking to a camera is something I've always struggled with because I've always preferred photography and static posts, and I guess I'm a little nostalgic for the days when Instagram was primarily a platform where we’d all share photos of what we like. That's still my favorite way of showcasing my work.”
XO: What have you found the most rewarding about it?
R: “Honestly, just having a few hours to myself to sit down, do my makeup and listen to music is one of my favorite things. After a long day at work, it feels incredibly relaxing to switch off for a bit and get lost in the creative process. I love having that time where I can experiment with whatever I feel like, without any pressure.”
“Another really rewarding part has been discovering so many incredibly talented makeup artists whose work I genuinely admire. I've also made some real friendships along the way, which is something I never expected when I first started posting.”
XO: Who inspires you the most in your work?
R: “I tend to find inspiration in pretty much anything but more often than not, it starts with color. I might come across an interesting color combination while walking down the street, in someone's outfit, a fashion editorial or a movie, and immediately start thinking about how I could translate it into a makeup look. I also have quite a collection of colorful orchids, and whenever they bloom, I find myself getting inspired by their colors. But, if I were to chose someone that I feel inspired by, Tatiana (@tatianaroseart) always comes to mind.”
XO: What’s your favourite makeup look in pop culture (film, TV, music, etc.)?
R: “There's one look I've always loved and I think about it often. It is Jennifer Connelly's makeup in Requiem for a Dream. There's a scene where her character, Marion, is doing her makeup in front of the mirror right before Harry calls her. She has this gorgeous grungy smokey eye, with the center of her lids left almost bare, giving them this beautiful wet effect."
"Her complexion is so pale and the deep burgundy lipstick complements the whole look perfectly. I especially love the close-ups of her eyes and lips, particularly when she's applying mascara and you can see the makeup in detail. There's something so raw and effortless about the whole look, and I think the way it's filmed makes it even more striking, especially when she tears up and her eyes start glistening.”
XO: What’s a trend in beauty you want to see more of?
R: “Hmm, I'm not sure. I think trends can be a lot of fun, but I love seeing people develop their own distinct style and experiment with makeup however they want, regardless of what's currently popular.”
“I do miss seeing more color and exciting eye makeup products. I feel like over the past few years, the focus has shifted away from eyeshadow palettes, glitters and multichrome shadows, and I'd love to see those make a comeback.”
XO: If you could give yourself when you first started posting your makeup on socials one piece of advice, what would it be?
R: “I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. I’d probably say to experiment even more and stop being shy and so self analytical.”
Lastly, what is a beauty essential you couldn’t do without?
R: “Mascara for sure. If someone forced me to use just one makeup product for the rest of my life it would probably be mascara. It opens up my eyes instantly and I love to be extra with my bottom lashes. Never too many layers!”
