Cover Stephanie Valentine, aka Glamzilla, on how she keeps her makeup fresh in Asia’s humidity
Stephanie Valentine, aka Glamzilla, on how she keeps her makeup fresh in Asia’s humidity
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TikTok’s no-nonsense beauty creator Glamzilla talks climate-appropriate coverage, cult classics, and why Asian brands are ready to lead the next global trend cycle
When you live in a climate where your makeup starts melting before you can order your next iced coffee, you’re selective about who to take beauty advice from. Stephanie Valentine, better known as Glamzilla, is one beauty content creator who combines genuine expertise with the kind of candour that cuts through the noise.
A Filipino-Canadian beauty creator with over five million followers across platforms, Glamzilla is best known for her viral TikTok reviews and signature “one-minute face”—a look she’s perfected through years of testing products, not just performing for the camera. She’s carved out a unique lane in a crowded industry by saying what she thinks, advocating for inclusivity and favouring function over fluff. In a region like Southeast Asia, where heat, humidity and high expectations collide, her straightforward approach has particular appeal.
We caught up with Glamzilla via email to talk about what beauty actually means in our part of the world: how to wear foundation without looking like you’re wearing foundation, which classic products she keeps returning to, and why Asian brands don’t just need to deliver quality—they need to own their stories. From featherweight primers to properly pigmented lipsticks, here’s what Glamzilla is reaching for this season.
What are your go-to products or techniques to keep makeup fresh in Asia’s humidity?
Heat is one thing but humidity… a whole other. Three tips to remember:
1. Less is more. Pull for lightweight formulas that layer well together. Pro tip: Start with primer: The Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas is a featherweight formula that has a natural finish and layers well on top of your skincare and under your makeup!
2. Try tints: Cheek, lip and skin tints are the way to go! I love the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer because it’s a light coverage formula that leaves your skin feeling hydrated and looking radiant with a weightless feel.
3. Glam insurance is a thing: setting powders and setting sprays will lock your glam in. L’Oréal’s Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist is a transfer and sweat-proof formula that you can count on—it’s viral and everyone online swears by it!
Read more: 18 best lip tints and balms for long-lasting colour and hydration
Are there any recent product discoveries that you'd love to share about and why?
It feels like there’s a new beauty launch every week. I’m tired of “new” and recently, I have been pulling more for the beauty space’s cult-classic formulas. Here are my top three cult classic formulas that outlive trends and virality:
Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer: This is one of the highest performing affordable concealers on the market. It’s been a staple in the beauty community for years and they just launched brightening shades!
Covergirl Perfect Point Plus Ink Gel Eye Pencil: This cult classic will continue to be a staple throughout the years. Ultra black and ultra pigmented—this is a cult classic because you can just count on it.
L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Lipstick: A beloved formula that has worked for our grandmas and mothers still works for us too! It’s undeniable that these super creamy lipsticks are jam-packed with hydration and pigment. My go-to shade is ‘Worth It’—the ultimate pinky nude.
Above Stephanie Valentine, better known as Glamzilla, boasts over five million followers across platforms and is well known for her viral TikTok reviews and signature “one-minute face”
Stephanie Valentine, better known as Glamzilla, boasts over five million followers across platforms and is well known for her viral TikTok reviews and signature “one-minute face”
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K-beauty and J-beauty have shaped the global beauty conversation. How do you see Asian brands leading in 2025?
From glass skin to cushion foundations, it’s no doubt that K-beauty and J-beauty have taken over our beauty spaces online globally. On social media, the average beauty consumer is looking for three things: quality, performance and good ingredients. However, nowadays it seems like every Asian brand can deliver that. So what do we need next? Storytelling. It’s time to highlight, celebrate and honour Asian contributions in our beauty space.
When it comes to base makeup in tropical climates, what’s your advice for achieving coverage without heaviness?
Full coverage does not mean more makeup. Gone are the days we have to build layers to achieve a full coverage makeup look. Pro tip: Opt for a full-coverage concealer like the current trending Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer. Spot conceal your problem areas where you want extra coverage. Follow up with a light to medium coverage foundation like the Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Foundation. Once your problem areas are covered, you don’t need full coverage. Glam smarter—not thicker!
What makeup trends are you seeing this season? Are we leaning into colour, shine, or more understated looks?
Blurred and glossed. That’s the latest makeup trend of the season. From foundations to blushes, the latest beauty launches this season focus on achieving the ultimate filtered, blurred complexion. However, don’t let that fool you because gloss is not going anywhere. Although lip oils are slowly phasing out—our beloved go-to super shiny lip glosses are back in! (Yes, there is a difference between a lip oil and a lip gloss!)
Andrea Saadan is the Senior Digital Editor of Tatler Singapore. She oversees all digital content for the website and currently leads the Beauty and Lifestyle verticals. As a child, she had always enjoyed reading and writing but it was only after she joined her college newspaper, The Spectrum, in Buffalo, New York, that she considered a career in journalism. Her love for all things beauty started from the age of two—when she was caught playing with (and damaging) her mother’s YSL lipstick. On top of her day job, she is also an unpaid beauty consultant for friends and family. Besides make-up, her obsessions include the wizarding world of Harry Potter, podcasts, ice-cream, her walking pad and watching endless re-runs of The Office (US).
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