Honestly, we’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through TikTok or Instagram at 2 a.m., and suddenly a photo of Ariana Grande before and after makeup pops up. One side is the "positions" era—all sharp winged liner and bronzed skin—and the other is a blurry paparazzi shot from 2009 where she looks like a totally different human being. It’s jarring. It makes you wonder: is it just the power of a really good concealer, or is there something more going on?
People love to debate her face. It’s practically a sport at this point. Some fans swear she’s just mastered the art of "clean girl" aesthetics, while critics spend hours circling "changed" features in red ink on Reddit. But here’s the thing—Ariana’s relationship with her own face has actually changed more than the makeup itself.
The "Cat Valentine" Era vs. Modern Glinda
If you look back at Ariana in 2010, she was the girl with the bright red hair and the peachy lip gloss. She didn't have the "signature" look yet. There were no 45-degree angle wings or heavy lashes. Her face was rounder. Softer. Basically, she looked like a teenager because, well, she was one.
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025, especially with her role in Wicked, and the transformation is wild. For the film, she worked with artists like Gabor Kerekes to create this ethereal, almost translucent Glinda look. It’s a far cry from the heavy "Dangerous Woman" tan.
Why the "Before" Looks So Different Now
- The Brow Shift: Ariana used to have very arched, dark brows. Now, she often sports a "straight" brow or even bleached brows for filming. A straight brow pulls the eye upward, giving that "fox eye" effect without necessarily needing a surgeon.
- The Loss of the Tan: For years, Ariana was synonymous with a deep, matte spray tan. Dropping the tan and embracing her natural, paler skin tone (which she’s done recently) completely changes how light hits her bone structure.
- The "Weight" Factor: It’s no secret that Ariana has looked much leaner in recent years. When you lose volume in your face, your nose looks sharper and your cheekbones pop more. It's basic anatomy, but it looks like magic on camera.
The Honest Truth About Fillers and Botox
In a surprisingly vulnerable Vogue "Beauty Secrets" video that went viral a while back, Ariana actually got choked up talking about her face. She admitted to having "a ton" of lip filler and Botox over the years. But then she stopped.
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"I hid behind makeup for a long time," she said. She actually stopped using fillers in 2018 because she felt like it was "too much."
This is where the Ariana Grande before and after makeup conversation gets interesting. Usually, "after" means the glammed-up version. But for Ari, the "after" is actually her moving toward a more natural look. She’s leaning into the wrinkles. She mentioned wanting to see her "well-earned" cry lines and laugh lines. That’s a massive shift for a pop star who used to be known for a "perfect" porcelain mask.
How She Actually Preps Her Skin
You can't talk about her makeup without talking about the canvas. Her routine isn't as complicated as you'd think, but it’s definitely high-end.
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She’s a big fan of the Sarah Ford Biocell Oxygen Serum. It’s basically a refreshing drink for the skin that helps with texture. For hydration, she’s been spotted using La Mer’s Moisturizing Soft Cream, often mixing it with EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46. If you’ve ever wondered why her skin looks like glass even without foundation, that’s the combo.
When she does go for the "full beat," she’s obviously using her own brand, r.e.m. beauty. She uses the Sweetener Foundation (usually shade Light 8MN) and sets it with Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder.
The Real "No Makeup" Look
When Ariana posts a "makeup-free" selfie on Instagram to promote r.e.m. beauty, she isn't always 100% bare-faced. Usually, there’s at least a bit of the Cooling Blurring Undereye Balm involved.
It’s a clever trick. It depuffs the eyes and blurs fine lines so you look "awake" even if you haven't slept. To get that genuine "before" look she has now, she also uses Shiseido Retinol Eye Masks. She’s been known to leave them on for hours while she’s getting her hair done.
The Plastic Surgery Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about it. If you go on YouTube, you’ll find videos from surgeons like Dr. Gary Linkov analyzing her face. People point to her eyelids (blepharoplasty), her nose (rhinoplasty), and her chin.
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While Ariana has only confirmed fillers and Botox, the physical changes in her eye shape are hard to ignore. An endoscopic brow lift or a "ponytail lift" are common theories. This procedure pulls the skin back toward the temples, which coincidentally matches her signature high-ponytail aesthetic perfectly.
Is it just makeup? Likely not. But is it all surgery? Also no. It’s a combination of aging, weight changes, professional lighting, and the most expensive makeup artists on the planet.
What You Can Actually Learn from Her Look
If you’re trying to recreate the Ariana "after" look without the celebrity budget, focus on the eyes.
- Lift the Brow: Use a strong-hold brow gel to brush your hairs upward and slightly outward. This mimics that lifted, wide-awake look.
- The Tiny Wing: Ariana has moved away from the massive "cat eye." Now, she does a very thin, flicked-up line using a kohl pencil or a fine-tip marker like the at the borderline eyeliner.
- Monochromatic Colors: She keeps it simple now. A bit of pink or taupe on the lids, the same shade on the cheeks, and a glossy lip.
The Takeaway
Ariana Grande’s face is a timeline of her career. The heavy makeup of the 2010s was a shield. The lighter, "Wicked-era" look is about transparency. Seeing Ariana Grande before and after makeup isn't just about spotting the differences in her nose or lips; it’s about watching a woman grow up in the most public way possible and finally deciding she’s okay with the person underneath the lashes.
To get a similar "lit from within" glow, focus on your skincare barrier first. Start by incorporating a high-quality SPF every single morning—even when it's cloudy—and prioritize hydration over heavy matte foundations. Embracing your natural texture, as Ariana now suggests, is the ultimate "after" look.