Stephanie Santana, a.k.a., the one and only Glamzilla, talks confidence, beauty rituals, and how small touches—like the right lipstick or a bright smile—can transform the way you feel.
Acclaimed Canadian makeup artist, Stephanie Santana (a.k.a. Glamzilla), knows the power of confidence, and how beauty rituals—from the perfect swipe of lipstick to a radiant smile—can transform not only your look, but how you feel about yourself.
As an esteemed beauty guru who has built a loyal following through trusted tutorials and honest reviews, Santana is an absolute icon who continues to inspire confidence, empower self-expression, and redefine how we think about beauty—from makeup to smiles and beyond.
To celebrate Colgate Optic White Renewal Toothpaste, made with hydrogen peroxide complex (a key tool for visibly whiter teeth), we sat down with Santana to explore how a bright, confident smile plays a starring role in overall beauty—and why it’s more than just a cosmetic boost.
Against the chic backdrop of Toronto’s Distillery District Lip Lab studio, we explored all things beauty and confidence—from the must-try hacks Santana is loving right now to how makeup choices can actually shift your mood—while creating our very own custom lipsticks.
“Now is not the time to play it safe,” explains Santana, during an event designed to inspire creatives to develop their custom lipstick shade at Lip Lab. “I want you to create your perfect red lip.” Armed with a striking, bold red herself, Santana exudes effortless confidence and charisma, demonstrating firsthand how the right lipstick can be truly transformative. Her energy is contagious, encouraging attendees to embrace daring shades, experiment with texture and finish, and step into a look that truly reflects their personality.
As someone who typically shies away from bright lip colors, I felt newly emboldened to step outside of my comfort zone and create my ideal version of a red lip. This also felt like the perfect segue into how the power of confidence–tied to small beauty rituals–can contribute to someone’s sense of self-assurance. “You want the real tea?” says Santana. I lean in as she ushers me closer, revealing, “beauty rituals aren’t products–they’re feelings and little moments we have with ourselves in the mirror.” Santana shares that she doesn’t reach for her phone first thing in the morning. Instead, she starts her day with a shower and brushing her teeth, using that time to mentally map out the day ahead. “I have to be excited about my day so it sets me up for success right away,” she says. “That’s the beauty ritual I cherish because it’s my only moment in the day where I can have a real “me” moment.” Setting those intentions helps establish the tone for everything that follows—including her self-confidence.
This mindful start to her day highlights how little moments can quietly boost confidence. From there, we pivoted to how she approaches the balance between fleeting trends and timeless staples in her own beauty routine. “Here’s the thing–what’s timeless is never trendy, and what’s trendy is not timeless,” she cautions. “However, I feel as though I have been able to harmonize the two.”
How, you might ask?
Santana has been loving the blurred lip trend—a soft, smudged look that mimics the effect of naturally bitten lips—but pairs it with a classic red lip to effortlessly fuse modern flair with timeless elegance. “This makes it forever–and so me,” she emphasizes.
Santana knows that finding the right lipstick shade can be transformative. When it comes to matching a shade with your smile, she says a cool-toned red is key to making teeth appear brighter and whiter. “Beauty is a feeling and an energy–and so is confidence,” she explains. “With lipstick, you want to show off the brightest and whitest smile, which can be super confidence-boosting.”
Yet, Santana admits she never expected her teeth to play such a pivotal role in her beauty journey. “I’ve always been insecure about my teeth,” she confesses. Reflecting on her transformation photos, she realized she rarely smiled before, often laughing while hiding her teeth. “The one thing we should all be able to do is laugh freely and confidently,” she says, her eyes sparkling. “Oral health matters because it’s tied to happiness and feeling truly free.” Even if your teeth aren’t perfectly straight, she adds, keeping them bright and healthy can make you feel like your absolute best self. This is also where we bonded over our shared love for the Colgate Optic White Renewal Toothpaste, which is enamel-safe and formulated to deeply whiten beyond surface stains.
As we came to determine, it’s clear that a confident smile can transform not just your appearance, but also how you feel in the moment. From there, Santana dives into how other beauty choices—like a bold lip or a fresh, bright smile—can actively influence your mood and energy. “I was always inspired by Selena Quintanilla’s red lipstick,” she starts. “When I was younger, I was also captivated watching my mom apply her beloved Wet n Wild true red lipstick.” Having associated red lipstick with beauty from such a young age, Santana reveals how she feels the most like Glamzilla, and like Stephanie herself, when rocking a red lip.
Building on that, Santana considers the broader impact of beauty confidence—how makeup, oral care, and small daily rituals work together to shape not just how we look, but how we carry ourselves. A bold lip and a bright smile, she explains, aren’t just about appearance—they’re about feeling empowered in every moment. “Oral care is part of everyone’s day,” she adds. “With today’s advancements in beauty science and technology, we have the luxury to bring professional-level care into our daily routines at home, making it an effortless part of self-confidence.”
Ultimately, Santana reminds us that confidence isn’t just about the products we use—it’s about the intentional, joyful moments we create for ourselves each day. From the perfect swipe of lipstick to a bright, healthy smile, these small rituals come together to help us show up as our most confident, radiant selves.
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Published by HOLR Magazine
Image credits: camstergram