Nikki Glaser's 3 Foolproof Tips for an Immediate Glow-Up—And Why Effort Matters

      Trigger warning: This article includes references to disordered eating. You don’t need to be constantly online to recognize Nikki Glaser’s name. A simple streaming service subscription—or even cable—can make you aware of the comedian, professional roaster, and singer's recent endeavors. Whether you first encountered her through Netflix’s notorious Roast of Tom Brady or during the 2025 Golden Globes, where she made history as the first woman to host the event solo, you're likely familiar with Glaser's sharp humor, stylish (often sparkly) outfits, and iconic long, blonde hair.

      In fact, that flowing golden hair (and her self-described “glow up”) serves as the punchline for many of her jokes during the Alive and Unwell tour—her global comedy tour—due to its importance in her narrative. Glaser's journey involves overcoming challenges within the comedy scene and her battles with self-confidence, leading to a story of personal growth and transformation that largely started with her reflection in the mirror.

      “A lot of female comedians in this male-dominated environment feel pressured to adopt a masculine appearance to gain respect,” she shares with Who What Wear. “That’s why I discuss beauty standards and the pressure I feel to present myself a certain way. In doing so, it also validates my efforts on stage.”

      We had a conversation with Glaser via Zoom about beauty standards, her recent collaboration with L’Oréal, and the beauty staples she relies on for her back-to-back shows, filled with laughter and admiration for her vibrant wardrobe—currently casual loungewear, yet her star quality remained evident.

      You frequently mention how intentional your glow-up was. As someone who executed it effortlessly, what advice would you offer to those still working on theirs?

      I've gained so much from being on camera and collaborating with hair and makeup professionals. Anything I've excelled at in my life is thanks to seeking help and practicing diligently. When I look back at pictures of myself on stage at the start of my comedy career, I think, “What was I doing with my hair and makeup?” Yes, styles have evolved, but I was genuinely clueless then. I didn't even consider it much—comedy was always about the jokes. You’re just expected to focus on being as funny as possible.

      You stand there with a microphone; there’s no dancing, no choreography, no screens. I remember early in my career, looking into the front row and seeing girls examining me, not judgmentally, but thinking, “Let’s give them something to look at,” you know? So I decided to embrace my femininity… And the moment I accepted, “I want to be a pretty girl”—having always dreamed of being a pop star and admiring beauty and the beauty industry—I committed wholeheartedly.

      Sometimes, fellow comedians criticize me for it, suggesting that I should focus on what’s more important, but typically, that negativity stems from jealousy or insecurity. When people feel like, “I don’t know how to do a cat eye,” or “I can’t blow-dry my hair like that,” they often mock it instead of trying because it's considered “lame” to invest in that. My material evolved to defend it.

      Let’s talk hair. What tips do you have for maintaining blonde hair, and which products do you rely on during your tour to keep your locks radiant?

      As you know, I get highlights every 4 to 14 weeks—depending on whether I can pull off the grown-out roots. Hair is incredibly important to me because I experienced an eating disorder early in life, leading to significant hair loss and trauma. Therefore, I’m particularly gentle with my hair.

      That's why I'm in love with L’Oréal’s new Airlight Pro. When blow-drying, you can cause so much heat damage that your hair can feel dry afterward. This is the first time I’ve felt, “Oh, I might be doing something beneficial for my hair while drying it, rather than just air-drying.”

      It’s truly a professional tool that gives you the sensation of using something I would only have encountered while getting my hair done by professionals. Now I have it in my personal collection. This tool boosts my confidence when I step on stage with a blowout. With a spray tan, a blowout, and false eyelashes, I feel more confident performing. Every time I get those, I sense that things are turning around in my life. People assume I have my medications sorted or reconciled with my sister—it's the little things they can’t quite identify. And those are my essentials.

      Now, what are your thoughts on the “recession blonde”—people allowing their natural color to grow out and blend with their blonde hair because salon visits are becoming too costly?

      I recently underwent a color analysis. My friends were chatting about various TikToks on color analysis, and I was skeptical, thinking, “That girl probably just used a filter.” But then a specialist helped