Glam AI: Deconstructing a $90k/Month AI Makeup App Dominating With Smart Onboarding and Viral Loops

The Seven-Step Seduction: Glam AI's Onboarding Funnel

Glam AI understands that first impressions are everything, especially when asking users for a selfie. Their 7-step onboarding process is a masterclass in building excitement and trust before hitting users with its core value proposition.

It all starts with a simple, elegant welcome: "Glam AI - Get Your Dream Makeup!" paired with a chic bow logo 🎀. This immediately sets a feminine, aspirational tone.

Next, a bold social proof claim: "Trusted by Over 1+ Million People!" accompanied by a kiss mark stamp and five gold stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. This builds instant credibility, making new users feel they're joining a popular, validated service.

Then comes the permission request, but framed gently. The "Allow Notifications" screen, featuring a friendly bell icon 🔔, aims to secure a vital re-engagement channel early on.

The core request follows: "Upload a No Makeup Selfie of You." Crucially, Glam AI doesn't just ask; it guides. An initial screen shows a sample image and clear instructions: "For best results, keep your face straight and clear, mouth closed, and avoid shadows!" This preempts poor quality uploads that could derail the AI.

This is immediately reinforced by a dedicated "Do's & Don'ts" screen 💎. With visual examples of good and bad selfies (face the camera, good lighting, no harsh shadows vs. angled shots, poor lighting, obstructions), Glam AI educates users on how to provide the best input for optimal AI results. This proactive guidance is key to user success and satisfaction.

Once the user understands the requirements and uploads their photo (or chooses a provided example to test the waters), they confirm their choice. The journey to transformation is now primed.

The final step in this initial onboarding is the feature and paywall reveal. This isn't a hard gate but a carefully constructed soft paywall.

The "Dream Makeup" Reveal & The $13.99/Week Ask

With the selfie secured, Glam AI transitions into teasing the magic. The headline "GET YOUR DREAM MAKEUP! Proven to help you transform your makeup routine" sets high expectations. This is delivered via a swipeable carousel:

First, personalization and product discovery: "Unlock makeup products just for you 💄." An example shows a Rare Beauty blush, with a direct "Shop on Sephora!" link. This hints at an affiliate revenue stream and positions the app as a practical shopping tool, not just a virtual try-on. The copy justifies the recommendation: "Because your skin has a natural texture... this product will fit perfectly..."

Next, the big promise: "Reveal what you'll look like 👀." A blurred image of a face tantalizingly previews the AI transformation, building anticipation for the makeup look.

Below this carousel sits the call to action: "Glam AI Pro renews at $13.99/week" with a prominent "Unlock for 7 Days" button. This "No Free Trial - Soft Paywall" approach means users commit to the subscription to see their personalized result. The "7 Days" might refer to the first week of the paid subscription, offering a window to experience the full value.

Beyond Onboarding: Engagement, Virality, and Personalization

Once a user commits (or perhaps after an initial "analysis" if they opt-in), they're shown their transformed selfie with the header "Get Your Dream Makeup Routine!" and a "Begin analysis" button. It’s at this moment of peak engagement – seeing their AI-enhanced look – that Glam AI often slips in a review prompt: "Enjoying Glam AI? Tap a star to write us a review 🥰." Smart timing.

The core app experience resembles a TikTok-style feed. Users can browse various makeup styles like "Glam ✨," "Goth 🕷️," "Alt 🖤," "Clean girl 💧," "Latina 🌹," and "Douyin 🌸." Each video showcases a look, with options to "Follow" creators, virtually "Makeup Try-On!" the look, and tap a "Products 🛍️" icon. This last action reveals a list of "Makeup Products Used" (e.g., Fenty Beauty, NARS), likely with affiliate links, further monetizing engagement.

This content discovery model keeps users exploring and finding inspiration, driving long-term retention.

Fueling its organic growth is a clever referral system. The "Get a Free Scan! 🎁" feature offers "1 free makeup look" for every three friends who sign up using a user's code. With options to "Share on Tiktok!" this directly taps into viral sharing behaviors.

Further personalization comes with the "What's your budget?" setting, allowing users to specify if they prefer ✨Light, 💁‍♀️Affordable, 💰High-end, or 🛍️Elite products. This likely tailors the product recommendations, making them more relevant and increasing conversion potential for affiliate sales.

Unpacking Glam AI's Success Strategy

Glam AI's early traction seems to stem from several key strategies:

1. Clear Value Proposition: "Get Your Dream Makeup!" is a compelling promise that resonates instantly.
2. Visually Appealing & Thematic UI: The consistent pink, modern aesthetic creates a strong brand identity.
3. Intelligent Onboarding: The 7-step flow educates users, builds trust with social proof, and manages expectations for the AI. The detailed selfie guidance is critical.
4. Anticipation-Driven Paywall: The blurred image and feature teases create desire before the subscription ask. The $13.99/week price point suggests confidence in the value delivered.
5. Engaging Content Core: The TikTok-style feed provides endless inspiration and discovery, encouraging repeat usage.
6. Monetization Beyond Subscription: Integrated product recommendations with direct shopping links offer an additional revenue stream.
7. Built-in Virality: The "refer-3-friends-get-a-scan" mechanic is a smart way to drive word-of-mouth growth, explaining their current lack of ad spend.
8. Deep Personalization: From selfie analysis to budget preferences, the app strives to deliver tailored experiences.

Glam AI by Viral Tech Inc. is a prime example of how a well-designed user journey, coupled with a strong AI-powered value proposition and smart monetization tactics, can quickly carve out a niche. By focusing on user education for optimal AI input and building viral loops, they've created a compelling growth engine in the competitive beauty app market. Other app developers can learn a lot from dissecting these patterns of effective onboarding, soft paywalling, and engagement mechanics.