diff --git a/frontend/src/assets/main.css b/frontend/src/assets/main.css
index 69a4a3b..aa1a138 100644
--- a/frontend/src/assets/main.css
+++ b/frontend/src/assets/main.css
@@ -16,9 +16,26 @@
   --color-text-on-gradient: #ffffff;
   --color-surface: #fff5f8;
   --color-card: #ffffff;
+  --color-dark-base: #1B1730;
+
+  /* Glass system */
   --color-glass: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  --color-glass-strong: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
+  --color-glass-subtle: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
   --color-glass-border: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18);
+  --color-glass-border-hover: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
   --color-glass-hover: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18);
+  --color-glass-inner: rgba(27, 23, 48, 0.55);
+  --color-glass-overlay: rgba(27, 23, 48, 0.4);
+
+  /* Text on gradient (opacity variants) */
+  --color-text-muted: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+  --color-text-secondary: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
+  --color-text-soft: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
+  --color-text-bright: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
+
+  /* Glow border */
+  --gradient-glow: conic-gradient(from 135deg, var(--color-gradient-start), var(--color-gradient-mid), var(--color-gradient-end), var(--color-gradient-start));
 
   /* Gradient */
   --gradient-primary: linear-gradient(135deg, #f06292 0%, #ab47bc 50%, #5c6bc0 100%);
@@ -63,7 +80,7 @@ html {
 
 body {
   min-height: 100vh;
-  background-color: #1B1730;
+  background-color: var(--color-dark-base);
   position: relative;
 }
 
@@ -71,7 +88,7 @@ body::before {
   content: '';
   position: fixed;
   inset: 0;
-  background-color: #1B1730;
+  background-color: var(--color-dark-base);
   background-image:
     radial-gradient(at 70% 20%, rgba(240, 98, 146, 0.55) 0px, transparent 50%),
     radial-gradient(at 25% 50%, rgba(171, 71, 188, 0.5) 0px, transparent 55%),
@@ -194,6 +211,68 @@ textarea.form-field {
   100% { background-position: -200% 0; }
 }
 
+/* ── Glass System ── */
+
+/* Glass surface: passive containers on gradient (cards, icon boxes) */
+.glass {
+  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--color-glass-strong) 0%, var(--color-glass-subtle) 100%);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-glass-border);
+  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
+  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
+  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
+}
+
+.glass:hover {
+  background: var(--color-glass-hover);
+  border-color: var(--color-glass-border-hover);
+}
+
+/* Glass interactive inner: dark translucent fill for interactive elements (FAB, CTA) */
+.glass-inner {
+  background: var(--color-glass-inner);
+  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
+  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
+}
+
+/* Glow border: conic gradient wrapper with halo (static) */
+.glow-border {
+  background: var(--gradient-glow);
+  padding: 2px;
+  position: relative;
+}
+
+.glow-border::before {
+  content: '';
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: -4px;
+  border-radius: inherit;
+  background: var(--gradient-glow);
+  filter: blur(8px);
+  opacity: 0.3;
+  z-index: -1;
+}
+
+/* Glow border animated variant */
+@property --glow-angle {
+  syntax: '<angle>';
+  initial-value: 0deg;
+  inherits: false;
+}
+
+.glow-border--animated {
+  background: conic-gradient(from var(--glow-angle), var(--color-gradient-start), var(--color-gradient-mid), var(--color-gradient-end), var(--color-gradient-start));
+  animation: glow-rotate 4s linear infinite;
+}
+
+.glow-border--animated::before {
+  background: conic-gradient(from var(--glow-angle), var(--color-gradient-start), var(--color-gradient-mid), var(--color-gradient-end), var(--color-gradient-start));
+  animation: glow-rotate 4s linear infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes glow-rotate {
+  to { --glow-angle: 360deg; }
+}
+
 /* Utility */
 .text-center {
   text-align: center;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/AttendeeList.vue b/frontend/src/components/AttendeeList.vue
index d826a8a..d8b5630 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/AttendeeList.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/AttendeeList.vue
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ defineProps<{
 .attendee-list__heading {
   font-size: 0.75rem;
   font-weight: 700;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
   text-transform: uppercase;
   letter-spacing: 0.08em;
 }
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ defineProps<{
 
 .attendee-list__item {
   font-size: 0.95rem;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
+  color: var(--color-text-soft);
   line-height: 1.4;
   overflow: hidden;
   text-overflow: ellipsis;
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ defineProps<{
 
 .attendee-list__empty {
   font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
   font-style: italic;
 }
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/CreateEventFab.vue b/frontend/src/components/CreateEventFab.vue
index 30d48a9..f10489d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/CreateEventFab.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/CreateEventFab.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <template>
-  <RouterLink to="/create" class="fab" aria-label="Create event">
-    <span class="fab__inner">
+  <RouterLink to="/create" class="fab glow-border" aria-label="Create event">
+    <span class="fab__inner glass-inner">
       <span class="fab__icon" aria-hidden="true">+</span>
     </span>
   </RouterLink>
@@ -18,37 +18,19 @@ import { RouterLink } from 'vue-router'
   width: 56px;
   height: 56px;
   border-radius: 50%;
-  background: conic-gradient(from 135deg, #F06292, #AB47BC, #5C6BC0, #F06292);
   color: #fff;
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
   text-decoration: none;
   z-index: 100;
-  padding: 2px;
-
   transition: transform 0.15s ease;
 }
 
-.fab::before {
-  content: '';
-  position: absolute;
-  inset: -4px;
-  border-radius: 50%;
-  background: conic-gradient(from 135deg, #F06292, #AB47BC, #5C6BC0, #F06292);
-  filter: blur(8px);
-  opacity: 0.3;
-  z-index: -1;
-
-}
-
 .fab__inner {
   width: 100%;
   height: 100%;
   border-radius: 50%;
-  background: rgba(27, 23, 48, 0.55);
-  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
-  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/DateSubheader.vue b/frontend/src/components/DateSubheader.vue
index b7b2a23..2be49ce 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/DateSubheader.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/DateSubheader.vue
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ defineProps<{
 .date-subheader {
   font-size: 0.85rem;
   font-weight: 500;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
+  color: var(--color-text-soft);
   margin: 0;
   padding: var(--spacing-xs) 0;
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EmptyState.vue b/frontend/src/components/EmptyState.vue
index 9938e4b..4b6a148 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EmptyState.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EmptyState.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 <template>
   <div class="empty-state">
     <p class="empty-state__message">No events yet.<br />Create your first one!</p>
-    <RouterLink to="/create" class="btn-primary empty-state__cta">+ Create Event</RouterLink>
+    <RouterLink to="/create" class="empty-state__cta glow-border glow-border--animated">
+      <span class="empty-state__cta-inner glass-inner">Create Event</span>
+    </RouterLink>
   </div>
 </template>
 
@@ -27,5 +29,34 @@ import { RouterLink } from 'vue-router'
 
 .empty-state__cta {
   max-width: 280px;
+  width: 100%;
+  border-radius: var(--radius-button);
+  text-decoration: none;
+  transition: transform 0.1s ease;
+}
+
+.empty-state__cta-inner {
+  display: block;
+  width: 100%;
+  padding: var(--spacing-md) var(--spacing-lg);
+  border-radius: calc(var(--radius-button) - 2px);
+  font-family: inherit;
+  font-size: 1rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: #fff;
+  text-align: center;
+}
+
+.empty-state__cta:hover {
+  transform: scale(1.02);
+}
+
+.empty-state__cta:active {
+  transform: scale(0.98);
+}
+
+.empty-state__cta:focus-visible {
+  outline: 2px solid #fff;
+  outline-offset: 3px;
 }
 </style>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/EventCard.vue b/frontend/src/components/EventCard.vue
index 5587b8a..5ddeb8d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/EventCard.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/EventCard.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <template>
   <div
-    class="event-card"
+    class="event-card glass"
     :class="{ 'event-card--past': isPast, 'event-card--swiping': isSwiping }"
     :style="swipeStyle"
     @touchstart="onTouchStart"
@@ -93,22 +93,12 @@ function onTouchEnd() {
 .event-card {
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05) 100%);
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-glass-border);
   border-radius: var(--radius-card);
-  box-shadow: var(--shadow-card);
-  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
-  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
   padding: var(--spacing-md) var(--spacing-lg);
   gap: var(--spacing-sm);
   transition: background 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease;
 }
 
-.event-card:hover {
-  background: var(--color-glass-hover);
-  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
-}
-
 .event-card--past {
   opacity: 0.6;
   filter: saturate(0.5);
@@ -140,7 +130,7 @@ function onTouchEnd() {
 .event-card__time {
   font-size: 0.8rem;
   font-weight: 400;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
 }
 
 .event-card__badge {
@@ -158,8 +148,8 @@ function onTouchEnd() {
 }
 
 .event-card__badge--attendee {
-  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
+  background: var(--color-glass-strong);
+  color: var(--color-text-bright);
 }
 
 .event-card__delete {
@@ -172,7 +162,7 @@ function onTouchEnd() {
   background: none;
   border: none;
   font-size: 1.2rem;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
   cursor: pointer;
   border-radius: 50%;
   transition: color 0.15s ease, background 0.15s ease;
diff --git a/frontend/src/views/EventDetailView.vue b/frontend/src/views/EventDetailView.vue
index c8deee9..4d9b390 100644
--- a/frontend/src/views/EventDetailView.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/views/EventDetailView.vue
@@ -33,21 +33,21 @@
 
         <dl class="detail__meta">
           <div class="detail__meta-item">
-            <dt class="detail__meta-icon" aria-label="Date and time">
+            <dt class="detail__meta-icon glass" aria-label="Date and time">
               <svg width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><rect x="3" y="4" width="18" height="18" rx="2"/><line x1="16" y1="2" x2="16" y2="6"/><line x1="8" y1="2" x2="8" y2="6"/><line x1="3" y1="10" x2="21" y2="10"/></svg>
             </dt>
             <dd class="detail__meta-text">{{ formattedDateTime }}</dd>
           </div>
 
           <div v-if="event.location" class="detail__meta-item">
-            <dt class="detail__meta-icon" aria-label="Location">
+            <dt class="detail__meta-icon glass" aria-label="Location">
               <svg width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M21 10c0 7-9 13-9 13s-9-6-9-13a9 9 0 0 1 18 0z"/><circle cx="12" cy="10" r="3"/></svg>
             </dt>
             <dd class="detail__meta-text">{{ event.location }}</dd>
           </div>
 
           <div class="detail__meta-item">
-            <dt class="detail__meta-icon" aria-label="Attendees">
+            <dt class="detail__meta-icon glass" aria-label="Attendees">
               <svg width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M17 21v-2a4 4 0 0 0-4-4H5a4 4 0 0 0-4 4v2"/><circle cx="9" cy="7" r="4"/><path d="M23 21v-2a4 4 0 0 0-3-3.87"/><path d="M16 3.13a4 4 0 0 1 0 7.75"/></svg>
             </dt>
             <dd class="detail__meta-text">{{ event.attendeeCount }} going</dd>
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ onMounted(fetchEvent)
   inset: 0;
   background: linear-gradient(
     to bottom,
-    rgba(27, 23, 48, 0.4) 0%,
+    var(--color-glass-overlay) 0%,
     transparent 50%
   );
 }
@@ -369,11 +369,7 @@ onMounted(fetchEvent)
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
-  background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05) 100%);
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-glass-border);
   border-radius: 10px;
-  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
-  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
   color: var(--color-text-on-gradient);
 }
 
@@ -393,14 +389,14 @@ onMounted(fetchEvent)
 .detail__section-title {
   font-size: 0.75rem;
   font-weight: 700;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
   text-transform: uppercase;
   letter-spacing: 0.08em;
 }
 
 .detail__description {
   font-size: 0.95rem;
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
+  color: var(--color-text-soft);
   line-height: 1.6;
   word-break: break-word;
 }
@@ -415,8 +411,8 @@ onMounted(fetchEvent)
 }
 
 .detail__banner--expired {
-  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
-  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);
+  background: var(--color-glass);
+  color: var(--color-text-soft);
   backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
 }
 
@@ -429,7 +425,7 @@ onMounted(fetchEvent)
 
 /* Skeleton – shimmer on gradient */
 .skeleton {
-  background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1) 25%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25) 50%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1) 75%);
+  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--color-glass) 25%, var(--color-glass-hover) 50%, var(--color-glass) 75%);
   background-size: 200% 100%;
 }