Every parent has flashbacks to glitter-fuelled craft sessions. Many of us are still finding flecks of glitter in our homes, years after toddler times have passed. The instinctive response to seeing it all over runway models’ faces for the past and next few seasons might be to say heck, no. Counterpoint: the world is pretty dull and matte right now—so perhaps it’s time to shine, courtesy of shimmer, metallics, frost, and yes, glitter.
Your first rung on the shine ladder is shimmer. “Shimmer is finely milled and can give off a pearlescent finish,” says makeup artist Sandra Yang. She loves it as highlighter and also for the eye area. “I would put on a matte shadow first, and then I would take the shimmer and either put it in the inner corner of the eye or middle of the eye to get that reflective look,” she says.
Next up, frosted and metallic looks. “Metallics are more reflective and their colours are more prominent,” says Yang. “Frosted shades look more silvery because the light is more diffused when it hits.” Frosted may be another word that breaks you out in hives if you have any memory of ’80s lipsticks, but Yang says there’s a modern way to use them: as a highlight. A small amount blended into the centre of the lower lip can make it look plumper and fuller.
Now, to glitter, which has visible “bits” in it. Yang is a big fan of it for parties. The subtlest way to try it is as eyeliner. “I take a very soft kohl pencil and then put it along the eye line, then use glitter as the liner,” she says. The kohl gives the glitter something to adhere to. For a really bold, impractical yet fun statement, she loves glittery red lips, à la Dorothy’s ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz. “You put red lipstick on because it’s a cream base, and then you gently pat off the glitter on top of it,” she says. Cleanup for any glittery look requires using adhesive tape to gently remove any stray flecks from skin or clothing. And how do you eat with ruby-slipper lips? You don’t. “A straw is a good accessory,” Yang says.
Want a little sparkle in your life? Here are 11 products to try:
Benefit Game On Glow Palette
Create a beautiful natural blush with this trio. First, apply the Hoola bronzer. Next, sweep Shellie blusher over the apples of the cheek. Finish with shimmer on the tops of the cheekbones, using the Cookie highlighter.
Chanel Le Liner de Chanel in 544 Écarlate
If the full ruby-slipper lips or lids aren’t for you, add a touch of metallic flamboyance with this red eyeliner. It’s waterproof and long-lasting.
Cheekbone Beauty Iluġiñiq Where Loves Glows Highlight Collection
This limited-edition set has three cream highlighters (apply them to areas like the Cupid’s bow, tops of cheekbones, brow bones, and anywhere else that would catch light). The packaging is designed by Haley Putruq, an Inuk artist whose paintings depict the northern lights.
Dior Sequin Liquid Duo in 999 Spectacular
Get starlit lips with this double-ended liquid lipstick. One end has an ultrapigmented matte colour, which reveals flecks of glitter when lips are pressed together (the brand’s creative director, Peter Philips, won’t reveal how this works). At the other end is a sheer lip gloss that you can use to add shine to the look without smudging the glitter. It comes in 10 shades, including the brand’s signature 999 red.
Essie Nail Polish in Liquid Sunrise
Glittery nail polishes look festive, but they’re a pain to remove (the colour comes off easily, but the glitter doesn’t). This frosted, iridescent beige shade adds the sparkle without the fuss.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stackz in Unicorn Blizzard
This sparkling lip gloss looks as pretty on your makeup table as it does on your lips. Pull the applicator through the three stacked shades to create one sheer periwinkle gloss with multicoloured shimmer. Apply on its own or over lipstick.
L’Occitane Almond Shimmering Oil
No reason your face should get all the fun—here’s some sparkle for your body. This light almond-scented oil is instantly absorbed, leaving skin moisturized and with a subtle shimmer.
M.A.C Cosmetics Frost Lipstick in Sheer Metallic Beige
Wear it all over as a definite frosted-lipstick look or as a highlighter to add dimension to your pout.
Make Up For Ever Star Lit Diamond Powder in Burgundy
Apply this with a dry brush (for a more subtle finish) or dampen your brush with setting spray first for more oomph. You can also mix this ultrafine powder with the brand’s Aqua Seal for an even more intense and long-lasting look.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip + Glow Primer
Get all-over shimmer and give your foundation more staying power with this primer. Light-reflecting mica gives a subtle glow, while blue agave extract grips your makeup. There’s also niacinamide and aloe vera for hydration.
Nyx Bridgerton Royal Highlighter in Light Gold
This won’t give you a subtle highlight—but that’s not always what you want. The dense gold highlighter can be used as a showstopping eyeshadow, and its silky texture just glides onto skin.
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