Glitter, a bold survivor from the '90s, is back in full force this season, lighting up makeup bags everywhere. As a seasoned makeup artist with years of studio experience, I've seen how to harness its dazzle without overwhelming your look. Here's expert guidance on creating stunning glitter makeup that shines subtly.
Mother-of-pearl shimmer in sky blue on the eyelids, glitter on lips and nails, layered into smoky eyes, or silver highlights at the inner eye corners... Whether on the mouth, nails, or blended into skin, glitters serve as elegant accents.
Once a staple for '80s American teens, they gained glamour through icons like Way Bandy and Kevyn Aucoin. In the '90s, they infused subtle shine into glosses and hairsprays.
"Today, advancements have refined their size, thickness, and color depth," shares Carole Colombani, a studio makeup artist and YouTuber on the MakeUp Is Freedom channel.
"Choose wisely—they come in forms suited to specific uses," cautions Colombani, who deploys them regularly on photo shoots.
For a natural inner glow, opt for micas: these minerals offer soft light reflection in highlighters, creams, foundations, and blushes. "Cream or powder? It depends on your desired finish—a cream blends subtly, while powder amps up glamour," she advises.
Read also: Spotlight on the illuminator, the essential for a radiant complexionFor brighter shimmer, micronized glitter particles, slightly larger than pearls, create micro-flashes in modern highlighters.
Video of the day:Classic glitter works as a top coat over eyeshadow, along lashes, or in the inner eye corner for added dimension.
Skip pearly foundations; pros craft custom glows. "Mix a rice-grain-sized amount of micro-glitter into moisturizer, then massage lightly onto face, neck, and shoulders," explains Colombani. It catches light subtly with movement.
Refresh your complexion with highlighter above the brow arch, cupid's bow, chin, and nose bridge: "Avoid the tip—it can optically flatten the nose," she stresses.
Read also: Strobing, or how to illuminate your complexion like a proFor eyes, layer: pearly cream shadow base topped with glitter powder for depth. "Pair glitter lashes with mascara darker than your iris—like burgundy or emerald over black—to keep eyes popping," recommends the expert.
Try brown pencil embedded with gold flecks: "It's luminous, chic, and subtler than black with silver glitter."
On nails, elevate with matte glitter for elegant reflection. For lips? Skip glitter unless you're runway-bound: "It draws eyes away from yours," advises Colombani.
Glitter isn't like pigments—it doesn't blend; it adheres. "Apply without sweeping to avoid crushing the sparkle," says our expert.
Dampen skin with thermal water on a brush. Use a foam or silicone applicator to place glitter (static prevents fallout), then pat with a fan brush on face or firm flat brush on eyes. Set with fixing spray. Dab falls with micro-porous plaster from pharmacies.
To remove: Lift with plaster first, then massage with oil-based remover to encapsulate particles. Wipe with micellar water—micelles draw out oil and glitter without abrasion.
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