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15 glitter makeup looks that will convince you to try this trend today

Glitter is no longer reserved for the festive (and festival) season

By Chelsea Tromans

Beauty Crew Contributing Editor / April 20 2020

Glitter makeup is the sort of glam look you reserve for the festive (or festival) season. But who wants to wait all year long to glow a little (or a lot!)? Glitter makeup has the ability to instantly light up the face, make a statement and breathe new life into your same-old everyday makeup look.

And, here’s the thing you need to know about glitter makeup: you don’t have to go all in. In fact, undone and understated glitter makeup looks are our new favourite way to step up our daily looks. The other great thing about glitter makeup is that perfection is *not* the name of the game.

Here are 15 ways to wear glitter makeup, plus the products to buy to copy each look.

Slept-in glitter

Amber Heard’s slept-in smoky eye is just the ticket to glam up a messy topknot on laidback weekends.

Get the look: Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow

Graphic glitter liner

A graphic eyeliner design and glitter’s bold nature go hand in hand. Kristen Stewart’s thick, saturated application makes sure there’s no missing this statement look.

Get the look: Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

Glitterella

Going for a modern-day Cinderella vibe? Elle Fanning has you sorted. Her ballerina bun and rosy cheeks bring the sweet while her darker pink, densely packed glitter winged eyeliner gives the look an edgy, millennial upgrade.

Get the look: Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Gel in Saturday Stardust

More is more

Usually we’d recommend sticking to just one bold statement when working with glitter, but Cara Delevingne is proof that good things come from breaking the rules. Why this look works so well is the red lip - its neat finish and classic colour ground the smudgy, undone eyeshadow, while the lipstick’s soft sheen compliments the glitter’s sparkle without taking away from the eyes, which are the true stars of this look.

Get the look: BYS Glitter Eyeshadow Palette from Kmart

Starry night

We are all about Karlie Kloss’s glittery masked makeup look for a night out. The large flecks of glitter are sure to shine during late nights on the dance floor. The mix of flawless skin, nude lips and messy hair gives the look a nonchalant vibe.

Get the look: In Your Dreams Chunky Glitter

A clear winner

Glitter doesn’t need to be laid on thick to make an impact. What we love about Lily Collins’ take on the trend is her decision to apply a clear gel glitter to bare eyelids, before giving the eyes extra definition with a slim metallic silver eyeliner and curled lashes.

Get the look: IGK House Party Hair & Body Glitter Stick in Electro (you can use it on your body and hair, too!)

Glitter lips

Your eyes aren’t the only ones who can get in on the glitter party. Naomi Campbell had everyone talking with this crimson glitter lipstick look. You don’t even need a glitter lipstick: just paint on your favourite lip colour then layer with a cosmetic glitter formula like MAC Cosmetics Loose Glitter over the top. This is one time when precision is key! If you want a toned-down version, swipe on YSL Rouge Volupté Rock'n Shine Lipstick.

Glitter Makeup Looks - Scarlett Johansson

Midas touch

Gold glitter is always a good idea. It warms up the complexion, brightens the eyes and can stand alone if you want to pare back the rest of your makeup like Scarlett Johansson.

Get the look: Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Trophy Wife

Stardust eyes

If you want to soften a matte base, copy Margot Robbie and add a sweep of glitter across bare eyes to give your look a luminous touch that’s not too OTT.

Get the look: Lemonhead LA Spacejam

Reverse glitter eyeliner

Emma Stone flipped our expectations on their head by wearing a bold blue eyeliner on her lower lash line, and a silver glitter eyeliner - sharply drawn on - up top. You can practically see the twinkle in her eye.

Get the look: Too Faced Glitter POP! Peel Off Eyeliner

Molten glitter

Rita Ora used a dusting of gold glitter on the centre of her lids as the icing on her super smoky eye look.

Get the look: Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette of Pops in Starlight

Effortlessly au naturel(ish)

Glitter makeup doesn’t always have to be bold. Hailey Bieber’s glossy finely milled glitter eye makeup is the perfect understated complement to off-duty dewy skin and glossy lips.

Get the look: NYX Professional Makeup Metallic Glitter

Dial up the drama

Keen to channel those Studio 54 disco vibes? Take your cues from Zoe Saldana’s 2019 Met Gala look. Not even her unruly curls can draw our eyes away from that dramatic glitter eye makeup.

Get the look: Barry M Pick & Glitz

Bright eyes

Look at how the whites of Gabrielle Union’s eyes pop! Just a smudge of a glittery eyeshadow on the inner corners is sometimes all you need to stand out.

Get the look: NARS Single Eyeshadow in Ganges

Under-eye accent

Lucy Boynton is the queen of bold yet beautiful eye makeup looks. By focusing her glitter application under the eyes (a great way to brighten up dark circles!) then pairing it with extra long lashes on the top only, she’s created a striking balance.

Get the look: Tarte Treasure Pot Glitter Gel

Top application tip: Apply your sparkly eye makeup first, so you can tidy up any glitter fallout without having to start over. And if you do get fallout, use tape to pick up any traces.

If you’re after eco-friendly glitter options, check out these biodegradable glitters.

Image credits: Getty

Chelsea Tromans

Chelsea is BEAUTYcrew’s Contributing Editor. She has a sweet spot for anything that claims to make skin glow and won’t leave the house without a slick of mascara. Chelsea has 10 years of experience as a beauty editor and her words can be found on BEAUTYcrew, Women’s Health, Daily Addict, The Joye and Primped.