Glitter Makeup Done Classy, Not Trashy (You'll Love It!)

Self Magazine

by Alexandra Samuel

You guys, we know this is the season of glitter: between strings of tinsel, sequined LBDs and sparkling Champagne glasses, we're feeling all things shimmery. But glitter makeup? That's a tricky trend to pull off right there. Load on too much and you'll look something like this -- definitely more Halloween-party scary than NYE chic. The secret to doing it right is picking just ONE feature to play canvas to your cosmic creation instead of entering, um, escort-esque territory. Here are a few ways to pull off the look right.

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EYES: Our favorite way to rock glitter on lids is to keep it simple by choosing a sparkly shadow that's actually close to your skintone. Your lids will catch the light gorgeously -- without looking like you just left a '90s rave. Our current glitter shadow go-to: Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadow, which has a wide range of skintone-like shimmery hues to pick from. Get the look by first lining eyes with a deep brown pencil, making sure to smudge down into the lashline, as the goal is to define your peepers and make 'em stand out. Then, press a layer of Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue Eye Shadow Primer from lashline to crease on each lid. This stuff is pretty brilliant -- it literally locks your glitter in place. Finally, use your ring finger to press a layer of shadow over lids and repeat until you have as much shimmer as you want.

FACE: First lesson of face glitter? There is no face glitter. (Kidding! Get The Fight Club reference?!) There's a fine between middle-school-dance cheesy and grown-up gorgeous. As long as you use the stuff sparingly, you should be fine. Pick up a creamy, glitter-spiked formula like NARS The Multiple in Luxor, and blend from the top of cheekbones to temples using your fingers for a softer touch.

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BODY: This is the time to go big(ger) with the shimmery stuff. Choose a fun, fine-milled glitter (chunky stuff falls off your body in like eight seconds) like Lime Crime Cosmic Glitter in any shade you want. Then, spritz your collar bones with water so they are damp, but not dripping, and dump a couple pinches of glitter into your palm. Hold your palm flat in front of your collarbone and use your blow-dryer (on low!) to blow glitter onto skin. It may sound like a lot of effort, but using the dryer helps to prevent that weird clumpy thing that would have happened if you sprinkled with your hands directly. If you'll be dancing (aka sweating) all night, replace water with something stronger: Medusa's Make-Up The Fix Glitter Seal, which will 1,000 percent lock the stuff in place.

Now go rock that LBD, girl.

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