28 comments!

Glitter Makeup Trends

Apr 23, 2012

Are you ready to shine? How about adding some glitter to your everyday makeup routine? As we all know, the 80s are way over (no matter how much your parents talk still about John Hughes movies or try to get you to listen to New Wave music) but some of the hottest trends are back. No, we're not talking about giant shoulder pads or chunky plastic dangling earrings. It's glitter, and it could be even hotter than ever! For evidence, check out Katy Perry's bright blue lips from her 2012 Grammy Awards performance.

Go Glitterlicious

Glitter eyes, lips, cheeks, hair, skin or everything!

Glitter can cover any surface that shows
Courtesy of Elle

If you are looking to bring down the house, here's a great recipe for a glitterlicious look:

Lips: GlitzyLips rub-on foils

Eyes: Urban Decay Heavy Metal glitter eyeliners, paste on glittery false eyelashes and apply multi-purpose glitter over eyeshadow primer on eyelids.

Cheeks: Use a cream blush and then dust multi-purpose colored glitter over it.

Hair: Lightly mist hair with water and have a friend sprinkly multi-purpose glitter on your hair.

Body: Apply a light moisturizer or body spray to moisten your skin, then sprinkle multi-purpose glitter onto your neck and decolletage (* that's a fancy word for cleavage).

Or Just Apply a Moondust Glow

Taylor Swift often adds shimmer to her evening makeup kit

On the other hand, to add some glitter to your makeup bag, you don't have to bling up your look! In fact, the folks at Glamour magazine are quick to point out that a little glitter can give your dressed up look a sparkly boost, but they caution aspiring divas not to overdo the glitter or you run the risk of looking like a walking disco ball. Ouch!

Here's a how-to for the light glow of moondust (all available at Claire's or from most makeup companies like CoverGirl):

Eyes: Shimmery cream eyeshadow

Cheeks: Powder blush with shimmer

Nails: Nude nail polish with shimmer

Lips: Sheer glitter lip gloss

The Tools

Multi-Purpose Glitter

6 NYX Glitter on-the-go Multi-Purpose Glitter
Courtesy of Amazon

Over eyeshadow: Use eyeshadow primer as a base, then apply a small amount of glitter to your makeup brush and pat, don't rub, onto your eyelid.

Over lip gloss: Apply lip gloss, then dust loose powder around your lips to keep the glitter inside your lip line. Dab a small makeup brush into the glitter, then pat it onto your lips.

Body, hair and face: For longer-lasting glitter, lightly mist your hair, body or face with water. Shake a small amount of glitter into the palm of your hand and have someone blow it onto the area you want glittery. Or, dab a makeup brush into the glitter and then gently dab it onto the area you sprayed with water.

Where to find it: Sephora's exclusive brand, Make Up For Ever, features glitter in 14 bright metallic colors. You can also find multi-purpose glitter online at Amazon.com.

TIP: Always apply glitter a little at a time. It's easier to add more instead of removing when you put too much on.

Rub-on Foil

GlitzyLips lip foil tattoos
Courtesy of Glitzy Lips

Katy Perry's electric blue lips had everyone talking after the 2012 Grammy's. Her secret? Glitzy Lips. Not a stick or a gloss, it's a foil that you can place anywhere -- your nails, lips, eyes and face. Other brands of lip foils or temporary lip tattos are Trendy Lips and Violent Lips.

Where to find it: GlitzyLips.com and Amazon.com.

Light Shimmer

Shimmer and glow
Courtesy of Claires and CoverGirl

Most makeup companies feature a line of light shimmer makeup.

Where to find it: Claire's stores and CoverGirl feature makeups that shimmer in several color palettes, or visit a Sephora or Ulta store near you for a wide range of shimmery products.