29 Secrets

Trying to catch the eye of that special someone? Well a hint of shimmery makeup will get you just the right amount of attention on the party circuit. Whether you go for shine on the lips, a a metallic wash on your eyelids, a gilded glitz on your cheekbones or a glittery topcoat on your nails – here’s how-to work shimmer tactfully. 

Lips

Shimmery makeup should whisper – not scream. Keeping that mantra in mind, light up your smile with a sparkling lipstick or glistening gloss. To avoid looking garish, stick to colours that contain micro glitter particles – it will look more natural and glide on easily (larger beads of shimmer can look a bit uneven on lips). Try a standout shade that you might otherwise shy away from during the day, such crimson or dark berry and play with intensity—from opaque to sheer, there’s plenty of ways to glitter.

Eyes

A wash of a sheer metallic shade like gold, platinum or bronze will make your eyes look instantly brighter and festive. Using an eyeshadow brush, dust lids with a loose powder version of your fave metallic since a loose powder gives that perfect sprinkling on lides. For the most modern effect, add a touch of shimmer in the center of the lid to act as a highlight. If you want some glammed up definition, use your favourite sparkly liquid eyeliner and nestle it along the top lashes, giving the illusion of fuller lashes. Or, embellish lids with a festive pair of false eyelashes.

Face

A shimmery highlighting powder (or cream) will jazz up cheekbones and make you look lively in party pics. Dust the colour just on cheekbones and forehead and blend really well, so you can’t tell where it begins and ends. You want people to notice that your skin looks fabulous, but they shouldn’t be able to put their finger on what exactly you’re wearing. If you’re wearing a low cut dress and you want to draw some attention to your décolletage, sprinkle that area with sparkle too. Tip: if you don’t want shimmer in your brushes (because it tends to stick around forever!), use a cotton pad or your fingertips to blend it in.

Nails

For a night on the town, glistening nails are the perfect accessory to complement your favourite LBD. Layer a silver glitter topcoat on one of this season’s glossy dark nail shades of grey, navy or plum. Just remember that glittery polishes are a little more stubborn to take off so some extra patience is required when removing them.