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I never leave the house without applying eyeshadow. I feel naked without it and notice the difference in my face shape when my eyes are bare. It has become a crucial step in my everyday makeup routine and – believe it or not – I always carry a glitter eyeshadow palette with me everywhere I go.
IMO, the best thing about eyeshadow is glitter. I am a major glitter lover and a firm believer that it can elevate any look in any scenario.
Glitter is especially crucial this time of year, when the party season demands us to don our most OTT sparkly outfits and go overkill with our festive looks; basically, if I can sprinkle a bit of glitter on my New Year’s Eve makeup and Christmas nails, then I will.
You don’t need to look much further than the eccentric glitter eyeshadow colours used in Euphoria and the palette created by Pat McGrath Labs inspired by Netflix’s Bridgerton when it comes to creating your very own masterpiece.
Here’s what I’ve learnt about application and which products are worth the cash.
How to apply glitter eyeshadow
There isn’t just one way to apply eyeshadow, but I have found sticking to a routine really helps to figure out what works best for your specific eye shape. This way you can use the same formula each time.
I always start by prepping my eyelid with a base colour, which will complement the glitter on top. I then take a darker shade along the crease to really make the eye pop.
I like to use a flat eyeshadow brush, such as the one in Beauty Bay’s 6 Piece Eye Brush Set, £17, Beauty Bay, when applying the top glitter coat to my eyelid. This way the glitter is more controlled and can be packed on more efficiently. I also prefer to dab the glitter across the eyelid instead of making long sweeping movements so that a concentrated amount is applied evenly across it.
To tie the whole look together, it is also important to use a lighter glitter shade across the lower lash line and tear duct, so that the entire look is lifted for a brighter finish overall.
The best way to use glitter on nights out
On a night out, I tend to choose between wearing smoky eyeshadow or a bold lip colour. When I opt for a smoky eye at night, the way I wear glitter eyeshadow becomes even more important.
When wearing glitter for everyday looks I usually go for neutral and brown shades, but at night I use more metallic hues like emerald green and silver paired with dark and thick eyeliner and/or mascara.
For a subtle glitter look I only keep the eyeshadow on the eyelid, but for a bolder evening vibe I take the eyeshadow much higher towards the brow bone.
How to choose the right colours for your skin tone
With so many different shades of eyeshadow in one palette, it can seem overwhelming when trying to choose which colours suit you best.
I tend to stick to sheer eyeshadow colours, which I think are flattering on paler skin. Choose pastels and softer shades rather than colours that are a lot darker than your skin tone so that your eye makeup doesn’t look too heavy compared to the rest of your face.
Deeper skin tones can really suit brighter, bolder and warmer colours best. For a statement look, choose a gold glitter shade and pair it with dark eyeliner and mascara.
What to look out for if you have hooded eyelids
If like me you have hooded eyelids, don’t let that put you off from investing in eyeshadow. I use a couple of tricks to make sure my eyeshadow is still able to pop.
Firstly, I make sure to bring the eyeshadow higher up towards the brow bone so that when I open my eyes, the colour can still be seen. The higher up you take the glitter, the more impact it will have.
It’s best to apply eyeshadow while your eyes are open so that you can plot exactly how high the eyeshadow needs to be placed for visibility.
The best glitter eyeshadow palettes worth investing in
Whether you have been using eyeshadow for years and need new inspiration or are looking to dive into the world of glitter for the first time, there is a palette suitable for everyone…
Best glitter eyeshadow palette for festival season:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmos Eyeshadow Palette, £48
When it comes to eyeshadow palettes, ABH produces some of the absolute best. Its newest addition, Cosmos, is packed with multichromatic, space-like shades and warm matte hues that make it the perfect palette for festival season. Looking for inspo? Watch our video on three festival looks you can recreate with Cosmos below.
Best glitter eyeshadow palette for every day:
Huda Beauty Medium Nude Obsessions Palette, £29
If you are new to glitter and want to ease into wearing bold eyeshadow then Huda Beauty’s Medium Nude Obsession Palette is for you. A mix of metallic and matte shades, it gives your eyes a natural radiance during the day but can also be dialed up for an evening look.
Best glitter eyeshadow palette for a summer eye:
Morphe 9P Petal Passion Artistry Palette, £13
This has become my go-to palette for a spring night out with the girls. The rose-inspired colours are perfect for this time of year and give you a much fresher look. Its five glitter colours mimic crushed diamonds and are absolutely mesmerising in the sunlight. A fun palette you can count on through the warmer months.
Best glitter eyeshadow palette for neutral shimmer:
Too Faced Born This Way The Natural Nudes Skin-Centric Eyeshadow Palette, £40
A range of warm tones, I use these colours all year round. My signature look is a brown shimmery smoky eye, and this palette has all the neutral glitter shades you could possibly need to achieve one. It complements all skin tones, and I find it to be the most versatile palette in my collection!
Best glitter eyeshadow palette for a bold look:
NYX Professional Makeup Glitter Goals Cream Quad Palette in Glacier, £26.43
A much bolder and creamier palette, NYX’s Glitter Goals is so easy to apply as it glides onto skin like a dream. I always use this palette for special occasions and parties for a statement look, and regularly get asked at most events where my eye makeup is from.
Best glitter eyeshadow palette for a night out:
Urban Decay Naked Ultraviolet Eyeshadow Palette, £49
The dreamiest palette around, Urban Decay’s Naked Ultraviolet Eyeshadow Palette features warm transition tones, vivid violet hues and deeper smokey shades to give your eyes an intense pop of sparkle. If you are looking to create a look for going out-out then there are lots of fun hues to experiment with here.
Best glitter eyeshadow for the festive party season:
Pixi Glitter-y Quad, £14
When it comes to the festive season and the role glitter plays, I’m a firm believer in the bigger, the better. Pixi’s pressed glitter eyeshadows come in three different colour-ways, from cool-toned shimmering silvers and blues to warm reds and purples, allowing you to choose the palette that will most complement your skin tone and make your eyes pop.
These glitters work to create a dazzling effect when pressed on top of a matte eyeshadow, or for a more intense payoff, try spritzing your brush with a setting spray before applying the shade.
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