How to Apply Glitter Eye Makeup

Co-authored by Tymia Yvette

Do you want to make your eyes sparkle? Wearing eye makeup that contains glitter is a great way to increase your glam factor. Glitter is a fun way to dress up your everyday look. You can choose to make the look subtle, or use it as the focal point of your whole makeup scheme. Take care to learn to properly apply glitter eye makeup.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Smoky Eye

1
Choose the right product. Creating a smoky eye using glitter shadow is a great way to create a sultry, dramatic look. There is a wide array of glittery eye-shadows from which you can choose. One of the most important things to consider is which color of shadow you want. For example, if you are trying to create a more subtle look, try a shadow that closely matches your natural skin tone. This method will make your eyes appear to sparkle.
- Keep in mind that you will need 3 shades of the same color for a smoky eye look. For example, you could use a cream, a light brown, and glittery dark brown.
- If you want to highlight your eye color, glitter eye-shadow can help you do that. To make brown eyes pop, use a cream shade. To make green eyes glow, try a shadow with a reddish tint. If you have blue eyes, try a sparkling gold or copper color.
- Any of these color palettes can be used to create a smoky eye. Gray is also great for smoky eyes, and works well on many skin tones. For warm skin tones, opt for a brown eyeshadow.
- Glitter eye makeup comes in many different forms. You can buy eyeshadow pencils, powders, or gels.
- If this is your first time using glitter, try purchasing an eyeshadow palette. This will let you experiment with multiple shades.
2
Gather your supplies. Once you have chosen the right glitter shadow, it is time to achieve the look you want. Take a couple of minutes to make sure that you have everything you need. To start with, you'll need the shadow and a tool to help you apply it.^{[1]
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- You can apply eye shadow using your finger, a sponge, a brush, or a Q-tip. Many people prefer using a silicone brush as it is sturdier and can better handle the weight of a glitter shadow.
- Have tissues nearby to help you clean up any stray glitter.
- Make sure that you have a gentle eye-makeup remover handy in case you need to remove the shadow and start over.
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3
Use primer. A primer is a base that you apply before putting on your actual makeup. It will typically be a clear liquid, but is sometimes in powder or gel form. Using your finger, apply a small amount of shadow primer to each of your eyelids. This will create a smooth palette for your shadow and make it last longer.^{[2]
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- You can purchase eyeshadow primer at any drugstore or department store. Remember, a little goes a long way.
4
Apply the base shadow. Once your eyes and your tools are ready, it is time to put the glitter shadow on your eyes. Try using several different shades to create a dramatic effect. Begin by applying a charcoal gray shadow. Use a medium brush to cover your lid with shadow. ^{[3]
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5
Use a slightly darker shade to color the outer corner of your eyes. This will help to create a contour. Then, dab a bit of the lighter shade onto the inner corner of your eyelid to highlight it.
- If you want your eyes to look smaller, bring the darker shade further out onto your eyelid.^{[4]
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  Tymia Yvette
  Makeup & Lash Artist
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}
6
Add color to your crease. Different shades are what create the smoky look. Next, you want to apply the darkest of your shadows, which is the same color you applied to your outer eyelid. Using a brush, apply a thin line of dark shadow across the crease of your eyelid. This will help create the smoky effect.
- Remember, it is easier to add more shadow than to take it away. Start with less than you think you might need. You can always apply more.
- Blend the colors. Blending the complimentary colors will help create a softer, yet still dramatic, look. For this step, you can use either your finger or a brush. Lightly smudge each of the colors together so that they are no longer sharply defined.^{[5]
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7
Color the bottom lid. To create a true smoky eye, you need to focus on your lower lid, too. Use a gunmetal shade for this step. Use a small, firm brush and press shadow along your lower lid line.^{[6]
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- To keep the look from being too severe, use a light silver shadow to lighten the overall effect.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Glittery Cat Eye

1
Get the right supplies. A cat eye can add an extra wow factor to your look. To make the cat eye pop even more, use eyeliners with glitter in them. To create the perfect cat eye, you will need two different kinds of liner.^{[7]
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- You will need a gel eyeliner pot. You will also need an eyeliner brush.
- Additionally, you will need a felt-tipped liquid liner. One or both of these liners can be glittery.
2
Create your outline. Start with the gel liner and the eyebrow brush. Dip the brush in the pot of liner. Draw a line with the brush from the outer corner of your eye towards your temple. Try drawing a line approximately 1/8 of an inch long that angles up and out. You can make it longer if you want.^{[8]
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- This is the "tail" of your cat eye.
- Using the same gel liner, create a series of dots along your upper lash line. Start the dots about 1/4 of the way in from the inner corner of your eye.
3
Fill in the lines. Now you are ready to fill in the outline that you have begun. Using the gel liner again, draw dashes between the dots. This creates a solid line of eyeliner across your lid.^{[9]
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- Now it is time to connect the tail and the line. Using the gel liner, return to the tail. Draw a small triangle that connects to the line of dots and dashes. This should be a diagonal line that comes off of the tail and angles towards the line across your lid.
- Fill in the triangle shape using the felt-tipped liquid liner.
4
Prevent a mess. You don't want to end up with glitter on the rest of your face. Your look will look best if the glitter stays on your eyes. Take steps to keep the glitter from drifting down onto the rest of your face.^{[10]
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- As you are applying the eyeshadow with one hand, hold a tissue beneath your eye with the other hand. This will catch any fallout that occurs.
- Do your eye makeup first. That way, if you make a mistake, you can start over without having to reapply your foundation, blush, or lipstick.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Multiple Glittery Products

1
Put glitter on your eyebrows. Glittery eyebrows are a major fashion trend right now. You can accomplish the look as long as you have a few specific tools. You will need an eyebrow brush, eyeshadow brush, a glitter base (or lash glue) and make-up grade glitter. Do not use glitter that is intended for crafts or other uses.^{[11]
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- Brush your brows into place with the brow brush. Next, use the shadow brush to completely cover your brows with the glitter base.
- Dip the shadow brush into the glitter and press onto your eyebrow. Cover your brows with glitter.
- Use the brow brush to comb through the glitter, making sure your entire brow is covered.
2
Wear a glittery liner. Once you have a perfectly shadowed eye, it is time to apply the rest of your makeup. For extra pop, consider using an eyeliner with a glittery shimmer. This will enhance your look, even if you are not doing a cat eye or smoky eye.
- Use a lighter liner if you want to make the glitter eyeshadow the focal point. Use a dramatic black liner if you are going for more of a sultry look.
- Using a glitter liner is a great way to experiment without committing to a full glittery eye.
3
Make your eyelashes glitter. Your eyelashes are a great way to get creative with glitter. You can try a mascara that contains a little bit of sparkle. These products come in different colors, and have different amounts of glitter. Try swiping a coat on your lashes for some extra sparkle.^{[12]
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- If you want to ease into using glitter, apply one coat of your normal mascara. After allowing it to dry for 10 seconds, follow with a coat of glitter mascara.
- Try pairing the glittery mascara with a sparkly lipstick. Your look will be festive and fun.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you make your eyeshadow look natural?

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Tymia Yvette is a Makeup and Lash Artist and the founder of Tymia Yvette Beauty LLC, a makeup artistry and lash extension company focused on customized beauty services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Trained by MAC Cosmetics, Tymia's work has been featured in the Bravo A-List Awards 2008, the BET Honors Award Show in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2014. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Tymia Yvette

Makeup & Lash Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Using light-reflecting glitter shadows can help enhance and emphasize your eye shape. For instance, if your eyes are deep set or close together, using a light-colored glitter eyeshadow on the inner corners can help balance their shape.
Question

What are the best occasions to use glitter eye makeup?

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Tymia Yvette is a Makeup and Lash Artist and the founder of Tymia Yvette Beauty LLC, a makeup artistry and lash extension company focused on customized beauty services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Trained by MAC Cosmetics, Tymia's work has been featured in the Bravo A-List Awards 2008, the BET Honors Award Show in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2014. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Tymia Yvette

Makeup & Lash Artist

Expert Answer

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There's no right or wrong way to wear makeup; that's the great thing about having artistic expression. However, do consider your lifestyle habits—if you don't normally wear makeup, glitter eyeshadow might be a bold look for a coffee date with friends, whereas it might be perfect on someone who wears a lot of makeup if they're going out for the weekend.
Question

Does eye shimmer require glue and primer or can the pack be applied without glue and primer?

Annastacia S.

Community Answer

You usually only need one or the other. Really it's whatever you like. I personally like primer better, but it is up to you. Try both and see which one you like best. If you use primer and glue the results might not look as good.