Too much and you risk looking like a drag queen. Too little and you fall into fairy princess territory. Here’s how to stay on the right side of glitter make-up this festive season.
Glitter and sequins. Two things that rarely seem like a good idea either side of the festivities. With the festive season upon us we know you’ll be wearing both by the truckload and while we can’t help you with the latter, we can guide you on your mission to perfect the former. ‘I have two main rules when it comes to glitter make-up,’ says Facebar founder and makeup artist Nicola Fiveash.
- Go lightly, apply a small amount to begin with – you can always add more but once you’ve have it on your skin it’s very hard to remove.
- Planning on using your favourite brushes? Don’t do it! They will forever have specs of glitter on them. I use my fingers, disposable brushes or a cotton bud.’
Here’s three other top tips from Nicola.
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1 Add to your existing look. Don’t create a whole new one.
Glitter is impactful enough without trying to pull off an entire new make-up look as well. ‘I find it best to use glitter to amp up a persons signature ‘party face’ rather than trying to transform them,’ says Nicola. ‘I’ve given our most popular Facebar looks; Hollywood, Feline Flick, Metallic Smoke and Smokin a hit of glitter this December to make them even more party season appropriate for regular clients.’ Think a light-catching glimmer on the corner of your winged eyeliner or subtle sprinkling of glitter over the top of your signature smoky eye rather than an elaborate design. The same also applies to the colours you use. If you love black eye shadow. Stick to black glitter, if you suit a rich bronze then go with it or if you like to play with confident jewel tones like emerald and Amethyst these can work so well in glitter textures.
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2 Removal requires as much of a professional touch as application...
If you’ve had a DIY dabble with glitter then you’ll know how difficult it is to take off. Even the most potent of make -up removers won’t seem to touch the sides. ‘I always tell my clients to stock up on my tried and tested glitter-taker-offer,’ says Nicola. ‘ Just a dab of Sister & Co Organic Coconut Oil warmed up in the hand and massaged onto the skin will loosen glitter instantly. I then suggest soaking some large cotton wool pads in warm water and sweeping them over the eyes to remove every last trace. It's a fast, gentle and effective removal method.’
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3 Nicola’s Pro Glitter Kit
Nicola’s Pro Glitter Kit:
- Mac Pro Eyeliner Mixing Medium, £13
- Mac Pro Glitter Pots, £16
- Ellis Faas Lights, £26
- Sister & Co Organic Coconut Oil, £5.99
FAQs
How should you apply glitter make-up to avoid overdoing it?
Apply a small amount of glitter at first, then build up if needed. Adding too much can be hard to undo, as glitter is difficult to remove once it is on your skin. Start with less and add more for a balanced, party-ready look.
What is the best way to apply glitter make-up?
Use your fingers, disposable brushes or a cotton bud to apply glitter. Regular make-up brushes can hold onto glitter specks permanently, making them hard to clean. This helps you keep your tools in good condition and makes precise application easier.
How can you remove glitter make-up easily and gently?
Massage Sister & Co Organic Coconut Oil onto your skin to loosen the glitter, then sweep the area with large warm, water-soaked cotton pads. This method is fast, gentle and helps take off every last trace of glitter without harsh rubbing.
Should you change your whole look when using glitter make-up?
No, you should add glitter to your signature make-up look instead of trying a new one. Adding glitter to features like a smoky eye or winged eyeliner makes your look festive without being over the top. It works best to complement your natural style.
Which make-up colours pair best with glitter textures?
Choose glitter shades that match your favourite make-up colours, like black, rich bronze, or jewel tones such as emerald and amethyst. Matching your glitter to the colours you already love creates a cohesive, striking effect. Stick to your usual palette for a personalised glitter look.