Sparkle without the mess

Firstly, there are a few different places you can apply glitter. The most common place is all over the eyelid. Some other options would be on the lower lash line, as glitter eyeliner on the upper lash line, as an inner corner highlight, all over the lips, on the cheeks as a highlight, on the body, or even in your hair.

There are a few different formulas of glitter adhesive, which can be used with any loose glitter. Adhesives such as Cailyn’s Sugar Stuck on You and LIT Cosmetics Clearly Liquid Glitter Base are fluid formulas that will flawlessly apply glitter in thin lines for eyeliner or detailed work. LIT Cosmetics also has a “Forever Wear” Glitter Base that is intended for use on the lips, brows and body, since it’s waterproof. Too Faced Cosmetics Glitter Glue is a thicker adhesive which I prefer to apply glitter over a larger surface area such as the eyelid. You can also use a liquid glitter eyeliner such as Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Liquid Eyeliner for a one-step, mess-free glitter look.

Recently, I’ve been asked what I think about using eyelash glue as an adhesive for glitter.

Personally, I don’t recommend applying it all over your eyelid, because it can cause your eyelid to stick to itself, particularly if your eyes are hooded. Some of my favorite brands of glitter are Violet Voss and LIT Cosmetics, which carry a wide array of unique colors; Certifeye, which has every single color you can think of; and Blush Sparkle, which has the most eye catching, chunky glitter: perfect for Carnival. And as a bonus, there is a Valentine’s Day Collection, with fine, chunky, hexagon and heart shaped glitter in romantic hues.

So, how do you use all of these adhesives and glitter? It really isn’t difficult, but there are a few points to note for the cleanest, neatest application. Firstly, if you like to apply your face makeup before your eyes, be sure to shield your face with a tissue when applying your glitter. If you apply your eye makeup first, then be sure to wipe away any glitter fall out with a makeup wipe before applying your face makeup. Secondly, you should apply glitter after all your eyeshadow is complete.

Sometimes, going back and blending eyeshadow over your glitter could make it appear muddy and it could dull its shine.

Lastly, keep in mind that dark glitter looks best over dark eyeshadow, whereas light glitter can be used over a variety of colors.

When you’re ready to apply, use a small amount of adhesive on a flat synthetic brush, and dab it only over the area you want to sparkle. With another flat brush, pick up a small amount of loose glitter, and pat it directly onto the adhesive. Keep picking up small amounts and patting it on, until you’re satisfied with the opacity. It’s easier to work bit by bit than apply a large amount at once. Complete your eye look with eyeliner, mascara and optional false lashes.

If you want to create glitter lips, start with clean, exfoliated lips. For best results, you should apply a matte lipstick. Working in small sections, apply an adhesive such as LIT Cosmetics Forever Wear Glitter Base to your lips, and immediately pat on your glitter, until your entire lips are covered. Press your lips together to properly adhere any loose bits of glitter to your lips. Clean up any stray flecks of glitter on your face by wiping them away with your foundation brush.

You can also use sticky tape to remove stubborn glitter, but be prepared to patch up your face makeup in the event that it gets removed with the tape. I recommend drinking from a straw and avoiding oily food to maintain these lips.