It’s not news that glitter eye makeup continues to maintain its popularity in the beauty world. While the classic look is not for the faint-hearted, it hasn’t stopped beauty gurus and A-listers alike from flaunting it. A quick browse of the #glittereyemakeup hashtag on Instagram will show you that over 35 thousand beauty lovers are getting in on the fun. You can keep it simple with a sheer touch of glitter eyeshadow all over your lid or go big with a bold sparkly eyeliner look. If you’re ready to step into the world of glimmering makeup looks, we’re here to assist. Ahead, we’re sharing nine eye glitter looks that are totally Instagram-worthy.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #1: GLITTER CUT CREASE
In case you missed it, the glitter cut crease has become the makeup look of the moment. This trend is all about defining your crease with glitter. This truly amps up the traditional take of cutting across it with a darker eyeshadow and lightly blending out the color.
Get the look by following these simple steps:
STEP 1: PRIME YOUR EYES
Kick things off by applying a thin layer of eye primer to your lids. This helps to create an even base and prevents your makeup from fading throughout the day. If you’re all out, a dab of concealer or foundation will do the trick.
STEP 2: LAY A BASE
Once your lids are primed, you can move forward with your glitter cut crease. Sweep a light eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Paris Beach, all over your lids and beneath your brows.
STEP 3: ADD A CREASE COLOR
Use a bronze shimmery eyeshadow to add some depth. Blend the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow in Bronze Light into the crease of your eye. Make sure to apply the shade in an upward fashion and avoid your eyelids.
STEP 4: DEFINE WITH GLITTER
Now that your eyeshadow is set, it’s time to add some definition to your MUA-approved glitter cut crease. Dip a bent liner brush into a bronze shimmer eyeshadow and carefully draw a line directly in the crease of your eye, separating the two shadows you used.
STEP 5: FINISH WITH MASCARA
No head-turning glitter makeup look is complete without a few coats of volumizing mascara. Pump up the volume on your lashes with the L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara, Lightweight Mega Volume Washable, sweeping it on to score unmissable volume and length.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #2: NEGATIVE SPACE GLITTER CUT CREASE
The cut crease trend is a star in its own right, but the negative space remix has become a hot commodity in the beauty world. This chic number leaves eyeshadow shades behind and instead defines your eyes’ shape with glitter liquid eyeliner, while leaving a blank space in the middle.
Grab your go-to glitter liquid eyeliner and click through to our article, How To Create a Negative Space Cut Crease, for a step-by-step tutorial.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #3: HALO EYESHADOW
Glitter eyeshadow already makes your eyes the center of attention, but a halo eye makeup look can take things to the next level. Halo eyes consist of placing a light shadow shade in the center of your lid and surrounding it with a contrasting color to help give you the illusion of a bigger and brighter gaze.
Get the look by following these simple steps:
STEP 1: PRIME YOUR EYES
You already know the drill. A thin layer of primer is all you need to help get your glitter eyeshadow look started.
STEP 2: GRAB A LIGHT EYESHADOW
Start by sweeping a light pink shade, like the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Makeup in Blush Jewel, on the center of your lids and blend slightly outward to set the stage for a gradient.
STEP 3: SWEEP ON A CONTRASTING SHADOW SHADE
To create the “halo” effect, swipe a purple hue, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Smoldering Plum, onto the inner and outermost corners of your eye and through your crease.
STEP 4: LINE YOUR EYES
Just because your halo eyes are complete, doesn’t mean that your work is over. Create a thin line along your upper lash line with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner.
STEP 5: COAT YOUR LASHES
Top off your look by lengthening your fringe with mascara. Layer a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara on your lashes to achieve voluptuous volume and length.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #4: TWO-TONED GLITZ
One of the most popular ways to bring a glitter eyeshadow look to life is with a two-toned eye makeup look. This trend allows you to play with color by rocking two shimmery shades side to side.
Get the look by following these simple steps:
STEP 1: PRIME YOUR EYES
With just about every glitter eye makeup look, you’ll want to use primer to make sure your makeup look lasts.
STEP 2: LAYER A MEDIUM-TONED EYE SHADOW SHADE
Start by applying a peachy shimmery shade, like the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Makeup in Rose Gem, on the inner half of your lid.
STEP 3: THEN A DARK SHADE
Next, smooth on a vibrant red shade like the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Makeup in Radiant Ruby on the other side of your lid, making sure to blend between the two shades for a seamless look.
STEP 4: COAT YOUR LASHES
Top off your look with a few layers of mascara. Sweep on the L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Waterproof Mascara Blackest Black to score major length.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #5: SCATTERED SPECKLES
You know what they say: Less is more and that definitely applies to the scattered speckles eye makeup look. Instead of layering on eyeshadow, let your complexion peek through for the ultimate minimalist touch.
Get the look by following these simple steps:
STEP 1: PRIME YOUR EYES
Start by applying a tacky eyeshadow base so your glitter has something to stick to.
STEP 2: LAYER ON THE GLITTER
Now that your base is in place, it’s time to add glitter into the mix. Lightly press your finger in loose glitter pigment and gently dab it onto your eyelid. Don’t worry about covering your entire lid; a few speckles are enough to make a big impact. If you have glitter fallout, stick a rectangle-shape piece of tape underneath your eyes to remove the shimmery specks.
STEP 3: COAT YOUR LASHES
By now, you should have this step down pat—swipe on a coat of mascara.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #6: BLINGY WINGED EYELINER
If you love the idea of winged eyeliner, you’ll be sure to love this shimmery variation since you can rock this look with eyeshadow or solo. It also serves as a gorgeous alternative on the days when you want to leave a traditional winged liner look behind.
Get the look by following these simple steps:
STEP 1: USE A PIECE OF TAPE
Start things off by placing a rectangle-shape piece of tape at the outer corner of your eye, angled up toward the end of your eyebrow. This will serve as a guide to help you create a flawless wing look.
STEP 2: CREATE YOUR WINGED EYELINER
Using an angled eyeliner brush, glide a shimmery white liquid eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow in String of Pearls along your upper lash line. Extend the line along the tape to create your wing. Once you’re done lining your eye, carefully remove the tape from your skin.
STEP 3: TIGHTLINE
Now that your glitzy winged eyeliner is complete, it’s time to score thicker and defined lashes with the tightlining trend. Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Black to line your upper waterline.
STEP 4: LAYER ON MASCARA
Finish up with a coat (or two) of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Fiber X Mascara to give your lashes extreme volume and length.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #7: WHITE FELINE EYES
Instead of struggling to create the perfect cat eye, you can bring the winged look to life with the feline eyes trend. This look is all about using a sparkly white eyeshadow all over your lids, lower lash line, crease, and brow bone to create a dramatic angular effect.
Get the look by following these simple steps:
STEP 1: PRIME YOUR EYES
Smooth on a thin layer of primer to prep your eyes.
STEP 2: PAINT YOUR LIDS
Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, apply a sparkly white eyeshadow all over your lids and lower lash line. For a feline effect, extend the color outward to create a bold cat eye shape.
STEP 3: COAT YOUR LASHES WITH MASCARA
Layer on the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Lengthening Mascara to tie your look together.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #8: GLITTER EYEBROWS
There’s no question about it: Bold brows are in. That’s the reason the shelves of every makeup store are stocked with eyebrow pencils, pomades, and powders. If there’s an occasion you really want to stand out, that’s when you’ll want to consider making your brows even bolder—with glitter!
Get the look by following these simple steps:
STEP 1: USE CLEAR BROW MASCARA
Start off by brushing on a clear brow mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Boost & Set Brow Mascara in Clear, through your brows to boost volume and brush your eyebrows in place.
STEP 2: PAINT ON GLITTER
Before the brow gel dries, apply glitter on top. Dip a flat eyeshadow brush in cosmetic-grade glitter and gently press it onto your brows.
STEP 3: COMB YOUR BROWS
Prepare to amp up the sparkle. Comb through your brush while wet with a spoolie to get maximum coverage.
Editor’s note: If you have glitter fall out, use a small strip of tape to remove the sparkly specks in a pinch.
GLITTER EYE MAKEUP IDEA #9: ROSE GOLD GLITTER EYES
Gone are the days that rose gold is only reserved for your jewelry collection. This shade has made quite the name for itself in the makeup world, with rose gold glitter eyes becoming a hot pick since it offers a gorgeous shimmer that sparkles in the light.
Get the look by following these simple steps:
STEP 1: DUST ON YOUR EYESHADOW
Rose gold is a subtle shade, so you’ll want to veer away from shadow shades that will drown out your entire look. Dust a nude eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Endless Pearl, all over your lid.
STEP 2: GLITTER TIME
Next, apply a rose gold colored glitter all over your eyelid with your fingertip or a flat eyeshadow brush to pack on the glitzy hue. Make sure to extend the eye glitter up toward your brow bone for a dramatic look.
STEP 3: LINE YOUR EYES
It’s time to step into the world of rose gold eyeliner. Use the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Rose Gold to line both your top and bottom lash line. Feel free to add an additional coat to really pack on the color.
STEP 4: GRAB YOUR MASCARA
Add a few coats of black or brown mascara to define your lashes.
Next: If you’re smitten with glitter eye makeup, we have a feeling that metallic will suit your fancy. Check out our article, How To Rock Metallic Makeup, for some pointers.
