For many, sparkly makeup looks are a go-to for big nights out and moments that call for a little extra flair. But in our book, there’s no wrong time to show off your glam side. Whether it’s a hint of shimmer or all-out glitter, a little sparkle can transform your standard makeup look into something playful, expressive, and uniquely you. And, with the right texture and placement, glitter feels just as fresh in the daylight as it does after dark. Ahead, find seven glitter makeup looks to suit every vibe, from barely-there glimmer to sparkly eye makeup looks perfect for unapologetic makeup maximalists.
What Are Glitter and Sparkly Makeup Looks?
The key element of a sparkly makeup look is, well, sparkle. But sparkle isn’t one thing—it spans everything from the soft, lustrous shimmer of your favorite highlighter to the bold, nearly metallic finish of a glitter-flecked shadow. The differences between these types of sparkle lie primarily in how they catch and reflect light. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Shimmer: Shimmery makeup products typically contain fine light-reflecting particles that provide a soft, luminous glow (think: your favorite highlighter).
- Glitter: Glitter makeup products, such as glitter eyeshadow, feature larger light-reflecting particles for a distinctly sparkly finish.
- Metallic: While not shimmery or glitter per se, we’d argue that metallic makeup falls under the sparkly realm. These products boast chromatic, foil-like finishes that shine without being overly glitzy.
When To Wear Glitter or Sparkly Makeup
Glitter isn’t just for after dark—a bit of shimmer can fit into nearly any makeup routine. Here are a few occasions to consider adding interest to your look with sparkles.
- Festivals and concerts: Festivals are all about having a good time, and your makeup should reflect that. Get playful with glitter “freckles” or colorful shimmer eyeliner.
- Holidays and parties: Elevate your go-to party look by highlighting the high points of your face with a shimmery pearlescent highlighter, such as the Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick.
- Night out: Give your night-out glam a glitzy spin by trading in your standard smokey eye for glittery eyeshadow and glossy lips.
- Editorial shoots: High-shine monochrome and precise graphic liner looks work beautifully if you’re chasing a more editorial look. Just be sure to keep the rest of your makeup on the simpler side to let the shimmer be the star of the show.
- Everyday glam: A swipe of shimmer on your lids or lips can transform your look (and your mood!). For a subtly-sparkly spin on your basic nude lip, try swiping on a pearlescent tinted balm, like the Fat Oil Slick Click in No Filter Needed.
- Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese
- Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Denim Dazzle
- Pink or blue glitter eye makeup
- Swipe the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese onto your lids. This first coat of shadow will act almost like a primer to help intensify your glitter shadow.
- Use your finger to pat your glittery eyeshadow onto your lids for a two-toned sparkly effect.
- Trace your upper lash line with the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Denim Dazzle to help define your eyes and add another touch of shimmer for an almost metallic-looking glow.
- Use a flat brush or your fingertip to apply glitter or shimmer shadows onto your lids.
- A fan brush is great for applying highlighter to your cheekbones, but you’ll want something a bit smaller for harder-to-reach areas, like your inner corners. Try a small, fluffy brush for easy application and blending.
- If you want to create a defined glitter eye makeup look but don’t have a glitter eyeliner on hand, use a fine-tipped eyeliner brush to apply your shimmer shadow. The finer the tip, the more precise the application will be.
How To Add Glitter To Your Makeup Look
Adding sparkle doesn’t require completely reinventing your routine. Keep scrolling for seven sparkly makeup looks that you can master in no time.
Glitter makeup look #1: Glazed glitter glow for dewy skin
If you’re someone who prefers soft glam over full glam, try embracing the glazed donut skin trend. This laid-back look centers on dewy, radiant skin, with strategically placed highlighter to create a subtle, lit-from-within glow.
Create the look by evening out your base with a dewy foundation or skin tint, then illuminating the high points of your face with a pearlescent highlighter, such as the Buttermelt Highlighter. For a little extra shimmer (and to make your eyes pop), try patting the Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow in Come Thru Coconut onto your inner corners and along your brow bone.
Glitter makeup look #2: Disco eyes with multi-dimensional glitter
Glitter eye makeup is perfect for a special occasion, and this sparkle-packed look is one we come back to time and time again. And, despite its intensity, the look is super easy to create.
What You’ll Need:
How To Get the Look:
Glitter makeup look #3: Subtle sparkle for everyday wear
No parties in the books? No problem—soft shimmer can work well for everyday events, too. The key to making sparkly makeup work for daytime is to keep it subtle and focus on one feature at a time, such as your eyes or your lips. Sticking to neutral tones, such as sparkly gold makeup, can also help keep your look from appearing over-the-top.
Create a subtle sparkly makeup look for day by swapping your matte eyeshadow for a shimmery version, like the Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow in Golden Goji or Butter Gloss Bling Non-Sticky Lip Gloss is perfect for a hint of glitz, and it comes in eight shimmer-packed shades to complement a range of skin tones.
Glitter makeup look #4: Y2K-inspired glitter glam
Channel early-2000s nostalgia with frosted lids, glitter eyeliner, and glossy lips (and maybe a butterfly clip or two).
To start, swipe a frosty silver or baby blue eyeshadow across your lids, blending the pigment just past your crease for a lived-in feel. Then, define your lash line with a coordinating glitter eyeliner (the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Tapered Twinkle is perfect for a Y2K-inspired look). Swipe on some black mascara to define your lashes, then complete the look with a coat or two of glitter gloss. If you need a recommendation, try the Butter Gloss Bling Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in She Got Money. .
Glitter makeup look #5: Festival sparkle with colorful glitter
More is more where festival makeup is concerned—this is the time to really lean into your playful side and experiment with bold colors and intense glittery finishes. But it’s also important to choose your makeup carefully to ensure your look stays put throughout the day.
To start, prime your skin and apply an SPF-infused skin tint, like the Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint SPF 30. The lightweight formula will help even out your complexion and give your skin a flattering, dewy glow. Then, illuminate your cheekbones, lids, and collarbones with a pearlescent highlighter, such as the Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick. You can use one of the neutral shades, but for an extra-festive look, try Blueberry Muffin—the pinkish-purple hue is unexpected and incredibly flattering. Complete your beat with the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Shimmer Stitch. A dramatic cat eye, graphic liner, or even a double wing could work well here—feel free to let your creativity loose. When you’re done, don’t forget to set everything in place with a long-lasting setting spray to help ensure your makeup holds up as you dance the day away.
Glitter makeup look #6: High-shine monochrome moment
An easy way to make your sparkly makeup look feel chic and put together is to keep all of your makeup within the same color family (for example, pink lids, lips, and cheeks). Opting for a monochromatic look also makes selecting your products easier, as you don’t have to worry about anything clashing. Keep reading to learn how to get the look.
Face: Start by evening out your complexion with Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint SPF 30. Then, highlight the high points of your face—cheekbones, brow bones, and Cupid’s bow—with the Buttermelt Highlighter in U Betta Werk, a pale, frosty pink hue.
Eyes: Line your upper lash line with a pink glittery eyeliner, like the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Bootcut Bling. If you’d like an extra-shimmery look, you can also pat a bit of the pink highlighter you used earlier onto the inner corners of your eyes.
Lips: Apply a shimmery pink lip gloss to tie your monochrome look together. For a hint of shine and all-day hydration, try the Fat Oil Slick Click in No Filter Needed.
Glitter look #7: Bold glitter liner look
Graphic eyeliner—like negative space eyeliner or a reverse wing—stands out all on its own. But to really turn up the dial, try creating one of these graphic looks with a glittery eyeliner, like the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Graphite Glitz. Use the liner’s fine brush tip to trace a line just above your crease, create an elongated wing, or even draw graphic designs around your eye area. Or, try creating a two-tone double wing by pairing your glittery black liner with a brighter silver hue, like the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Flashy Flare or the Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow in Come Thru Coconut (use a thin eyeliner brush for a precise, controlled application).
How To Apply Glitter Makeup Without the Mess
Glitter makeup can elevate your look, but without the right prep and tools, it can leave more shimmer on your cheeks (and clothes) than on your eyes. Follow these simple steps to ensure your sparkle stays where you want it to.
1. Start with primer
Begin by prepping your skin with a long-lasting makeup primer, such as The Face Glue Gripping Primer. The non-comedogenic formula boasts glue-like grip strength to help keep your makeup locked in for up to 24 hours.
2. Choose the right tools
The tools you use to apply your glitter makeup matter almost as much as the products themselves:
3. Apply strategically
Skip sweeping motions, which can cause your glitter makeup to smudge or transfer. Instead, gently tap your glitter makeup onto the skin for a precise and controlled application. If you need to layer your products, use light coats, and set each layer with The Face Glue Setting Spray before applying more glitter, shimmer, or sparkle.
4. Clean fallout quickly
If you notice stray flecks of glitter on your cheeks, don’t panic—and don’t try to rub them off. Instead, use a piece of scotch tape or a clean spoolie to lightly lift glitter from the skin without disturbing your base makeup.
5. Remove gently
Glitter can be notoriously hard to remove, but it doesn’t have to be. At the end of the day, soak a cotton pad with micellar water or an oil-based remover, then press and hold it over the glitter for a few seconds before gently wiping away. Avoid rubbing, which can irritate your skin and spread glitter even more.
How To Create a Sparkly Makeup Starter Kit
If you’re looking to add a bit of sparkle to your everyday routine but aren’t sure where to start, begin with the basics. A shimmery highlighter can be used to illuminate (literally) nearly any makeup look, while glitter-flecked lip glosses are great for leveling up your classic lip look. For those looking to fully embrace sparkle, glitter eyeliners and eyeshadows are musts. Opt for products with a mix of textures so you can mix, match, and layer as desired.
Must-have NYX Sparkle Staples
The Face Glue Gripping Primer: A quality makeup primer can help keep your glitter in place all day long. We love this one, which hydrates the skin and offers up to 24 hours of wear.
The Face Glue Setting Spray: Setting spray is a must for any look, but it’s especially crucial for sparkly makeup looks. Use this one to set your look at the end of your routine or lock in your makeup between steps for a long-lasting look.
Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint SPF 30: Even out your complexion and give your skin a dewy finish with this glowy skin tint, which boasts board-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen in its lightweight formula.
Buttermelt Highlighter: This buttery, buildable highlighter is ideal for adding a subtle shimmer to your look. Apply it to the high points of your face to illuminate your features.
Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow: These pigment-packed liquid eyeshadows are perfect for a standout look. The easy-to-apply formula boasts intense shimmer for a radiant, high-shine finish.
Epic Ink Glitz Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner: For all-out sparkle, reach for these liquid eyeliners. Each of the six shades boasts a shimmery, metallic finish perfect for making your eye makeup pop.
Jumbo Eye Pencil: These creamy eyeshadow sticks can be used alone or layered under glitter eyeshadow for added dimension.
Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick: Whether you want to subtly highlight your cheekbones or are in the mood for all-over sparkle, these multipurpose highlighter sticks deliver. Swipe the creamy formula anywhere you’d like a little (or a lot) of shimmer.
Butter Gloss Bling Non-Sticky Lip Gloss: Every sparkly makeup collection should feature at least one glitter lip gloss. We love these, as they’re non-sticky and packed with glitter for intense sparkle and shine.
Fat Oil Slick Click: If you prefer subtler sparkle, try these tinted lip balms. The shimmery shades provide a wash of color with just a hint of shimmer for a glowy but not over-the-top finish.
Next: 5 Festival Makeup Ideas to Try in 2025.
We want to see the sparkly makeup looks you create with your favorite NYX products! Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics.
PRODUCTS USED
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JUMBO MULTI-USE HIGHLIGHTER STICK
Ultra-smooth, pearl finish stick highlighter
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Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Waterproof felt-tip liquid eyeliner pen
BUTTERMELT HIGHLIGHTER
Butter smooth glowy highlighter in eight shades.
JUMBO EYE PENCIL
Multi-use eye crayon
THE FACE GLUE GRIPPING PRIMER
Up to 24h hydrating and gripping makeup prepping glue
THE FACE GLUE SETTING SPRAY
Up to 24h makeup lock and shield, waterproof setting spray
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Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow
Liquid Shimmery Eyeshadow
BUTTERMELT GLAZE SOFT GLOW SKIN TINT SPF 30
A skin tint with a soft glow glazed finish in ten flexible shades
Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss
Fan Fave Buttery Gloss
