All That Glitters: Sparkling Beauty Products To Nab Now

Glitter has been an absolute powerhouse on the beauty scene this season and if the SS17 catwalks of?Giamba and Fendi are anything to judge by, it seems as though it will carry through strongly into next year. With that in mind, perhaps it’s time to stock up on some key products to nail down this creative?and exciting?trend?

Both glitter?and shimmer?are wonderfully versatile?and can be used in?whatever quantity and method the wearer desires, whether the intent is to get super innovative and wild, or simply accentuate your features with a subtle sparkle. There are no rules when it comes to the use of glitter. The AW16 catwalks saw glitz used through the eyebrows, along the eye, brushed over the cheek and ears and coating the lips, to dazzling effect.

Take inspiration from the runway and get experimenting. In terms of colour, traditional metal tones work beautifully. A palette of golden hues, striking silver, and a pop of blue or soft pink makes for a stunning combination.?Below are some tried and tested products that will help you achieve whatever twinkling aspirations you’may have.

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Illamasqua Powder Eye Shadow in Jubilance, €19.95

Here is a bronzed, pale pink dream, if there ever was one. Soft and luxurious to the touch, this shadow is for the more refined glitterbug, with a shimmering pay-off that is eye-catching, but does not completely overwhelm. Though it is stunning when used alone, this product also works?beautifully as a finishing touch to a brown smoky eye. Create the sultry smoke?with matte browns, but dab some of this colour onto the centre of the lid when finished. Gorgeous.

CND Vinylux Weekly Polish in Dark Diamonds, €11.95

A personal favourite from CND’s Starstruck collection, this polish is where gothic meets glitter. Not only is it surprisingly strong and chip-resistant once applied, but the way the glitter particles are mixed means that you’re not stuck with patchy results. It coats the nail evenly with a deep space/star-studded effect that really catches the light. If you love black, but want to dip your toe in the glitter pool?for the coming festivities, this is the?perfect way to do it!

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Glamrock and Midnight Cowboy, €19 each

There is no simpler way to do glitter than a gel liner. But, it is also a fantastic way to get creative. For a straightforward approach, line your top or bottom eye with an even swipe, or dab a few dots on the outer corner for a little hint of sparkle. But if you crave something more daring, take advantage of the tiny brush provided and draw/sketch/line to your heart’s content. Draw abstract shapes around the eye with a black liner and fill them in with the glitter gel, or perhaps take some inspiration from Giambattista Valli’s AW16 runway look and create a thick, dazzling line of glitter directly under the eyebrow.

Giambattista Valli AW16

Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails in Rock Candy, €9.99

An easy way to get shapely, glittering nails with minimal fuss, these Kiss nails are a handy investment for the party season. The full glitter nails are particularly gorgeous up-close and look oh-so-pretty under any light. If you are wary?of the hassle of using liquid glue, the pack also contains the option of adhesive tabs for application. Simply find the correct size tab for each nail (luckily, they are numbered) and apply, then peel off the film and press it down into your own nail and hold. Easy! There is also a tiny filing board included, so you can shorten the nail to your desired length.

Fuschia Eye Shimmer in Tippy Taupe and Bell Bottom Blue,??14.50 each

Loose glitter is certainly the most versatile when it comes to creating a sparkling look, but it?can be messy and difficult to work with. A nice compromise comes in the form of these Fuschia Eye Shimmers. Though they are loose powders, they are much finer and softer than pure glitter. They?are well pigmented, capable of?creating a strong result when compacted and pressed together, but they also blend out for a lighter colour and more delicate shimmer. Don’t just stick to the eye, use anywhere on the face or neck. The range of colours far exceeds these two beauties, making?them the perfect tools for getting creative when it comes to sparkle and shine.

Holder image: AW16 Leitmotiv,?Jason Lloyd Evans