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Once relegated to costume parties and middle school dances, glitter has now become mainstream, thanks to red carpet eye makeup looks from the likes of Cara Delevingne and Katy Perry and best-selling glitter eye shadows from big-time beauty brands, like Kat Von D and Too Faced.
"[Glitter eyeshadows] are great because they add an eye-catching texture and shine to your average makeup," says Alicia Dane, Boston-based makeup artist. She likes to incorporate these sparkly shadows when she's creating "anything from full editorial to special occasion makeup."
Of course, for those of us who live more at our desks than the disco, incorporating these high-impact shadows into everyday life can pose a challenge. While we love the addition of a little glitter to spruce up a look, nobody wants to look like a 12-year old playing with makeup for the first time. So how do we bring the trend back down to earth?
"Starting off, less is more when it comes to adding glitter to your look," Dane says. "I love it just on the inner corner of the eye, or for added glam, all over the lid to top off a smoky eye." And believe it or not, glitter eyeshadows can also be multipurpose. Dane digs using the shimmery stuff on top of her favorite lipsticks. Wear it over a contrasting color if you're aiming for a bold look or in a more monochromatic shade for a subtler pop.
Now that you know how to rock the shimmery stuff, the only thing left to figure out is which ones to use to bling-out your lids. Fortunately, we've got you covered. These 16 glitter eye shadow picks will give you multiple ways to shine.
Image via Getty
