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We Made the Impossible Happen: 7 (Work-Appropriate) Days of Glitter Makeup

Think glitter makeup can't coexist with office life? We thought so, too. Until this happened
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Glitter Makeup Challenge: Day 2
The Look: To show how easy it is to incorporate glitter makeup into your everyday life, I took one of my go-to eye shadow looks, added extra black liner and then used NYX Liquid Glitter Liner, $4.50, in Gold as an accent. Voila! The quickest way to take your daytime look to nighttime (unless you're me, then you'll wear this for both).

Mom Says: "It's very subtle, it could work for daytime."

Office Reaction: Mostly, people were impressed at how pigmented and easy-to-apply the glitter liner was.

My Comfort Level: This is my optimal level of glitter. I also love wearing tons of glitter (as you'll see later), but this is my favorite, low-maintenance way to wear glitter makeup -- plus, it's incredibly easy.

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Glitter Makeup Challenge: Day 3
The Look: Emboldened by the success (read: lack of embarrassment) of the previous days, I decided to jump to the look I had picked for Thursday. I used NYX Glam Liner Aqua Luxe Collection, $5.49, in Glam Azure to create an exaggerated cat eye. (P.S. I've never done a more precise cat eye, in less time, with any other liner.) Then, to really sparkle, I layered about three coats of Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner, $20, in Amp on top. I love these glitter liners because you don't ever have to worry about fallout.

Boyfriend's Take: Honestly, he was more startled by the fact that I was wearing a color (I have a real penchant for neutrals) than the glitter.

Office Reactions: There was a lot of studying my eye makeup, with no real comment on it. I like to think they were admiring my cat eye skills.

My Comfort Level: Like I ate a little too much fro-yo -- I was mildly uncomfortable, but still pleased with myself for pulling it off.

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Glitter Makeup Challenge: Day 4
The Look: I had Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow, $32, in Metallic Emerald, and I wanted to try something different with colorful/sparkly makeup. So I applied it like eyeliner to my lower lash line to add soft definition. Then, of course, I had to have a little extra glitter eye shadow up top. I used Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadow, $35, in Cement on my lids, and then added a light dusting of E.L.F. Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow, $3, in Confetti to really catch the light. The shimmering shadow is great for layering over your boring matte eye shadows to give them a little extra oomph.

Friend's Opinion: The first thing she said to me when we met up for dinner was, "I love your eyeliner." (Also, our waiter poured me a little bit extra dessert wine, so I'm thinking I should always wear glitter makeup when I go out.)

Office Reactions: I was told that I looked like a mermaid, which is pretty much the only compliment I ever want to hear.

Comfort Level: I forgot my lunch at home, so I was a little nervous to walk to the salad bar down the street. No one gave me any weird looks, though, so after lunch I was feeling pretty secure.

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Glitter Makeup Challenge: Day 5
The Look: I decided to go all out on the glitter for this look. Five coats in, and I reached what I never thought possible: My maximum glitter capacity. My eyelids were saturated. But Urban Decay's Bondage Weightless Makeup Adhesive, $19, kept the glitter on my lids and out of my eyes. I went around all night showing people that I could touch my eyelid and absolutely not one little piece of glitter eye shadow came off on my finger. Amazing.

Office Reaction: Surprisingly, I was on the receiving end of only one weird look (in the bathroom, by a woman who may or may not have thought I was a lady of the night).

Sister Says: "It reminds me of Elsa, but chic."

Strangers' Reaction: To my dismay, we ended up eating at a casual salad shop for Friday night dinner -- not exactly the glamorous night out I had planned when I put on my glitter makeup. But no one seemed phased at all when I walked in and placed my order. And I got several compliments later in the night, reaffirming what I already discovered: I should always wear glitter eye shadow when I go out

My Comfort Level: The only thing that really made me uncomfortable about this look was the fact that I was going to have to scrape it off my eyelids at the end of the night. Luckily, it was surprisingly easy to get off with a few swipes of makeup remover, even after a glass (or two) of wine.

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Glitter Makeup Challenge: Day 6
The Look: I call this my "everything but the kitchen sink" look, because I piled on just about every glitter eye shadow I have to create it. It took a combined effort of Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadow, E.L.F. Long-Lasting Lustrous Eye Shadow and Make Up For Ever Diamond Powder, $25, to get the smoky look I was going for.

Office Reaction: Our photographer was pleased at how well this picked up the light, making it perfect if you want something that's going to show up easily on camera.

My Comfort Level: I'll admit: during the day, this look felt a little heavy. But the cement-toned shades of glitter eye shadow made it more playful than your basic smoky eye. Plus, it ended up looking really pretty in the dim lighting of the wine bar we went to that night.

BY ALLIE FLINN | MAY 10, 2017 | SHARES
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