By will-buy
Ah, glitter.
Is there anything more fun to apply?
During the Christmas period, glitter makeup really comes into its own. Glamour and glitz are a must at festive parties, and it's time for you to embrace that old school pin-up style great thing about yesteryear. That being: red lips, smoky eyes, and stuff that glint and catch the sunshine.
Glitter isn't the easiest to work with though. It may be chunky, drop down over the whole face (which isn't the glitter-ball effect we'd in mind), and become difficult to make look refined instead of Glasto-ready.
While some respectable adults among us may have discarded glitter as something messy which should simply be pulled out at festivals and fancy dress, we are saying no – glitter could be entirely adult, smart, sophisticated, and gently applied.
The secret is in subtle application that balances textures, as Dominic Skinner, global senior artist at MAC Cosmetics tells Metro.co.uk.
'The secret is not to over embellish. An easy sporadic dusting looks more elegant over a solid wall of shine,' he says.
While Instagram might be filled with jewel-encrusted eyelids and lips dipped in glue and glitter, real life doesn't have to be so drastic.
Rather, we can take the inspiration that's available and modify.
Glitter look book: By pointing out eyes
Eyes would be the most apparent place to start when it comes to applying glitter.
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Dominic says it is important you spotlight one facial feature when it comes to glitter.
'When using glitter inside your look, my top tip would be to keep the glitter to simply one feature and strip the rest of the makeup back.
'This makes the focus the glitter and it'll never look too much.
'One look I love to do is throughout the festive months are to line the waterline with black eye kohl, drench the lashes with loads of mascara, then mix a splash of your favourite glitter along with some clear lip glass and tap within the eye lid.
'It's a glistening and glittery disco eye in a snap,' he suggests.
Using a definite gloss will raise the reflective quality of the glitter, improving the 'wet look' left on lids.
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Application is vital however you wear glitter therefore it sets into position and read as being overboard.
'The trick to stopping your glitter highlighter from looking like you're on the hen do at Glasto would be to dust it on instead of patting it on.
'If you're going with glitter on the cheeks, apply your family highlighter as normal and then pop it by lightly dusting the glitter on top.'
He continues: 'The best way to secure glitter is by using a cosmetics glitter glue or a makeup mixing medium.
'Do your makeup normally and then press the medium on the top to set the look. Tap the glitter on the top to stick to the glue before it dries.'
Then you're set for the night time.
Glitter look book: Lips, nails, cheeks and body
Glitter needn't be focused on your eyes – actually, it's very wearable throughout.
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When you're loading on glitter in one area of the face, Dominic says the other textures you utilize can affect how that glitter appears.
'Teaming glitter with matte textures can make the glitter look much more intense,' he offers – so if full-on glam is the goal, consider using a matte red lip with gold glittery eyes or cheeks.
Going for glossy finishes will prove to add to the overall radiant effect, making skin featuring really glow.
In terms of the colour to go for, the planet is your oyster.
If you're unclear about where to start, take your usual makeup shades and discover glitter alternatives. You may lift a matte brown to a glittering topaz.
Dominic's selection of colour this season is varied.
'I'm obsessing over cool tones this season like blues, purples and pinks,' he says. 'I'm also loving any holographic glitters.
'Those multidimensional flecks seem like a festive fantasy.'
