The 16 Best Glitter Eyeshadows To Shine Bright This Holiday Season
With one of these shadows, you can make the whole place shimmer.
When the holidays season approaches, sparkle and glitter makeup come out of hibernation like clockwork. There are a multitude of ways to embrace shimmer for the festive months, but the easiest way is with a glitzy eyeshadow. “Shimmery and sparkly eyes tend to come out during the holidays because it says party ready,” says celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose, who works with A-listers like Lupita Nyong'o and Maya Hawke. “Glitter eyeshadow is multipurpose–use it as a liner or wear it alone as a sheer wash of shine on the lids.”
And the best part about a super-shimmer shadow is that it does all of the talking. Pair it with fresh-faced skin and a lip gloss for a subtle look–or amp it up with a classic red lip. Whether you consider yourself a minimalist or a fan of full holiday glam, there’s a formula, shade, and shimmer level out there for you. The options are not only endless, but they are inventive–from formulas with zero fallout to shade-shifting hues. Ahead, our 16 picks from buzzy brands like Victoria Beckham Beauty, Pat McGrath Labs, Charlotte Tilbury to get glowing this holiday season.
The Disco Eye, $40.70, ROEN This universal shimmer shade adds the perfect glossy sheen to the lid—perfect for the glitter novice. Apply it starting at your lash line to just below brow bone, Barose suggests, or pop it on the center of your lid to turn the dial up on your everyday eye makeup.
Chrome Paint Shadow Pot, $32, Tarte
The specks of glitter in Tarte's shimmery powders instantly melt into the skin when applied with fingers to lend a foolproof chrome effect.
Glitterpill, Half Magic Beauty
Half Magic Beauty's liquid shadows, dreamt up by Euphoria Makeup Artist Donni Davy, may look like your typical shimmer, but multicolor reflective pigments in various sizes within the formula create an amplified sparkle. The fine tip makes it easy to use the shadow as a glitter liner.
Master Crystal Reflector, $44, Makeup by Mario
Mario Dedivanovic's crystalized shadows have major shine-power and come in three universally flattering shades of silver, bronze, and gold.
Related article: 11 Glitter Eyeliners That Are Perfect For The Holidays And Beyond
Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Kitten, $36.85, Stila
We're making a case for everyday glitter, starting with this Stila liquid eyeshadow. "Swipe the color where you want the most intensity like the center of the lid and then spread the product with your finger tip or a brush to create a softer wash at the edges," says makeup artist and Byredo ambassador Lucia Pica.
Dreamdust Glitter Eyeshadow, $45, Valentino These reflective shimmer pots come in four gorgeous shades (an emerald, sky blue, copper, and silver) that are the perfect finishing touch to any holiday look–without messy fallout.
Twin Flames Liquid Eyeshadow, $37, Danessa Myricks Beauty
Danessa Myricks Beauty's metallic liquid shadows are off-the-charts reflective. Pick from a dozen multidimensional shades that shift between two complementary colors for an effect that's begging to be Instagrammed.
Lid Lustre, $51, Victoria Beckham Beauty
Navy and other blue jewel-toned shadows feel glam during the holidays. To avoid the shadow from looking too harsh, "concentrate the powder close to the lash line and then blend up," says runway and celebrity makeup artist Diane Kendal. "Be mindful not to go to high past the crease for a more subtle look."
Related article: Glitter Face Masks Are Coming To Take Over Your Instagram Feed
5 Couleurs Couture in Cosmic Eyes, around $116, Dior
Glitter for the minimalist: This Dior palette features five slightly shimmery neutral shades that all together create a soft smoky eye–or place the gold and champagne shades in the inner corner of the eye for a more subtle pop of glamour, says Pica.
Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow, around $42, Giorgio Armani Beauty To make shimmery shadows feel unexpected, Barose suggests opting for bold jewel tones like emerald green or amethyst. "They are delicate and pretty, but still fun for the holidays and a change from soft pearly hues," he adds.
Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow, $38.50, Hourglass
Creamy, iridescent, and weightless–what more could you ask of a glitter shadow? With chic hues like taupe and olive green, Hourglass's neutral-toned glitters make sparkle feel fresh for the colder months.
Glitter-y Eye Quad, $25, Pixi
These four pretty pressed glitters boast castor oil to hydrate and smooth and vitamin E to nourish the lid–without breaking the bank.
Related article: 13 Liquid Eyeliners for Monolids That Makeup Artists Love
Mothership X: Moonlit Seduction, $175, Pat McGrath Labs
Pat McGrath shadows are the gold-standard when it comes to metallic and glitter. This palette has seven glitter shades–ranging from silvery shimmer to shade-shifting metallics–and three neutral mattes that apply like a dream (you don't even need a brush).
Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow, $9, e.l.f. Cosmetics
In a rush? One swipe of e.l.f's liquid eyeshadows, featuring a slew of gorgeous jewel tones, gives high-impact shimmer. Bonus: You can skip the primer with this long-lasting formula.
Luxury Palette of Pops, $90, Charlotte Tilbury When it comes to beautiful glitters, Charlotte Tilbury powders reign. These four universal shades work individually or all together for a glitzy rose gold eye.
Glitter Pigments, $43.54, Bodyography
A little goes a long way with the Bodyographgy Glitter Pigments. Customers rave about the gorgeous impact and lightweight feeling with no fallout–even without eye primer.
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.