The best glitter makeup and face gems, according to makeup artists - CNN Underscored
Thanks to social media, more people than ever are using makeup as a form of self expression and extension of their creativity. As a result, many have turned to glitter and face gems to help their makeup stand out — and some aren't shying away from making major statements. Think Doja Cat's all-over Swarovski crystal look from makeup artist Pat McGrath.
While some may lean more toward the natural-looking "Clean Girl" makeup trend, no matter if you prefer simple, striking or somewhere in between, glitter and face gems are a versatile option that can work well with both styles, brightening up either look.
"Just like any makeup product, there is an infinite way that glitter and gems can be worn, from ultra-minimal to completely extravagant," Donni Davy, known for her Emmy-winning work as the lead makeup artist for HBO's "Euphoria," says.
Following the meteoric rise of the show's standout beauty looks, which Davy says "helped re-define this kind of makeup as accessible and totally wearable," she created the beauty brand Half Magic, which features everything from glitter eye paint to gems. "Half Magic is my answer to a million DMs asking me how to get the colorful glittery looks you see on 'Euphoria,'" she says.
Makeup and visual artist Clara Rae notes that the formation of brands like Davy's that sell easy-to-apply gems and glitter has made such looks become mainstream. Now, they're just as likely be seen on the street as the runway. "The products are so much more innovative now than they were before, which makes it a lot more fun because you can incorporate it into everyday makeup," she says.
Going forward, Rae thinks that glitter and gems will firmly stay in style, and that we'll see more and more experimentation with different materials. Makeup artist and BAKEUP Beauty co-founder Jo Baker is of a similar mindset, and says to expect more "full tilt wild self-expression."
"People are realizing makeup, gems and stickers are temporary and a fun way to play up looks and fashion," Baker says. "I think this is the future of beauty. Expect your bank teller or the cashier in your supermarket [or] even a teacher to rock a gem look — it's becoming normalized to just stand out, be unique and express what suits your mood."
Glitter and face gem tips for beginners
Though glitter and gems may seem daunting to use at first, there are plenty of ways to incorporate bolder materials into your makeup with little experience necessary. For example, Davy advises face gem newbies to "try just putting one on each of your inner eye corners, or lining your lower lash line with a few spaced out tiny [rhinestones], pearls or studs."
Makeup artist Rebecca Wachtel advises similarly, noting that "a small gem by the outer corner of the eye or as a beauty mark can be a nice addition to an everyday look."
If you want to make the look pop even more, Davy suggests using a variety of gems along the lash line. "If you want to try a bolder rhinestone look but keep it glam and chic, use a few different sizes," the makeup artist says, adding that smaller gems can create more defined and delicate corners. "The different sized gems will reflect different sized twinkles, which makes the look feel fancier and multidimensional."
With a slightly similar shape that extends around the eye, one of Baker's recent favorite looks is what she calls a "cosmic stardust" eye, which is bold, fast and easily replicable — there's even a minute-long video tutorial on BAKEUP's Instagram page. To Baker, the best thing about gems is that they go on and off easily, with no smudging or mess, which makes them perfect for beginners looking to try out different styles.
Rae recommends looking at gems and glitter as accent pieces to your usual makeup — she thinks taking something out and substituting it with glitter is an easy transition. "If you do eyeshadow every day, instead of doing the regular matte or metallic, add a shimmer on top or add a glitter on top of that," she explains. "Pick one area to really emphasize."
Along the same lines, Wachtel says simplicity is key, though you shouldn't be afraid to mix glitter and gems together — above all, the goal is to have fun and play around with your makeup.
One of Wachtel's favorite glitter looks can be seen on screen in Prime Video's "Daisy Jones & The Six." For a concert scene, she paired silver glitter with a vibrant blue shadow to add dimension to actress Riley Keough's eyes. Wachtel says that "a light dusting of fine glitter over a bright color eyeshadow or even a neutral tone can be beautiful."
