The holiday season is a magical time of year—filled with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the spirit of celebration.
One of the best ways to embody this holiday magic is through your makeup.
Glitter is a wonderful addition to your Christmas makeup look, helping you stand out at parties, family gatherings, and even casual get-togethers.
Whether you prefer a subtle touch of shimmer or a full-on sparkling effect, glitter can elevate your makeup routine and add that extra festive flair.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the art of incorporating glitter into your Christmas makeup, offering tips, tricks, color suggestions, and creative ways to wear it.
Whether you’re new to glitter or a seasoned pro, there’s something here for everyone.
Why Glitter is Perfect for Christmas Makeup
There’s something undeniably festive about glitter—it captures the magic of the holiday season and brings a sense of joy and sparkle to your look.
The twinkling of Christmas lights, the shimmer of freshly fallen snow, and the glittering decorations on a Christmas tree all evoke a sense of celebration, and glitter in your makeup can mirror that same wonder.
But glitter isn’t just for special occasions. It’s the perfect way to infuse everyday makeup with a touch of the season’s enchantment.
Whether you’re attending an office party, spending time with loved ones, or enjoying a cozy evening at home, adding glitter to your makeup routine can make you feel festive and glamorous.
Versatility of Glitter
One of the best things about glitter is how adaptable it is to different styles and occasions. You can go for a subtle, sophisticated look with just a hint of shimmer, or you can go all out and embrace bold, eye-catching sparkle.
Glitter can be incorporated into various areas of your makeup, such as the eyes, lips, cheeks, and even the body, allowing you to create a cohesive look or experiment with individual features.
Getting Started: Prepping Your Skin for Glitter Makeup
Before diving into glitter, it’s essential to lay the right foundation for your makeup. Since glitter can emphasize texture, dryness, or uneven skin tone, prepping your skin properly is a crucial first step.
Cleanse and Hydrate
Start with a clean face to remove any impurities and excess oils that might interfere with your makeup.
Hydration is essential, as glitter can make dry patches more noticeable. Use a moisturizer that suits your skin type and ensure it’s absorbed well into your skin before moving on to makeup.
Prime for Smoothness
Primer acts as a barrier between your skin and makeup, ensuring a smoother surface for the glitter to adhere to. If you have large pores, consider using a pore-filling primer.
There are also primers formulated specifically to help glitter stick to the skin without sliding off or creating fallout.
Choose the Right Base
Opt for a matte foundation if you’re using bold, glittery eyeshadows or a full face of shimmer. Matte bases create a nice contrast to the sparkle and keep your makeup looking polished.
If you want a dewy finish, a lightweight, glowy foundation will still work but may require additional setting for longevity.
Color Theory for Glitter Makeup: Festive and Fabulous Shades
Christmas makeup is all about embracing the colors of the season. Glitter is no exception, and selecting the right shades is essential for creating a cohesive and festive look.
Let’s explore the best glitter colors for Christmas makeup.
Gold Glitter
Gold is synonymous with the holiday season—think gold tinsel, ornaments, and lights.
Gold glitter is perfect for adding warmth and radiance to your makeup, making it ideal for both day and night looks. You can use gold glitter on the eyes, lips, or cheeks to bring a luxurious touch to your festive look.
Silver Glitter
Silver glitter is a beautiful choice for capturing the frosty, wintry aspects of Christmas. It pairs beautifully with soft, neutral tones, creating a sophisticated, icy effect.
Silver glitter can be used as an accent to create bold, defined eye looks or as a highlight on the cheeks for added dimension.
Red and Green Glitter
For a more vibrant holiday makeup look, red and green glitter are the ultimate festive choices. These colors reflect the classic Christmas palette and will instantly make you feel like you’re in the middle of a holiday celebration.
Use red glitter for bold eyes or lips and green glitter for a unique take on the season’s traditions.
Applying Glitter to Your Eyes
The eyes are one of the best places to showcase glitter. They’re the focal point of your makeup, and adding glitter can instantly create a festive, eye-catching look.
Whether you want a bold, dramatic statement or a more subtle touch, here are some expert tips for applying glitter eyeshadow:
Create a Smooth Base
Apply your regular eyeshadow base, such as a matte or shimmer shadow, to your eyelids before adding glitter. The base color should complement the glitter you plan to apply on top.
For example, a rich brown or copper base works beautifully with gold glitter, while a soft pink or purple pairs well with silver or iridescent glitter.
Use a Glitter Primer or Adhesive
To ensure your glitter stays in place and doesn’t cause fallout, use a glitter primer or adhesive. These products are specifically designed to help glitter stick to the skin without sliding off.
Apply a thin layer of primer where you plan to apply the glitter, then press the glitter onto the area with your fingertip or a flat synthetic brush.
Apply Glitter with a Pressing Motion
To prevent excessive fallout and ensure the glitter adheres properly, gently press the glitter onto your eyelid instead of sweeping it across.
This will create a more intense, reflective shine and prevent the glitter from falling under your eyes.
Blend for a Seamless Look
If you’re combining glitter with other eyeshadows, make sure to blend the edges to create a seamless transition between the matte or shimmer shades and the glitter.
You want the glitter to look like it naturally flows into your eyeshadow.
Highlight the Inner Corners
A small pop of glitter in the inner corners of your eyes can brighten your look and give you a fresh, awake appearance.
This is especially effective when paired with neutral eyeshadows, as it creates a subtle but stunning contrast.
Creating Glittery Lips for the Holidays
Glitter lips are a bold, attention-grabbing feature that can complement your eye-catching eye makeup or stand alone as the focal point of your look. Here are some tips for achieving the perfect glitter lips:
Prep Your Lips
Before applying glitter, exfoliate your lips to remove any dry patches and smooth the surface. Use a hydrating lip balm to lock in moisture, then apply a long-lasting lipstick or lip stain as a base.
The base color will provide the foundation for the glitter to adhere to and enhance its vibrancy.
Layer with Glitter
Once your lipstick is dry, take a small amount of glitter and press it gently onto your lips using your fingers or a lip brush.
For a more subtle look, you can use a glitter gloss, which will give you a soft, glossy finish with just the right amount of sparkle.
Avoid Overdoing It
Since glitter lips are already a bold statement, pair them with softer makeup on the rest of your face.
Keep the eyes subtle and the rest of the face neutral to ensure your lips remain the focal point.
Highlighting and Contouring with Glitter
For a radiant holiday glow, glitter can also be incorporated into your highlighter and contour routine. Adding a touch of shimmer to your cheekbones, brow bones, or even collarbones can give you an ethereal, glowing effect that complements the festive atmosphere.
Choose the Right Highlighter
Glitter-infused highlighters come in powder, cream, or liquid formulas. Powder highlighters are best for a more intense, reflective shine, while cream and liquid highlighters provide a softer, dewy glow. Choose the formula that suits your skin type and desired look.
Apply to High Points
Apply glitter highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, and on your cupid’s bow. These are the high points of your face that naturally catch light, and adding shimmer here will create a lifted, radiant effect.
Body Highlighting
For an extra touch of glamour, apply glitter highlighter to your collarbones, shoulders, and décolletage. This is especially effective for off-the-shoulder dresses or tops, where you can show off your glowing skin.
Finishing Your Look: Setting and Removing Glitter Makeup
After you’ve created your perfect glitter makeup look, the final step is to set everything in place. Glitter can be a bit tricky to keep in place, so make sure to use the following tips to ensure your makeup lasts all night:
- Set with Setting Spray
Once your makeup is complete, use a long-lasting setting spray to lock it all in. A setting spray will help your glitter stay in place while preventing it from falling off throughout the day or night. - Avoid Touching Your Face
To keep your glitter intact, try to avoid touching your face throughout the day. This is especially important if you’re wearing glitter on your eyes or lips. If you need to touch up, use a makeup wipe or blotting paper to refresh your look without disturbing the glitter. - Easy Removal Tips
Removing glitter makeup can be a challenge, but using the right products makes it easier. Micellar water or an oil-based makeup remover works best for removing glitter. Gently massage the remover onto your skin and then wipe it away with a soft cotton pad.
