Women Vs. Glitter-New Years Eve Guide

It’s that time of year again when all things shiny are brought into stores. Like most of you I am similar to a ferret and will grab anything glittery and want it. There is so something so mezmorizing about all that color and shine but as we become women and not little girls there is a fine line on what it exceptable to put on our faces. I have been found guilty more than once of adding a little too much sparkle to my face but there is one time of year that it’s okay right??

New Years, that one day where we think we can throw glitter and sparkle everywhere and get away with it. Although you can be sparkly one must be careful not to over do it and age ourselves. Glitter is one of those things that if applied correctly can be super cute and if applied incorrectly can make you look like an extra out of Twilight. Relax I am here to give you some easy tips on how to wear it, keep it on, and look glam all night long. For those of us who are not going to be rocking the glitter this New Years I also have some looks for you to make you fabulously flawless.

So you’re feeling glam enough to wear some sparkle? I think many of us have had the unfortunate nights where we leave the house with beautiful glittery eyes only to go into the bathroom at a party and see a melted mess. This is a common problem that can leave you feeling less than pretty. There are lots of good products now that can prevent this makeup mess and better yet some are at your local drugstore!

Here are some simple tips for how to wear glitter:

• Play With Placement “It’s really easy to go over the top with glitter, so experiment with how much and where you put on product,” says NYC makeup artist Tina Turnbow, “If you want to balance out a glittery  dress but still have fun with your eye makeup, keep shimmer to the center of the lid or inner corner of the eye.” We’re not the biggest fan of glittery lips for a New Years look, but if you love the effect, stick with rosy pinks or ruby reds and apply in the center bottom of the lip.
• Experiment with Technique Glitter is known for fallout, but who wants sparkling cheeks? “There are many ways to keep glitter sticking onto the surface of your skin,” Tina says. “Lash glue gives something for the glitter to adhere to, and it’s perfectly eye safe since you already use it for false lashes.” For a quick stick, dab a bit of tacky lip gloss onto the center of the lid or the inner corner of the eye before patting on glitter with fingers. For bedazzled lashes, use clear mascara and stick glitter onto the lash tips.

• Choose Color Wisely Just like any eye shadow, it’s important to find a color that complements your coloring and your outfit. “If you choose glittery and sparkle shades with matching undertones, it looks more organic on your skin,” says Tina. Cool skin tones tend to favor silvers, mauve pink, and navy glitters, while warm undertones like yellow, bronze, and white gold glitter. “Taupe, platinum, or opal glitter are the greatest colors if you’re stumped on what shade to choose,” Tina says. “The mix of warm and cool is universally flattering.
• Use The Correct Brushes If you’re not using your fingers, you should stick to flat synthetic brushes for application. Taklon brushes made for concealer are the best and most affordable choice because they apply a concentrated amount of glitter with precision. Conversely, use a fluffy eye shadow brush like a MAC 224 for a sheer wash of sparkle on the lids, brow bone, and tops of cheekbones.
• Clean Up Stray Shimmer What’s the best way to clean up glitter (whether there’s fallout on your cheeks or at the end of the night)? Scotch Magic tape. Gently press the tape on skin and when you peel it off, glitter will stick to it (and not your face). You must use the Magic type because it peels off more easily than typical tapes. Of course, if you’re dealing with the delicate eye area, make sure to do as much clean up with an eye makeup remover first, then fine tune with the Scotch tape, being extra careful to avoid the lashes.
  

 

Product Recommendations:

 

• NYX Loose Glitter
• Makeup Forever Glitters
• Loreal High Pigment Shadows
• LA Splash Loose Glitter
• MAC High Pigment Loose Powder

 

 

Now for those of you that arent exactly thinking that glitter is for you; there are plently of options for a New Years glam look. I am personally going with purples and golds this year. If you are still thinking that you maybe want a natural look think about going for a brighter lip color. There are plently of all night wearing lip colors that will prevent you from constantly touching up and getting it all over. My personal favorite is Revlon Long Lasting lipcolors.

Purple is an easy color to build on such as this one in the picture. The drama is added with the winged liner and then the shades of pinks and purples are built on one another to give a dramatic effect. Purple is more versatile than you may think and works on nearly every eye color. For this particular look start with an eye shadow base (Clinique Touch base) then add an off white all over the lid (MAC Shroom) Next start building the pink all over the lid. (Any pink will do Dior makes a fab purple and pink palette) Once you get the pink all over to an almost sun kissed shade grab a medium shade purple and begin tapping around the arch of the eyelid. Start off light and build to your desired shade. If you mess up and make it too dark grab your off white and lighten it up. When mixing shades it is easy to blend things out and make them work. Finally line your eye with black liquid liner starting in the inner corner with the thinest point and gradually making the line fatter until you wing it out. Dont fear the liquid liner! Loreal and Lancome make artliners that are like felt tipped pens and are very easy to control. Finish off with some false lashes and mascara and there you have it!

 

So maybe glitter and purples are not your thing but you still want something different. I am a huge fan of the copper/brown smokey eye. It’s dramatic enough for evening, something we all have in our makeup bags, and doesnt make us look like a Jerseylicious extra. Again you are going to start with both your eyeshadow base and an off white shadow. Now this may scare some of you but pick your darkest brown and begin tapping on the eyelid and building the color. It looks scary in the case but it takes alot once you start tapping on the color to build it up. Also be sure a tap your brush in the sink before applying to your eye to avoid a messy face. Once you get the lid to your desired shade take the coppery medium shade and use on the arch of the eye. Be sure and blend into the dark to get the blended effect. Now to finalize the eye take either the off white or a white and apply from the arch up to the brow to finish it with a frosty look. Now the other great thing about this is that there is not any liner on the top but shadow on the bottom. Using the same technique with the dark brown use a q-tip or small brush to guide along the bottom of the eye to create an easy smokey look.

To finish up our New Years guide there is one thing I always hear from clients, “will this last all night?” The answer is, it can with the right product. There are two makeup sealers that I recommend and personally use. One is “Model in a Bottle” and the other is “Ben Nye Makeup Sealer” once you apply all your makeup, spray either of these all over your face to make your makeup last until the ball drops. I hope all of you have a fabulous New Years!! xoxo