Friends, please raise your coffee mugs and join me in congratulating my dayum self!
Now, you might be asking, “Um…Karen, what the heck are we toasting to?” And if so, fair enough. ? See, I’ve come to the life-changing conclusion that using a fluffy brush to apply glitter changes lives.
Why a fluffy brush?
Correction: It has to be a specific type of fluffy brush. What you want is a fluffy flat or angled eyeshadow brush — something like the MAC 275S or my fave, the Sephora Pro Angled Shadow Brush #13, which, sadly, is discontinued.
Basically, though, a fluffy flat (or angled) brush deposits the perfect amount of glitter onto lids while simultaneously minimizing fallout.
I’ve only just started doing this because I normally just use a finger to press the glitter on my lids to pack that ish in place, but the thing is, when I wanna wear glitter during the daytime, BECAUSE WHY NOT, this approach can be a little too disco.
Sheer, but precise
Fluffy brush, though? Yes, life-changing! The key is the low density of the brush head. The fluffiness sheers out the glitter just enough to leave you with a dusting of elegant sparkle on your eyes, as opposed to full-on rave glitter (err, do people still call those parties raves? #datingmyself). The shape of the brush head is also a may-jah player. Since flat or angled eye brushes are precise, and much more precise than, say, domed or tapered eye blending brushes like the MAC 217 or 224, so you can put your glitter exactly where you want it.
I mean, of course you’ll have to tap off your brush first, and then pat, rather than sweep, the glitter on your lids to reduce as much fallout as you can (obvi), but using a fluffy brush results in a sheerer, more elegant and subtle application that *totally* works for daytime makeup.
Fix that fallout
And if you do end up with fallout, no worries. Just use a little Scotch tape or the sticky part on the back of a Post-it, and gently press it onto any wayward glitter flecks to lift them away!
What I’m wearing in these pics
I used the Sephora #13 brush to apply some glitter from the new NARS Ignited palette ($59, limited edition, available at Sephora) that I wore last week, and it was a look I also happened to be wearing when I picked up Connor Claire at preschool.
Side note: I’ve been trying to wear a wider range of colors than neutral brown lately and to play with different finishes, so I went with warm pinks and purples and reddish browns on my lids, glimmering green and gold on the lower lash line, and a sprinkling of pink and purple glitter.
I wish I were creative enough to dream up this color combo, but I didn’t. The inspiration came from one of my new favorite makeup artists, Piminova, an MUA from Russia. You should check out her stuff when you get a chance. It’s very cool.
Now, back to the subject at hand: sparkling. Normally, I think of glitter as a “going out” accessory, and not something I typically wear on a random Tuesday, but when — not one — but two of the moms stopped me to ask about my makeup, and I realized I might be onto something with the whole fluffy brush thing.
Subtle daytime glitter. It’s life-changing, man!
Other things to keep mind when you’re choosing your glitter…
1. Look for something with the finest glitter pieces you can find.
Unofficially, the rule is that the smaller the glitter pieces, the more elegant and wearable the overall effect. Tom Ford makes some great glitters in his palettes, and Urban Decay makes killer single pan glitters (Diamond Dog is a favorite). For this look, I wore a mix of fine pink and purple glitter from NARS Ignited.
2. Be mindful of your lid placement (or, don’t go from lash line to brow bone with the glitter).
The last thing you want to do is dump a whole mess of glitter from your lash line all the way up to your brow bone. It would just be way too much, especially if you’re going to wear the look during the daytime. For most eye shapes, you’ll want to keep the highest concentration on your mobile lid (the part that moves when you blink), and then have it fade as you go up toward your brows. And if you have hooded lids like I do, you can take the highest concentration of glitter slightly higher up than your mobile lid to make it more visible, and then fade it out as you go up, up and upward!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Love the look.can you please share where are the ear cuffs from?
Thanks, Saba. The earrings are kinda old; they’re by Kristin Perry. I just popped onto their website and while it doesn’t seem like this particular style is still available, this is similar and also very cute. If you end up getting a pair please tell her that I sent you! I’ve worn her jewelry for years and I think it’s fun and trendy.
Stunning!
Thank you, friend! Goooo glitter!
That palette looks beautiful!
Hi Kristen,
It really is. The mattes are lovely (albeit very warm-toned, but that’s super trendy right now) and the glitters are fun. You can transform quite a few of the glitters into a dramatic metallic if you apply them with a wet brush, too. It’s a little OTT for me for most days (although watch me rock it to preschool pickup tomorrow, ha ha), but it’s fun.
Kinda sorta related… Not sure if you’re already a NARS eyeshadow fan but if you must get Fez in your life if you don’t have it already. 🙂
Fez looks like a beautiful color! I unfortunately don’t own any NARS eyeshadows, but I’ve always heard really good things about them. I’m also a huge fan of the NARS matte lip pencils! Cruella is my go-to red during the winter.
It’s one of my faves and a go-to. Hopefully one day you’ll be able to have it in y our makeup bag.
And yeah… Cruella is bomb. Love how it’s like a lip pencil and a lipstick all in one. I don’t wear it nearly enough though because I’m all about the NARS Satin Lip Pencils… they’re great too!
“Tips for Choosing Your Glitter,” this post is why I love you so much and why I’ve been a faithful servant all these years.
I never in a zillion years would have discovered the fluffy brush tip on my own because I’m a hardcore finger applicator girl.
I love all things glitter, especially glitter makeup.
I’m trying to wear something sparkly on my face most days of the week this holiday season. Usually I’ve been keeping it super simple with a swipe of UD Heavy Metal Glitter eyeliner.
Also, and just an idea for you, at some point, some school Connor goes to is going to host a silent auction and hit up the parentals for donations. I’m sure those other moms would love to bid on a makeup session with you!
Also, forgot to tell you that I love this look on you. The colors look really lovely with your dark hair.
Thanks, lady! I’m growing out my natural color so in future pics you’ll be seeing some silver… I’m going to call them my “metallic highlights,” ha ha. 🙂
I just finished a post that’ll be going up later this week that I think you might like. There’s a new line at Sephora called Kaja and they have these cute, stacked glitter trios! The glitter is beautiful, too!
I actually do that already, and you are right, it works a charm. Glitter without being too glittery!
That palette is dazzling, but your look is definitely daytime wearable. 🙂 Ah, I see you’re taking the hair plunge! I can imagine that it would be very liberating not to color. I haven’t seen any metallic highlights, yet, though. If I don’t do my roots every 3 – 4 weeks, it’s gray city. Probably 50% by now. I think your transition will be very gradual, which is much nicer. 🙂
I’ve been parting my hair so that my bangs cover them for now. You can see glints of it at certain angles!
BTW I just opened a backlog of mail and I got your present. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I must’ve stood there for a minute with my jaw hanging open because I was so shocked!
It’s good that you can do the cover up. Mine is the worst all along my hairline – I wish I could rock bangs. 🙂
It’s just a little thing but I thought of you immediately when I saw it since I know you said it’s hard to find now in the US. I picked up one for myself, too. I know you prefer the jar to the tube but they didn’t have that. 🙂 It’s been my go-to and I love the orange blossom honey like fragrance! It was a great rec from you, as always. Just give me a holler if you ever need more – my Canadian friends say I can find them in a couple of QC drug stores. Oh, and Happy Friday! I’m off until January 2nd and can’t wait to get some R&R.
My mind is blown with the scotch tape/back of post it tip for fall out!