How to Apply Loose Glitter Eyeshadow

Co-authored by Yuka Arora and Jessica Gibson

Add a little glam to your look with loose glitter eyeshadow! Spread primer on your eyelids to give the eyeshadow something to stick to. You can apply the glitter eyeshadow with a makeup brush or your fingers. Keep in mind that you can apply loose glitter eyeshadow to your face and body too. Just rub a little petroleum jelly on your skin to help the glitter stay in place and enjoy your sparkly look!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Loose Glitter Eyeshadow on Your Eyelids

1
Apply glitter primer or glue to your eyelids so the glitter stays on longer.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} Purchase primer or adhesive that's designed to hold the loose glitter eyeshadow in place. Dip the tip of a makeup brush into the primer or glue and spread a thin layer of it onto your eyelids or under your brows where you'd like to put the glitter.^{[2]
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- If you don't have glitter primer, you can use your usual foundation instead. Although you can use petroleum jelly, it won't dry so your eyelids will look wet.
Tip: You can skip the primer if you want the glitter eyeshadow to look more subtle. Be aware that it won't last as long as if you had used a primer. If you're using pure cosmetic glitter instead of glitter eyeshadow, you must apply glitter adhesive to get the glitter to stick.
2
Hold a tissue or brush powder foundation under your eye to contain the mess.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} To prevent loose glitter eyeshadow from falling onto the skin of your face when you apply it, hold a clean tissue under your eye. If you prefer, brush a layer of powder foundation under your eye instead.^{[4]
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3
Brush or pat the loose glitter eyeshadow onto your eyelids. Tap a clean fingertip into a little of the loose glitter eyeshadow and pat it onto each eyelid. If you want more control while applying it, dip a small makeup brush into the glitter. Then, lightly brush it against your eyelids where you put the primer.^{[5]
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- You can use a flat shadow brush or a small fluffy makeup brush, depending on how much of your eyelids you want to cover with the loose glitter eyeshadow.
4
Play around with different glitter eyeshadow looks. Have fun experimenting with different eye makeup styles. For example, apply eye makeup to create a classic smoky eye and apply a dark glitter eyeshadow over your lid. To make a light, festive look, try applying natural eye makeup and placing glitter eyeshadow along the crease of your eyelid.^{[6]
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- For a dressy look, place the glitter eyeshadow over the entire eyelid. Then, apply black liquid eyeliner along your lash line.
5
Wipe off fallen glitter with a tissue or large powder brush. Some of the loose glitter eyeshadow might have fallen on the skin below your eye. Gently wipe off the glitter with a clean tissue or take a fluffy powder brush and wipe off the powder you applied along with the glitter.^{[7]
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- If you're struggling to remove very fine glitter, tear off a piece of standard clear tape and press it on the skin under your eye. Pull it off to get rid of the fallen glitter.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Applying the Eyeshadow to Other Areas

1
Brush glitter eyeshadow onto your eyebrows for a bright eye look. To add even more attention to your eye area, add glitter to your eyebrows! Dip an eyebrow brush into loose glitter eyeshadow and brush it directly onto your eyebrows for a sparkly effect. If you prefer a more defined look, apply the eyeshadow just to the bottom line of each eyebrow.^{[8]
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- To prevent glitter eyeshadow from falling onto your eyelid, hold a tissue under your eyebrow when you apply the glitter eyeshadow. Excess glitter will fall onto the tissue, instead of on your skin.
Tip: To make the loose glitter eyeshadow stick better, brush eyebrow gel on your brows before using the eyeshadow.
2
Spread glitter eyeshadow on your skin to make your own body glitter. Rub petroleum jelly on the areas you want to be glittery. If you'd like to make a glitter design, lay a stencil over your skin and rub the jelly over it. Then, dip a large brush in your loose glitter eyeshadow and press it onto the petroleum jelly.^{[9]
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- Try applying the glitter eyeshadow along your collarbone or stencil a glittery star on your cheek, for instance.
- The glitter eyeshadow will stick to the petroleum jelly. If some gets on the surrounding skin, take a clean powder brush and wipe off the excess glitter.
3
Create glittery body shimmer to spritz over large areas of skin. Instead of buying body shimmer spray, mix your own! Pour as much moisturizing body oil, such as vitamin E or jojoba oil, into a small travel-sized cosmetic bottle as you like and add as much loose glitter eyeshadow to the bottle as you want. Seal the bottle and shake it well. Then, spray it over your body for instant glittery shine.^{[10]
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- Cover any areas of skin that you don't want to get glitter on.
- If you try the shimmer spray and don't think it's glittery enough, just add more glitter eyeshadow to the bottle and shake it well.
4
Rub product into your hair and add loose eyeshadow for shimmery hair. Give your hair a glittery shimmer using eyeshadow. Scrunch a gel or mousse texturizing product into your hair. Then, shake loose glitter eyeshadow into it or use a large brush to pat it onto your hair.^{[11]
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- To keep the glitter in place for longer, apply hair spray to set the look.
5
Use loose glitter eyeshadow if you want to highlight your cheeks. Instead of brushing on your usual highlighter, make your face sparkle with a little glitter eyeshadow. Rub primer on the areas you want to highlight, such as your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the space between your eyebrows. Then, dip a flat eyeshadow brush into the glitter eyeshadow. Dab the brush on the primer so the glitter sticks to it.^{[12]
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- If you also want to use foundation or blush, apply these first so you can place the glitter on top.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Glitter Eyeshadow

1
Press a piece of tape onto the glitter and pull it off. Tear off a piece of standard clear tape and place it over your closed eyelid. Press gently so the glitter sticks to the adhesive on the tape. Then, slowly pull the tape off to remove the glitter. Repeat this with more tape until most of the glitter is off.^{[13]
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- If you used the glitter eyeshadow on your face or body, tear off a large piece of packing tape to press against the glitter. You could also run a lint roller over your skin to remove the glitter.
2
Wipe a cotton pad with petroleum jelly over your skin. Once you've gotten most of the glitter eyeshadow off of your eyelids or skin, dip a clean cotton pad in petroleum jelly. Gently swipe it over your skin to loosen any lingering glitter.^{[14]
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- Use new pads each time you dip into the petroleum jelly so you don't get glitter into the container.
- You could also dip a cotton swab in petroleum to get glitter out of hard to reach spaces, such as the inner eyes.
3
Use makeup remover wipes only once you've lifted off the glitter. If you rub makeup remover wipes over your eyelids, you'll smear the glitter, which can make it even harder to remove. Wait to use makeup remover wipes until you've gotten most of the glitter off first.^{[15]
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- The makeup remover can actually make the glitter stick to your skin even more, which makes it trickier to remove.
Tip: If you do smear the glitter on your eyelids, you might get glitter into your eyes. If you do get glitter into your eyes, rinse them with a sterile eyewash solution or artificial tears.
4
Wash your eyelids or skin with an oil-based cleanser. To remove the primer and remaining eyeshadow, clean your eyelids or skin with your favorite skin cleanser. It's important to use an oil-based product, which will also moisturize your skin as you clean off the glitter. Then, rinse your skin well with clean water.^{[16]
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- Gently massage the cleanser into your skin so you don't scratch or irritate delicate skin.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I apply glitter eyeshadow without it making a mess?

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others.

Yuka Arora

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Applying a layer of primer and foundation first should help the glitter stay on your face throughout the day.
Question

How do you keep glitter eyeshadow in place?

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others.

Yuka Arora

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

The easiest way to make your loose glitter eyeshadow last longer is to apply a primer or makeup glue to your eyelid before you apply the shadow. This will help the glitter stick.