December 31st could be considered the beauty Olympics. If your New Year’s Even plans include going out and getting glizty, look no further—the queen of glitter, makeup artist Pat McGrath has three unique ways to sparkle just as strong as the fireworks.
Take glitter to the dark side
“A dark eyeshadow base for glitter will make it look even more dazzling,” McGrath tells Vogue. Try applying it to the inner corners if you want just a touch, or on the center of the lids for something with a little more pop.
Get the look, straight from McGrath:
- Start by using a creamy, longwear eye pencil—like my PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in Black, Coffee, or Blue—to trace your top and bottom lashes and scribble the pencil over your lids. Don’t worry about being precise or perfect.
- Then, take a blending brush and diffuse the edges of the pigment, creating a gorgeous soft, smoky effect all around your eyes.
- Depending on how bold you want to go, you can then press the glitter onto the inner corner of your eyes or over the center of your lids with your fingertip. If you’re using loose glitter, add a sheer swipe of Vaseline to the centre of the lids first, using your index finger to smudge it around. Take that same fingertip—which should still be covered in a bit of Vaseline—and use it to pick up the glitter and press it onto the lids. Press the glitter on firmly to set it and avoid fallout.
- Finish by amplifying your lashes with several layers of mascara; my Dark Star Mascara is perfect for this look!
Amp up the shimmer with a mixing medium
McGrath is sharing a runway beauty secret: “To really amplify any shimmery shadow to couture levels of sparkle, combine it with a mixing liquid. That’s what we use professionally to transform dry pigments into a more liquid consistency while also making them more durable. I’ve kept in my kit for years, but it’s not the easiest to use at home. That’s why I launched the IntensifEYES Artistry Pen, which combines the versatility of a mixing liquid with an easy-to-use pen applicator to amplify pigment vibrancy and color opacity. When used over shimmery or metallic shadows, it instantly magnifies the shine and transforms them into lavish lid embellishments, complete with surreal levels of shimmer and a luxuriously scintillating texture.”
Get the look, straight from McGrath:
You can use the Pen in a couple of ways: as a base, before your shadow, or between layers of shadow to improve adherence and amplify the finish.
For after you’ve applied your shadow:
- Swipe the flat tip body of the Pen on top and the triangle-shaped precision tip to reach smaller details like the inner corners of the eyes.
- Then, add another layer of shadow, pressing it on to ensure captivating color and shimmer saturation.
Glitterize your Lips
If you want to be shimmery but aren’t feeling a smoky eye, go unexpected. “Glitter lips are the most dramatic and festive way to make a statement,” she says (lest we forget the sequin-lipped look from when she first brought her line to market). “This look adds a luxurious contrast to fresh skin. I love glittery lips in shades of red, pink, and orange that are bright and deep in tone, as they look the most striking.”
Get the look, straight from McGrath:
- Start by prepping your lips with a nourishing balm, like my Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balm, and tissue off the excess.
- Then, shape your lips with a creamy, long-wearing lip pencil, like the PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil.
- Apply two coats of a creamy matte lipstick. My Lust 004 V2 is perfect for this! I filled it with all the elements you need, inspired by the exact method I use to create a glittery lip backstage or for the red carpet.
- Coat your lips in the clear lip gloss and then firmly press and roll the loose glitter on top using your finger or a brush. Apply multiple layers until the glitter is fully packed onto the lips. You can use a small lip brush to push the glitter inside the lip edge for a neater finish and a piece of Scotch tape to remove any stubborn flecks of glitter leftover on your skin
If you don’t want to use loose glitter, another simple way to try this look is to top your matte lipstick with a glitter-flecked lip balm. You can match the gloss to your lipstick or choose a bold metallic for a decadent, festive look.
