Forget everything you think you know about glitter. Leave OTT splattering of bling for the festival season, because this new take is surprisingly wearable and chic. For a sophisticated spin, don't go for a scatter bomb effect and hope for the best. Instead, the key is to focus on one area and use one shade to add that extra bit of shine to your look. From the glitter lip upgrade and shimmer dusted lashes to the night-after smudged sparkle and twinkly cat eyes, the SS18 runways made it very clear that glitter will be on the agenda for the new season. So whether you're a sparkle fanatic or glitter phobic, scroll down to see why glitter should have a permanent place in your party makeup bag. Time to shine!
Embellished Pout
You can't go far wrong with a red lip – FACT. Which is probably what lead artist for NARS, Sada Ito, was thinking when he was busy chopping up swathes of it to adorn models' lips with backstage at Toga. Not one for wallflowers, but a great alternative to messy pots of sparkle. Just apply a high-shine gloss to prime lips and get arty!
Kit: Cut up fine strands of Ocado Red Shredded Tinsel, £2.99.
Glitter Encrusted Lashes
Blinged up lashes caught our eye at LFW. Beauty maestro Isamaya Ffrench caked false lashes in thick sways of pastel pink and silver glitter pigments at Ryan Lo. To nail this in the real world, stick to one shade. After a coat of black mascara, dip your falsies in either a shimmery black or pick a light flutter of gold pigment for the most elegant look. Make sure to keep your complexion flawless and the rest of your makeup clean.
Kit: MAC Glitter in 3D Black, £16.50.
Or opt for NYX Professional Makeup Face & Body Glitter in Crystal, £5.50.
Grunge Glow
This morning after the night before smudged glitter is so wrong, it's right. Sultry, badass and with minimal effort required, what's not to love? Expert face painter Lyndsey Alexander at Topshop Unique took inspiration from the 90's London club scene for her rebellious spin on sparkle. For this incarnation, smudge a long-wear eye shadow primer into the lid and work a few coats of an iridescent coloured eye shadow into the crease and up towards the brow bone.
Kit: We love Topshop Chameleon Glow in Wax + Wane and in Changeling, £9.50.
Party flicks
No matter how much you struggle to master the perfect razor sharp flick, anyone can create this rounded cat eye. Spearheaded by Pat McGrath at Tom Ford, every model sported thumb printed cat eyes, dosed in black shimmery pigment. The best thing about this look? You don't need to pin point your most trusty liquid liner with the thinnest tip. Pat opted for an old school black eyeliner pencil to draw the outline of her rounded shape. She topped her design with a clear gloss to lock down the layers of a shimmery black eye shadow. Keep the rest of your makeup pared back and finish with a hint of gloss over the lips for a similar effect.
Kit: Tom Ford Eye Colour Squad in Titanium Smoke, £66 and layer the matte black with the shimmery shadow.
Space age liner
Backstage at Ralph & Russo, Val Garland painted on a thick iridescent graphic streak into the inner corner of the eyes. If this looks a little too daring, just try a thin silver sweep on the lower lash line for a softer take. The trick is to choose a long-lasting liquid liner – the last thing you want is a thick metallic smudge to draw unwanted attention to dark circles. We love Urban Decay for the best won't-budge-all-day-no-matter-what waterproof eyeliners.
Kit: Urban Decay Razor Sharp Liquid Eyeliner in Cuff, £17.
