TIME TO SHINE
Shimmer should be soft and gleaming on the skin, not glittery and chunky.
Opt to highlight one area of the face with shimmer – either your eyes, cheeks or lips. Think of it as a spotlight. Shimmer will bring out your features and make them look larger, so bear that in mind when you decide where to go with the glow.
If you have oily skin, go for powders rather than creamy shimmer products.
If your complexion is warm, go for rose, copper or gold shimmer. If you have a cooler or very fair complexion, silver and platinum shades are better.
You can wear shimmer no matter your age, but steer clear of applying it to very wrinkled or crepe-like areas, as it can settle into lines and accentuate them. You may need to stay with a satin eyeshadow formula and dust a little iridescence on the cheekbones, for instance. Try Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust Shimmer Powder in Champagne $25.
Mix shimmer powder or dust with your body moisturiser for an all-over glow. Or you can mix it into your lip gloss. Just remember to exfoliate lips gently first, as the powder will emphasise any flakiness.
For a subtle effect, dot a little shimmer in the middle of each lip.
To highlight the eyes, apply a little shimmer just beneath the brow bone.
A SHIMMER POWDER
Summery nights and strappy frocks need skin that glows. Spritz the fine iridescent dust of The Body Shop The Sparkler in Copper $50 over cheeks, shoulders décolletage, hair and legs.
A SHEER SHIMMERY SHADOW
A sheer wash of iridescent eye colour looks sexy paired with liner and lashings of mascara. Try L’Oréal Paris Color Infallible La Couleur Eyeshadow in Cosmic Black $21.99. Cover your lid with the colour and blend out towards the browbone.
THE PERFECT RED LIP
Lancôme’s new L’Absolue Rouge Mat in 160 Rouge Hypnôse $57 is a beautiful pinky red, matte lippy that’s non-drying and contains skin-boosting pro-xylane. Remember if you’re going for a bold red lip then it pays to play down your eyes.
A TOUCH OF GLOSS
Wear a sheer, highly reflective gloss over nude lips to complement a smoky eye, or layer it over your lipstick for extra lustre. Try Bobbi Brown’s Brightening Lip Gloss in White $50 for both.
A SMOKY EYE
Copper and moonstone shades make a festive change from basic greys. You can’t go wrong with The Body Shop’s Smoky Eyes Palette $50. It comes with two brushes and instructions on how to achieve a pro-look finish.
A GLITTERY NAIL
One of the easiest places to wear sparkles is on your nails. Go metallic with Revlon Nail Classic Enamel in Silver Dollar $16.50. Or just go crazy with OPI’s pink glittery Excuse Moi $24.90.
