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5 English Golden Glitters for the Holidays

By Polly, England, Local Contributor

Polly is a 22-year old recent graduate who hails from England. She studied East Asian studies, so she learned some Japanese and even spent six weeks in Japan last summer–she loved it and hopes to return one day.

She currently lives with her family and waitresses while trying to decie on her future career. Polly is fortunate to have a wonderful boyfriend who spends countless hours with her at Boots and makeup counters–even if it is done so begrudgingly! Check out her blog, Beauty Mish Mash!


5 English Golden Glitters for the Holidays

When I think of make up for the holidays, I immediately think of a strong red lip and lots of gold glitter, which is why I decided to find and test a few glittery products from England!

Illamasqua Ore Pure Pigment (£15.00 for 1.3g) is a gorgeous deep golden-bronze colour strewn with silver glitter. When I photographed it with my flash, I could also see some pretty red and green glitter, but unfortunately, I couldn’t see this with my naked eye due to the horrible dark English weather at this time of year, so my swatches reflect that. This is finely-milled, smooth, and easy to blend. It has quite a high price tag, but this is truly reflected in the quality; I can’t recommend it enough! Please click here to see some wonderful swatches from Christine which show this beautiful product at it’s full potential!

It’s no secret that I love Barry M’s loose Dazzle and Glitter Dusts, and this shade is no exception. True to its name, Barry M Gold Iridescent Fine Glitter Dust (£4.59) is a subtle, iridescent gold strewn with golden glitter. I wouldn’t agree with the description of ‘fine’ glitter dust, but it is easy to work with nonetheless. It’s really pretty and a great alternative if you don’t fancy going for the full-on gold glitter look!

Models Own Gold & Gold Searkle Powder Eyeshadow (£5.00 for 3.5g) is your ultimate, in-your-face, chunky yellow gold glitter! It’s an absolute pain to apply and is fall out central, but I felt that I had to include a glitter like this. Be sure to use it with a good primer or mixing medium!

17 Stardust Starry Eyes Glitter Liner (£3.99 for 6ml) is a gorgeous glitter eyeliner with a gold base and tiny bits of gold and silver glitter. I can also see very subtle flashes of red and green when swatched, but this doesn’t translate to the eyes. I think that glittery eyeliner is a great way to add interest to a look, so was really disappointed when this performed really poorly! It flaked off in big chunks within a couple of hours, leaving me thankful I only tested it around the house!

Collection 2000 Dig It! Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Liner (£2.99 for 6ml) is what I want from a glitter liner–easy to apply, long lasting and packed with sparkle. This is a mixture of matte black and gold glitter, which gives a lovely blackened gold finish. After testing this, I can’t wait to try some more of Collection 2000’s glitter liners!

After testing all of these products, I’ve got the glitter bug, so would love to hear about your favourite glittery products in the comments! 🙂

Check out swatches!



24 Comments

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Carolyn Avatar

I would love to wear glitter eyeliners, but for some reason they irritate my eyes. Nothing else reacts on my eyes apart from these and I’ve tried a few brands to see if it’s to do with a certain brand’s formula, but it seems to be the whole idea of glitter liquid liner. It varies from mild itchiness to full on burning 🙁 lovely colours though and I love Collection 2000 products, would recommend them to anyone!

Tabi Avatar

Beautiful glitters! I’ll have to try the Barry M Fine Glitter Dusts.

My favorites are:

Make Up For Ever – Diamond Powder: these are so finely milled and make the eyes look glossy or wet. They are a little pricey, though. I get the best results with using a mixing medium (Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy).

Kryolan – Glamour Sparks: very similar to the MUFE Diamond Powder, these are cheaper, though they don’t come in some of the more interesting shades that the diamond powders do (i.e. Smoky or Champagne). I get the best results with using a mixing medium (Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy).

Shu Uemura – Glitter Eyeshadows: I just got my Black Friday Shu Uemura order in last week, and these are really interesting! They’re a pressed glitter, and I’ve found they have enough grip that you don’t get too much fall out without using a mixing medium (though you still do get a tiny bit). I got the G White Rainbow (white with multicolor glitter) and G Silver (silver sparkles). I also got the “burning in water” WKW holiday palette with a beautiful antique gold. I’m really loving them so far!

Polly Avatar

I definitely recommend the Barry M Glitter and Dazzle Dusts, I can’t seem to stop myself from accumulating them!

I’d love to try Make Up For Ever’s Diamond Powder and Fyrinnae’s Pixie Epoxy as I’ve heard so much about them! The Shu Uemura G White Rainbow also sounds gorgeous as I do love pale glittery colours… Thank you for your recommendations ^_^

rowan Avatar

i’m a bit of a glitter bug myself! urban decay glitter eyeliners, MAC reflects glitter, MAC dazzleglass, barry m fine glitter dusts & myface blingtones.

Faye Avatar

Those Collection 2000 glitter liners are incredible, the best I’ve ever tried (and I worked my way through a few UD heavy metal liners). I have around five of them, going to have to pick up this gold for xmas though! I own that Barry M shadow already and it’s awesome, though a bit sheer without primer to stick to underneath. I always get compliments when I wear it.

Edie Avatar

Great Post 🙂

Hooray for British drugstore make up – I LOVE the Collection 2000 glitter liners, they have some gorgeous colours. I own a gold one called FUNK, which is pale gold glitter without the black – it can create both a subtle gold twinkle effect, or full on bold disco ball sparkle.

I love holiday glitter!!! Yey!

Polly Avatar

Thank you, Edie!:)

Ooh, that one sounds pretty, and similar to the 17 one in Stardust – such a shame the quality didn’t match up!:( I do love Collection 2000!

Yey for glitter!!^_^

Honeybumblebee Avatar

I like Liquid Sugar. They have a muted gold glitter that doesn’t look “kiddish” and has a sophicated look about it. I usually do a medium brown matte cut crease and it really looks nice.

Polly Avatar

Yes, I was really impressed!

And yay, I love finding other Asian Studies graduates! I had such a great time in Japan, and the make up there is amazing too. I hope you get to return soon!

YOON Avatar

OMG Models Own Gold & Gold Searkle Powder Eyeshadow’s color is so pretty. that’s the kinda gold pigment i’ve been looking for! too bad i can’t get it over here in korea… do you know any other pigment that is close to that product?

Polly Avatar

It’s a really pretty glitter! I’m really sorry but I don’t have any other similar colours 🙁 I think Barry M *might* have one that is close, but I have only seen it in shops and haven’t tested it personally. I hope you can find one!

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