I find that, by and large, they do not work well on their own–they need a glitter adhesive, so my complaint is more that this should be stated. Most brands
market them as usable on their own when it’s just so rarely true. There are a few, though, that work well on their own (at least, most of the time) – like UD Moondusts or Stila’s liquid Glitter & Glow.
— Christine
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I do not like glitter eyeshadow (or lipstick for that matter). Glitter feels juvenile to me in certain looks. I think if one is a “Beauty Guru” or MUA then the use of glitter makes sense but for an everyday look it doesn’t work for me plus having to use an adhesive is too much.
Maybe this is user error/my incompetence, but I feel like the more sparkly stuff tends to make my eyes look smaller and is generally less flattering. I also hate the fall out!
My love for glitter is strong, but my least favorite part about it is when it strays from the one specific spot I put it! So I agree that having to grab adhesive can be annoying (but I will certainly do it whenever). I love products that are “all in ones” and that there should be more versions of that. I do like the urban decay glitter liners and using them as just a glitter additive, so pleased with the new colors coming out.
I always know that generally I’m going to have to use an adhesive to get a glitter shadow to work, but when companies state it can be used without one, I get so annoyed and I’m less likely to invest in that product b/c I feel like it’s a lie to dupe the customer into purchasing the product. Take the Huda palette that has the glitter shadow, I was all set to purchase it, until she said the glitter was ready to use and didn’t need a glitter adhesive, and from what I’ve seen from reviews and what I know about glitter, that’s a bold faced lie. It’s one of the reasons why I have yet to grab the palette b/c I feel like the company is trying to get one over on the consumers. That and the palette looks really similar to my CR Queen of Hearts palette, plus I’m waiting for the VIB Rouge sale to get 20% off.
I’ve never used glitter eyeshadow. Truth is, I’m a bit afraid of it falling into my eyes.
LOVE: The effect is so beautiful! At least when done correctly, ie; glitter primer, possibly even a brush dampened with a setting spray, patted on instead of brushed. Also, I find micro-glitter to be far more forgiving on my not so young lids compared to most metallic or duochrome eyeshadows.
HATE: The eventual fallout. IDC how well one preps, or how perfect the results are, in several hours or so, there WILL be glitter fallout under ones eyes or on their cheekbones!
That’s really interesting about micro-glitter being more forgiving than metallic or duochrome shadows. I have not-so-young lids, too. I use metallics/duochromes very rarely, and then very sparingly, usually just a bit on the center of my lids. Any specific micro-glitters you recommend for older eyes like ours? (And how to keep fall-out from getting into one’s eyes?)
Nancy, would you say the say the Nars Dual Intensity eyeshadows are microglitters? I have a couple of them and use them very sparingly, usually packed onto a cream eyeshadow base and then patted with a cotton round to get rid of what didn’t stick. Sometimes in the inner corner for evening. Otherwise, I’m glitter free. As with everyone else, the fallout —
I have a fair share of dual intensity eyeshadows and I don’t find any are glittery, more metallic and light reflective. Using it with some glitter glue, you can get an intense payoff which lasts. Damping the brush does nothing for me in term of buildability which this palette (applying a second layer gets me the same effect). Which one do you use?
I guess my #1 gripe would be the fallout issue – all day long type fallout that defies even the most careful application (because even if you are careful and also wipe away any that does occur, you’ll get more as the day wears on). Two shadows that really come to mind for me are both from UD and I’m sure many here know these names – Midnight Cowboy Rides Again and Maui Wowie. Other than that, I love glitter shadows, sometimes worn with a more matte or satin finish or sometimes worn all on their own on my lid and crease. I am talking more about “glittery” than about “glitter” (the loose type, the type that MAC makes but says is not eye-safe!)
I know they is a difference beetween craft glitters and cosmetic glitter and cosmetic normally is safe of the eyes but i’m so scared and i have sensitive eyes, they are too precious for me so it’s a no for me.
Rant: The glitter is usually not bound well with the base, making them messy to work with and usually requiring a glitter glue base. I’m usually not a fan of the big, chunky glitter we see in a lot of shadows.
Rave: It’s fun! It looks so pretty on the lids or in the inner corners of the eyes. Shadows with a fine glitter add a lot of dimension when used in the center of the lid. I have deep set, somewhat hooded eyes, and some sparkle and shine really helps make what little lid shows more visible.
Rant: As someone with smaller eyes, I prefer a more subtle thin line of glitter liner. I do not have enough lid real estate and I’m old enough to have some texture to my lids and hey, it’s far too much like work. I want to look less effort and glitter doesn’t translate into my own personal aesthetic.
Rave: Love super editorial looks with glitter.
JNFM
Rave: I love the look of glitter and the festive feel it gives to even a simple eye look. I prefer to use the more refined glitter that is bound with a base but I still use a glitter adhesive or a sticky base to apply. I have to admit that the look of glitter on my crepey eye lids is not always great but since I am only pleasing myself I just look past that and it would never keep me from using the product.
Rant: Pretty much as everyone has mentioned, the fall out.
Glitter shadows are pretty but just too much hassle for me to deal with. My #1 complaint is fallout. And somehow not just on my face, it gets everywhere and on everybody within a 3′ radius of me! I gravitate more towards foiled metallic shadows over glitter these days, I find them much easier to work with. I recently ended up getting some chunky glitter in my eye from an eyeliner and it was a nightmare. Now i’m kind of paranoid that will happen again. Think I may be jumping off the glitter train:-(
Rant – I just don’t like the thought of all those glittery bits so close to my eye. I think it would be terrible if one little bit got in there. Glitter does not suit me anyway.
Rave – they look good, if they work on others.
I have never been a fan of glitter eyeshadows. I have only one (Stila Glitter & Glow in Rose Gold Retro), that I wore on New Year’s Eve and I didn’t like the fallout, even if it was minimal. I don’t like the metallic eyeshadows/lipsticks either. There are enough shimmery eyeshadows of good quality that I can use for a touch of sparkle on my lids, without hassle.
Glitter is my middle name.
Wish I had glitter to play with when I was little.
I am sure my grandma would say “no” to it.
I do love them the fine glitter not the obvious thick ones. I use WetnWild primer under my Cover Girl Jewels (love the colors!) wore the green one with a darker moss green eyeliner for a party and the girls in my family noticed and liked it. Not much fall out with Cover Girl but with Colourpop Super shock shadows and I adore them I did get it under the eyes but it looks so pretty! I probably looked like a crying unicorn! Lol! I don’t think I’ll buy more glitter but never say never. Hard to resist. Lol!
Rant: My lifestyle is such that wearing glitter shadows all the time would not be appropriate.
Rave: But when I do have an excuse to get glammed up, or even sometimes just when I have a day off and don’t really care who thinks what, they can be so pretty and so fun! I just got the UD Moondust palette when it was 50% off at Sephora, wore the purple color from there all over my lids on the day it arrived, got so many compliments, couldn’t stop looking at myself in the mirror.
Pat McGrath changes all of this. No fall out. No flaking all over the face. Stays put without using a glitter spray. Wipes off with makeup remover in one swipe. I don’t know what kind of magic or sorcery was responsible for creating the eyeshadows, but I’m all for it.
What glitter glue would you recommend? I know the Too Faced one is popular but I don’t support them anymore.
I use Lit’s.