Samantha Holender
I've been wearing glitter eyeshadows for as long as I can remember (we're going back to dance recital days). I love sparkles, obviously, but my reasoning is a bit more nuanced. No eyeshadow is easier to apply than those with a ton of glittery pigmen. Proof: makeup brushes aren't necessary—it’s just a little finger swipe for a quick statement eye—and, so long as I pick the right product, there’s no fallout, creasing, or fading from day to night.
Over the years, I've accumulated quite an impressive collection (think: 50+ pots), so I truly have the perfect sparkle-to-shimmer situation for every possible occasion. Some, like a classic NYX loose pigment, have chunky flecks that are more appropriate for nighttime wear or a New Year's Eve party. Others, like Hourglass or Bodyography, offer a subtle shimmer that I'll proudly wear to the office or use to add a little oo-la-la to an otherwise matte eye.
As a glitter eyeshadow aficionado, I’ve compiled the crème de la crème of formulas for your shopping pleasure. I've also tapped celebrity makeup artists Jonet Williamson and Suzy Gerstein for some tips on easy glitter eyeshadow application.
From finger-friendly, densely packed cream eyeshadow pots that won't crease or cake to sheer liquids eyeshadows that allow you to swipe on a translucent wash of sparkles, here are the 13 best glitter eyeshadows in the game.
Best Glitter Eyeshadows
- Best Glitter Eyeshadow Overall: Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow
- Best Metallic Glitter Eyeshadow: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eye Illusion Eyeshadow Duo
- Best Fine Glitter Eyeshadow: Pat McGrath Labs Chromaluxe Artistry Pigment
- Best Powder Glitter Eyeshadow: Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre
- Best Long-Wearing Glitter Eyeshadow: Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Glittery Eyeshadow
The Best Glitter Eyeshadows
This beginner-friendly eyeshadow can transform from a barely-there wash of color to a high-impact shadow in about three layers. Depending on the lighting, it can look like a true glitter or a shimmer, but it's pretty opaque regardless. Reflect is one of the prettiest everyday colors, and Vivid made me a green shadow convert.
Type of Glitter: Cream
Finish: Buildable shattered glitter
What We Love: Buildable; Great shade selection; texture
What We Don't: Color fades throughout the day
Review for MC: "I truly can't get enough of this product. I applied shade Reflect with a brush on one eye and used my finger on the other to see just how buildable this glitter is. It's safe to say I was blown a way by the results. One eye glistened with a nice sheen while the other was doused in a gorgeous scattered sparkle—both without a speck of fallout! Perfect for a full glam or an easy, everyday look, this creamy glitter is sure to become a staple in my makeup routine." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Freelance Beauty Writer Emma Aerin Becker wears shade Reflect of Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow.
Sometimes, high shine comes at a high price, but Patrick Ta's Eye Illusion Eyeshadow Duos make it worth it. Although they're metallic looking in the pan, these shadows boast light-catching pigments that seriously glisten when caught in the light. They're super buildable and easy to blend, and the translucent base ensures every vibrant shade works on any skin tone. If you need to girl-math the purchase, it's a two-for-one deal.
Type of Glitter: Fine
Finish: Metallic shimmer
What We Love: Super blendable and buildable, gorgeous color range
What We Don't: Expensive, starts very sheer
Review for MC: "These shadows are gorgeous and definitely pack a punch of glitter. I'm a sucker for pink eyeshadow, as I find it compliments my dark brown eyes the best. The metallic pigment was super vibrant (but not too vibrant, of course), and even worked as a highlighter topper. Whether swept over my lid with a brush or packed on with my fingertip, this eyeshadow duo has become one of my all-time favorites." – Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Freelance Beauty Writer Emma Aerin Becker wears shade Talk To My Dream.
Pat McGrath has always been my go-to for glitter pigments. Mother knows what she's doing. This luminous, pigment-rich product has a metallic finish on the surface, but when you get a closer look, it's jam-packed with ultra-fine pops of glitter. The powder formula is intensely creamy and can be applied with fingers (my preferred method) or a brush. You'll want shade Golden Seductress on deck for the most popping inner corner highlight.
Type of Glitter: Ultra-Fine
Finish: Glittery metallic
What We Love: Super pigmented, iridescent, long-lasting
What We Don't: More metallic than glitter
Review for MC: "The one 2016 makeup trend that I have yet to leave behind is a blinding highlight on the tip of my nose and inner corner of my eye. Pat McGrath's Chromaluxe Artistry Pigment in the shade Golden Seductress has a shimmering pigment that's not for the faint of sparkle, and the extra-fine glitter gives my eye that perfect glimmer. For a more scattered look, I like to also lightly apply the product to my lid with a fluffy brush." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Freelance Beauty Writer Emma Aerin Becker wears Pat Mcgrath Labs Chromaluxe Artistry Pigment.
Straddling the line between a shimmery cream and true glitter pigment, Victoria Beckham Beauty’s pots are some of the most hydrating, pearlescent shades I’ve ever seen. Real crystals and multi-dimensional pearls have been infused into each shade to create a gilded finish that catches light. There’s also hydrating squalane and guava leaf extract in the mix, which makes this shadow perfect for dry eyelids.
Type of Glitter: Powdery cream
Finish: Shimmer
What We Love: Great shade selection; Pearlescent finish
What We Don't: Lacks chunky glitter
Review for MC: "I'm currently in the middle of my Wicked movie obsession, so I had to try out the brand's newest shade of this beloved product, Emerald. I confidently believe that even Glinda would approve of this sparkly green shadow. The unique powdery-cream texture glides on so smoothly and feels surprisingly hydrating on my eyelids." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Freelance Beauty Writer Emma Aerin Becker wears Victoria Beckham Beauty's Lid Lustre.
While most cream shadows are prone to creasing, this Urban Decay option doesn't budge. It grips onto the lid instantly and maintains its color intensity all day. A brush application provides a more diffused wash, and a finger application leaves an intense color payoff. "The microfine glitter particles create an alluring wet look on lids," notes Gerstein. Pro tip: add setting spray to your brush before picking up the product for a high-intensity finish.
Type of Glitter: Fine
Finish: Sheer shimmer
What We Love: Multiple finishes; Lasting power
What We Don't: Color really needs to be built up
Review for MC: "I've Urban Decay's Moondust Eyeshadow in the shade Space Cowboy non-stop, so I decided to throw reservations to the wind and give it a whirl. The product is pretty sheer upon first application, but it's buildable (especially when paired with a setting spray), and I love it as a topper to a smokey eye. With micro-fine glitter, it's perfect for a wet-look effect, and the sparkle is said to last up to 16 hours!" — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Freelance Beauty Writer Emma Aerin Becker wears Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Glittery Eyeshadow.
Other Glitter Eyeshadows I Love
I love this glitter pigment so much, that I've practically worn it every day for five years straight. But, I'm far from the only fan—it has Williamson's endorsement, too. “They’re very fine, so you can really build them up or wear them lightly dusted across the lid," she says. "Even though it’s a loose pigment, you can pick it up nicely with your finger or a brush and won’t experience a lot of fallout.” I’m partial to shades Off the Hook, Stellar, and Mood.
Type of Glitter: Loose
Finish: High-glitter
What We Love: Makeup artist-approved; No fallout; No creasing; Large shade selection
What We Don't: Nothing!
Customer Review: "This product is absolutely gorgeous on the eye. Saw a beauty influencer use this color for a smoked eye look and it is truly stunning in person. Can be used for heavier full glam eye or used lightly for a romantic sparkling eye. Going back to buy other colors!" — Amazon
If you’re a swipe-and-go girl who can’t be bothered with brushes, a cream texture, like this Valentino formula, is the way to go. The flecks will stick right to your finger, and one swipe will give you an intense color payoff. The densely packed particles also make this an excellent eyeliner option. Go bold with the green or blue shade, or keep things subtle with the gold and silver.
Type of Glitter: Fine
Finish: True Glitter
What We Love: No fallout, Intense color payoff
What We Don't: Small shade selection, best when used with primer
Customer Review: "Beautiful formula that you can apply in layers to make as intense as you like. Doesn’t smudge or fall but comes off easily with good face wash." — Sephora
This formula has been around since 2016—and it remains one of the most popular options on the market to this day. “It’s a beautiful formula if you want to apply glitter as a liner or do a little, sheer wash in the inner corner," says Williamson. If you do decide to go for more of a high-impact look, it might just take a few layers of product.
Type of Glitter: Liquid
Finish: High-glitter
What We Love: Makeup artist-approved; Great for liner and accents; Large color selection
What We Don't: Need a lot of product to build up to full coverage
Customer Review: "I LOVE this so much! It stays on really well even without primer and is the perfect glitter coverage for me. Because it's glitter and not shimmer/metallic, it will look different across the lid depending on how the light hits in that moment. Sweeping it over the eyelid, glitter density/coverage of the Diamond Dust shade is similar to glitter nail polishes. Dabbing it gets denser coverage, and I'll sometimes do that to touch up a particularly blank spot. I really like that it's not 100% glitter coverage. It's fun without being too much." — Sephora
Multi-finish glitters are hard to come by, but this Iconic London product serves dimension up on a silver platter. The dual-ended stick, which is available in 10 shades, pairs a cream glitter crayon with the accompanying glitter liquid. Pop the liquid on the center of your lid, use it in your inner corner, or drag it along your lower lash line to create an iridescent illusion.
Type of Glitter: Shimmering crayon and liquid glitter
Finish: Opaque shimmer
What We Love: Two-in-one; Large shade selection
What We Don't: Requires touch-ups throughout the day
Customer Review: "This should be called 'eyeshadow for dummies' because you just can’t go wrong with it. You don’t need a brush, you just apply straight onto your eyelid and blend! You need to try it!! This wildflower color is beautiful." — Sephora
This six-pan palette makes a smoky glitter eye easy, which is why it's makeup artist Suzy Gerstein's favorite. "They apply so seamlessly onto the lids and seductively catch the light," she shares. I tend to apply them with my fingertips or a brush misted with some of Lisa’s setting mist. They are certainly on the glitter spectrum's more refined, sophisticated end."
Type of Glitter: Fine
Finish: Colorful powder
What We Love: Six color options; Flattering for all eye colors
What We Don't: More metallic than glitter
Customer Review: "This palette is everything you need for a gorgeous everyday look. They are easy to work with and produce beautiful results every time! Just love it!" — Lisa Eldridge
If you love the look of an iridescent glitter eye but you hate the potential particle fallout throughout the day, this gorgeous glitter formula is for you. The buildable eyeshadow comes in three soft, shimmery colors that are easy to dial up for a more dramatic effect or keep it to a soft wash of pigment. It will also last all day.
Type of Glitter: Fine
Finish: Colorful shimmer jelly
What We Love: Gorgeous saturation; long-lasting; no fallout
What We Don't: There could be more than three shades
Customer Review: "The color is beautiful I wear it all the time since I got it! It stays on really well all day and when you take it off it also doesn't leave too much residue which is nice." — SheGlam
If you want a chunky glitter finish, there’s no better product. Grab the brand’s Duo Adhesive to create a sticky base and gently pat the flecks onto your lid. How much you use is up to you, but I recommend erring on the lighter side or using it as an accent on the middle of the eye.
Type of Glitter: Loose
Finish: True glitter
What We Love: Large glitter chunks; Tons of color options
What We Don't: Difficult to apply
Customer Review: "Love this glitter along with the primer. Used it for years and will continue to, 10/10 recommend to anyone and everyone." — Ulta
Perfect for a concert, festival, themed party, or any other fun event, this iridescent pot is filled with super chunky glitter flecks. It might make a tiny mess, so I recommend applying this before you apply foundation. Fingers are the best way to go, but if you're set on using a brush, make sure to wet it first to help with adhesion.
Type of Glitter: Chunky
Finish: High-glitter
What We Love: High impact; Very reflective
What We Don't: A little heavy on the eyelid
Customer Review: "If you're looking to add a bit of sparkle and a lot of dimensions to your makeup look, the multi-chrom face glitter is a must-try. This product offers a unique and captivating color-shifting effect that transforms in different lighting, making it perfect for special occasions, festivals, or just when you want to add a bit of fun to your everyday look." — Sephora
When densely packed glitters and shimmering sparkles feel too daunting, look no further than Trinny London's Eye2Eye glitter-gloss cream eyeshadow. The unique formula is translucent and moisture-enriched—almost like a lip gloss for your lids. The shimmer shades in this collection make the perfect products for a wet look, or even just a natural dash shimmer on your eye. These shadows can also act as eyeliner when applied with a liner brush on the lash line.
Type of Glitter: Fine
Finish: Gloss
What We Love: Natural, hydrating
What We Don't: Creases easily
Customer Review: "It's made for my age group (mid 40's). It adds some depth and glam to everyday make up and it stays put. I love how subtle and shiny it is." — Trinny London
What Size Glitter Is Best?
There’s nothing wrong with a metallic shadow, but when it comes to a true glitter shadow, you should be able to make out some separation in the specks. “You want your product to be super pigmented and chunky,” says Williamson. This will allow it to properly catch the light. That said, a subtle shimmer or iridescent finish is best if you're going for a high-gloss, wet eyeshadow vibe.
What Texture Is Best for Glitter Eyeshadow?
You can’t go wrong with any texture, just know that the medium will alter the finish. “Liquid glitters space out a lot once you actually put it on your lid, so you have to do a lot of work to pack it on and actually get good coverage,” says Williamson. They can also double as eyeliner or a sparkly topper. Powders and creams, on the other hand, are best suited for a solid wash of color. “You can pick them up with a brush or your finger and it gives full coverage right away,” she adds.
Regardless of texture, make sure your product isn't too fast-drying. “You don't want something that's going to lock in place. Then, the next thing you know, your eye makeup is messed up, and you have to get micellar water," notes Williamson.
How to Apply Glitter Eyeshadow
The key to a fallout-free application is to start with a clean, no-fuss base. “Your lid naturally has a little bit of oil on it, so that's going to add to the grip of the glitter,” explains Williamson. “If you put down a powder first, you might get some fallout because it's not really sticking to your eyelid."
Once you open your pot or palette, pick up the glitter with your finger. "The warmth of my body melts the product into the skin," explains Gerstein. If a brush is more your speed, spray setting spray onto the bristles to help the glitter particles adhere. Should your glitter pigment be loose, Gerstein suggests mixing it with an emollient skincare formula, like the Revitalizing Eye Concentrate by Retrouvé.
Where Do You Apply Glitter Eyeshadow?
Where you place your glitter eyeshadow is totally your call. You can layer different shades for a full glitter eye, place a little in the center of your lid, or dab some at the inner corner. “If you’re new to wearing glitter, I recommend picking it up on a really thin brush and apply it on top of your eyeliner,” advises Williamson. “It’s a fun way to add a little hint without being too intense."
Why Trust Marie Claire
Marie Claire is an authority on eye shadows, having tested the product in every form. From the best liquid eyeshadows to the best palettes, we are constantly researching the best shadows for every customer.
Emma Aerin Becker is a freelance beauty writer—and avid makeup wearer, who has tested well over 50 glitter eyeshadows in her lifetime. We also tapped two celebrity makeup artists to share their own favorites and help assemble a list of the best glitter eyeshadows.
How We Tested
Marie Claire editors and celebrity makeup artists were quick to volunteer their favorite glitter eyeshadows. After picking 13 artist-approved pigments, our independent testers (plus a few Marie Claire staffers and product reviewers) tested them. They individually reviewed their eyeshadows based on glitter type, finish, experience, and results.
Meet the Experts
Jonet Williamson is a New York-based Pro Makeup Artist and Content Creator specializing in relatable beauty from a pro perspective. Her work has been featured in commercial campaigns for Dolce & Gabanna, Levis, L'Oreal, Shea Moisture, and more. If you follow her online you can expect to see lots of fresh skin, a vibrant use of color, striking graphic liner shapes, and soft glam looks fit for a red carpet.
Suzy Gerstein is a native New York. After spending. her junior year at Weslyn University in Madrid, she embraced makeup full time. Suzy finessed her technique and developed a distinctive style while assisting top makeup artists. Today, she is a sought-after celebrity makeup artist.
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