Shimmer makeup was seen in many Spring 2009 runway shows. Not confined to any particular facial feature, it can be worn a variety of ways ranging from subtle to glam.

How to Wear Shimmer Makeup

Don’t Overdo It

With shimmer makeups available in almost every form, it’s easy to overdo the look. Wearing shimmer makeup all over your face is a big no-no. Bobbi Brown advises to wear shimmer on “one feature during the day and two at night”. Shimmer should just add a little pop to your look, not make your face look like a disco ball.

Mind Your Surroundings

Subtle shimmer can be worn on a daily basis. A light eyeshadow, blush or lipgloss is fine for the workplace or an afternoon at the park. Save the glam for a special occasion or a night out. Then, you can follow Bobbi’s advice and try shimmer on more than one feature. Darker shadows, blushes and glosses would also be best saved for evening wear.

Does Age Matter?

Reading reviews of shimmer makeup, this seems to be the most popular question. Age does not prevent you from wearing shimmer makeup. However, if applied too heavily or in the wrong places, it can make wrinkles appear more pronounced. Shimmer has a tendency to highlight creases in the face. So, if you suffer from crow’s feet, you might choose shimmer blush instead of shadow.

Types of Shimmer Makeup

Shimmer Eyeshadow

Shimmer eyeshadow can be a great daytime look or glammed up for a night out.
To wear subtly during the day, brush a shimmer eyeshadow over the entire lid into the crease. Or, only apply the shadow to the outside corners of your eye.
For an evening look, combine a couple of shimmer shadows and create a smoky eye. Go for a darker shadow and wear shimmer makeup on another feature as well.
Shimmer Shadows:

Shown: Chanel Iridescent Eyeshadow, Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow in Platinum, MAC Eyeshadows with Frost finish

Shimmer Blush

Shimmer blush is an even more subtle choice than shimmer shadows. Wear shimmer blush with neutral makeup to make your cheeks pop. Apply to the apples of the cheeks and lightly along the cheek bones.
For an evening look, apply a bit darker and pair with another shimmer makeup.
Shimmer Blushes:

Shown: NARS Multiple Stick in Orgasm, Bobbi Brown Platinum Shimmer Brick, Sephora Harmony Trio

Shimmer Lips

Shimmer lips are easy to attain. Just apply a shimmer lip gloss to a naturally made up face during the day. Or, for an evening look, wear a shimmer lip stick with another shimmer makeup.
Shimmer Lips:

Shown: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lipgloss, Armani Shimmer Lipgloss, Trish McEvoy Shimmer Lipstick

Highlighting Cream

Highlighting Cream is almost in a category of its own. It can be worn during the day if the rest of the face is kept neutral with ‘barely there’ makeup. Or, it can be worn at night with a couple of other shimmer makeups. To apply, dap a bit of highlighting cream along the brow bone, the cheek bones and on either side of the jaw.
Highlighting Creams:

Shown: ModelCo Luminosity Cream, Stila Illuminating Cream, MAC Strobe Cream

Your Thoughts…

What do you think of the shimmer makeup style? Will you be trying the look this Spring?