What’s the Easiest Way To Rock a Glittery Eye on New Year’s Eve?

Aesthetically, one of the best ways to celebrate the promise of a new year is with sparkle — and in beauty, that often means some glittery eye makeup. But because working with fall-out prone glitter can go sideways with a brushstroke, we talked to makeup artist Sara Robey (who has worked with the likes of Pink Pantheress and Fatima Mirza) for inspiration on how to achieve a glitter eye without the stress (or mess). 

“Some may be afraid of a glitter eye because they think it won’t look good on their eyelids,” Robey says. “But the good news is, it isn’t an all or nothing thing: You can use glitter sparingly, like along the lash line, in the center of the lids, or at the inner corner of the eyes for a pop of sparkle.”

Her secret for lining an eye with shine? First, create a foundation by lining the eyelids with a black or white eyeliner before reaching for any glitter product. “This will give the final look more density and shape,” she says. Then, try dialing up the look in an unexpected way: “I personally like to pair glitter liner with matte eyeshadows or those that give a subtle sheen. This really plays up the sparkle along the lash line,” she says. A no-brainer option to achieve this look: Stila Stroke Of Genius Eye Liner Duo, which bundles black liquid and silver glitter liners.

If you’re looking to add sparkle with an eyeshadow, Robey suggests sticking with slurry formulations. Typically creamier than a powder eyeshadow, slurry formulas are powders manufactured with binders and dissolving mediums to create a smooth consistency that tends to glide onto the eye with ease, like the stellar Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eye Illusion Eyeshadow Duo. Try using a flat eyeshadow brush to layer a slurry over an eyeshadow primer (Robey depends on Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base), and finish the look by using a fluffy brush to blend the eyeshadow edges. 

Those aiming for a more intense look made of chunky glitter should first clean the lids of any oily residue (from products or natural oil production), then “opt for a glitter suspended in a gel formulation, such as Slayfire Cosmetics Twinkle Toes Glitter Gel,” Robey says. “This type of formulation is easy to apply and much less messy than loose glitter. Just use a flat synthetic brush to create the shape you want.”

Once you have a standout glittery eye, you can go a little more low-key with the rest of your look and let your eyes do all the talking. But really, it’s up to you and your comfort level with makeup. “Wearing a glittery eye look doesn’t mean the rest of your makeup needs to be muted or barely there, but as a rule of thumb I make sure that the color of the blush or lips is a natural tone,” Robey adds. “And I love to use sheer finishes like a cream blush or a tinted lip balm, or just a lip liner buffed into the lips for color.” This makes for a pretty — and not costumey — glam for any celebration.