The Dos and Don’ts of Glitter

A few sparkles can give hair and makeup a sexy boost. But there’s a fine line between gorgeously glowy and looking like a walking disco ball. To make sure you get it right on your next night out, check out the hits and misses of these VIPs.

by Amber Kallor

DO give smoky eyes more drama
Emmy Rossum made her storm-color shadow even more alluring by adding just a few light-catching gems for the Swarovski Crystal Dinner. To bling up your eyes, dip jewels in lash glue and place them on lids with tweezers. Dazzling!

©Glamour

1 of 12 Emmy Rossum

Just DON’T make it a costume drama
Dressing up your eyes for a big holiday party is all well and good, but make sure you don’t wind up looking like a tinsel-covered Christmas tree. Avril Lavigne should have skipped the scary-looking red faux lashes and let her sparkly liner be her lone eye accessory of the evening.

2 of 12 Avril Lavigne

When wearing bold lips, DO go easy on the glitter
Singer Katy Perry’s quirky style never fails to make waves, and this sparkly look of hers is no exception. We love how she tones down the glitter and turns up the glamour with look-at-me red lipstick. Shine on, Katy, shine on!

3 of 12 Katy Perry

DON’T snack on big chunks of glitter
Her gorgeous good looks give supermodel Jourdan Dunn a beauty edge, but even so, we’ve got to sound the alarm on this one. Big flakes of glitter around your mouth is never a good idea—it’s not one of the major food groups, after all. Slick on a lip gloss with tiny, subtle sparkles instead.

4 of 12 Jourdan Dunn

DO wear shimmery shadow for a big night out
J. Lo’s sparkly gunmetal eyeshadow lights up her toffee-color skin without looking too flashy. To pull off the look, use a cream shadow. Says makeup pro Mathew Nigara, “It gives glitter something to stick to.”

5 of 12 J. Lo

DON’T use glittery grommets to cover up a bad hair day
Although we admire his commitment to sparkle—and his fearless ability to take a style risk—Phil Lavine’s iced-out head crowns the London club kid the jester of bling, not the king. (Plus, scraping glue off your noggin never feels good!)

6 of 12 Phil Lavine

DO lacquer up with glitter
Who can resist sparkly, always-in-style silver polish? Certainly not Lily Allen, who started painting it on while sitting in the front row of the Christian Dior fashion show.

7 of 12 Lily Allen

DON’T flash back to middle school with a jeweled tattoo
We get it, Mariah—you like butterflies. But this dazzling insect makes your super-chic black dress look a little silly—like something our 13-year-old little sis would want to wear.

8 of 12 Mariah Carey

DO play up the party-girl look with a sparkly headband
Glam up a plain white tank by pairing it with a bedazzled hippie band like Nicole Richie’s. Steal her luscious lash look while you’re at it; sweep on three coats of black mascara and you’re ready for cocktails!

9 of 12 Nicole Richie

DON’T use glitter to “mask” who you are
Perez Hilton’s look definitely goes in the “What were you thinking?” file. Trust us, Perez, an airbrushed, glittery bandit mask won’t help you hide from angry celebs!

10 of 12 Perez Hilton

11 of 12 Glamour

The Dos and Don’ts of Glitter

makeup, skin care & hair: tips & tricks for a more beautiful you