I Have a Thing for Chic, Non-Tacky Glitter—12 Eye Shadows to Invest in Before Party Season (2024)

Victoria Beckham Beauty

Lid Lustre

Easily the best glitter eye shadow in my makeup collection, Victoria Beckham Beauty's Lid Lustre strikes the perfect balance. It's subtle, but not too subtle. It's smooth and creamy, yet it has serious lasting power. It's pigmented, but not overly so. And it delivers serious sparkle. As if that's not enough, there are eight stunning shades for every occasion and makeup look. I'm obsessed, and while I could go on forever, I'll leave it at this: of course, Posh Spice created a...well, posh glitter.

Pros: Good color pay-off, smooth texture, high-impact sparkle, easy to apply, blendable, and buildable

Cons: None

Size: 0.17 oz

Customer review: "Fantastic eyeshadow, gorgeous color and can be worn light for during the day or you can build it up for evening wear as well."

ELF Cosmetics

Fine as Fleck Glitter Eyeshadow in Filthy Rich

I'm beyond impressed with these glitter eye shadows for only costing $6 a pop. Not only do they have a smooth texture, but they're packed with micro-fine glitter for the ultimate, sophisticated eye makeup look. Wear them alone or as an eyeshadow topper for some extra sheen. My favorite shade—at least at the moment—is this burnished gold color, called Filthy Rich.

Pros: Luminous, sheer color, smooth texture, blendable, and buildable

Cons: Not as bold as other glitter eyeshadows.

Size: 0.07 oz

Customer review: "This is so pretty without being super glittery. It's a subtle sparkle especially when light hits it. I need the pink/purple one too!"

Pat McGrath Labs

Chromaluxe Artistry Pigment in Lilac Liason

Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath can do no wrong. her Chromaluxe Artistry Pigments are so luxurious, and as such, they're staples in my makeup bag. Each one has a luminous, highly pigmented color that glides smoothly on the skin. A shimmering, metallic finish catches the light, adding an eye-catching effect to any makeup look.

Pros: Luminous, highly pigmented color, creamy texture, blendable, and buildable

Cons: None

Size: 0.20 oz

MAKEUP BY MARIO

Master Crystal Reflector in Quartz

Fun fact: I once convinced three strangers in a Sephora to buy this. Why? Because I'm truly and utterly obsessed with it. I'm serious. Ever since I first swatched this sexy shimmer on the back of my hand, I've been through countless compacts, eventually hitting the silver pan on every single one. Why is it so special? It's simple. The glitter particles are incredibly finely milled, which makes it look subtle, shimmery, and almost wet against the skin. I'm talking about mermaid-level shimmer, which is why I sometimes use it as a traditional highlighter too. Mark my words—I will cry actual tears if this is ever discontinued.

Pros: Subtle, wet-look shimmer, easy to apply, buildable

Cons: Not as bold as other glitter eyeshadows

Size: 0.12 oz

Customer review: "Very sexy shimmery highlighter for the people who want skin like a diamond."

Lemonhead LA

Spacepaste in Cielo

My love affair with Lemonhead LA started years ago. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that Lemonhead LA was one of the very first beauty brands to bring cool, grown-up glitter back onto the market. Its formulas are lightweight, cooling, self-adhering, and jelly-like. The glitter is perfectly suspended throughout the formula, and the sparkle is out of this world. I'm in the process of collecting all the different colors. One of my long-time favorites is called Cielo. It has a cool, icy-blue, ghost-like reflection.

Pros: High-impact glitter, easy to apply, easy to remove, available in a variety of stand-out shades

Cons: Some customers say it can dry out if you don't close the lid tightly

Size: 0.60 oz

Customer review: "Now you see me, now you don’t!!! I lit up the dance floor with this amazing glitter!! Stayed all night but wasn’t too hard to get off!! Will definitely be getting the whole collection!!"

HALF MAGIC

Glitterpuck Pressed Glitter for Eyes, Face + Body

If there's one person who knows glitter, it's Donni Davy, the lead makeup artist on the set of Euphoria and the expert behind this pressed glitter eyeshadow. I like that it has a zero-mess application (no annoying fall-out!) and it can be built up depending on the level of glitz you want. Apply a thin layer on your eyelids for a sheer, ethereal sparkle. Or, build it up for a bolder look.

Pros: Easy to apply, blendable, buildable, high-impact shine

Cons: Some customers say the formula can feel gritty

Size: 0.30 oz

Customer review: "I bought both of these and have been using them almost every day. I'm 44 and don't want to look like a disco ball. This product allows you to control how much you're applying. I gently dab my finger into the jar and pat it onto my lids. The finished result is a soft sparkle without being obnoxious. I love Glitterpuck and it looks amazing over various eyeshadow finishes. Highly recommend!"

Danessa Myricks Beauty

Infinite Chrome Flakes Multichrome Gel

Danessa Myricks is an expert at creating the most eye-catching multi-chrome eyeshadows. The Infinite Chrome Flakes are proof. These are innovative, water-based gel eyeshadows that self-set, meaning you don't need to apply setting spray or powder over top to avoid smudging and fall-out. Oh, and it doesn't require any glitter glue or mixing medium to stick to the skin, either. The best part is that it glints and glimmers in the light, transforming colors before your eyes, thanks to multi-colored chrome flakes suspended throughout the formula.

Pros: Highly pigmented, easy to apply, blendable, multichromatic

Cons: Some customers say the liquid formula can dry out quickly

Size: 0.13 oz

Customer review: "If you're looking to add a bit of sparkle and a lot of dimension to your makeup look, the multichrome 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."

Hourglass

Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow

Hourglass's Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow is infused with micro-glitter for high-impact sparkle and shine. I love how lightweight it feels on my eyelids. Unlike other glitter eye shadows that can feel heavy, gritty, or crunchy, this one feels smooth and featherlight. No glitter-crusted eyelids for me!

Pros: Highly pigmented, easy to apply, blendable, and buildable

Cons: Some customers say it's not as long-lasting as other glitter eyeshadows

Size: 0.12 oz

Customer review: "This product is so incredibly beautiful, and a little goes a long way. As someone who struggles sometimes to apply eye shadow, this is very user-friendly and easy to use. It's quite expensive, but I find it worth it given how pretty it is."

VIOLETTE_FR

Yeux Paint - Bleu De Minuit

I've been a fan of French makeup artist Violette Serrat for a long, long time. My makeup bag is proof. It's full of her namesake products, including these so-called Yeux Paints. Each one of the eight glittering shades is highly pigmented, long-wearing, and effortlessly cool in that enviable French girl way. However, I have a special place in my heart for the midnight blue color, called Bleu de Minuit. It reminds me of the Eiffel Tower sparkling over the Seine on a late Parisian night.

Pros: Highly pigmented, long-wearing, crease-proof, blendable

Cons: Not very many options for fans of neutral colors

Size: 0.11 oz

Customer review: "Thank you for Yeux Paint! I've been stalking the site for months trying to decide what shade and when to try it, and only disappointed I didn't make the move sooner. I have mature skin, and hooded eyes that tend to be on the oily side. This stuff is amazing in that it stays put after applied, but it doesn't feel heavy or sticky. It's interesting to work with and after just a couple of uses, I got the hang of using it the way I like. Even though it's a liquid I can easily create a soft smoky eye by using either my fingers or brushes. I'm dreaming of which colors I will try next..."

Jones Road

Just A Sec Bright Eyes Eyeshadow in Golden Peach

Jones Road's Just a Sec Bright Eyes Eyeshadow is so good. Like almost every other product in the brand's portfolio, it has a creamy and blendable formula that's easy to apply with just your fingers. The subtle glitter reflects light like a dream, and the universally flattering shades are on point. My favorite is Golden Peach.

Pros: Subtle glitter effect, easy to apply, blendable

Cons: Not as bold as other glitter eyeshadows

Size: 0.10 oz

Customer review: "This is probably my favorite out of all the products so far. I love how spongy it feels and glides on easily. Beautiful color. And most of all, I like that it's a clean product. That's why I decided to try Jones Road, I want clean products on my face."

stila

Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Kitten Karma

What can I say about Stila's Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow that hasn't already been said? The cult-classic formula provides the prettiest glint and gleam, catching the light in a flirty, look-at-me way. Plus, the doe-foot applicator makes it easy to apply exactly where you want it. It's a classic for a reason.

Pros: Long-wearing, crease-proof, minimal fall-out

Cons: Some customers say the liquid formula can dry out quickly

Size: 0.15 oz

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 at that moment."

Urban Decay

24/7 Moondust Glittery Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Urban Decay's 24/7 Moondust Glittery Eyeshadow, specifically in the shade Space Cowboy. It's definitely one of—if not the most—stunning, universally flattering glitters out there. Halfway between pink and taupe, it matches almost every look and aesthetic I can think of. No wonder I use this one constantly—even on my more minimalist makeup days.

Pros: Long-wearing, wet-look effect, blendable, and buildable

Cons: Some customers say there is some fall-out

Size: 0.06 oz

Customer review: "I am not great with eyeshadow and prefer a more natural look. But this is just so easy to put on quickly and beautifully elevate your look. A gorgeous shine that I can’t even describe. You have to see it!"