I see olive green as a pop of color and believe a full face of makeup requires just blush, mascara, brow gel, and three minutes. I haven’t owned foundation since I was 22, the thought of double-cleansing stresses me out, and I’ve never listened to the entire Brat album.
So when I noticed that the club-kid makeup style I remember from Paris Hilton in 2002—silver dress, smudged black shadow, you know the picture—has taken over TikTok and been featured by designers like Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, and Christian Siriano, I felt a moment of panic. Then I shrugged. Good for them, I thought.
I’m 33 with a child. Trends like low-rise jeans and Labubu dolls come and go, and I watch them with a calm, detached attitude. Let Gen Z struggle with eyeliner and stain their towels with mascara. They can cover their faces in glitter if they want. I had my time; now it’s theirs.
That peaceful mindset lasted until I was at a dinner in New York’s East Village and saw two women with glossy maroon lips chatting over lasagna. They looked vampy and captivating, and suddenly my peach lip balm felt boring and weak. I almost threw it out right there.
After over a decade of favoring natural makeup, I’m starting to rebel. Charli XCX fans are rocking colorful eyeshadows and smudged liner, and lips are as frosted as a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. DJ Kristine Barilli made it clear that contouring is out. She emailed me at 1:20 a.m.—her work hours—to share that before parties, she uses Yana Skincare face oil for a “pornographically dewy” look and relies on MAC lip products that stay put. She takes inspiration from the shimmering, glowing girls on the dance floor.
Makeup artist Danessa Myricks says, “The pendulum is swinging back toward bold color, texture, and fun.” Her popular Colorfix Stix duos are part of this shift. She’s always loved makeup that suits a party vibe, and even though parties have been scarce post-pandemic, the style is making a comeback. “It’s nostalgic, but also fresh and empowering,” she adds. “There’s freedom in sparkle.”
Freedom sounds appealing. I checked my calendar and saw that in a week, I’d be in Chinatown to say goodbye to my friend Erin, who’s moving to Paris. Afterward, I was invited to join karaoke regulars at Boho Karaoke on Orchard Street. It’s not the House of Yes, but it’s my best chance to wear glitter in the next month, so I agreed to go.
A few hours before heading out, Dior global makeup artist Benoit Dumont came over to teach me how to create lived-in eyeliner and survive the night in silver eyeshadow. The lesson was quicker than I expected. “You don’t have to be precious,” he said, sketching and blending Dior On Stage Crayon in Black like he was filling in a ballot. “It’s not about precision.”
In an email, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics global artistic director Hannah Murray agreed: “It’s the imperfection of it all that is hot and sensual and feels so right for now.” This trend is a break from complex routines and foundation “baking” tutorials—it’s makeup meant to be applied with fingers.It usually takes Dumont a focused 40 minutes to transform me, but when I sneak a look in a mirrored compact, I see a Margaret Keane painting staring back. I’m both terrified and awestruck. Every feature—brows, eyes, lips—looks oversized and striking. I feel taller, sharper, and nervous about anyone seeing me like this. I overhear my husband whisper to our nine-month-old son, “You’re probably wondering who that woman is!”
Running late, I slip into a top from One Of—creator of the world’s most desirable party outfits—and a pair of black Kallmeyer jeans, then hurry downtown to meet my friend Monica, who’s visiting from LA.
Feeling bold and wearing more lip liner than ever, I snag us a last-minute dinner reservation at The Corner Store, a restaurant so popular that Taylor Swift has been there twice. Still, I sneak past the doormen as if I’d just had plastic surgery. I wear sunglasses on the train and into the restaurant, even though it’s overcast and the sidewalk is wet. When I finally take them off with a flourish, Monica gasps, but the room is full of women just as radiant as I am.
At the bar, I spot three people in dark, glossy lipstick and two with Creamsicle-colored eyeshadow that looks like pearly sunburns. I’m about to order wine when Monica stops me. “You’re in cocktail face,” she insists. So we order martinis.
An hour later, I’m too engrossed in conversation to dwell on being a walking sequin. I recall being in Glitterland before—not at The Corner Store, but at my own engagement party, where makeup artist Suzy Gerstein used metallic cobalt blue liner like a Sharpie, and I wore a Prabal Gurung dress so covered in sequins and beads it clinked when I moved. People were amazed, and I felt special, almost famous all night. Another time in LA, makeup artist Liz Lash saw my backless dress and applied shimmering mauve shadow before I could object—and I loved it. At The Corner Store, I stop slouching. Two nights of dressing up and fun. Don’t I deserve another? Later, MAC global senior artist Deney Adam tells me, “Makeup is a feeling—not just a product you put on yourself.” And I feel dazzling.
After the check arrives, I head to a farewell celebration in Chinatown, where I’m greeted with a flood of compliments. But in a wall of mirrors, I see Dumont’s work starting to fade in the late-summer heat, and other guests are in sundresses with just ChapStick. I mingle, feeling like a human disco ball. I tell my friend Erin how much I’ll miss her, worried she’ll remember me as a Dickens character let loose in the Boom Boom Room. But I decide there are worse fates.
Karaoke calls, and I rush to Boho, relieved that the mascara I’m testing hasn’t smudged. (It’s Dior Overvolume Mascara in 090 Overblack, with three coats.) The makeup tricks me into thinking I can sing Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.” I sound awful, but I feel a connection when her music video plays—we’re both rocking metallic shadow from lids to brows.
I last 90 minutes before fading. On the ride back uptown, I take about 47 selfies and dream of clean skin. Once, I might have woken up with mascara stains on the duvet, but I’m an adult now. After 14 cotton rounds and a bottle of Osea Ocean Wave Cleanser, I climb into bed, refreshed.
It’s not even 11 p.m. Party on.Chanel Ombre Première Laque in Quartz Rose – $40 at CHANEL
MAC Cosmetics Frost Lipstick in Bronze Shimmer – $23 at NORDSTROM
Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix Stix in Cassiopeia & Astra – $38 at SEPHORA
Dior Diorshow On Stage Crayon Kohl Eyeliner in Noir Black – $35 at NORDSTROM
Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre in Mirror – $38 at NORDSTROM
Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow in Reflect – $30 at NORDSTROM
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Black – $34 at NORDSTROM
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about the topic Think youre too old for glitter Think again
General Questions
Q1 Is glitter really just for kids and teenagers
No absolutely not Glitter is a form of selfexpression and creativity which has no age limit Its a tool for adding joy and sparkle to your life at any stage
Q2 What does adult glitter use look like
Adult glitter is often more subtle and sophisticated Think shimmering highlighter on your cheekbones a single line of glitter eyeliner sparkly nail art or a dusting of glitter on a scarf or handbag
Q3 I feel silly wearing glitter How can I get over that
Start small and in a context that feels comfortable Try a glittery nail polish or a hair accessory first The goal is to wear it for yourself not for anyone else Confidence grows with practice
Benefits Mindset
Q4 What are the benefits of wearing glitter as an adult
It can be a powerful mood booster a fun way to express your personality and a reminder not to take life too seriously It can add a touch of playfulness and magic to your everyday routine
Q5 Im worried its not professional Are there workappropriate ways to wear glitter
Yes Opt for finelymilled shimmer instead of large chunky glitter A touch of iridescent highlighter a sparkly brooch or a pen with a glittery finish are all discreet ways to incorporate sparkle into a professional setting
Practical Tips HowTos
Q6 Whats the easiest way to start using glitter
Begin with cosmeticgrade products designed for easy application A glitter top coat for your manicure or a cream eyeshadow with a shimmer finish are perfect lowcommitment starting points
Q7 How do I apply glitter to my face without making a mess
Use products with a sticky base like a glitter primer or a dab of clear lip gloss to help the glitter adhere Apply it over a tissue to catch fallout and use a flat synthetic brush for precision
Q8 Whats the best way to remove glitter
The most effective method is using tape or a sticky lint roller to lift the bulk of it off your