Beauty basic: shimmering make-up

A sparkly hint of glitter on the eyes, cheeks or lips will work as a highlighter on your skin, giving you a radiant glow. During the day a hint of gold can bring sunshine to a dull complexion, while at night your face will shine like moonlight if you apply a sprinkling of silver dust. The trick is to perfect the application and use the right products for the right places. If you’re shy about sparkle, choose a lip gloss with just a hint of shimmer and apply a tiny dab to the centre of your mouth. If you’re feeling confident, grab a brush and apply a sweep of brilliant gleaming colour to the eyelids.

If you thought shimmering pigments were just for teenagers, think again. A little shine, strategically applied, can bring radiance to faces of all ages. Richard Dean, Max Factor’s international chief make-up artist, says: “Gleaming lips, dazzling eyes and glowing skin can be appropriate at any age, with the right tools and techniques.” Richard says the key is to apply just a hint of shine – overtly shimmery faces are a thing of the past. “The glitz of previous seasons has been supplanted by a look that’s subtle, glistening and sheer,” he says. “A lighter touch means the pigments can imitate the play of light on the face, rather than smothering the skin in shine, which can look greasy and prematurely ageing.”

To achieve the desired look, start by selecting shimmering shades that will flatter your skin tones. If your skin has yellow undertones go for gold highlights. Those with a pinky cast to their skin should try pink or peach shimmers, and if your complexion is pale or has blue tones in it, choose silvery or blue pigments. It’s also important to keep the colours you use on different parts of your face within the same family of tones. For instance, if you’re using a peachy tone on your eyes and cheeks, choose apricot or orange for the lips.

Application is also part of the magic formula – bear in mind that the lips and fleshy parts of the eyelids can trap pigment and leave unsightly creases. “As a woman ages it becomes important to apply shimmer with a deft hand,” says Richard. “Shine won’t mask a wrinkle but highlight it, so you have to be careful to apply shimmer to taut skin.” For mature women, Richard suggests applying a tiny dab of shine to the middle of the lips, thus giving the face an instant pick-me-up without taking the look too far.

It also makes a difference what tools you use to apply your shiny pigments. “Cream shimmers can be applied with brushes, fingers or sponges; dry powders are best with brushes, cotton buds or foam applicators,” Richard recommends.

Eyes
Whether brushed over the lids or confined to the lash line, pretty pink, subtle peach or gleaming silver will always work to brighten your eyes. Other shades to try include Rimmel’s Mono Eye Shadow, $8.95, in Saucy Mint – a fresh, pale-green shade that provides subtle shine – or Lancôme’s Loose Powder Eye Shadow, $40, in Le Secret – a powdery blue that gives eyelids a hint of gleaming colour. For a bit of drama, rim your eyes with Clarins’ Eye Shimmer Pencil, $36, in the daring Turquoise Flash.

Skin
A little luminescence goes a long way. Christian Dior’s Backstage Makeup DiorShow Powder, $65, in Catwalk Pink, is a blusher and luminiser in one. Brush it on to the cheeks to create a radiant glow, or lightly dust over the entire face for sun-kissed glamour. For a sheer, shimmering complexion, try i.d. bareMinerals Clear Radiance, $65. This powder bestows skin with a luminescent glow, giving it an instant ‘lift’. L’Oréal’s Blush Délice, $19.95, in the fairyfloss-like shade of Strawberry, will bring a rush of instant colour to the cheeks. Or try Clinique’s Blushing Blush Powder Blush, $49, in Precious Posy, to give your cheeks a summery peach glow. Estée Lauder’s Color Stones Shimmering Face Powder, $59, is the must-have shimmer product of the moment. It comes in a compact so you can throw it into your handbag, ready to give your face a touch of glamour any time of the day or night.

Lips
Frosted colours will give you a luscious pout. Choose gloss for a high-wattage sheen, or try a matte lipstick then add a dab of shimmer to the centre of your lips. On the gloss side of the spectrum, Origins’ Once Upon A Shine Sheer Lip Gloss, $28, in Sheer Peach, is a versatile shade that can be worn over lipstick or on its own, while Elizabeth Arden’s Shine Pops Lip Gloss, $32, in the bronze-coloured Blaze, is a subtle, long-lasting gloss.

Words: Nikki Goldstein. Photography: Steven Chee. Hair & Make-up: Budi Juspandi. Styling: Jackie Shaw