After seasons of barely-there beauty, sparkle is making a grand return. This time round, it’s diffused glitter, translucent shimmer and pearly sheen – inspired by nostalgia but revamped for modern life. Here’s how to wear it now.
There’s something about adding a hint of shimmer that feels joyous right now. After years of ‘clean girl’ looks, pared-back skin tints and barely-there bronzer, make-up is starting to rediscover its playful side again. But don’t panic – this isn’t the chunky body glitter of teenage discos coming back to haunt us. Instead, the new wave of pearlescent lids, glossy high points and light-catching liners is softer, sheerer and a whole lot more sophisticated.
Part of its appeal lies in nostalgia. The early-2000s gloss, frosted shadow and holographic highlighter that once defined our teenage beauty rituals have been reimagined through a grown-up lens. Last year, alpine beauty was reigning supreme, and now that trend is evolving.
Think translucent sparkle diffused across the lid, or a pearl sheen tapped onto cheekbones so it catches the light. There’s also a broader cultural shift at play: as beauty leans back into maximalism – sequins on the runway, metallic fabrics and dopamine dressing – make-up is following suit.
From the rise of indie brands like Half Magic landing in store and online at Sephora, to heritage brands doubling down on glitter pigments, shimmer is officially in its comeback era – and these are the magpie-approved products we’re most excited about.
Refy Shimmer Duo Set
Whether you want a hint of shimmer or a layered sparkle, this limited edition shimmer set from Refy is perfect. The light-reflecting pigments within the Cream Shimmer melt into the skin, while the weightless Shimmer Lip Gloss adds the finish high-impact shine.
Formulated to wear alone, layered, or mixed to seamlessly build your finish from a subtle catch of light to full iridescence.
Half Magic Beauty
Known for its high-impact, editorial colour, Half Magic Beauty by Donni Davy – Euphoria’s make-up artist – has built a cult following for sparkle that feels cool rather than costume. Its arrival in Sephora signals a wider appetite for expressive, glitter-led beauty. Expect multidimensional pigments that shift in the light, the prettiest range of easy-to-wear glitter liners and sheer toppers designed to be layered over bare lids for an effortless wash of sheen.
Make Up For Ever Artist Colour Pencil Cosmic
A multi-use liner that proves shimmer can be subtle. An upgrade on a true fan favourite, this range of pearlescent shades glides on creamy and is super blendable, delivering a soft metallic reflect rather than full-on glitter. Smudged along the lash line or buffed out as a shadow, or even worn as lip liner, it’ll add dimension without overpowering the rest of your make-up. Available in the brand’s most-loved shades – including Wherever Walnut, Endless Cacao, Limitless Brown and Anywhere Caffeine.
Milk Makeup Jelly Shimmer Stick
This is shimmer made foolproof. The bouncy, jelly-like texture of these sticks melts into skin, leaving behind a translucent, dewy sparkle that feels fresh rather than frosty. Swiped onto lids or tapped along cheekbones, it catches the light in a way that feels playful but still polished.
Kosas Shiny Objects Wet Glisten Powder Highlighter
High-shine, but make it refined. Kosas’s take on highlighter delivers a pearly glow with a finely milled shimmer that avoids obvious glitter particles. It’s the kind of sheen that lifts the complexion instantly. Think more lit-from-within than disco ball – our kind of finish.
Dcypher Custom Glow Booster
For those who prefer their sparkle subtle, this customisable glow booster adds natural-looking radiance without visible shimmer. Mixed into foundation, worn alone or pressed onto high points, it gives skin a luminous, pearlescent finish that looks like good lighting rather than foundation – ideal for easing back into shine if you’ve been loyal to matte.
Images: courtesy of brands
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