Experts reveal easy ways to step up your glam using glitter WITHOUT looking like disco ball – plus how to take it off

Now's the time to let the sartorial sparkle shine – because nothing spreads the festive cheer like a festive outfit!

And if you really want to harness the magic of the season, amp up your glamor with some shimmery makeup.

To understand how to incorporate glitter without looking overdone, we reached out to two beauty experts for all their top tips.

And a skincare expert on how to get it off – because glitter can be stubborn!

Whether you're a glitter lover, or a beginner using glitter, you're sure to learn something useful from these two experts:

Elyse Reneau is Executive Director of Global Beauty and the face of artistry for one of our favorite brands, Too Faced Cosmetics.

And Kim Chi is the CEO of KimChi Chic Beauty, and the first Korean-American drag queen to star Rupaul's drag race.

Glitter eye makeup

When creating a glitter eye makeup look, Elyse reveals the correct order in which the product should be applied.

To avoid making a mess, the expert suggests starting with the eyes.

“It doesn't matter if it gets everywhere because you can clean it up without worrying about your foundation,” she says.

In other words, it's easier to wipe away glitter fallout on bare skin – rather than trying to get it off without ruining your perfectly applied base makeup (which is virtually impossible!).

Elyse recommends priming the lid with a primer like Too Faces Cosmetics' Shadow Insurance, saying, “It gives the glitter something to adhere to — it's your own glitter insurance policy!”

'You should apply glitter with your fingers, not with a brush. It should be pressed into the lids and not wiped off,” she reveals.

Kim Chi warns, “You have to be careful when applying glitter around the eye because if it gets into your eye, it will scratch your cornea.”

In general, the expert recommends leaving loose glitter to the experts, and suggests using a product with less complexity: liquid eyeshadow.

To create a fun and irresistible look, Kim chooses Diamond Sharts from KimChi Chic Beauty.

'Apply to desired area and allow to air dry. It also works as a great glitter glue! Apply it to the desired area (I still recommend keeping loose glitter away from the eyes), dip it in loose glitter and apply on top.'

Cheeks that sparkle

According to Elyse, there are no rules when it comes to glitter.

'Glitter is a source of joy for people all over the world. Don't be afraid to have fun with it,” says the artist.

'If you want to apply it to your cheeks for a little extra festive sparkle, the holidays are the perfect time to experiment with this look.'

For those who are less daring, she suggests a highlighter or blush with shimmer, such as the Moon Crush Highlighter from Too Faced Cosmetics.

Shiny lips that don't run

“For people who are afraid of getting glitter everywhere, the lips are the perfect place to apply some festive glitter because if it's a lip gloss, it will stay put,” says the Too Faced Cosmetics expert.

Kim Chi adds, “I like to apply a little Pot de Creme from KimChi Chic Beauty to the center of my lip.

'Pot de Creme is a metallic liquid eyeshadow that gives you a glossy look with the right application, so you don't have to worry about fallout or being rubbed off.'

This durable combination is perfect for a party as it doesn't smudge and doesn't require constant mirror checks!

Glowing body From head to toe

Try body makeup for an all-over supermodel glow in seconds.

'You can sprinkle it all over your body and rub it for that shiny/glittery hot body look!

“If you want something more subtle, you can mix it with your favorite body lotion,” says the Rupaul's drag race star.

Sleep insider tip* – 'When removing loose glitter, take a piece of duct tape and press it lightly over the glitter so it comes off without scratching your skin. Then close the tape and throw it away,” says Kim Chi.

Tips for removing makeup

Emma Lewisham, founder of luxury natural skincare brand Emma Lewisham, shares three steps to removing make-up correctly.

1. “Double cleansing is essential if you've been wearing makeup, to make sure you've removed everything properly before bed,” she says.

'The first cleansing removes all makeup and impurities with vitamin E-rich phytolipids and emulsifiers, and the second cleansing deeply conditions and hydrates skin with phytonutrients, fatty acids and camellia oil for a dewy, fresh complexion.

'I like to remove my cleanser with a damp cotton or muslin cloth for a very gentle daily exfoliation, I love this one from CloudCloth.

2. 'Eye creams are also a must before bed! Our eye area is so delicate, so with all the holidays involving putting on and removing makeup, it's crucial to give your eyes a little more TLC.

3. 'I complete my evening routine by applying a night cream and oil. For my night cream, I use collagen-boosting formulas or if my skin needs an extra dose of hydration, I use a highly concentrated, leave-on night treatment.

'If I just use a cream, I follow this with a facial oil. I highly recommend oils that are natural with ultra-firming properties and rich in nutrients as they have been proven to outperform some retinols.”