10 Glitter Eyeshadows You Can Wear Without Making a Mess

By Erin Lukas
Updated Dec 23, 2019 @ 9:00 am
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When you think of glitter eyeshadow, you probably recall covering your lids with that sticky, sparkly paste you found in your caboodle as a kid. But just like you, glitter eyeshadows have grown up and are a lot more sophisticated now. Instead of chunky flecks of glitter, today's formulas are creamy, subtle, and look downright gorgeous on your eyelids. The only thing that's not so great is when tiny flecks of glitter fall down onto your cheeks.

If you're using loose glitter, New York-based makeup artist Shayna Goldberg recommends prepping your eyelids with an extra-strength eyeshadow primer first. She's a fan of Too Faced's Glitter Glue.

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"It’s an eyeshadow primer that’s just sticky enough for the glitter to hold onto without being so sticky it makes your lid stick to itself," she says. "If there’s any fallout on the cheeks, just roll some scotch tape around two fingers and gently tap the cheeks to pick it up." 

If you're using a traditional cream or powder shadow, your favorite eyeshadow primer should do the trick. 

Since you now know some clever hacks for applying glitter eyeshadow, you're probably wondering which ones offer the most sparkle. Luckily, you can save yourself a Google search. We've rounded up the 10 best long-lasting, easy-to-wear glitter eyeshadows right here. 

VIDEO: What Every Beginner Needs to Have in Their Makeup Kit

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Wet 'n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Liquid Eyeshadow in Goldie Luxe

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$3
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A foolproof way to avoid fallout? Using a liquid eyeshadow formula that dries down quickly. This Wet 'n Wild one is easy to swipe on with your fingertip and at only $3, it's light on your wallet. 

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2 of 10

Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow in Cranberry 

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$29
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The teeny-tiny, light-reflecting pearls in Hourglass' shadow are responsible for its gorgeous shimmery finish. Layer it on if you're in the mood for extra sparkle. 

3 of 10

Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Kitten Karma

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$24
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One swipe of Stila's cult-favorite liquid glitter eyeshadow turns your lids into miniature disco balls. And thanks to its water-based formula, the shadow dries almost instantly and does not move. While there's 16 shades to choose from, Kitten Karma is a fan-favorite. The mix of copper, silver, and gold sparkles looks amazing across all skin tones. 

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4 of 10

Lemonhead Groupie Spacepaste Glitter in Groupie 

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$22
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Whenever you see a celeb with ridiculously glittery eye makeup on the red carpet, odds are they're wearing one of Lemonhead's products. The brand is a makeup artist-favorite because it offers maximum sparkle without any creasing, fading, or fallout. There's a whole plethora of shades to choose from, ranging from hot pink to classic silver. "Groupie" was used by Euphoria's makeup artist Doniella Davy when creating one of the hit HBO show's otherworldy makeup looks, and by Jo Baker, who works with Lucy Boynton.  

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Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre in Onyx

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$36
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The smoky eye is supposed to be an easy, classic eye makeup look. But in reality, figuring out which matte and shimmery shades to mix and match is just plain confusing. Victoria Beckham Beauty's eyeshadow pots are like an entire palette in a pot. Along with using actual crystals for extra good vibes and energy, each shade is infused with 60% pearlescent pigments for a glittery-matte finish. Use "Onyx" for a one-step charcoal smoky eye. 

6 of 10

Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art Lid+Line+Lash in Midnight Glitz

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$4
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A trick for locking glitter eyeshadow into place is applying a matching cream shade as a base. And that's exactly how to this shadow duo from Revlon works. 

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Tom Ford Beauty Shadow Extrême in TFX16

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$36
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Yup, this glitter eyeshadow comes with a steep price tag, but we swear it's worth it. One coat gives you just a tiny bit of shimmer while a couple layers gives you bold color.   

8 of 10

ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Ice Dream

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$6
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If full-on glitter feels too extra, dab a teeny, tiny bit of ColourPop's creamy iridescent shadow on your eyelids. Or, it can make a great shimmery top coat for your any of your go-to matte eyeshadows. 

9 of 10

Chanel Ombre Premiere Eyeshadow in Patine Bronze

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$36
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Cream eyeshadow goes on effortlessly, but it's notorious for creasing. Add some glitter into the mix, and you have yourself a recipe for a makeup mess. But Chanel's velvety shadow is one of the exceptions. It goes on smooth, but the sparkles will not move from your eyelids. And even though each shade is super-pigmented, you still get the best of both worlds. Since it contains micro flecks of glitter, you can make it subtle, or build it up for a bold look.  

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10 of 10

NARS Single Eyeshadow in Tropic 

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$19
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While NARS' glitter eyeshadow is vibrant, it's super wearable. It only takes one swipe for supreme color payoff, and the silky powder feels comfortable on your lids. There's no chalkiness, fading or  — if you have oily eyelids — getting goopy and sticking to your eye creases. 

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By Erin Lukas