We love it when fashion and makeup trends collide with childhood antics, allowing us to gleefully indulge in childish practices that actually culminate in a polished look. Who doesn’t remember playing with glitter as a child; using it to fill in our center parting, swiping it across eye lids or just leaving a shimmering wake wherever we go. This season’s biggest makeup trend it turns out is exactly this gilded look our childhood selves were prescient enough to foresee. Glitter eyes, glitter lips, glitter hair, glitter galore. We here at Instep break down how to incorporate this trend into your makeup routine this festive season.

Glitter lips

Our favourite variation of the glitter trend stems from the genius of Pat Mcgrath and the Atelier Versace show where the makeup guru debuted dazzling ruby lips on models. It might sounds daring and might be executionally daunting at first but try it once and you’re hooked. The execution of it is simple enough: procure some glitter at your nearest stationary or departmental store (you can even use normal glitter that kids tend to buy for art classes at school) and head home to a mirror with ample light. Colour your lips with a matte shade that matches the colour of glitter, dab it with a single ply tissue and repeat. Once your lipstick is in place grab a lip brush, dunk it in some primer (we used MAC’s Strobe Cream once and Urban Decay’s Primer Potion another time, with the latter producing longer lasting results) and load up on glitter. Alternatively, if you don’t have primer you can use any clear gloss as an adhesive and also dab on the glitter using your ring or pinky finger.

Once your glitter is in place use a fan brush to clean up any stray excess and viola! Be ready to have people stop and stare.

Glitter eyes

When we say glitter eyes we don’t really mean glitter shadow dabbed in the center of your eye lid ala your brother’s valima. We’re talking about an off-kilter approach that places the glitter on unusual features for a contemporary look. Think the inner corner of your eyes or under them (where traditionally your concealer goes). Again, this may sound too bold to be wearable in real life but it if you tie it in with the right occasion you will be inundated with compliments.

We’d recommend using a smaller, flat precision brush to apply glitter on and around the eyes because it’s harder to clean up a spill here than it is around your lips. Just dip the brush in glitter and dab it where it pleases you.

Glitter hair

This is perhaps the most reminiscent of childhood and easily accessible of the three looks. You can rock a glitter parting for an evening soiree, a ball or even bookmark it as your look for New Year. To rock the glitter part, part your hair to the side your prefer ensuring that the parting is tidy and visible. Sprinkle glitter along your part and you’re done. This look can also work if you slick your hair on either side with wet look gel.

Alternatively, you can also just put some glitter in a spray bottle and spray it all over your tresses for a subtle glimmer that catches light. Body Shop has some cool, very fine spray glitter that comes in an adorable, French inspired puffer bottle.