Whether you’re after a low-key shimmer or full-on glam, the best glitter eye shadows instantly boost any makeup look. From creamy crystals to liquid lusters and prismatic powders, glitter shadows come in all textures and finishes, ensuring something will suit our wants and needs. If you’re not one to experiment with your everyday eye makeup routine, this is your moment. A touch of shimmer can carry you from your desk to date night, and exploring different finishes is as fun as it is transformative. We checked in with experts and editors to get the scoop on what sets these glitter shadows apart. Now, go get blending.
Our Top Picks:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Best Overall: Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow
Why it’s worth it: Hourglass’s Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow is one of those glittery little pots of sparkle we can’t stop reaching for. The hybrid cream formula makes it especially buildable and light-diffusing, delivering a high-pigment shimmer that summons light like a suncatcher. It’s the definition of a “little goes a long way,” which is an automatic +10 points in our book. The wide range of neutral-ish shades is a nice departure from the glittery brights already in your makeup bag. Seriously, you can’t go wrong with any shade—but if we had to pick a favorite? Vivid—an olive green—all the way.
Tester feedback: “I like my glitter like I like my drama: low-key. And this shimmer-laden shadow is as easy-going as it gets, with a creamy formula I can blend in with my fingers—no brushes needed,” says interim shopping director Deanna Pai. “The result is sparkly but subtle.”
Shades: 9 | Finish: hybrid cream
Best Neutrals: Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette
Why it’s worth it: Few palettes are as legendary as Urban Decay’s Naked Palettes, and the third iteration may be its best yet (although we’ll always stan the original). Shimmery shadows are sweetly paired with matte mates to make the glitter shades pop even more (because that’s the goal, isn’t it?). You get a stunning range of rosy pinks, browns, beiges, and mauves that come together to create a natural eye look with plenty of depth and shine. Plus, the soft shimmer doubles as a sweet brow highlight for an extra touch of glow.
Tester feedback: “I’ve been a long-time lover of the Naked 3 Palette. The pink hues look natural against my rosy, cool-toned skin, but also have a nice light shimmer that makes me look glowy,” says digital art director Ingrid Fowler. “I appreciate the range of colors from light to dark—they work so well together that it’s impossible not to achieve a cohesive blend. This isn’t my strongest shimmer palette, but it’s my favorite.”
Shades: 12 | Finish: shimmery, matte
Best Gel: R.E.M. Beauty Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow
Why it’s worth it: Nothing says, “Yeah, I’m wearing a juicy glitter shadow, deal with it,” quite like R.E.M’s Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow. TBH, despite its name, it feels more like a gel than a liquid, but we couldn’t be mad if we tried. This almost holographic, creamy, waterproof formula packs a pigmented punch in every swipe, lasting all day to boot. After a few seconds, it dries down to a crease-free, no-budge finish, leaving your lids with a wash of high-performance iridescence. Plus, the teardrop-shaped applicator makes precise application as simple as ever.
Tester feedback: “R.E.M.’s Midnight Shadows are my favorite Ari creation,” says commerce editor Sarah Han. “They amp up my eyes with just a swipe or two, and Fembot (described as a sheer iridescent with blue shift) is just out-of-this-world—there’s nothing in my collection quite like it, and it makes me feel like I’m in the music video for ‘Break Free.’ It’s also very long-wearing (definitely a cleansing oil or balm type of deal), crease-proof, and all that good stuff. Forever obsessed!”
