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It began (as many great beauty trends do) with Gucci: Alessandro Michele’s Cruise 2020 show was a make-up maximalist’s dream, where fake tattoos, paintbox eyes and glittering lips set the tone for a season of brilliantly bold beauty.
If your everyday make-up look is dominated by dewy, glowing skin and boyish brows, now is the time to re-acquaint yourself with sparkle, shine and statement-making swipes of colour.
From neon liner to the return of blush, it’s clear we’re all ready to have a little fun with our make-up looks right now, and a sparkle-soaked lipstick is one of the easiest – and most festive – ways to make a statement.
A glitter lip guarantees drama, yet you don’t have to be a certified MUA to master the look (good news if you never had the patience for a seven-shade smoky eye). It’s the perfect high-impact, low-effort look.
Just a quick swipe of any of these glittering lipsticks will deliver disco-ball drama to any look, whether it’s for the office Christmas party, that big New Year's Eve blowout, or simply to take the edge off a sherry-induced hangover (we salute you).
NYX Glitter Goals Liquid Lipstick – was £8 now £6.40
These glitter-infused metallic lipsticks dry to a comfortable finish, so are perfect for those big nights out. From deep purple hues to the perfect postbox red, every shade offers serious, opaque impact.
Surratt Lip Lustre – was £30 now £21
If you're after more of a subtle, sophisticated look, this one can't be beaten. Incredibly pretty, the clear gloss imparts a sheer sparkle that can be worn alone or layered over a bolder lipstick.
Swipe this clever two-phase formula over your lips, leave it to dry, then press your lips together to reveal the sparkling particles. Gimmicky, but such good fun.
Pat McGrath’s 24kt BlitzTrance lipstick is quite possibly the campest of the bunch. Pure yellow-gold flecks ensure explosive impact, whether from a distance or close up, while the predictably flawless formula ensures lips don’t dry out, no matter how long you’re partying for. An absolute must for make-up magpies.
Ideal for wearing solo or as a topper to your favourite lipstick, this glitter-steeped gloss is one of the most high-shine options around. The yellow-gold flecks bring all the nostalgic vibes – think 90s-era J.Lo and you're on the right track.
Stila’s clever offering is loaded with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump lips without the bee-sting feeling of menthol-infused plumpers. The shade range here was clearly made with Instagram in mind – think blue-flecked purples and prismatic pearly whites.
Pat McGrath Lust 004 Lip Kit – was £130 now £94.50
This insanely good value kit offers endless experimentation. Inside, you'll find six creamy matte lipsticks in a spectrum of shades, as well as four high-impact glitter pots, and a vinyl-shine gloss to layer them up with.
This versatile gloss can be swiped over lips, eyelids and even cheekbones to impart a wet-look shine. The glitter is ultra-finely milled, so delivers more of a subtle twinkle than in-your-face sparkle.
If super-pretty, wet-look glimmer is more your thing, add Lipstick Queen’s gloss to your wishlist. The white and lilac pearlescent pigments are extra-soft, so the effect is more of an icy shine than look-at-me shimmer. Swipe it over a nude lipstick to create a multi-dimensional effect.
Kevyn Aucoin Molten Gems Liquid Lipstick – £22
Extra-fine pearlescent flecks bring a grown-up feel to Kevyn Aucoin’s sparkling liquid lipstick. The pointed doe-foot applicator makes precise application a breeze, while the non-slimy gloss won’t stick to your hair.
Roberta Schroeder is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper's Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing shopping strategy and content across fashion, beauty, and travel. Roberta has reported on everything from market-leading skincare brands to the world’s most iconic fashion pieces, while also regularly updating a range of shopping guides, including LED masks, heritage cashmere brands and niche new dress brands to know.
Roberta has more than 15 years' experience in the luxury sector, spanning editorial consultancy, trend forecasting and journalism. Over the years, she has worked for global brands including Farfetch, Chanel, and Vogue.
When not testing beauty products, trialling trends and curating content that spotlights the very best in fashion and beauty, Roberta can usually be found trawling resale sites and vintage stores for a long-coveted designer find. Follow Roberta on Instagram at @roberta__schroeder
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