Beauty brands continue to raise the glitter makeup bar, but not even the most shimmery products can compete with the bold impact of diamantés. That could be why sparkle addicts are suddenly embellishing their eyes, lips and skin with rhinestones.
The bling look has been picking up steam on the runways. It was a noteworthy trend at the Spring 2018 shows and showed no signs of fading away for Fall 2018. Dries Van Noten was one of the early champions of the look with models sporting surprisingly wearable forms of diamanté makeup. Some had rhinestones encircling their eyes, while others had a strip of stones applied down the lip. Sometimes the finishing touch was a crystal-decorated part line. For the recent round of shows, Kate Spade New York featured models with silver rhinestones dotted on the creases of the eye, while Prada had the loudest look with neon winged eyeshadow topped with silver gems.
Makeup artists are also bringing the bedazzled look to the red carpet. Lily Collins’ rhinestone tears at the 2018 Met Gala were talked about as much as the dramatic outfits. (That’s saying something.) Recently, Lupita Nyong’o made everyone crazy for colored crystals when she stepped out with multicolored Swarovski crystals dotting her eyes.
Rhinestone makeup is obviously not an everyday thing, so choosing the right place to dazzle is key (read: not work). Another essential tip is using a skin-safe adhesive, such as a good quality lash glue, if gemstones don’t come with an adhesive backing. And make sure the stones are being applied to clean skin. While it may seem like fiddly work, applying gemstones is not one of the most complicated makeup techniques, often requiring just your fingers or a pair of tweezers.
With these tips in mind, draw inspiration from these 20 diamanté makeup looks that slay to the nth degree.
[ Next: 12 Holographic Nail Polishes That Outshine Any Glitter Polish ]
20 Diamanté Makeup Ideas to Take Your Sparkle Obsession to the Next Level
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Around the Eyes
There's more to evening makeup than smoky eyes and winged eyeliner. Try something new by "lining" the entire perimeters of eyes with rhinestones. The application is actually as quick as any multicolored eyeshadow makeup routine. With eyes this blinging, it's not necessary to do anything to the rest of the face.
Image: Imaxtree
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Glinting Gaze
There are countless shapes and different colors of diamantés so make use of them. Try rich amber stones in three different sizes applied just below your lower lash lines for a spellbinding look. To ensure the focus remains on eyes rather than rhinestones, add a few coats of black mascara on your top lashes.
Image: Imaxtree
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Creative Cut Crease
There are plenty of ways to experiment with cut crease makeup. Undoubtedly the most dazzling involves enhancing the crease with a line of gems. The placement may need to be tweaked a couple of millimeters for a comfortable finish. It's important that eyes can be opened and closed with ease. Furthermore, the line should echo the flick of the black liquid liner.
Image: @nayviit.xo
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Flashing Flick
Hot pink exaggerated winged eye makeup is hardly understated. If it's drama you're craving, really go for it by embellishing the graphic eyeshadow shape with silver diamantés. Note how larger stones have been applied above the center of the eyes with smaller stones on the outer corners.
Image: Imaxtree
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Right in the Middle
From far away, Lily Collins' 2018 Met Gala beauty look was gleaming, but it wasn't until we saw the detail shots that we fully understood why. Take inspiration from the look that featured gunmetal rhinestones applied in groups down the center of both eyes. It's your call if you want to add the red teardrop.
Image: @fionastiles
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On the Inside
Most makeup pros recommend enhancing the inner corners of eyes with a lighter eyeshadow for a brightening effect. Adding a few rhinestones to the area adheres to the same principle, but it's decidedly more glamorous. Try coordinating the diamantés with shadow, as shown here.
Image: Imaxtree
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Such Shine
There are some festival beauty looks that cover the entire face with gems. A simpler but no less sparkly option is to sweep silver eyeshadow around the eyes in tear shapes. For more drama, add a couple of crystals below the eyes. Use the opportunity to experiment with colored rhinestones.
Image: @zoiazuevamakeup
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Shimmering Tear
Glitter tears have made a few appearances on red carpets, runways and Instagram. This is a more minimalist interpretation that reminds us there are more rhinestone shapes than round ones. Keep the rest of makeup understated because the teardrop diamanté is blink-and-you-miss-it subtle, but that's part of the appeal.
Image: Imaxtree
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Matching Makeup
Leave it to Lupita Nyong'o to show everyone a next-level way to coordinate makeup with statement earrings and an embellished dress. Makeup artist Nick Barose brought out the green and blue tones in the pieces with Swarovski crystals applied on the inner and outer corners of the eyes.
Image: @dilokritbarose
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Eye-Catching Cluster
Using eyeliner to create a wing is basic compared to using diamantés. Draw a swoosh of purple eyeshadow from the inner to outer corners. Load up silver stones on the inner corners of the eyes. For a surprise twist, place green rhinestones close together on the outer corners to form a winged shape.
Image: Imaxtree
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Twinkling Lashes
There are embellished false lashes available to purchase, but most of them aren't this flashy. Add these lashes to the top of your DIY projects list. Just make sure not to apply too many rhinestones. It's key that your eyes are able to open and close without feeling weighed down.
Image: @karolinadusk
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Blinking Wink
For a thoroughly modern look, decorate the often ignored area between the crease and brow bone with a smattering of silver rhinestones. A soft lip gloss will play off the shine of the gems.
Image: Imaxtree
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Maximum Magnetism
If your shimmer obsession is at an all-time high, load up on various diamantés at the craft store. Before adhering them to your eyes, sweep on a thorough coating of glitter, then add rhinestones on top. Throw in a couple of sequins and some tinsel-like hair extensions and that sparkle craving should be satisfied. Given the intensity of the look, it's one that's best saved for festivals or Instagram sessions.
Image: Imaxtree
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Face Jewels
Itty-bitty rhinestones can be applied to so many areas of the eye. Unsure where to start? Take a cue from this look and apply the gems where the light would naturally hit, like the brow bones and inner corners of the eyes. Another diamanté on the center of your lower lash line never hurts.
Image: @alexaaa_mua
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Lip Line
We're talking about a different sort of lip line. Add a few rhinestones down the center of both lips. It brings subtle sparkle to a natural makeup look and creates the appearance of a lip ring without any needles involved. Have a few diamantés to spare? Use them on your part line for a cohesive finish.
Image: Imaxtree
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Icy Stare
Unleash your inner ice queen by applying a trendy baby blue eyeshadow in a dramatic sweep across each eye. Get to work embellishing the entire eye area with diamantés more tightly clustered around the inner and outer corners.
Image: Imaxtree
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Less Is More
A single well-placed gemstone can brighten the eye area as much as yellow eyeshadow. Those concerned that rhinestone makeup will come with a laborious application can start off with one stone placed on the outer corner of one eye. Want more? Add a rhinestone on the other eye for a balanced look.
Image: @kaylakayart
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Flashy Lips
After decorating your eyes, it will only be a matter of time before you get curious about embellishing lips. One dramatic look involves using red rhinestones to fill in the entire lip area. It will take time and talking, eating and kissing will be difficult, but it would definitely earn many likes on social media. For the most impact, use red lipstick as a base, then use smaller diamantés to fill in any areas between larger rhinestones.
Image: Imaxtree
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In the Crease
Those with close-set eyes and brows don't have as large of a canvas as those with higher set brows. Don't worry because it's still possible to get a glistening look by applying diamantés along creases from corner to corner. Other face shapes can experiment with the look, too.
Image: Imaxtree
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Smoke and Sparkle
Can't quit a smoky eye? Enliven inky black shadow with a grouping of silver rhinestones on the inner corners of eyes. It will catch the light when eyes are open and closed.
Image: @meliysabel
