4 looks that prove iridescent makeup is actually wearable

It’s prime time to play with makeup. Call it the Euphoria effect, or the more updated way to wear shimmer, but iridescent makeup is e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. And I’m not mad about it.

Whether it’s eyelids speckled with mermaid-esque hues, Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century-inspired lip gloss, or cheekbones that shine with a holographic sheen, iridescent products are here to accent your skin with a pearly finish. “It’s fun, ethereal, and can translate into many different looks,” says Joshua Pierce, makeup artist and store manager of Credo Beauty in Chicago.

“Without stating the obvious, glitter and iridescent looks are euphoric,” adds Allie Compton, esthetician and makeup artist at Credo in New York. “This look is youthful, exciting, and evokes joy—everyone knows sparkles are made with 95 percent happiness and 5 percent mica.” Since iridescent hues reflect light, a little goes a long way. “There’s no wrong way to wear these shimmery colors to make a statement,” she says. “It can be easy to go overboard though, so I’d choose one feature to highlight to make it more wearable for everyday.”

Since iridescent makeup is way too pretty to just tell you about, we put various looks to the test. Keep scrolling for seriously celestial inspo.

Swipe it on lids

Bring the shimmer to the eyelids, and in this case, you have total permission to sheer the color down to a wash or pack it up to really go full-throttle. Compton loves an enchanting eye look with color-shifting pigments all over the eyelid, applied “using a touch of the fingertip,” she says. “Finish with your favorite mascara, applied generously at the base of the lashes to bring some dimension and volume to the lash line.” On Allie: rocking Milani Cosmetics Hypnotic Lights Eye Topper in Electric Forest ($11); try Wet n Wild Liquid Catsuit Eyeshadow Cashmere ($4) in a poppy pink for a similar effect.

Dream up a monochromatic look

Dabbing some iridescent highlighter to your cheekbones, temples, and lids is the easiest way to try on the trend (and even wear it to work). “To make this look more wearable, tap on an iridescent highlighter like Rituel de Fille The Siren on the tops of the cheekbones, almost spilling out from the brow bone and corner of the eye,” says Compton. The gold flecks in The Siren add a faint bronze radiance to Saanya’s skin, but you can replicate the effect with something like NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator ($8) or Revlon Photo-Ready Insta-Fix Highlighting Stick ($16).

Lipstick

Wanna look like you made out with a unicorn? Thought so. “There is something otherworldly and beautiful about a glass-like complexion and glossy, reflective lip,” says Compton, noting you can use the same color for a glassy highlighter or eye gloss if you want to be more adventurous. Her fave? PYT Beauty’s Lip Gloss in Horoscope ($15), which is more of a shimmery white—but Celine’s rocking Milani Cosmetics Hypnotic Lights Eye Topper in Cosmic Meadow ($11) with a light accent of cheekbone highlighter with Rituel de Fille Metamorphic Highlighter in The Sorcerer ($32).

Highlighter

If you’ve been too shy to try the monochromatic makeup look, use iridescent colors instead for a whisper take. “Apply a high-gloss highlighter to the cheekbones and brow bone, but avoid using a metallic shimmer in these areas,” says Pierce. “If it’s iridescent and glossy, even better.” Amanda swiped some Rituel de Fille Celestial Eye Soot in Pyxis ($38) onto her eye area, then dabbed some onto her cheekbones, temples, and lips for an all-over sheen, lightly dusting Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb II Holo At Me ($38) for more radiance. (Because why not?) Makeup Obsession Liquid Illuminator ($8) gives you the same look and has a range of holographic shades to choose from.

You can also use one of these liquid eyeshadows to test drive iridescent makeup, which are everywhere these days. Also: Try blush draping, which sculpts your face without any contour.