How to Apply Shimmer Powder on Your Face and Body

Choosing a Shimmer Powder

Look for a powder with a very fine shimmer. When you’re picking out a shimmer powder, look for very fine, shiny powders with no visible flecks of glitter. A fine shimmer will ensure that you look glowing and dewy, as opposed to flashy and glittery.

Choose a bronze or golden shimmer powder if your skin is dark or tan. These colors will highlight your natural coloring and accentuate the warmth in your skin tone.

Stick to silver, champagne, or pink shimmers for light skin. If you have a fair complexion, it’s best to choose a shimmer powder with a lighter tone as well. Choose a silver shimmer for a sleek evening look, or opt for a peach-toned shimmer for a warm, everyday look.

Applying Shimmer Powder on Your Face

Use shimmer powder to highlight your best facial features. Generally, shimmer powder will draw attention to certain facial features while adding definition to your bone structure. While it is recommended that you add shimmer powder to all of the areas detailed below, you can also pick and choose depending on the facial features you wish to highlight.

Apply shimmer powder after you’ve applied the rest of your makeup. Because shimmer powder is so light, it’s best to layer it as a finishing touch on top of any other products you choose to use. Putting on shimmer powder should be the final step of your makeup routine. EXPERT TIP Daniel Vann Daniel Vann Licensed Aesthetician Daniel Vann is the Creative Director for Daredevil Cosmetics, a makeup studio in the Seattle Area. He has been working in the cosmetics industry for over 15 years and is currently a licensed aesthetician and makeup educator. Daniel Vann Daniel Vann Licensed Aesthetician Avoid applying shimmer powder to your least favorite features. Makeup artist Daniel Vann says: "When you're put shimmer powder, dust it onto the higher plane of your face, like the bridge of your nose, the high part of your cheekbones and orbital bones, and just underneath your eye. However, don't highlight anything you're self-conscious about, because it will draw attention to it. For instance, if you think you have a large forehead or nose, you wouldn't put shimmer powder there."

Pat a makeup brush into your shimmer powder. Choose a small makeup brush - a blush brush is the perfect size - and lightly rub the fluffy end into the shimmer container. Tap the hard end of the brush onto a table to clear away excess powder. Repeat this step after you’ve finished applying shimmer to one area of your face, and before you start applying shimmer to a different area.

Spread a light layer of shimmer powder across your brow bone. Using your makeup brush, apply the powder with gentle horizontal strokes to the area between your eyebrows and the tops of your eyelids. After an initial stroke to apply the powder, lightly sweep your brush along your brow bone several times to blend the powder.

Brush shimmer powder onto the tops of your cheekbones. Locate your cheekbones by finding the hard ridge right beneath your eyes. Use your brush to lightly pat shimmer to the tops of your cheekbones, and then use a circular brushing motion to blend the shimmer down the length of your bone, angling in towards the mouth.

Run your makeup brush down the bridge of your nose. Apply and blend shimmer in a thin line down the center of your nose to make your nose appear slimmer and more defined.

Dust shimmer along your jawline. Start with your brush beneath one earlobe, and use light, diagonal strokes to spread shimmer along the jawline. Perform this step on both sides of your face. The shimmer will add more definition to your bone structure, making your jawline appear sharper.

Add a small dab of shimmer to the inside corners of your eyes. Use a small angled brush if you have one, but if not, use the tip of your pinky finger. Dab a small amount of shimmer to the area directly between the inside corner of your eye and the bridge of your nose. This will make your eyes appear bigger.

Using Shimmer Powder on Your Body

Apply shimmer powder before you get dressed. Doing so will minimize the chances of getting shimmer on your clothes. If you’ve recently showered, wait for your skin to dry completely before applying shimmer powder.

Dab a large makeup brush into your shimmer powder. A fluffy body brush is ideal for applying shimmer powder to larger areas of your body, but if you don’t have one, a large blush brush will work as well. Tap the hard end of your brush against a table to remove excess powder.

Brush a light layer of shimmer powder down your neck and along your collarbone. Use light, downward strokes on the neck, and extend those strokes along the length of your collarbone. This will highlight the areas of your skin that catch the most natural light.

Brush shimmer along the top of your chest and cleavage. If you’re wearing a shirt with an open cut, accentuate your chest by applying light strokes of shimmer along your bust line.

Spread shimmer down the length of your shin bone. If you’re wearing an outfit that reveals your legs, dust shimmer down the center of your legs. Starting at the bottom of your knee, make downward sweeping motions with your brush to spread the shimmer powder. This will make your legs appear slimmer and more defined.