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The Holiday Party Look: Sophisticated Glitter

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Katrin Zakharova (The Society) photographed by Tom Newton on November 9, 2017. Makeup by Violette. Hair by Adam Markarian using Essentique.

“Some girls are just born with glitter in their veins.” Or so said the early aughts’ queen of all things shiny and over the top, Paris Hilton. Perhaps she was referring solely to those who, like her, were wearing the crown of fashion at the time—the bedazzled Von Dutch hat. But we'd prefer to think it applies to all of us now that The Simple Life hasn’t been on television for a decade. Needless to say, times have changed, and glitter is having a new moment that's a bit more grown up and a little less trucker.

Lucky for the modern era, makeup artist Violette's work with glitter lives up to and beyond the bar set by the Riccis and Hiltons of the past. Her take manages to capture something subtle and glamorous—like Jane Birkin or Francoise Hardy in their party best. "Glitter can be a very cliché thing, but my thing is to use it as an optical illusion," she says. "Glitter is a light-catcher, so you can play with it and trick the eyes." She’s not a minute too soon. Don’t you have a party to get to? Here’s what to do:

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Warm, Wearable Nudes

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To prep the skin for each of the looks, Violette used Estée Lauder's Doublewear Nude Water Foundation, dusted with a bit of Glossier Wowder. "The first look is a super wearable one," says Violette "because it's really nude. You’ll be talking to this person for five minutes and then they move, and you’re like 'Oh my God. You have glitter?' For that barely-there illusion, she went in first with Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Lips in Charlotte Darling on both the lips and the eyes. Then, she used MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in places where highlighter typically goes—the inner corner of the eyes and the Cupid's bow—to create depth. "I like when glitter is not flat," says Violette. "You can use any color, but with silver, don’t forget that when the light is not hitting it, it can look gray. Golds will look like nudes, or yellows, which I think are more flattering." For a bit more sparkle, she put a touch of Glitter Injections Pressed Glitter in Copper Crush on top.

Violette added a warm flush to the cheeks using Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff. "It’s all about balance," she says. "I use pink to break up the brown-ish tone and to make it feel fresh." Glossier Boy Brow in Clear and Estée Lauder's Color Envy Multi Effect Mascara finish off the look "and that's it."

Bold, Glittery Lips

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"This could be a very a classic look," Violette says, because it's one that's about controlling the glitter and focusing it to just one place—the lips—instead of all over. As a base she applied Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in 01 Always Red, followed by Estée Lauder's Pure Color Envy Liquid Lip in Quiet Riot for a rich color quality. Then, "On top of that I used MAC Reflects Rust pigment that will really push the metallic," she says, staying close to the center of the lips to keep a darker outline and an "incredible foil effect in the center. It's a little more chic and a little more original, with this ombre touch that I really love."

Katrin wears a Creatures of Comfort Bentley Top.

Coppery, Winged Eyes

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Here, Violette says to start with Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Next To Notte all over the lid, really building up the layers of color. Then, apply Danessa Myricks Colorfix Metallic Cream Color in Medallion in the center of the eyelid, "just to get ready for glitter," since the metallic effects will help to keep some of that dimension. "After," she says, "I used NYX Face & Body Glitter in Rose on top of the copper, so the copper is better balanced with the burgundy. It brings out more depth, and that’s super nice."

For the exaggerated cat-eye, Violette went for it with "a crazy long shape." To do so, "we put some tape on the outside corner—when you remove the tape you have this perfect cat-eye. You can do a crazy makeup look and be done in 10 minutes." Some blotted Glossier Gen G in Zip and you're ready. "It's very flattering for everyone. Femme fatale right away."

Katrin wears Jennifer Fisher Baby Samira Hoops.