Bobbi Brown’s 3 Glitter Makeup Tips for Women Over 50

I’m not a fan of hard-and-fast makeup rules, especially when it comes to age. But I do have some nonnegotiables: Protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays with sunscreen (year-round!), drink plenty of water to stay hydrated from the inside out, and use moisturizer to plump skin, lessening the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

A myth I’ve heard repeatedly over my decades-long career is that people over a certain age shouldn’t wear glitter. Who are these joy stealers? Don’t let them dull your spirit—or your complexion. Strategic shimmer can work in your favor, especially when it’s the cherry on top rather than the whole dish. I like to apply a light shadow (silvery gold or a silver-gold combo) right on the inner corners of my eyes—it wakes up my whole face. Here’s how to add glitz to your makeup routine without looking like a disco ball.

Table of Contents

Jones Road Beauty Sparkle Wash

Jones Road Beauty Just A Sec

Jones Road Beauty Miracle Balm in Golden Hour

Use the right formula

There are many pretty new glittery products. Avoid formulas that are too dense and too thick and hues that look ashy on skin, such as silver on its own. Instead, look for one that has some sparkle but is sheer (so when you swipe it on you can still see your skin beneath). I use Jones Road’s Sparkle Wash on my lids, as it is super lightweight and comes in subtle shades to add depth and intrigue.

Get specific

When using glitter, it’s best to focus on one or two features to play up. You can use eyeshadow, lip gloss, or highlighter to add a bit of shimmer to your look, but try not to do so all over.

For sparkling eyes, pick a cream-based shadow with glitter (like Jones Road’s Just a Sec in Cool Taupe) to add iridescent depth without having to worry about its falling beneath your lids as powder shadows tend to do. To accentuate cheekbones, I like Jones Road’s Miracle Balm in a shade with glitter, like Golden Hour; it’s a warm gold with shimmer that works on all skin tones.

I also like sparkle in a lip gloss (in a lipstick formula, it’s going to be too dense, especially for those with dry lips). Pick a gloss shade that has a bit of shine and wear it solo or on top of nude-hued lipstick.

Apply sparingly

In the world of glitter makeup, a little goes a long way. Because you’re not using it all over, you can apply eyeshadow, highlighter, or lip gloss with a brush or your fingers, depending on the formula. Either dip your finger into the product or swipe some liquid onto your digit, then apply it directly to the target area, blending outward until you get the desired look. If you don’t like the results, use a nonoily eye-makeup remover with a sponge to get rid of the glittery evidence.