5 Ways to Wear Crystal Makeup In Real Life

One of the most surprising beauty trends that has come out of Spring 2018 fashion week is crystal makeup, with makeup artists using rhinestones and Swarovski crystals on all areas of the face including eyes, cheeks, and even the lips. Now, crystal makeup has made runway appearances in the past, but they've usually been kept to singular occurrences, like when Pat McGrath made face masks out of Swarovski crystals at Givenchy or James Kaliardos applied them under the eyes at Rodarte. This season, however, we haven't seen crystals at just one show, we've seen them at several, which means it's officially a "thing" and I officially like it — a lot. And the best part is these face jewels aren't just pretty to look at — they're totally wearable in the real world, too.

Take the look at Jeremy Scott, for example, where makeup artist Kabuki placed three stones under each eye, starting with a tiny stone at the inner corners, a slightly bigger one under the irises, and a larger one at the outer corners of the eyes. He used clear crystals on the models with fair skin and topaz-colored stones on the models with darker skin, which meant the crystals were similar in color to the models complexions and looked delicate rather than dramatic.

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At Dries Van Noten, we saw crystal makeup done three different ways — but all done with clear stones. On some of the models, makeup artist Peter Philips glued the crystals all around the eyes, the same way you'd wear liner perhaps. "The makeup is a bit surreal looking with a touch of Vegas campiness," he said. (It's the chicest Vegas campiness I've ever seen BTW.) Philips also experimented with crystals on the lips, placing them down the center of the mouth in a horizontal line for some models (sort of like faux lip rings) and in a vertical line across the bottom lip on a few others. In this instance, it's probably the eye look that's most suitable IRL, seeing as you probably won't be able to eat, drink, or really even talk with a bunch of crystals glued on your mouth (unless you want to risk potentially swallowing one). And if you want to copy the eye look, you don't have to go and circle your entire eye with crystals. You can place them just along the top or bottom lash line for a less "surreal" version of the look.

Jason Lloyd-Evans

Jason Lloyd-Evans

The most subtle of all the ways to try out crystal makeup, however, is how we saw the trend at Givenchy, where McGrath placed a single stone on the top of the left cheekbone. From afar — and from close-up in dim or shadowy light — the crystal could have been confused for a freckle or beauty spot. But in the light, or when the models turned their heads, the clear rhinestone twinkled every so slightly.

Jason Lloyd-Evans

So maybe it's time to consider wearing crystals instead of shimmery shadow or metallic liner for your event. And just think about it — it's the perfect way to add some shine without a ton of product or even a lot of work. You just need some stick-on crystals (you can find them on ASOS or Claire's), or flat-back stones that you can apply with a bit of lash glue, and in a few minutes, you've got your look. Then all you have to do at the end of the night is pick them off and wash your face —  no elbow grease or makeup remover required.

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For more fashion week looks you can try IRL, keep clicking:

1. Clumpy Mascara, Lip Crystals, and More of the Best Paris Fashion Week Beauty Looks
2. The Best Hair of NYFW Spring/Summer 2018
3. Pastel Makeup Looked Incredibly Sexy at Alberta Ferretti Spring 2018

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For crystal makeup that's more of a work of art than wearable, check out this sequin lip come together: