4 ways to wear shimmer eye shadow

4. Shimmer as highlighter
To avoid emphasizing wrinkles on your lids, use reflective shadows judiciously. Toronto-based makeup artist Alice Kilpatrick, who has worked with singer Jann Arden and actresses Sandra Oh and Gena Rowlands, likes using shimmery white shadow as a highlight.

“I use a Cargo EyeLighter ($17) on the browbone just under the brow arch, on the inner corner of the eye and sometimes on the centre of the lid just above the iris. It just makes the eyes look fresh, bright and alert.” Kilpatrick, 47, used this technique on model Alexis Jardin, 40, in the April issue of Homemaker's Magazine. Use white if you have fair skin, champagne if you have medium, or gold if you have dark.

A soft sheen on the eyes -- whether all over or just as a glimmering accent -- is an easy way to brighten your face, whether you're in your 20s, 40 or 70s. That said, there are a few reasonable guidelines to keep in mind:
-the smoother the skin, the more adventurous you can be with the intensity of the shimmer and the colours you wear.
-makeup always looks better on flawless skin, so use foundation and/or concealer to minimize shadows and discolouration.
-obvious glitter and sparkle really are best left to chippies under 25.

Go on, give us a shimmery wink, then!