Sugar Plum Fairy Dust Eyeshadow: The Subtle Sparkle Trend You Need This Winter

If the Sugar Plum Fairy from "The Nutcracker" was preparing to enter 2025, she’d likely be wearing a delicate, glittering eyeshadow that matched her twinkling pink tutu. After all, the holidays are the ideal time to add some sparkle to your look!

If you've noticed an increase in sparkly eyeshadow trends across Instagram and TikTok lately, there’s a reason for that. While sheer, shimmering eyeshadows have been on the rise for a while, the festive season always calls for a bit more glitter. (We all know you can't attend a New Year's Eve celebration without at least a touch of sparkle on your face—it’s practically a rule!) But rather than opting for chunky glitter straight from the craft store, try fairy dust eyeshadow for a more refined, yet still magical, effect. It’s the modern way to shine this season.

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"The fairy dust eyeshadow trend is perfect for the winter and holiday season," says makeup artist Kasey Spickard. "These shadows are finely milled, high-pigment shimmer shadows that give an intense twinkle or an almost ‘wet,’ slick look to the lids." From icy platinum and frosty Elsa-blue shades to warm golds and playful pinks, there’s a fairy dust eyeshadow to fit every festive mood. (Cue the Sugar Plum Fairy!) With one swipe, you'll feel as enchanting as a fairy floating through an enchanted forest, and that magical feeling can be yours every day.

The key to this trend is the formula: this isn’t heavy, chunky glitter, but rather a soft wash of sparkle made with micro-fine shimmer. It catches the light beautifully, creating an ethereal glow. As Spickard explains, many fairy dust eyeshadows have a soft, almost wet texture, which requires a little care when applying. However, once it’s on your eyelids, it will stay put through all your holiday celebrations, from the first sip of champagne to the New Year’s Eve ball drop. And yes, it looks just as gorgeous in photos as it does in person.

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How to Achieve the Fairy Dust Eyeshadow Look

The beauty of the fairy dust eyeshadow trend lies in its simplicity. A single swipe of shimmer can elevate your everyday makeup look, or you can layer it with matte or cream shadows for a more subtle sparkle. "To apply, use your finger and dip into the eyeshadow and apply directly to the eyelid," Spickard advises.

For a more intense shine, wet a flat brush with setting spray, dip it into the shadow, and then apply it directly to your lids. A shimmery eye paired with a red lip is a fail-safe holiday look, while a smoky eye enhanced with fairy dust shadow at the center or the corner of your eyes creates a sultry yet festive vibe. You can keep it subtle on a Monday morning and go full glitter for a Friday night out. (Pro tip: Play Addison Rae’s "Aquamarine" to get in the right, enchanted mood.)

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Many of the beauty brands we love have launched their own fairy dust eyeshadows, likely inspired by the viral success of Urban Decay’s 24/7 Moondust eyeshadows. Spickard approves of these shadows, noting that they are in "so many pro artist kits because they really lead the category." Urban Decay’s Moondust shadows are so popular that the brand expanded them into multiple palettes, including the limited-edition Space Cowboy Glitter Eyeshadow Palette.

Spickard also recommends Bobbi Brown Luxe Shimmer Eyeshadows, which he says have a "high intensity twinkle that will give you the perfect fairy sparkle." Other standout options include Makeup by Mario’s Moonlight Ethereal Eyes Palette, which features a few fairy dust shades, and Kylie Jenner’s subtle four-piece Wet Shimmer Quad, which brings a soft version of the trend to life.