The 3 Tools You Need to Create a Perfect Pearl-Studded Makeup Look

There's just something about pearls. Call it a connotation born from watching Breakfast at Tiffany's one too many times, but those little iridescent white bulbs only seem to get more and more elegant as the years go on. And though society has historically reserved them for the rich and powerful, this year they're going to be everywhere. Because — we'll start taking official bets now — sticking tiny pearls to your face is sure to become one of 2020's biggest makeup trends. That's going by our Instagram feeds alone.

Makeup artists, beauty editors, and influencers alike are picking up pearls left and right to create looks ranging from minimal to painstakingly elaborate. And part of the reason they’ve become so ubiquitous is definitely because they're so simple and easy to use. After picking up just a few key items (a pack of flat-backed pearls, some lash glue, and some sort of placement tool) any of the fanciful looks you've recently seen during late-night scrolls is wholly possible to imitate.

Allure's digital beauty editor Devon Abelman, who developed an obsession with pearl-embellished looks in 2019 and has no intention of putting them down, has her application technique down to a science. She grabs a nail-dotting tool and dips it into some eyelash glue. Once the glue dries down, the tip is just tacky enough for picking up pearls and sticking them to skin with ease. Crayons work just as well, Abelman adds.

In addition to having a tool to use for easy application, makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan points out that using the right glue is key to making pearls stay put throughout the day. According to her, Lus Clear Eye Liquid Glue is your best bet. "When I did Libertine at [New York Fashion Week], where we had those crazy appliqués, that's what we used," she says. She used the same glue to achieve Millie Bobby Brown's viral holographic makeup from October. According to her, it dries down completely clear and clumps less than any other eyelash glue she's used.

While you order your pearl-placing products of choice with expedited shipping, take a look through some of our favorite looks from the trend below.

This sherbert-colored look from Rowi Singh pairs two playful eye shadow colors with a simple row of pearls that extends all the way across the bridge of her nose. To add dimension, she used larger pearls toward the edges of her face and smaller ones in the middle.

Lou Rose finds different ways to play with pearls almost every day. Here, she combines a flushed, dewy base with a scattering of different-sized pearls concentrated on her temples.

Abelman, another pearl-makeup devotee, collects beads in different pastel hues so she can create miniature flowers like these.

Two pearls placed beneath each eye can make a big statement with little time or effort, as proven by this striking look from Nicole Cheah.

Sophie Guaman uses pearls to mimic designer logos on her cheek. To create sharp, straight lines like hers, trace letters on your face first with a light eyeliner shade and glue pearls on top of your makeshift stencil.

Don't be afraid to make pearls the center of your look's attention, like Rachel Dunk did with oversized pearls glued to her inner eye corners. Those pearls don't have to be exclusive to your face, either. Chuck on a pearled headband, hair clip, earrings, or necklace, too, because you're just so damn refined.

Sitting there with your glue in pearls in hand with no idea where to begin? When in doubt, just cover your whole face with them. As Nawel's evenly spaced pearls illustrate, the concept looks a whole lot less ludicrous than it sounds.

More on eye makeup:

• Eye-Shadow Tips Makeup Artists Want You to Know
• The Best Eye Makeup and Brow Products of 2019
• 11 Ways to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger

Now, see how eye makeup has evolved within the past 100 years:

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