Are Rhinestone Eyes The New Winged Eyeliner?

Every once in a while, a beauty look comes along that seems risqué at first but quickly sets a trend in motion. Case in point: Rhinestone eyes that were spotted all over Autumn/Winter runways. 

We saw minimal gold at Alexis Mabille; silver ones on the corners of the eyes at Capasa Milano; black rhinestones over eyeshadow at Emporio Armani and as eyeliner at Armani Privé. Dua Lipa and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja have worn gems for concerts and promotions respectively. More recently, we see the women in Euphoria (2019-present) sporting the trend with gusto.  

“Wearing rhinestones is a quickfire way to add glamour to your eyes,” says celebrity make-up artist Arti Nayar, who is often credited for Sara Ali Khan and Bhumi Pednekar’s beautiful make-up. “The look allows for so much creativity. Plus, it isn’t as messy as loose glitter.”  

The make-up trend can very well become your signature, especially for the festive and party season — all it takes is a little practice. Celebrity make-up artist Namrata Soni (you’ve seen her create some of Sonam’s most timeless looks) loves using rhinestones. Her kit always has a selection from the more basic black to the edgier metallic and unicorn shades. Namrata, who is also the founder of make-up brand Simply Nam, recommends testing the waters by starting with just a few stones in the corners of the eyes. She even encourages using them as a highlight on the cheek or upper lip. “Use a tweezer to pick up the gem, add a little bit of eyelash glue at the base and place it on your skin. Hold down with a cotton bud and allow it to set. Using lash glue makes sure they stay on even if you sweat or are exposed to water.” If you’re unsure about the placement, simply mark the area with a micro dot using a pencil in a colour slightly darker than your skin tone to ensure you target the right spot.

Get The Look

If this is your first time, use rhinestone stickers that are easy to apply and remove. Liquid glitter is another way to play with this trend: Take a thin tipped brush, dip it in the pot and create small dots around your eyes. 

Looking to take it up a notch? Pair rhinestones with your eyeshadow. “If you’re creating a muted look accentuate with black rhinestones. If there’s a hint of silver in your smoky eye, pick rhinestones in the same colour to make the shadow pop,” says Arti. For an all-brown eyeshadow, she suggests gold gems. Got a multi-coloured look in mind? “Opt for unicorn rhinestones. If you’re using a solid blue or green shadow, you can also apply micro-sized unicorn rhinestones close to your lash line to create an embellished liner.” Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!