As the holidays are fast approaching, it’s likely that you’re going to be seeing glitter everywhere. While a sequined cocktail dress is no doubt eye-catching, you may want to consider adding some sparkle to your makeup routine too. Glitter eyeshadow can seem intimidating to some, but when applied the right way, is a surefire way to catch some admiring stares.

Here are some tips to make the look work for you:

Prep your peepers
If you merely sweep shimmer onto your lids without preparing them, there’s a good chance that you’ll see some serious fallout. The last thing you want is flecks of sparkle falling under your eyes and all down your face, so start with an eyeshadow primer. This product will ensure that the glitter stays put, and will also prevent creasing if you’re using a cream shadow. If a little bit of glitter falls, don’t fret – just use a clean shadow brush to dab it off, or even a small piece of scotch tape.

Mix textures
You wouldn’t wear a big sparkly necklace over a beaded dress, would you? By the same token, glitter shadow works a lot better when paired with subtler, matte eye makeup. For example, consider sweeping on a slate eyeshadow and then adding a dab of silver glitter just in the center of your lids. Or start with a matte brown shadow and then layer gold glitter on top for a glamorous look that’s perfect for any holiday bash.

Plain and simple
Since you want your glitzy eyes to be the star of the show, keep the rest of your makeup relatively subtle. Feel free to layer on some liquid liner, mascara, a bit of bronzer on your cheekbones and a neutral lip shade. Just stay away from shimmery formulas when it comes to your cheeks and lips, as they’ll compete with your eyes for attention.

Go up a notch at night
Glitter can take your evening look to a whole new level. If you’re sporting a sultry black smoky eye, use a fine tip brush to sweep gunmetal glitter along your lower lashline – it will draw light to your eyes and lend a stunning reflective effect even if you’re in a dark room. Try dabbing some bright silver sparkles on the inner corners for a wide-eyed effect.

The brown smoky eye is also big this season. Consider dusting copper glitter over your lid and then using a darker brown shadow for dramatic contouring in the crease.