Shimmer or Not to Shimmer

Bettina Theilacker
Sep 11
2 min read

Your Glow Guide

Weddings, parties or nights out — sometimes, you want to look like a soft-focus dream, not a fluorescent light. Enter shimmer. From dewy highlighters to glimmering eyeshadow, the right glow can elevate any look from “meh” to “main character energy.” But not all shimmer is created equal — and it’s definitely not always the answer.

Here’s how to decide if you should shimmer… or keep it matte.

01 Know Your Glow Goal

Are you going for soft and romantic or full-on glam?

Soft & Romantic: Stick to pearly highlighters and subtle champagne tones. Think “just kissed by the sun.”

Full-On Glam: Metallics, glitter and layered shimmer. Perfect for bolder brides or anyone ready to steal the spotlight.

02 Highlight Strategically

Glow in all the right places: cheekbones, brow bones, inner corners of the eyes and the bridge of the nose. Too much shimmer in the wrong spot can read as greasy — hard pass.

03 Eyes That Speak Volumes

Shimmer Eyeshadow: Great for evening events or moody photos. Golds, rose golds and bronzes flatter most skin tones.

Matte Eyeshadow: Perfect if you already have a bold lip or glittering accessories — you don’t want to fight with your own face.

04 Lip Service

Glossy lips = instant shimmer without overdoing it. Metallic lipsticks? Only if you’re channeling serious fashion-forward vibes.

05 The Skin Factor

Dewy, glowing skin is the ultimate canvas for shimmer. Use a lightweight, luminous foundation or tinted moisturizer. Skip heavy powders — they can flatten your sparkle.

06 When to Say No

If your dress is already dripping in sequins, or your hair has glittering accessories, sometimes the best shimmer is none at all. Balance is everything.

AmpMag Tip:

Glow doesn’t mean bling overload. Less can be more if placed thoughtfully. Think “lit from within” not “Christmas tree in July.”

So, shimmer or not to shimmer? The answer isn’t universal — it’s all about context, placement and how much you want your look to say, “I woke up like this… with a little help."