Photos: @paintedbyesther, @robinboee, @sophiasinot, Getty ImagesSave this storySave this story
The future is now, and it’s the one Britney Spears predicted alongside that hot astronaut in her “Oops!… I Did It Again” music video. Body glitter is on its official comeback tour by way of stars like Zara Larsson, Tyla, and Sabrina Carpenter. Not to mention, the new season of Euphoria, where body glitter may as well have a costarring credit on IMDB.
Donni Davy, the lead makeup artist on Euphoria and founder of Half Magic Beauty, has a theory about its renaissance: “We’ve been in a clean-girl makeup trend for a while now, and whenever something has been popular for a long time, there’s a tendency to go in the other direction,” she says. “It makes sense that glitter and shimmer are coming back, and I’m here for it.”
And it’s not just body glitter having a moment. A millennial prom staple, crystal-coated adhesive body stickers, are back in a big way. Most recently, we’ve seen butterfly back tattoos on Larsson. Lucas Stowe, performance-wear designer and the artist behind the look, says the interest in nostalgia is bridging generations. “Gen Alpha and Gen Z are seeing these things as new,” he says, making a comparison to the fascination with Lisa Frank stickers. “I remember loving them. For [my generation], that was so exciting and new. It's funny to [witness] Gen Z-ers seeing them through new eyes. To us, it's nostalgia.”
Courtesy of @sophiasinot
Courtesy of @robinbo
Ready to join the glitterati? We went straight to the pros—some who lived through the body glitter craze of yore, others setting the trends today—to break down exactly how to take the body glitter and gemstone trend into 2026.
In this storyLargeChevron
- Body glitter, shimmer stickers, and the nostalgia for the early ’00s
- How to wear body glitter
- How to wear body stickers
- Shop Y2K-inspired glitter products
Body glitter, shimmer stickers, and the nostalgia for the early ’00s
Glitter in its modern form can be traced back to machinist Henry Ruschmann of Bernardsville, New Jersey, who, in 1934, created an early form of glitter for industrial coatings by cutting up mylar film and mixing it with metallic powder. Glitter as an accessory, however, reached its peak on pop stars in the ’90s and early ’00s, who dominated the TRL countdown every afternoon. “Think back to the days of Britney and Christina. They were all about being glowy, yet almost futuristic,” says Charlie Riddle, makeup artist and Stila global beauty director and head of artistry. “People were using glitter on the arms, chest, legs, anywhere that could catch the light.”
Getty Images
Getty Images
Rhinestone adhesives, à la Mariah Carey’s butterfly adornment circa 2001, also played a starring role, adding an extra accent to that base layer of shimmer. “All the baddest video vixens had some of the body art we see today, from bedazzled tramp stamps to belly button rings,” says makeup artist Ngozi Edeme.
For me, personally, every outfit, even my school uniform, was always paired with a generous layer of body glitter. The Bath & Body Works Art Stuff range and Jessica Simpson’s edible body powders from Dessert Beauty were my gateway into more elevated formulas like Benefit’s Kitten Sparkling Body Shimmer and Urban Decay’s Cocoa Body Powder (which actually tasted like chocolate!). “Body glitter blew up back then because it was a natural extension of the moment: girl-led rock bands, brands like Urban Decay shaking up the makeup landscape; permission was given,” says Wende Zomnir, who founded Urban Decay and sold it to L’Oréal Paris in 2012.
The Urban Decay Body Powder was my beauty signature. My best friend, Victoria, referred to the product as “Marianne’s sparkly-chest stuff,” as icons like J.Lo and Britney taught me that no low-cut shirt was complete without it. In addition to the light gourmand scent and chocolate flavoring, the body powder had the perfect bronzy finish that complemented my skin tone. I mourn the loss of the formula, and still can’t find anything quite like it. “I’m not sure if there are modern-day alternatives to flavored body powders, but it sounds like it might be time to modernize the formula and relaunch,” Zomnir adds. Be still, my heart.
Y2K-coded body art
One would be hard-pressed to find a music video from the era without every singer and backup dancer covered in glitter and gemstones, and thanks to stars like Kirsten Dunst and Salma Hayek, Y2K-coded body art made its way onto the red carpet. At the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, Hayek complemented her strapless dress with a handful of butterflies across her chest and back, which, according to an interview in Vogue, she may have painted on since the stickers didn’t exist at the time. At the 1999 premiere of indie classic Drop Dead Gorgeous, Dunst opted for a dragonfly design with well-placed rhinestones across her back.
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Getty Images
“We were getting all of our supplies from the art store back then,” says makeup artist Molly R. Stern. “If we could stick it on our face or body, we did.” Larger statement pieces like Dunst’s and Hayek’s were usually the focal point, with the color scheme mirroring the colors on their eyes or lips.
When it came to body glitter and shimmer, more was always more. “Think, collarbones glazed in shimmer oils, shoulders dusted in sparkle, and tiny rhinestones framing the eyes made luminous skin a statement,” says Lori Taylor Davis, global pro lead artist at Smashbox. “It wasn’t subtle; it was seen. It was about glow, and catching the light from every angle.” While the arms, décolleté, and even legs were popular placements, any skin exposed by the necklines, low-rise jeans, and cutouts in a post-”Dirrty” world got a light dusting of glitter or body shimmer.
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By the mid- to late-’00s, the glitter movement had shifted toward a more subtle shimmer, but stars like Kesha held tight to their glitter accents, ushering the trend into its indie-sleaze era. “With Kesha, the inspiration is always rooted in rock-and-roll glamour and a ‘more is more’ philosophy. We looked at ’70s disco-era icons and glam-rock legends, but modernized it,” says makeup artist Mylah Morales. “The goal was to make the glitter look like it was radiating from her skin rather than just sitting on top of it. We wanted her to look like a celestial creature caught in a strobe light.”
Morales used glitter and body adornments as an extension of the facial makeup and to accent the fashion pieces in order to create a full-body look. “It makes the entire silhouette feel intentional and high-fashion, and blurs the line between where the makeup ends and the fashion begins,” she adds.
Ahead, find even more Y2K body glitter looks, along with tips on how to take that nostalgic shimmer into 2026.
Courtesy of @paintedbyesther
Getty Images
Getty Images
Courtesy of @paintedbyesther
Courtesy of @paintedbyesther
Courtesy of @paintedbyesther
How to wear body glitter
Body glitter formulas have come a long way since we were hitting Club Libby Lu. “Glitter has gotten more sparkly and the textures are less chunky. It’s more refined, and the colors are also more sophisticated,” says Davy. Victoria Lu and Gloria Fu, cosmetic chemists and founders of Chemist Confessions, echo her statement. “Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, body glitter formulas were usually simple, large plastic glitter particles suspended in basic gels or oils, with more focus on visual impact,” says Lu. “The concept is fun, but the actual formula and material were less than ideal with goopy, greasy textures.”
“Today, you can find better base systems like lightweight gels, dry-touch oils, even serum-like textures, and more skin care-inspired products with better comfort and wearability,” says Fu. “There’s also more awareness around the glitter material itself to improve eye safety, general skin irritation, and glitter’s overall environmental impact.”
While leaving a trail of glitter wherever you go certainly sounds glamorous, prepping your skin accordingly will help prevent transfer. “You want to keep the skin slightly tacky,” Davy adds. “A slightly dewy or tacky base will help the glitter stick better.”
Davis recommends working in layers, starting with a body moisturizer to create a smooth, hydrated base. “If the skin isn’t prepped, glitter can look patchy instead of luminous,” she says. “I build in layers, starting with a base for hydration, then adding a tack layer like a balm, mixing medium, or adhesive where needed.”
While craft glitter may have been the go-to at the beginning of body glitter’s peak, going for a body-safe option approved for use in cosmetics is key. “Craft glitter can have sharp edges not suitable for skin,” says Linnea Sumner, special effects and beauty makeup artist at New York City’s Kimara Ahnert Studio. “Even if you don’t feel the sharp edges putting it on, you’ll definitely feel it taking it off, especially around your eyes.”
Use a brush to press—not swipe—the glitter into place. In terms of placement, Davis advises thinking the way a sculptor would. “High points like the collarbones, shoulders, and cheekbones catch the light best, and you can follow the natural lines of your body for elongation,” she says. “Step back and check symmetry, but don’t be afraid of a little asymmetry to give the look some edge.”
Apply a final veil of setting spray over the area to lock everything into place. “It needs to be a spray that creates an actual barrier on top of the skin,” Sumner adds. “I like heavy-duty FX ones like the Kryolan, Mehron, Ben Nye, or extra-strong beauty options like One/Size or Skindinavia Bridal.”
How to wear body stickers
While body glitter requires a layer of hydration, body stickers and other 3D elements like individual rhinestones need the opposite. “Try not to use spray tan or body oil in the area where you’re using a sticker, and clean the area with rubbing alcohol before,” Stowe says. Drawing inspiration from Cher, Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, drag, and, of course, Lisa Frank, Stowe sketches digital renderings of each sticker before crafting each piece. The adhesive is designed to keep the sticker in place for hours (and through Larsson’s high-energy performances), but placement is key.
“If you’re a beginner, smaller is better in terms of sticker size, use a flat part of your body, and be careful not to place it in areas where your clothes will rub on the sticker and remove it.” If you happen to place the sticker on an area where your body naturally curves, Stowe advises using eyelash glue for extra security, or just in case you want to affix additional rhinestones around the design.
If you’re freehanding or creating your own design with rhinestones, Edeme recommends using a white pencil to map out your pattern after the rubbing alcohol has dried from your skin, laying out your rhinestones and glue on a plate, then using a rhinestone picker tool or tweezers to grab the gems. In terms of glue, Sumner recommends the Duo Brush-On Clear Adhesive, which comes with a brush applicator for easy placement. “Apply glue to the skin where you want the gem, rather than to the gem itself, to avoid sticky hands,” she says.
Most importantly, play around with the design and try different patterns to give your look dimension. “Have fun with it and let the design reflect your personality,” Edeme says. “Explore animal prints, flower designs, or even tattoo designs.” For Tyla’s We Wanna Party Tour, Edeme created a freehand tiger design on her lower back, complete with a layer of glitter spray and blue rhinestone accents, pulling colors from the neon outfit and wig the star wore for the show in Manila. “I always try to channel my muse’s inner baddie,” she adds. “I look at their aura and come up with a design I feel will fit them both.”
Meet the experts
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- Lori Taylor Davis is a makeup artist and Smashbox Cosmetics global pro and lead artist.
- Donni Davy is the lead makeup artist on Euphoria and the founder of Half Magic Beauty.
- Ngozi Edeme is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.
- Mylah Morales is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.
- Charlie Riddle is a makeup artist and Stila’s global beauty director and head of artistry.
- Molly R. Stern is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
- Lucas Stowe is a performancewear designer and the artist behind the rhinestone body stickers worn by Zara Larsson, Shakira, and Christina Aguilera.
- Linnea Sumner is a New York City-based certified special effects and beauty makeup artist at Kimara Ahnert Studio.
- Wende Zomnir is the founder of Caliray and Urban Decay.
Shop Y2K-inspired glitter products
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