As warm weather rolls around and we shed the multiple layers that have kept us cozy during the transition from winter to spring, the opportunities to play with body makeup open up before our eyes, whether you're looking into glitter tattoos, body shimmers, or any other form of body art or makeup.
With Coachella 2026 officially kicking off festival season and prom in full swing, now is truly the prime time to experiment with body makeup. Whether you are planning to attend a formal event like a graduation or a more casual one like a concert, adding a little sparkle and shimmer to your look can take it from 50 to 100.
If you want to know how to tap into this trend safely and successfully, we have asked the experts for the best tips and tricks.
Meet the experts
- Renée Loiz, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Color May Vary
- Neil Scibelli, celebrity makeup artist
How to choose your body makeup
Body makeup is not a new thing by any means: It has been a staple of festivals, stages, and red carpets for decades. In recent years, though, we have definitely seen celebrities up the ante, and this season takes the cake. Stars want bolder looks that make a statement and literally make them shine—and fans, of course, are following suit.
One great example of someone leaning into bolder, shimmery looks is Zara Larsson. With her makeup artist Sophia Sinot, the Swedish superstar has been embracing rhinestones, body glitter, and all things shimmer both on and off the stage. (If you are wondering, one of Sinot’s holy grails is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Space Dust Powder for Larsson’s glitter makeup, for her body and face.)
Body makeup is a broad art form, including glitter tattoos, rhinestone stickers, gems, body paint, oils, shimmers, sprays, and more. Depending on where you plan to wear your look, your preferences will vary. You won’t need the same type of formulations if you are going to the beach or pool, for instance, as if you are going to prom or graduation.
“With dresses or outfits that may be showing the shoulders, neck, and legs, I like that there's become more awareness that makeup doesn't have to stop at the face. We want to give our bodies that glow as well,” MUA Neil Scibelli, who has worked with the likes of Heated Rivalry creator Rachel Reid and Olympic gold medalist figure skater Ellie Kam, tells Teen Vogue. “I'm a big fan of body makeup that is nontransferable onto clothing, highlights the skin, and gives that gorgeous red carpet glow to the skin,” he adds.
Renée Loiz, who works with the likes of Leah Sava Jeffries, Uzo Aduba, and Quinta Brunson, agrees: “I love a subtle, skin-enhancing body glow. Something that evens out tone, adds warmth, and gives that healthy sheen without looking sparkly or obvious,” she says of her favorite type of body makeup.
For something more formal, like graduation or prom, Loiz says, “the goal is always skin that looks incredible in photos and in person, not like it’s wearing heavy makeup.” For a quick and easy “lit-from-within finish without feeling sticky or overdone,” she recommends the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Glow Serum, a skin care-infused priming serum that could be used on the face, shoulders, and décolletage area for a Hollywood-worthy glow.
In that vein, a great option would also be the Dezi Skin Body Gloss, which MUA Ernesto Casillas recently used on Zendaya for the NYC premiere of The Drama, and which the brand calls “lip gloss for your body,” thanks to its ultra-reflective finish.
If you are looking for an option for a formal night out, something like the Body Gloss, as Z proved, is great since it won’t mess with your clothes. “A big factor is understanding if your body product is transfer-proof, because you don't want it ending up on your clothing, especially if you're wearing white,” Scibelli reminds us. “I would also suggest making sure your body products are streak-proof, so you're not finding out later on that your sunless tanner is melting or streaking.”
The rise of glitter tattoos
In the world of body makeup, one of the biggest trends coming in hot for summer 2026 is glitter tattoos, and there are a million and a half ways to make this look your own. You might remember Taylor Swift rocking glitter freckles to support fiancé Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs a while back; well, this is the body equivalent of the same trend.
“We're seeing a rise in temporary glitter tattoos, which, as they sound, are tattoo designs for the body with a 3D, glitter component to them,” Scibelli explains. “They're trending because they're the perfect accessory for spring and summer, as well as for music festival season. They're also a fun way to express your creativity and add that extension of your style a bit more.”
Loiz says that glitter tattoos are on the rise “because they feel playful, nostalgic, and very festival-coded." She adds, “For prom and summer events, they add personality and shimmer without the commitment of a real tattoo."
Glitter tattoos come in all shapes and forms; some are formulated as temporary tattoos and work on their own, while others need adhesives to stick to the skin. If you want to do glitter tattoos, whether you get a pre-made glitter-tattoo kit or take a DIY approach with a stencil set and glitter makeup or body sprays you already own, the key is to remember to always use high-quality, cosmetic-grade glitter, Loiz says.
“Avoid chunky craft glitter that is not cosmetic-grade," she says further. "It can irritate skin and look messy in photos. Also, avoid over-layering products, because too much shimmer or oil can read greasy rather than glowy.”
If you like the appeal of a temporary body design but don’t love the mess of glitter, fret not, because there are alternatives that are just as trendy and statement-worthy. Says Scibelli, “It's also fun to see temporary tattoos make a comeback because they're certainly an easy and fun way to express your creativity without having to over-commit. Rhinestone tattoos are also a fun way to add that spark to any summer look.”
As with glitter tattoos, if you opt for this option, make sure the adhesive you are using is safe for the skin. You can also get rhinestone tattoos as stand-alone pieces to create your own design, or in premade shapes.
If you don’t want to apply the rhinestones directly on your skin, you could attach gems to your tights. Hailey Bieber graced the Met Gala red carpet in 2025 donning a YSL rhinestone tattoo just above her ankle.
The classic body shimmer
If you don’t want anything that remotely resembles a tattoo, but you do want to add a little glint to your summer looks, whether formal or informal, then body shimmers are the most classic option.
Scibelli explains, “If I'm getting a client ready for the red carpet and their shoulders and neck area are being shown, I like to apply body shimmer on the highest points of the body, including the shoulders, a bit across the clavicle neck area, just to give those areas some highlight.”
Loiz notes, “Body shimmer adds light reflection to the skin so it looks smooth, glowing, and slightly blurred. It’s typically used on collarbones, shoulders, legs, and arms, anywhere the light naturally hits. It gives dimension and enhances muscle tone in a really flattering way. I love sticks like the Dibs Status Stick because they make placement really easy and controlled.”
Blackpink’s Jennie Kim gave body shimmer her stamp of approval for summer a few years back with her MUA Joy, using reflective golden specks all over her arms.
Body shimmer vs. body oils
While many people associate body shimmer with oils, and there are overlaps, shimmer comes in various forms. “Body shimmer can be in a range of products like creams, gels, and oils,” Scibelli says. “A body shimmer can also be in the form of a powder, like a traditional face highlighter would—whereas a body oil is certainly more emollient and an ‘allover’ product. It's great for that shiny, luminous, beachy look.”
“A body oil is more about hydration and sheen without necessarily adding sparkle,” Loiz adds. “You can combine them, but shimmer is about light and highlight, while oil is about moisture and slip. A glow balm like Patrick Ta’s gives shine and glow, while something like Range Beauty’s body oil leans more into nourishment with a subtle sheen.”
Unlike glowy lotions and powder shimmers, oils can get a little messier if clothes are involved. “I would just be more conscious of oils transferring onto clothing if that's an issue for you. Body shimmers can be a little more targeted to where you place them,” Scibelli says.
A great option if you plan to be at the beach or a festival and want a glow that also offers protection is opting for a body oil with SPF on top of your regular sunscreen, or even a glowy SPF formula.
Body contouring
While glitter and shimmer are big for spring and summer 2026, there are also other body-makeup trends on the rise. “I’m seeing more subtle body contouring using cream bronzers to sculpt shoulders and collarbones,” Loiz says. “Also soft body-blurring products that even out tone on legs and chest without looking heavy. It’s less about glitter overload and more about enhancing what’s already there. Brands like Tinge are leaning into that refined glow versus obvious sparkle.”
Another ultra-classic in this vein is the MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation, a decades-old staple in professional business kits around the world.
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Body makeup FAQs
What are the key aspects to consider when it comes to safety and prep if you are trying body makeup for the first time?
As with any first, if you are planning on venturing into the world of body makeup for the first time, it’s paramount to keep your skin and safety in mind before you begin.
“Prep is everything,” Loiz tells Teen Vogue. “Exfoliate lightly and moisturize well so products glide on evenly." Try to do the exfoliation a few days in advance to avoid skin irritation, especially if you have a special event.
"I love using a body polish like Nopalera’s before any event,” Loiz adds. Something like Fur Oil for daily maintenance and to avoid ingrown hairs is also great to have in your stash.
Even if something is labeled hypoallergenic, it is best to “always patch test adhesives or shimmer formulas beforehand, especially with glitter tattoos, and allow enough time for products to fully dry before getting dressed to prevent transfer,” Loiz continues.
Scibelli agrees that “exfoliating the skin before applying sunless tanners or body glows will always give a smoother finish.” He adds, “I would do some testing days/nights to see what holds up for you, especially before a big night like prom or graduation. I have been testing Revolution Beauty's Club Riviera Collection, which has a range of body shimmers; as well as the Body Beam Glow Brush, which is the perfect handheld body brush to apply your body glow.
I have been using it with the Sun Rush Body Balm, which is a nonstick body balm that has micro-pearls in it, and gives the skin a beautiful tint of color as well, along with the shimmer. The brush makes it really easy to target exactly where you want to place the product, so that it doesn't go anywhere that you don't want it.”
Are there any expert-approved secret tips for applying body makeup?
Thinking of body makeup as you would face makeup can help you create a better, more balanced look. While a lighter hand and fewer layers can benefit more statement pieces like glitter, applying the prep-and-set approach for other, more subtle body makeup is key.
“I actually use Revolution Beauty's SuperFix Misting Spray on the body as well to make sure the product stays in place all day and night,” Scibelli says. “Especially if I'm applying foundation or color-correcting anything out on the body, I always set it with a makeup setting spray, and it totally works.”
Loiz also believes that the old adage “less is more” applies here: “Apply body shimmer strategically rather than everywhere,” she says. "Focus on high points like collarbones and shoulders, and blend well so there are no harsh lines. For legs, mixing a tiny bit of liquid bronzer into lotion can give a seamless, natural glow that photographs beautifully without looking obvious.”
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