The face gem makeup era is here—and we're obsessed

Makeup is entering its maximalist era—and no, we’re not talking about neon eyeliner or technicolour lids. We’re talking about face gems. Crystals, pearls, rhinestones, and chrome accents are taking over eyelids, cheekbones, brows, and temples. They’ve evolved from being cute festival add-ons to full-fledged beauty statements that don’t just complement your makeup—they become the makeup.

Thanks to the rise of creative self-expression at concerts and festivals and the ongoing revival of early 2000s beauty, face embellishments are having a massive moment. From Taylor Swift concerts to music festivals and high-fashion editorial shoots, we’re seeing everything from glitter tears to diamanté wings and pearls tracing the brow bone. It’s wearable art—a fresh way to amplify your look without piling on product.

Get your canvas right

Before you break out the gems, it’s all about that base. Alekhya Vavilala, founder and CEO of Thou Beauty, calls skin prep the “non-negotiable” step to making a gem-centric look feel elevated rather than chaotic. “The skin becomes part of the statement,” she explains. That means starting with a clean, hydrated face and using a non-slip moisturizer that won’t interfere with adhesion. A breathable, gripping primer is essential—not just for makeup longevity, but to create a surface where embellishments can sit comfortably without sliding off.

When it comes to foundation, Alekhya’s philosophy is: less is more. “You want the sparkle to come from the stones—not from a full-coverage foundation fighting for attention,” she says. Her brand’s lineup focuses on sheer tints and intelligent correctors that even out tone while letting skin breathe. The result? A luminous, real-skin finish that doesn’t compete with your sparkle—it supports it.

Placement is everything

Think of face gems like punctuation for your makeup: a single rhinestone says one thing, a constellation of pearls says another. For MAC National Artist Leiya Phinao Ningshen, working with gems completely changes the creative process. “The moment you start working on a design, the creativity flows—it’s not something we do every day,” she says. That’s exactly what makes it so exciting. A few crystals on the outer corners can create a soft, ethereal effect; multichrome stones in mixed sizes can push a simple look into full fantasy mode.

Leiya doesn’t follow a fixed formula for placement—it’s all about the face in front of her. But she’s clear that balance is everything: “The choice of the stone and its placement makes the look dramatic or wearable.” Whether you're doing just a few tiny gems near the eyes or building an elaborate design for a photoshoot, you want the layout to feel intentional, not random. It’s the difference between high fashion and Halloween.

Application to all-nighter

So how do you actually get the gems to stay put? “I use lash glue because it’s long-lasting and doesn’t irritate the skin,” says Leiya. Tweezers are your best friend for precise placement, and experimenting with different shapes and sizes adds visual interest. Pro tip: mix matte pearls with iridescent crystals to keep the look multidimensional without feeling overdone.

While face gems may not be a daily staple (yet), they’re quickly becoming go-tos for concerts, themed events, and anywhere you want your makeup to tell a story. And with a solid base and smart application, they’ll last through hours of dancing, sweating, and digi-camming.

From the Y2K revival to pop girlie tour glam, face gems are the sparkle-covered bridge between beauty and self-expression. They let you skip the hyper-blended eyeshadow and still make a statement—minimal effort, maximum impact. And yes, they’re just as satisfying to wear as they are to peel off at 2 a.m.

BRB, bedazzling our cheekbones.

Lead image: Instagram/Donniella Davy

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