Beyonce’s Renaissance tour is the gift that keeps on giving. First, Bey wowed us with a new outfit change for every tour stop, then having daughter Blue Ivy dance alongside her for select stops, and also inspiring concertgoers to wear carefully selected silver-themed or accented outfits to show their allegiance: “You are the visuals,” she told the crowd once which led to a screaming frenzy.
[SEE ALSO: How To Get My Renaissance Tour Makeup Look]
And the most significant beauty trend seen worn by fans? Crystal eye makeup.
Beyonce’s Destiny Child member and bestie Kelly Rowland took the crown for best crystal eye makeup on September 4. Rowland posted to Instagram not one but two separate posts of herself in on the trend, with the simple caption “#renaissance” for her 15 million-plus followers.
The response to her crystal-adorned full face? Currently, there are over 300,000 likes and comments from celebrities.
“STUNNING,” actress Gabrielle Union commented.
“Gorgeous”, actress Lala replied.
Rowland’s accented her bejeweled look with soft, earth-toned makeup. For lips, she went with brown lip liner and nude lip gloss. Crystals adorned her forehead, nose, and outside of each nostril. Rowland finished off the look with a multi-strand rhinestone choker, and patent leather corset for a blinged-out rockstar vibe.
And while the look and response confirm that crystal eyewear is the sparkliest trend of the year, celebrities, beauty enthusiasts, and influencers have been adding crystals to their faces for quite some time.
Last year, the trend exploded thanks to HBO’s hit show “Euphoria.” Pinterest reported an over 100% increase in search for inspiration for the trend, and currently, there are millions of results on TikTok. The name varies from “floating crystal eyeliner trend” to “bejeweled eyes.” And with TikTok being the lead search resource for all things beauty, according to Google, we expect this trend to be around for a while.
We can also expect sparkles on the runway during New York Fashion Week and on at least a few celebrities for the upcoming Video Music Awards on September 12th.
Makeup artists will for sure highlight eyes with well-placed crystals for the bedazzled eyeliner look. Some may add a single crystal to the inner corner of the eyes for a pop. Crystal gems on the eyes, as eyeliner, all over your eyelids, as a highlight on your face—basically the look is a beautiful touch for all kinds of special occasions.
Let’s look at a few moments when female rappers and other celebrities sported the trend—long before the Renaissance tour truly blew it up this summer.
Missy Elliott
In 2017, Missy Elliott recreated her fashion and beauty look for her 1999 hit single “She’s a Bitch” on stage at the Video Music Awards. Yes, 1999! Elliott is one of the first female rappers to bling her face which would inspire fans and pop stars to follow. Elliott wore a few different versions of crystal eyebrows for a few outfit changes in the music video.
Six years later, Elliott impressed the audience and at-home viewers when she emerged from the middle of the stage in a pool of water wearing the video’s makeup look. It accentuated the black face paint with silver eyeshadow and lots of crystals.
Doja Cat
In January this year, rapper Doja Cat’s head, face, neck, shoulders, arms and hands were completely covered in 30,000 red crystals. She sat for four hours and fifty-eight minutes while celebrity makeup artist Pat McGrath completed the look for her front row seat at Schiaparelli Spring 2023 couture show in Paris. McGrath and her team blinged out Doja in Swarovski crystals for a “shimmering, scintillating, and subversive look.”
“Collaborating with the incomparably talented Doja Cat and Daniel Roseberry was an absolute pleasure,” McGrath said. “Her patience and dedication as she sat with Team Pat McGrath and I for four hours and 58 minutes to achieve the creation, covered in over 30,000 hand-applied Swarovski crystals, was truly inspiring.”
Cardi B.
Cardi’s crystal eye-makeup and matching crystal nails in the 2022 “Hot Sh*t” video was a sight. With white-platinum hair color styled into a loose updo with a few face-framing curls on each side of her face, the Bronx rapper had tiny crystals placed along the tail of her eyebrows to accent her graphic eyeliner. Not surprisingly, she had her signature extra-long crystal nails blinged out with stones of various sizes. All of it matched perfectly with her diamond rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
Amanda Gorman
We loved Gorman’s sweeping crystal eye makeup as the 2021 Met Gala co-host. The bejeweled beauty’s look matched the crystal headpiece perfectly for her Statue of Liberty theme.
There are five ways you can wear crystal accents. It’s great inspo for your holiday looks, wedding day, or other special moments.
Crystal Eyeliner
Lining your upper lash line with crystals is one of the most foolproof ways to upgrade your liner look.
Crystal Creases
Apply them to the crease of your eyes for that razzle dazzle.
Crystal Brow Accents
Go bold and beautiful.
Cheekbone accents
Floating crystals around cheekbones add sparkle to any evening or festival look.
Eyeshadow accents
Jazz up your crystal makeup with bright, colorful eyeshadow.
Would you try crystal eye makeup? Let us know in the comment section!
