Glitter as we know it was invented by a cattle rancher named Henry Frank Ruschmann. I thought of him when I applied a twinkling line of blue eyeshadow last week.

Though many will have packed away their glittery palettes after the festive season, mine remains comfortably in reach. This is a decision partially influenced by Pamela Anderson’s starry eyes in The Last Showgirl. Equally responsible are the spring/summer shows – icicle-like lashes at Bottega Veneta; Harris Reed’s pearlescent lids; an unexpected splash of frivolous femininity at Loewe, where it brightened stern leather jackets and a neat little trench.

Placement is key to avoid looking like you’re heading to a festival or a teenager’s party

When trying it at home, start slowly with soft pigments – Jones Road’s Sparkle Wash and By Terry’s Ombre Blackstar could even pass in the office. Likewise, Mario Dedivanovic’s new Ethereal Eyes palette features a selection of neutral and pearl-infused sparkling tones to add a “reflective, wet-like shine to the lids”. He suggests starting with a skin-coloured shade on the lid and pairing with mid-tones in the crease, darker shades on the lash line and metallics in the centre to catch the light. “Don’t be afraid to mix finishes to add depth and interest,” says Dedivanovic.

Jones Road Sparkle Wash in Midas, ￡24

Charlotte Tilbury Hypnotising Pop Shots Cosmic Rocks, ￡25

Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes in Firefly, ￡29, cultbeauty.co.uk

By Terry Ombre Blackstar Eyeshadow in Frozen Quartz, ￡35

Make-up artist Violette Serrat loves using glitter to “express [her] mood and creativity.” Her latest is a?“twinkling” red liner inspired by Paris at night.?“It might seem intimidating at first, but?it’s?all about adding colour in an unexpected way. Apply it as a shimmering wash on the lids, then smudge along the lower lash line,” she instructs. Victoria Beckham’s emerald Lid Lustre and Charlotte Tilbury’s turquoise Hypnotising Pop Shot offer a?similar flash of colour.

There is, of course, a glitter danger zone. “Placement is key to avoid looking like you’re heading to a festival or a teenager’s party,” cautions make-up artist Francesca Brazzo, who uses NYX Professional Makeup Glitter Primer to keep things neat. One of her favourite ways of applying glitter is around the inner corners of the eyes, making them look bigger. If I’m feeling bold, I’ll do this with a chrome shade by Danessa Myricks.?

Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette in Moonlight, ￡69

Hourglass Curator Refillable Palette, ￡18

Dolce & Gabbana Eye Dare You! Multi-finish Eyes & Cheeks Palette, ￡74, harrods.com

Pat McGrath Eye Shadow Quad Sublime Blooms, ￡55

Most of all, I like to have different glitter options in a palette, particularly useful when travelling – Pat McGrath, Dolce & Gabbana and Hourglass are all carry-on mainstays. (The latter is refillable, meaning you can mix and match shades.) In truth, my love of glitter is mostly down to laziness. Nothing is more transformational than a scintillating wash of colour. With the right technique, you’ll have your sparkle back in a second.?