This spring, get ready to shimmer.

Sparkling, iridescent shades are de rigeur for the season, as many beauty companies are launching new loose and pressed shimmer powders -- for both eyes and face -- in shades that range from pretty pastels to eye popping brights. M.A.C. debuted their stack of Crush Metal Pigments, The Body Shop updated their solid Shimmer Cubes in trendy shades, and Christopher Drummond Beauty came out with loose shimmer eyeshadows, to name a few.

"We've had a horrible, treacherous winter that has had us stuck indoors," said Christopher Drummond, celebrity makeup artist and creator of Christopher Drummond Beauty. "People want more color and more fun and that's why shimmer is so big!"

Shimmering shades are an easy way to get creative with your makeup routine and unleash your flirty side, according to Drummond. "It gives you that glowing, fresh look that everyone wants to have for spring," he said.

All well and good -- we're psyched to look springy -- but if you're not a makeup artist, applying loose shimmer can be a little daunting. So we asked Drummond for key makeup tips on how to stand out in shimmer, without going overboard.

Prep and You Won't Regret
When applying shimmer, flaky skin is the enemy. The light reflecting pigments only highlight imperfections, so it's important to prep your skin before shimmering up. "It's always a good idea to exfoliate the skin," says Drummond. "Coming out of winter you want to make sure to wash away dead skin, or you'll have makeup that looks cakey and dry."

After exfoliating, he suggsts following up with a hydrating lotion. "It's very important to moisturize, especially when using a powder foundation," says Drummond. An eye or face primer will also help to refine the skin, even out the application, and help the shimmer stick.

The Eyes Have It
Smooth shimmer onto the eyelids with a large eye shadow brush -- the fluffier, the better, for a light, even application. For a more concentrated application on the eyes, wet a liner brush and apply at the lash line, or pat an eye or facial primer on your lids before sweeping on the shimmer. For added depth, Drummond suggests mixing together your eye shadow textures; a shimmer on top of a matte shadow will add dimension and help your eyes sparkle.

Don't Sweat the Technique
"Everyone wants that J. Lo glow, but there's one thing I've learned and that is not every celebrity has great skin. With the right tools, you can fake it until you make it," says Drummond. For a subtle, all-over glow, he suggests applying a loose shimmer powder, like Saúde Pele Radiance Booster, underneath your foundation. You can mix it with a serum, moisturize, or even your actual foundation, and a small amount will go a long way. For even more glow, use shimmer as a highlighter on the cheekbones and temples to reflect light.

Breaking Beauty Standards
"You don't have to buy a ton of products to look red carpet ready. There's a million things you can do with shimmering products. Apply eyeshadow on your cheeks and lips for a luminous glow. If you're out of blush, lightly brush on a pink eyeshadow. For nighttime shine, dust shimmer into your hair. Get really cheeky, mix it into your lotion and smooth onto the décolleté. You're missing out if you don't try it!"

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