Body shimmer is back, and celebrities like Tyla and Ananya Panday are all in

This old-school Y2K body glow is back and how! Here's everything you need to recreate it in 2026.

May 07, 2026 | by Sagarika Choudhary

For a while, beauty was all about matte skin, minimal glow, and that barely-there “clean girl” finish. But if the recent red carpets and Instagram scrolls are anything to go by, shine is officially back. Not just on the face, but everywhere. Think collarbones that catch the light, glossy shoulders, and legs that look sun-kissed even before a beach holiday.

This revival is rooted in nostalgia. The early 2000s loved a good body shimmer moment, and now the new generation is rediscovering it with a modern twist. Celebrities are leaning into this glow-first aesthetic again, but instead of chunky glitter, the new version is refined, hydrated, and healthy. Basically, your skin, but better.

Take Tyla at the 2026 Met Gala, where she went full mermaid with luminous, light-reflecting skin layered with body shimmer. Or Ananya Panday and Hailey Bieber, whose glossy shoulders and softly-highlighted arms have quietly become their signature. Even backstage at fashion shows and on runways, body oils and highlighters are doing the heavy lifting, creating that expensive-looking finish.

How to get the glow

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The trick is less complicated than it looks. It is all about layering and placement. Start with a well-moisturised base. Hydrated skin holds glow better, so apply a rich body lotion first. While your skin is still slightly damp, mix a liquid highlighter or a shimmer oil into your lotion, blend it in your palms, and slather it all over. You can also DIY the glow by using a soft kabuki body brush to apply your powder highlighter all over your body after moisturising with a lotion.

Focus on the high points of the body, where light naturally hits. Think collarbones, shoulders, shins, and the centre of your arms. You can always add a drop of liquid highlighter directly on those points for extra impact.

The finish should feel like glowy skin, not sparkle. Modern formulas are designed to achieve that glow-from-within look. It is quick, flattering, and instantly elevates even the simplest outfit.

Here are the products you need to get you started.

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil, ₹17,355