Cosmetic Glitter, Sparkles and Gems

The formats, and when each one earns its place

• Loose glitter in pots and puffer bottles. Puffers are the fastest option in a queue: one squeeze over a design that is still tacky and it sticks where the paint is.
• Crème and gel glitters hold the glitter in a base, so it goes exactly where you put it and nowhere else. Best for cheekbones, collarbones and anything close to the eyes.
• Chunky festival glitter uses large flakes that read from a distance, for shoulders, hair parts and festival looks.
• Liquid glitter brushes on as a shimmer wash over a finished face.
• Biodegradable glitter for councils, schools and events that have moved away from plastic glitter.

Gems, bling and glitter tattoos

More than a third of this range is loose gems, and gems do something glitter cannot. One well placed cluster at the corner of the eye turns a simple design into a photograph the parents keep. Our make your own bling sheets let you build reusable clusters in advance, which is how experienced painters keep a queue moving. Glitter tattoo kits are a different offer again, with stencils and body adhesive, and they earn well at markets because the tattoo lasts for days.

Making it stay on

Glitter needs something to grip. Press it into paint that is still slightly damp, or put down a cosmetic glue or gel base on bare skin first. Press, do not rub. Near the eyes, choose a gel or crème format rather than loose glitter. And never use craft glitter from a stationery shop on skin, whatever a video tells you: the cut edges are not made for faces.

See also TAG glitter and bio glitter, our own glitter and gems range, and our guide to glitter and the environment.