How Do I Apply Glitter?

Q: Water alone biodegrades the glitter?

Core principle: “No microorganisms = no biodegradation.” All ranges only start breaking down when environmental bacteria or other microbes are present along with moisture.Shelf-life proof: In the dry jar—or in an alcohol or oil base—the particles stay intact for years because those cosmetic systems keep microbe counts near zero inside the packaging. The cleaner it's kept, the longer it will last.So, whether it’s any version of loose glitter in a jar or future PURE & V3 in a pre-mixed gel, stability comes from the absence of microbes + water.

Q: Version-to-version differences?

SPARKLE V1 / V2 / V3 and HOLO – all share the same cellulose core; the newer version binders simply improve colour “bleed” resistance in water and solvents.PURE – aluminium-free, with no laquer binders needed, but follows the same biodegradation trigger.

Who doesn't love a bit of sparkle? But before you dive into a pool of glitter, remember that not all that glitters is gold—or eco-friendly. Biodegradable glitter is your best friend when you want to shine bright without making Mother Nature cry. This guide will help you slather on that glitter using thickened aloe gel, safe skin glue, and hair gel. We’ll also throw in some tips on how to keep your sparkle contained (because nobody likes finding glitter in their cereal) and how to clean up like a pro.

NOTE: If you are in a pinch, you can use any body lotion, face cream, sun screen or skin beauty product to create a bond with your skin and bioglitter. You can even use eyelash glue.

How to Apply Biodegradable Glitter

1. Face/Body: Thickened Aloe Gel or Eyes & Lip Bonder

Step 1: Clean and dry your face.
Step 2: Apply a thin layer of Thickened Aloe Gel or Eyes & Lip Bonder to the desired area. Think of it as the glue that holds your sparkle dreams together.
Step 3: While the gel/bonder is still tacky, gently press the biodegradable glitter onto the gel using a clean silicone brush or your fingertips.
Step 4: The gel/bonder will dry.
Step 5: Cleanup the Aloe with water, and the Eyes & Lip Bonder with makeup remover.

You can also pre-mix the gel with your glitter on your hand or in a small container and then spread it onto your skin.

2. Hair/Body: any Clear Hair Gel (keep away from the face):

Step 1: Apply a thin layer of hair gel to the areas where you want to add glitter. As long as it's enough to feel tacky, you are good!
Step 2: Sprinkle or press the biodegradable glitter onto the gelled areas. You can use a small spoon if that helps.
Step 3: Allow the hair gel to dry completely.

You can also pre-mix the gel with your glitter on your hand or in a small container and then spread it onto your skin/hair.

Tips to Keep it from Being Messy

Preparation: Lay down a towel or an old sheet to catch any stray glitter. Glitter has a way of spreading faster than gossip.
Tools: Use silicone makeup brushes, small spoons and applicators to control the glitter. But using your fingers is also fine, just be close to a sink so you can wash off.
Workspace: Work in a contained area to minimize the spread of glitter away from gusts of wind.

Clean-Up Tips

Face and Body: Use a gentle makeup remover (for the Eyes & Lip Bonder) or water (for the Thickened Aloe Gel) to remove glitter. Rub gently in circular motions and rinse with water/soap.
Hair: Brush out as much glitter as possible before washing your hair. Follow with a thorough shampoo.
Surfaces: Use a lint roller or a damp cloth to pick up loose glitter from surfaces. It’s like a glitter magnet.
Clothing: Shake out your clothes outside before washing them. Wash separately to avoid turning your entire wardrobe into a glitter explosion.

Applying biodegradable glitter can be a fun and eco-friendly way to add some sparkle to your life. By using thickened aloe gel, eyes & lip bonder, or hair gel, you can ensure your glitter stays put while minimizing mess. With these tips and techniques, you’ll be ready to shine sustainably at your next event—without finding glitter in your dinner.

Bioglitter® clears both ISO 14851/14852 freshwater tests and TÜV Austria’s “OK biodegradable WATER” audit—meaning >90 % break-down in 56 days, proved in triplicate by an ISO-17025 lab with extra ecotoxicity screens. TÜV calls this seal “the highest level of its kind in the world,” so it’s widely viewed as the gold standard for showing a product really vanishes in rivers and lakes.

Core principle: “No microorganisms = no biodegradation.” All ranges only start breaking down when environmental bacteria or other microbes are present along with moisture.

Shelf-life proof: In the dry jar—or in an alcohol or oil base—the particles stay intact for years because those cosmetic systems keep microbe counts near zero inside the packaging. The cleaner it's kept, the longer it will last.

So, whether it’s any version of loose glitter in a jar or future PURE & V3 in a pre-mixed gel, stability comes from the absence of microbes + water.

Environmental water (rivers, lakes, soil run-off) teems with microbes, so when Bioglitter® ends up there it finally has both moisture and a robust bacterial community—biodegradation begins.

Inside the jar or a preserved formula the picture is very different: cosmetics are blended with purified or de-ionised water and must stay below about 1 000 colony-forming units per gram (500 CFU g-¹ for eye products) under global microbiological-safety rules; preservatives keep counts near zero.
PMC

Bioglitter® itself is inert until both moisture and an active microbial load are present. Kept dry—or suspended in alcohol, oil or a well-preserved gel—it remains stable for years.

This ultra-thin lacquer layer originally used in Sparkle V1 locks the microscopic aluminum film to the cellulose core while still passing all ISO 14851/52 biodegradability tests. HOLO, Sparkle V2 & V3 use even more nature-derived or EU-compliant binders (Pullulan in V2 & HOLO, Polyvinyl Butyral + copal in V3) to boost biodegradation speed, color-bleed resistance and solvent stability.

All essential for the sparkle of the aluminum to remain attached to the cellulose core.

(PURE does not have it because it does not contain the aluminum.)

SPARKLE V1 / V2 / V3 and HOLO – all share the same cellulose core; the newer version binders simply improve colour “bleed” resistance in water and solvents.

PURE – aluminium-free, with no laquer binders needed, but follows the same biodegradation trigger.

Sparkle V3 is Bioglitter’s newest metallic range, built to survive anything you throw at it, so it’s perfect for ready-made gels, polishes and liquid soaps. It’s also fully compliant with the EU’s 2023/2055 micro-plastic rule and remains brilliantly reflective thanks to its bleed-resistant lacquer. Right now V3 comes in just four classic shades—Silver, Platinum, Dark Gold and Copper. Our current Moon Shatter line focuses on coloful loose blends you mix with aloe or gloss bonder just before use to maximize versatility.

However, we are already prototyping lip-gloss wands and festival ready glitter paste, and when those formulas are ready, SPARKLE V3 along with PURE will headline the launch.

In short: limited colours and our “mix-your-own” philosophy keep V3 off today’s menu—but it’s front-of-queue for our next evolution.