Glitter can look fantastic, but it has a few drawbacks.
The most obvious one is that it gets everywhere and is almost impossible to get rid of.
I’ve turned up to an office in boy-mode before only to discover (because someone told me!) that I’ve got tiny sparkly highlights on my face from glitter – not from the night before, but from about a week ago, and there has been no sign of it since. I had been out in girl‑mode the night before, but without glitter. However, upon investigation, discover that my make-up removal “cookie” still has glitter within it from last time I did use glitter, and it has now (generously) transferred some back on to my face. Agh.
T½ Glitter ≈ 4-6 Weeks
Glitter seems to have a half‑life of several weeks. You clean it off, sweep it up. And then it’s back seemingly from nowhere – just slightly less this time.
Rinse, repeat. Literally.
Getting it off skin is difficult enough. But getting brushes and make‑up cookies glitter‑free is frustrating and tedious.
Where Does All The Glitter Go?
Another drawback, maybe less obvious, is that conventional glitter is based upon tiny pieces of plastic. These end up getting into rivers and seas, with the inevitable consequences for wildlife.
Until recently, biodegradable alternatives were neither very satisfactory nor readily available. But now…. There is really no excuse. I was originally gifted my glitter – but now I have fully biodegradable glitter.
With any luck the fully biodegradable versions will have a shorter T½ too, in theory degrading (if wet) in a few weeks.
Sophie Baskerville 