My obsession with (body) glitter goes back to the time Britney Spears, clad in a hot-pink tube-tube, waltzed around one of her concerts sporting glitter-drenched collarbones. She looked resplendent—so much so that the internet cemented its status as one of her most iconic looks ever. While this trend was all the rage in the 00s, it’s been hinting at a comeback courtesy of celebrities like Halsey, Gigi Hadid, and Vanessa Hudgens. And because the idea of soaking my skin in shimmer has always appealed to me, I decided to connect with Mumbai-based Mausam Gandhi, MUA and Beauty Influencer, to learn a little more about the wearability of the trend; whether it’s safe or not; the technique to applying it; and so much more. Ahead—the details.
All That Glitters Isn’t Gold—But It Feels Like It
Is body glitter safe to use?
Yes—it’s absolutely safe as long as you’ve bought the correct product. The glitter does no harm to your skin. You can apply it on your body as well as your face
Does it come in the form of a liquid?
It comes in many forms: liquid, cream, sticks, powder, and spray. If you’re buying powder, you’ve to apply it with glitter-glue.
Which parts of the body can you apply glitter on?
You can apply some glitter on your face, arms, collar-bones, stomach, legs, and chest—mainly these places.
Is there a technique to applying the glitter?
If it’s in the form of a powder, you’ll need a big, fluffy brush for the body—that’s the only way the product will be able to spread over your skin evenly, and not fall on the floor. If it’s a liquid, you’ll need a big, flat brush (like a foundation brush) for it to stick to your skin. As for a spray, you don’t need anything. Just keep it at a distance, and spray it evenly instead of concentrating it on one spot. If you’re using a stick, just apply the shimmer, and blend it in with your hands.
For the face, start off with a little before applying more—once you’ve applied too much, it’s very difficult to remove. For the body, apply a little on a patch to see how the glitter is spreading. You can take more or less accordingly.
Amongst the different kinds of body glitter, which kind would you suggest we use, and why?
I’d suggest using a powder. You can dip a brush in the powder, and brush it over your body quickly and easily without creating a mess. But if you want to apply it to a specific parts of your body like your cheekbones or collar-bones, a cream-based one is ideal as it contains gloss, looks extremely attractive, and stands out.
Does the skin need to be prepped before application?
You don’t really have to prep your skin as such. If you’re using a powder, you can layer your skin with a little bit of moisturiser to avoid it from looking dry.
Any hacks to extend the longevity of the glitter? Any general hacks for body glitter?
Just avoid wearing clothes over it. This will ensure that the glitter stays intact. I’d suggest applying it on the tops of your shoulders and collarbones—glitter on these areas looks very cool.
Are there any alternatives for when we don’t have this type of glitter?
A shimmery body-oil or a powdery face-highlighter can work as alternatives. These will make the areas look shiny and highlighted. Even face illuminators can be mixed with moisturiser, and apply on your body to achieve a shimmery, glittery effect. Even eyeshadows containing glitter can work for the face.
What are your go-to body glitter products?
You can just buy glitter from any stationary, and use glitter-glue to stick it to your body. For the face, however, you must use makeup glitter for safety. FACES Canada and Kingdom Of Lashes sell glitter.
So—what’s your take on the trend?
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