FACTS ABOUT Glitter

A gleaming attraction: According to research by the University of Houston and Ghent University in Belgium, our attraction to shiny things comes from our basic human instinct to seek out water.

Inspiring inventions: Glitter as we know it was invented in 1934 after a machinist in New Jersey accidentally ground up a load of scrap metal and plastics.

What makes it shine: Glitter is made from a coloured plastic sheet covered with a reflective metal material, which is then sent through a cutter that chops it up into tiny pieces - think of it as a giant shredder! Time to clean up: What’s the best way to clear up a glitter spill? Move house. If this isn’t an option, try using a lint roller. Removing the shine: The best way to remove glitter makeup is by using cotton wool soaked in oil. Solving crimes: Forensic pathologists love glitter – it’s near impossible to get off clothing, making it a near perfect trace of evidence in murder trials. Flash fashion: Though glitter has been around for ages, you couldn’t really get away with wearing it until the ‘60s. But thanks to the likes of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, and even Beyoncé, sparkle has since gone mainstream.