Green Glitter
Guilt-free tips for adding sparkle in an eco-glam way.
Guilt-free tips for adding sparkle to your glam beauty looks
In the family tree of ocean-harming substances, glitter is a close relation to the microbead. Sparkly and small, it’s also getting past our filtration systems and entering the marine food chain.
But if you’re still after a bit of sparkle, fear not. Here are some of the pros and cons of the eco-friendly alternatives.
Synthetic mica
(synthetic fluorphlogopite)
Used by ethical vegetarian beauty brand LUSH as one of the components of its plastic-free glitters, lustres and pigments. Depending on its thickness and the oxides it is coated with, a wide variety of effects, shimmers and colours will be achieved. “Even though it’s synthesised in a lab, it is constructed of natural minerals, so you don’t end up with the problem of microplastics which can end up in the oceans and water supplies,” says LUSH creative buyer Gabbi Loedolff.
Mica
A natural mineral that is broken down to create a sparkly powder, mica is commonly used in cosmetics. To give colour and shimmer, micas undergo chemical processing that can involve being coated with mineral oxides and covered with synthetic colourants.
Bioglitter
Instead of the polyester film conventionally used to make glitter, ninety per cent of Bioglitter is made from a special modified regenerated cellulose. This comes from hardwoods, primarily eucalyptus sourced from responsibly managed plantations. Even better, this plant-derived material is certified biodegradable in marine environments. The remaining 10 per cent of Bioglitter is made up of the sparkle and colour coatings applied to the cellulose.
Meanwhile Body paint specialists BodyFX use Bioglitter both for its environmental tick and because it feels more comfortable on the skin. Bioglitter is available locally through Body FX’s online store goodglitter.com.
“Most commercially available glitters are based on PET film and have minimal biodegradability,” says BodyFX owner Yolanda Bartram. “Bioglitter offers the same precision cut and highly reflective properties as a conventional PET-based glitter and is particularly suited to dry, water-based and oil-based applications.”