Glitters & Mica 

We stock two different types of glitters along with mica powders and pigment powders.  Please see the following for further details: -

 

Cosmetic Grade Glitters

Our cosmetic grade glitters are of the highest quality and are classed as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material which means they have a thin film of plastic coating to them.  They do break down after a number of years if in the right environment but we do not sell this range as our biodegradable range (whereas other sellers do).  

 

PET material cosmetic grade glitters are still better for the environment than solid plastic craft glitters as craft glitters do not break down and become microplastics or microbeads  and can contain metal adding to their non breaking down structure. 

 

All our cosmetic grade glitters are heat and solvent tested to ensure they are suitable to reach high temperatures and are non-toxic.  Our glitters do not contain metal so will not rust in your product either. 

 

Cosmetic grade glitters are suitable for many uses, including body tattoos, make up for the face, lips or hair, wax melts, nail art, soap, decorating the outside of candles, resin and much more.

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Biodegradable Glitters

Biodegradable glitter is generally made using cellulose from plants, hence it is PET free and we are excited to announce that we have teamed up with a leading UK manufacturer called Bio-glitter®.  

 

Bio-glitter offer a range of high quality biodegradable glitters.  Bioglitter® have a few ranges to choose from and here is a little information:-

 

 

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WHAT IS BIOGLITTER® PURE?

Cosmetic Bioglitter® PURE is the world’s first glitter which is 100% plastic free, certified biodegradable in our countryside and verified Microplastic Free. Based on natural materials, Bioglitter® PURE decomposes like a leaf in the natural environment to leave no trace.

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OK Biodegradable WATER Certification guarantees biodegradation in a natural, freshwater environment. Cosmetic Bioglitter® PURE not only sets a new environmental standard for the glitter industry; with being soft to the touch it’s more comfortable on the skin and being aluminium free it offers a completely new look, that we like to call a “Soft Focus Iridescent” effect.

 

Recently winning the ‘Green and Sustainability’ category in PCHI Fountain Awards China 2019 and Gold for innovation at in-cosmetics global 2018, the world’s most prestigious cosmetic raw material exhibition Cosmetic Bioglitter® PURE is a true revolution for the glitter industry, the first ‘Guilt Free Glitter’.

 

Although designed for use in cosmetics, it’s robust enough to use in household, coating, printing and decorative applications. We are proud to say we have created the most eco-friendly glitter in the world.

 

Certified OK Biodegradable WATER by TÜV, Austria

Guaranteed biodegradation in a natural, freshwater environment

Microplastic Free (compliant with ECHA Microplastic Proposal, Jan 2019)

Compliant with all current and future microplastic legislation

Compliant with global cosmetic and rinse off legislation

Including the use on lips in the USA

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS BIOGLITTER® SPARKLE?

The original game changer, Bioglitter® SPARKLE, is the first product we developed and is the brightest glitter in the Bioglitter® family.

 

Indistinguishable from traditional plastic glitter, Bioglitter® SPARKLE, like Cosmetic Bioglitter® PURE, is based on plant material rather than plastic and it will naturally degrade in the environment.

 

Containing only a small amount of plastic and with its PROVEN high biodegradation performance in freshwater, only 3% off meeting the performance criteria for OK Biodegradable WATER certification, apart from Cosmetic Bioglitter® PURE, it is still the most eco-friendly glitter on the market.

 

Bioglitter® SPARKLE is also multi award-winning; winner of the ‘Green and Sustainability’ category in PCHI Fountain Awards China 2019 and Gold for innovation at in-cosmetics global 2017, the year prior to Cosmetic Bioglitter® PURE. No other company has won gold in successive years at in-cosmetics global.

 

Bioglitter® SPARKLE is available in three different grades; Cosmetic - for cosmetics and personal care, Deco - for the coatings and fashion industry and Craft - for children and education.

 

We are now investing in further development to remove the final trace of plastic from Bioglitter® SPARKLE, utilising the new and proven natural coating used in Cosmetic Bioglitter® PURE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cosmetic Bioglitter™ PURE VIVID

Bio-glitter are the creators of the world’s first plastic free, TUV certified biodegradable glitter. Cosmetic Bioglitter™ PURE Vivid colour range is a new product branch of the PURE to create a bold look. Bioglitter™ PURE Vivid is available in five different sizes, and comes in a strong Fuchsia colour, the first colour in this new Vivid range. Bioglitter™ products are made from a special form of cellulose, unique to the brand and have passed independent tests including TÜV, Austria’s ‘OK Biodegradable WATER Certification, which guarantees biodegradation in natural, freshwater environments.

 

Cosmetic Bioglitter™ PURE OPAL – Worlds first microplastic free iridescent effect glitter

 Bioglitter™ Pure OPAL comes in a choice of three colours, rose, mint or aqua and is available in five different sizes. Bioglitter™ products are made from a special form of cellulose, unique to the brand and have passed independent tests including TÜV, Austria’s ‘OK Biodegradable WATER’ Certification, which guarantees biodegradation in natural, freshwater environments.

 

 

 

 

 

We are proud to learn that Bioglitter™ has been recognised by the iconic publication National Geographic, as one of their four favourite innovation in January 2020’s magazine publication.

 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2020/01/see-our-four-favorite-innovations-this-month/

 

We are very proud to be a stockist of the official Bioglitter® range and with the likes of the National Geographic naming Bioglitter as one of their 4 favourite innovations, we fully trust that the company will be growing from strength to strength meaning we will be able to offer you the best biodegradable glitter on the market.

 

Storing Biodegradable Glitter

It requires various components to break down and will usually be fine kept in a dry jar, although it is best is a cool, dark storage.

 

Information On Using Biodegradable Glitter

It is fairly colour stable although can fade and bleed in high PH products, it is sometimes not colour stable in acrylics and nail polish, which will require the cosmetic grade glitter.

 

Please see this link for more in depth information https://www.bioglitter.com

 

 

MICA POWDERS

Our mica powders are either synthetic or ethnically sourced direct from the manufacturer with signed documentation certifying the are ethnically sourced.

 

Mica powder can be used to colour products or to give them a pearl or sparkly effect.  Mica or pigment powders are ideal for wax, resin, nail, skin applications, bath products and many more crafts.

 

 

NATURAL MICA:

Mica powder is made of naturally occurring minerals/ natural stone mineral with shiny flakes. When mica is ground into a powder, you get mica powder.  Mica represents 37 phyllosilicate minerals that have a layered or platy texture. Mica powders are either used for a sparkly effect or to give a metallic/ shimmery pearl effect and come in many colours. The commercially important micas are muscovite and phlogopite, which are used in a variety of applications.

 

SYNTHETIC MICA:

Synthetic mica is a manmade version of natural mica and is a more ethical approach due to the mining of natural mica if not purchased from a reliable manufacturer.  Synthetic mica also alleviates the toxic minerals that can be found in some naturally occurring minerals.

Synthetic mica is the name generally used for a range of glistening pigments - blended together creating Sparkly or metallic pearlescent colour in other products.

 

Synthetic mica tends to have brighter more vivid colours than natural mica. Synthetic mica does not contain any sharp edges that may microscopically cause damage.

 

Synthetic mica is also sometimes called synthetic “fluorphlogopite”. This relates to a synthetic mica which is generally white or grey in appearance. Covered evenly with titanium dioxide, (naturally occurring white pigment), this blending gives the appearance of a pearl like sparkle and shine, enhancing colours when used in combination with other synthetic mica pigments.

 

By sourcing certified synthetic and natural mica, we can ensure they are free from plastic. This means they are biodegradable, safe pigments with no concerns regarding landfill, or waterways concerns.

 

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Colour Pigment Powders

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Colour Pigment Powders

Colour pigment powder is ground up colour, similar to chalk. Pigments are the actual colours themselves. They do not sparkle. Pigment powders are excellent at colouring things (this is their job, after all). In recent years the word pigment occasionally referred to mica and synthetic mica particles. Therefore, it can be said that mica is a type of pigment, but pigments are not mica. But in reality, these materials are two different things and are very dissimilar materials.) Pigment powders can be used for colouring wax, resin, paint, ink, plastic, fabric, cosmetics, food, and other materials. Some pigments are glow in the dark, neon or can be very bright in colour.

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*Please note, this information is provided to the best of our knowledge and for informational purposes only. Individuals must determine the suitability of these products for their own specific purposes and information may be changed/updated as new situations come to light. We encourage individuals to seek independent advice.