Shine Responsibly With These 8 Biodegradable Glitters

It's no secret that glitter is one of the best ways to jazz up any beauty look but unfortunately, it comes with a pretty major downside: Glitter is pretty terrible for the environment [1]. It is made from tiny sheets of plastic that, when thrown in the bin or washed down the drain, can have devastating consequences for nature and animals.

But it's not all bad news because there are brands creating incredible biodegradable glitter. There are now plenty of options to choose from, whether you're looking for dry glitter to mix with eye shadow pigments (or even for nail art), glitter gel to add to your hair festival-style, or chunky glitter to embellish your look — all are perfect for festivals, parties, or even just everyday wear if you're daring enough.

We've taken the guesswork out of trying to figure out which glitter is totally biodegradable, so you can be rest assured that your glitter obsession isn't harming sea creatures. Read on to shop some of our favourite glitter products that are all biodegradable and ocean-friendly.

ST Essentials

If you're looking for wearable everyday, loose eco-friendly glitter, you have to try ST Essentials. The loose glitter — which comes in four shades (with more launching soon!) — can either be applied festival-style by dusting the pigment on the face over the top of a liquid highlighter formula (so that it sticks!). Alternatively, you can dampen a flat makeup brush using prepping spray and packing it on the eyelid for an incredible shimmer. Out of all the hues, we adore the ST Essentials Moroccan Bronze [2] (£7) — it will transport you straight to a sunny holiday, promise!

BOD Mermaid Glitter Gel

BOD Mermaid Glitter Gel [3] (£5) is the perfect solution to those looking for long-lasting, mess-free glitter. The gel comes in a base of aloe vera gel to ensure the glitter stays put all day (and night) long.

Lottie London Loose Biodegradable Glitter

If chunky glitter is your thing, you'll love Lottie London Loose Biodegradable Glitter [4] (£6). The eco glitter comes in two pretty colour choices: Stargazer (blue and gold) and Dreamcatcher (pink, blue, and silver) and claims to be 40% softer than plastic glitter.

Primark Biodegradable Glitter

The latest high street giant to bring out its own version is Primark, with its Primark Biodegradable Glitter [5] (£2). You can grab a bag of the glittery goodness for just £2 at your local store.

Disco Dust London

Disco Dust London has the ultimate kit you'll need for a sparkle-filled day out. The Disco Dust Beetle Kit [6] (£15) comes with three pots: a glue, a chunky glitter, and a fine glitter, packaged together in recyclable pouch that has a clip-on attachment so the glitter never leaves your side. The set is perfect for festivals, holidays, and carnivals.

EcoStardust JellyFish Biodegradable Glitter

Take one look at EcoStardust's (£7) range of shiny glitter hues and you'll want every single pot ASAP. A favourite of ours is the EcoStardust JellyFish Biodegradable Glitter [7] (£7), a stunning mix of pastel pink and silver. The brand also donates 10 percent of profits to environmental charities. Win-win.

Vo5 Silver Stardust Hair Glitter

Glitter specifically for the hair is something we're definitely on board with. Vo5 Silver Stardust Hair Glitter [8] (£6) is a chunky silver glitter that can be added individually to the hair for an intricate look or — in true festival style — thrown all over the hair for a beautifully sparkly mash-up.

Eco Glitter Fun

Eco Glitter Fun [9] — or as it often refers to itself: "guilt-free sparkles" — has almost every type of, has almost every type of glitter you can imagine. Fine and chunky, opaque and transparent, and every size comes in a array of beautiful hues. There are so many colours, it might be tough deciding which to try first. The company also donates 10 percent of the profits go to Plastic Oceans Charity.

POPSUGAR UK