Featured photo by Chris Baldwin
I refuse to believe we have to choose between sparkling and loving the planet.
This whole post started when I suggested an unofficial Jam Cruise theme – Sparkletopia.
I threw Sparkletopia into the mix as a Jam Cruise costume-night idea because, well… have you met us? We sparkle. We shimmer. We bedazzle. We turn ourselves into human disco balls and head out to sea.
But then someone raised a really good point:
What happens to all that glitter when the party is over?
I knew vaguely that glitter wasn’t exactly Mother Earth’s favorite accessory. But I’d never really stopped to think about where it goes. So I started digging.
The Not-So-Sparkly Truth
Most traditional glitter is essentially tiny pieces of plastic. That means microplastics—the tiny stuff that can wash down our drains, fall off our bodies and costumes, and eventually make its way into waterways.
When we’re literally partying on the ocean, that’s worth thinking about. But this is NOT a post about canceling sparkle. It’s about sparkling smarter.
Better Body Glitter Exists
Look for products that clearly explain what they’re made from and whether the finished glitter itself is biodegradable or microplastic-free.
Two options worth exploring:
Today Glitter — carries plant-based Bioglitter and cosmetic sparkle alternatives.
BioGlitz — offers plant-pulp-based glitter and cosmetic sparkle products.
Will we probably pay a little more for better glitter?
Yep.
But maybe that’s part of sparkling smarter. We don’t have to stop shining. We can simply be a little more thoughtful about what we’re shining with.
And even with better glitter, remove as much as possible before showering and put it in the trash rather than intentionally washing it down the drain.
Let Your Costume Do the Sparkling
Loose glitter isn’t our only option. Not even close.
Whenever possible, sew embellishments securely onto clothing—sequins, rhinestones, gems, mirrored pieces, metallic trim, beads and other fabulous shiny things.
Choose holographic, metallic, iridescent and reflective fabrics where the sparkle is built right into the garment.
And then there’s one of my favorite alternatives:
LIGHT.
LED necklaces. Light-up shoes. Fiber optics. Glowing wings. Illuminated headpieces. Reflective materials.
We don’t just have to sparkle.
We can GLOW.
And About “Biodegradable”…
This part surprised me.
Biodegradable doesn’t necessarily mean something instantly disappears harmlessly in nature. Research has found that some cellulose-based alternative glitters can remain intact in aquatic environments much longer than we might expect.
So even when we buy a better product, the best rule is still:
Don’t intentionally release it into nature.
Read labels. Look beyond marketing words. Buy from companies that explain what their products are actually made from.
And pick up the sparkle that falls off your costume.
Maybe This Is Sparkletopia’s Little Gift
And here’s the funny part.
Sparkletopia may not end up being our costume theme this year. And I’m totally cool with that. Honestly, Electric Jungle Boogie sounds pretty damn fun too, and my mind is already bouncing around with possibilities for that one.
What I am really happy about is that this conversation was started and sparked what I would like to coin as Sparkle Awareness.
I had heard before that glitter wasn’t great for the environment, but I’d never really stopped to understand why—or what the alternatives were. So I dug a little deeper and now I know more. And hopefully, after reading this, a few more people know too.
Because whatever our costume theme ends up being, let’s be serious: We’re still going to sparkle. So let’s sparkle smarter.
Let’s sew it on. Light it up. Go holographic. Bedazzle responsibly. Spend a few extra bucks when we can for better products. And think twice before washing a pile of glitter down the drain.
We don’t need to give up the joy. We just need to keep learning better ways to create it.
Sparkle on beautiful people.
Spark Joy. Inspire Freedom. Heal Through Dance.
Sparkle People, teach me your ways!✨ Have you found a fabulous way to sparkle smarter? Share it with me!