Festival season is in full swing! Whether you’re dusting off your poncho for Glastonbury or planning your fiercest look for Brighton Pride, one thing’s for sure, this summer is all about bold beauty, full-beam celebration and unapologetic sparkle.
We are absolutely here for playful party face jewels, neon streaks and head-to-toe colour. However, there is one small (and sparkly) question we need to ask. What exactly is in that glitter pot?
I’ve only ever been to one festival in my life, Elderflower Fields, so I’m hardly a seasoned raver. Somewhere between the flower crowns, patchwork harem trousers and falafel, I felt a teeny twinge of guilt. Under all that joy, colour and noise, there’s a sneaky truth we don’t always talk about. Our festival favourites like glitter and face paint are often a bit toxic to us, and to the planet. Goodbye daisy chains, hello microplastics.
Glitter Is Glam. But Is It Green?
Sparkle is practically mandatory during Pride Month. Glitter has become an unofficial symbol of queer joy, but traditional glitter is basically microplastic in party clothing. It doesn’t break down, sneaks into water systems, and has even been found in rainwater (sadly I am not joking).
It sparkles, sure, but so does radioactive waste. We’re not smearing that across our cheekbones.
Even I was late to the party on this one. I’m all about natural beauty (you’ve seen my skincare stash), but it never occurred to me that the shimmer on my face and the kids face paints were just plastic confetti heading straight for the sea. Once you realise it’s a completely unnecessary microplastic, it’s difficult to keep justifying the twinkle.
You might know the old phrase. You can’t polish a turd, but you can roll one in glitter. One stroll past the festival toilets and you’ll understand that on a soul level. Rolled in sparkle or not, it’s still waste and in this case, it’s waste we really don’t need.
The good news is that if you still want to sparkle like a disco ball, eco-friendly glitter exists and it’s made right here in the UK.
Heres A Few Of My Favourite UK Biodegradable Glitter Brands
Festival Glitter – Offers the UK’s largest range of biodegradable glitter, including chunky and holographic options. Made from eucalyptus-derived cellulose and designed to biodegrade safely in nature.
Sparkle Town – Vegan, cruelty-free and packed with personality. Their glitter is bold, biodegradable and planet-approved.
Barry M Biodegradable Body Glitter – A high street favourite doing something good. Affordable, accessible and completely plastic-free.
Jolie Beauty Biodegradable Festival Glitter – Six dreamy, chunky shades for festival faces that don’t cost the Earth.
These brands are designed to break down in natural environments, no industrial composters required, no greenwashing. Look for plastic-free, plant-based ingredients and always check that it says "biodegradable in freshwater environments", not just "compostable".
If you’ve found a glitter brand you love, tell me over on Instagram @oliveandjoyce. I’m always on the lookout for something new to try.
Is Face Paint Just as Bad?
Sadly in many cases, yes. Most mainstream face paints are full of ingredients we’d never accept in skincare. Lead, formaldehyde, parabens and even mercury have been found in the most colourful little pots, according to the Safe Cosmetics – What’s Really in Face Paint? guide.
If you're painting faces this summer for Glasto, Pride, parties or just a chaotic afternoon of field frolicking, please read the label first. Better still, pair your eco glitter with a natural, non-toxic face paint alternative.
Several UK sellers now stock mineral-based face paints that work beautifully with biodegradable glitter. No need to resort to food colouring and cornflour, especially when you are mid-mud.
Microplastics: The Party Guest That Never Leaves
Microplastics don’t make a scene. They just quietly invade everything, your tap water, your sushi, your Friday night fish and chips, even the rain.
Large plastic waste can be collected and removed. Microplastics are invisible, and once they’re in the system they are nearly impossible to clean up.
Glitter is already microplastic at the point of sale. It might feel harmless, but once you factor in the thousands of Glastonbury-goers and Pride attendees wearing it each summer, the environmental impact is anything but tiny, they are like a deflated balloon at a party (don’t start me on balloons).
How to Remove Glitter and Face Paint Without Wrecking Your Skin
If you have ever woken up with glitter in your hairline and a dry, tight face from leftover paint and the face wipe you used the night before, then this is for you. The best way to remove everything (including everyday makeup) is with oil. Not chip-pan oil but a beautiful rich indulgent face oil.
My go-to is our Olive & Joyce Oil Cleanser. It dissolves paint, un-sticks glitter and feeds the skin underneath. It’s everything you’d want in a cleanser if you believe, like we do, in the power of organic, skin-friendly beauty that’s as kind to the planet as it is to your face.
However, if you are in a pinch, avocado or olive oil will do a better job than any face wipe. Your skin deserves the good stuff and so do you.
Final Thoughts: Festival Glam and Pride Sparkle Minus the Plastic
Festivals, Pride marches and glitter-covered strangers in muddy fields are some of the best bits of summer. You can still wear your sparkles, your face paint and that slightly-too-sheer kaftan.
It’s 2025 and we know better, a plastic glitter bomb isn’t harmless fun anymore.
Choose natural, biodegradable products. Avoid the toxins and give your skin a little love when the rainbow makeup comes off.
Nothing shines brighter than skin and a conscience that’s properly cared for.