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Something which is puzzling me...what's different about cosmetic grade glitter to normal glitter? I'm wondering as I want to add this to one of my products but don't seem to be able to find an answer elsewhere!

I would imagine anything you apply to skin etc - has to be certified.. or when you use food grade ones for decorating cakes whereas your bog standard sparkly stuff you tick on a card can be any old tosh!

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Yes but the thing that has me confused is that normal glitter can be applied anywhere on the body- well it certainly doesn't come with any warning not to apply it on the body so I'm assuming there must be some sort of chemical difference???

I suppose there must be. I know its much finer, perhaps less abrasive. Normal glitter can be abrasive. Probably less annoying when you get it everywhere too, less visible if its finer I suppose.

Hmmmm, yep I thought of the abrasion thing but they sell ultra fine and microfine glitter both for use in general crafts and for use in cosmetics- the only difference being that the glitter for cosmetic use is certified but I can't find any info on what criteria cosmetic glitter has to meet that normal glitter doesn't if you get my meaning...

I'll email a supplier and find out for you if you like.

Oooooooooo, that'd be great Karen! I'll be in bed today- I worked last night as you know and have now been up for 27 hours. Had a really long and stressful day yesterday with grievance hearings (my own against my boss and someone elses grievance also about my boss) so my brain is absolutely zapped lol! Things went really really well though so I'm just hoping the outcome goes the same way!

Oh and don't forget to let me know when the craft fair is as I might need to book time off work to go so the sooner I know, the better!

Forgot to say - its from this Sunday to Tuesday - so I think its too short notice. Will keep my fingers crossed for the outcome of the work prob.

I think I've found the answer to the glitter question now, still not 100% certain though but it seems that cosmetic glitters are made from polyester as opposed to other materials which glitter is apparently made of and hence why it has to tested and certified for cosmetic use!

Cosmetics grade glitter needs to be made with colours that are listed in the EU cosmetics directive and be identified by their CI number. Some glitters contain weird pigments that aren't cosmetic approved, or fall into the wrong category of the legislation eg Category 3 or 4.

Also, some glitter is made of PVC which is banned in a number of EU countries (such as Germany). I would only recommend using glitter made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). It's to do with recycling, which is strange as you can't recycle anything that's been washed down the sink.

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Nickie