Pro Glitter Tips and Techniques with Jacqueline Howe Product Demo

Glitter has a way of turning a good face painting design into an unforgettable one — but knowing which glitter to reach for, and how to apply it cleanly, is what separates the pros from the rest. In this product demo, glitter specialist Jacqueline Howe walked our community through everything from loose glitter versus glitter cream to building sparkle right into a design. Whether you're bedazzling a birthday girl or painting a glitter beard for a festival, there's something here to level up your kit.

About Jacqueline Howe

Affectionately known in our community as the "Goddess of Glitter," Jacqueline Howe has spent fifteen years mastering all things sparkle. She's the creative force behind the VIVID Glitter line, personally testing bases and mixing shades to design the glitters and palettes many face painters now consider kit essentials. When everything shut down during COVID, Jacqueline channeled her energy into creating her very first glitter-and-paint palette — and she hasn't stopped innovating since. Her warm, practical, real-world approach makes even tricky techniques feel achievable.

Products Featured in This Demo

• VIVID Glitter Glitz Glitter Glue — a gentle, water-based, alcohol-free glue that's safe near the eye area
• VIVID Glitter Gleam (Glitter Cream) in "Heaven" — a 100% vegan, coconut-oil-based cream for one-step application
• Glitter Silicone Tip Applicators — for clean, professional loose-glitter placement
• VIVID Glitter Paint & Sparkle Palette — the original glitter-and-paint combo palette
• VIVID Glitter Bold & Brilliant Palette — bold, predominant-color glitters
• VIVID Glitter Bling It On Body Glue — a waterproof glue for bling and glitter tattoos
• Kraze FX "Harmony" One-Stroke — a rainbow one-stroke designed by Jacqueline
• Marcella Bustamante Flora Brush #6— her go-to flat brush for flower petals

Loose Glitter vs. Glitter Cream: When to Use Each

One of the most common questions in face painting is when to reach for loose glitter versus glitter cream — and Jacqueline's answer comes down to the job. For special moments where she really wants to bedazzle someone (think a birthday girl at a smaller party), she loves loose glitter for the extra reflection you get from the way the flakes catch the light. The trade-off? Loose glitter means fallout and a two-step application: glue first, then glitter.

Glitter cream, on the other hand, is a one-step wonder. Because Gleam is a coconut-oil-and-wax base, you simply swipe it on and you're done — perfect for when you've got a line of faces and need to keep moving. The finish is subtly less reflective than loose glitter, but to the naked eye the difference is barely noticeable.

Clean Application and Easy Removal

For a polished, professional look, Jacqueline always uses a silicone-tip applicator instead of her fingers. The trick with loose glitter is to lightly moisten the tip in clean water first — that's how the applicator picks up the glitter and lays it down smoothly. The Glitz Glitter Glue is water-soluble, so you can rinse your applicator right in your clean water cup to keep it from getting cloudy.

Removal is just as simple. A damp baby wipe lifts both the glue and the cream. If a few stubborn specks remain, a little lotion or makeup remover on a business card edge whisks them away — the cream comes off especially easily.

Placement Tips That Look Professional

Where you place glitter matters just as much as how you apply it. Jacqueline's favorite spots are the "glitter tears" area beneath the eye and the upper cheeks. For a softer, spread-out effect, glitter freckles are a cute option. Her advice is to be intentional rather than scattering sparkle everywhere — thoughtful placement reads as polished, not messy.

Building Glitter Right Into Your Designs

The real magic happens when you stop treating glitter as an afterthought and start designing with it. Jacqueline demonstrated how her fine glitter cream lets you paint precise shapes, then layer paint directly on top. She built a glittery star into a little character face, traced a butterfly's spots around dabs of red and blue glitter, and even painted a unicorn horn entirely out of gold glitter before outlining it.

Her eye designs showed off the same principle. Using a rainbow from the Paint & Sparkle Palette and a Flora Brush, she stamped flower petals and traced delicate butterfly wings, then finished with chunky glitter placed where the teardrops point. Her big takeaway: these glitters are buildable, so you can trace, layer, and accent to make any design pop.

Glitter Bars and Body Sparkle

Planning a glitter bar at your next event? Jacqueline recommends mixing two parts loose glitter to one part 100% aloe vera gel in small, stackable jars — making just enough for the gig so nothing dries out. For glitter beards and hairlines, hair gel works beautifully as a base for loose glitter. And for body sparkle, a light spritz over an arm design makes everything shimmer. (A quick safety note: always ask about aloe allergies before using aloe-based mixes.)

Craft Glitter vs. Cosmetic Glitter: A Safety Reminder

With so many trendy glitters showing up online, Jacqueline stressed the importance of using cosmetic glitter only. Craft glitters can contain sharp edges, aluminum, or glass that are genuinely dangerous near the eyes — there have even been cases requiring eye surgery. It's worth reminding clients never to sleep in glitter, especially loose glitter near the eyes, and to always clean their faces before bed.

Storage and Longevity

Unlike aloe-based gels that dry out in a couple of months, Jacqueline's glitter creams stay soft and pliable for years thanks to their wax base. If a chunky cream ever feels stiff in cooler weather, a tiny bit of coconut oil worked in will soften it right back up. Just keep your products out of hot cars — like any wax, they'll get soft in high heat.

Keep Learning With Us

This demo is part of our ongoing series of face painting classes and product demos designed to help our community grow. From glitter to brushwork, there's always a new technique to add to your kit. Grab your favorite face paint, experiment on your next gig, and don't be afraid to get a little creative — that's exactly how the pros build their signature style.