How To: Make your own hair glitter tutorial
How to make hair glitter
In my last post, “2015 Hair Trends Forecast” I shared the new hair glitter trend and talked about how glitter is the new chalk, because like hair chalk, glitter is super easy to do yourself at home. Hair glitter only requires 4 things, 3 steps and 2 min. Like hair chalk, glitter comes out when shampooed, so perfect for a weekend or party. But even better than hair chalk, hair glitter is not messy!! Yes you heard me right. It won’t rub off on your clothes and won’t leave stains on your pillow. The trick is to know how to do it the correct way. So first let me tell you what NOT to do…
What NOT to do:
I have seen this youtube tutorial video where they teach you to created this glitter hair look by plastering your hair with wax and then attempted to pour the glitter all over your head. Don’t try this. You will make a massive mess and waste half the glitter on your clothes, face and floor. Also wax is not strong/sticky enough to hold the glitter. Don’t use wax. Thats why they also suggest using glitter hair spray and regular hair spray to hold the glitter. Again quite messy and also very unnecessary. You do not need any hair spray to hold the glitter if you do it the correct way. It’s also suggested that if you have dark hair you need to put a white glitter on first. This is not true, hair glitter when done correctly will show up on any hair colour. In fact on dark hair it can look very effective, like the night sky filled with twinkling stars!
Now let me show you how to do this the easy, no-mess way that stays put so well you can even sleep with it in and not have glitter all over your pillow!!
What you will need:
- 1. Empty Pots (with lids). Here I re-used old Manic Panic hair dye pots.
- 2. Regular Craft Glitter. I bought these tubes of glitter in a multi-pack from the local $2 shop.
- 3. Classic Hair Gel. Not the kind that goes flakey. It needs to dry hard. Here I used Fudge Urban Coconut Rush Power Gel. Cost about $4.
- 4. Tint Brushes. A tint brush is ideal, but any wide paint brush will also work. You will need one brush per colour if you don’t want to keep rinsing your brush.
Step 1: Pour the glitter into the pots.
Use a different pot for each colour. One tube was about 4-5g of glitter each.
Step 2: Add Hair Gel
I added about 15-20g of Fudge Urban Coconut Rush Power Gel to each pot of glitter.
Step 3: Mix.
Use your your tint brushes to mix the gel and glitter together. Use one brush per colour as we will use the brush to apply the hair glitter later.
How to apply hair glitter:
There are lots of ways to wear hair glitter, but I generally find it easier to style the hair UP first. This is because the gel will dry rock hard, and while you can apply it to lose long hair, and it looks amazing in editorial fashion shoots, it’s not practical for real life. Just imagine hardened long locks that don’t move.
Rather I suggest you style the hair first. Any kind of style where the hair won’t be moving around will work great. You can paint glitter onto braids, pony tails, buns, victory rolls, quiffs, finger waves… any kind of up style. Also hair glitter works great on short hair. Think sparkly tips, or sleek bling bobs. If you want to wear your long hair down, only apply glitter to the parting or pin up the side or top and apply to just this area.
Here I will will be showing you how to apply hair glitter to a faux side shave panel, still keeping the rest of the hair down…
What you will need:
- 1. Teasing brush. Also called an ‘up styling’ brush
- 2. Hair spray. Here I am using NAK Fixation Finishing spray.
- 3. Bobbie pins.
Start with your hair clean and dried.
Time for the magic!
To apply the hair glitter you simply paint it on, just like applying colour. Try not to get it on your face or ears, but if you do, it’s easily wiped off. Here I’m doing streaks of each colour, but if you want something easier, you could paint the hair one colour. Or if you are very patient you can create something even more elaborate. I like lot’s of sparkle so was generous with the amount I applied.
There are no ‘steps’ as such to painting the glitter on, but here are photos of me applied each colour so you get the idea…
WARNING: Do NOT touch when wet!!
Wait until the gel has hardened and dried before you poke it, or you will have glitter fingers. May take 30 – 40 min to dry out depending on how thick the hair glitter was applied. Once dried nether hair nor glitter will be going anywhere. Here are a few shots taking in direct sunlight to show you the finish sparkly look in all it’s glory…
Is it difficult to wash out?
Nope! Very easy. Because it’s hair gel it simply devolves in water. One shampoo and it’s all gone down the plug hole.
And here is another great way to use hair glitter…
Have roots and no time to colour before the party? Just add glitter!
Show me your glitter!
I want to see your glitter looks! Post me links to your photos in the comments and show off your sparkles. Follow me on Instagram for more hair glitter inspiration: http://instagram.com/anya_goy/
Hashtag #anyahairglitter on your hair glitter photo and I’ll follow you!
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Want to dye your hair bright colours?
Discover Anya’s eBook guide: ‘Any Colour Of The Rainbow – The Ultimate Guide to Alternative Hair Colour‘. This guide covers everything from safe bleaching with ammonia free bleach to creating stunning multi colours with foil. Find out all the best products, how to do pastel colours, how to maintain vibrant colour, create ombre colour like to professionals and so much more…
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[…] found a step by step tutorial on how to make your own hair glitter. Check it out here.I know that this may be a little bit too much for some of you, but sometimes trends take a little […]
This is incredibly bad for the environment. Next time consider using biodegradable glitter. Plastic never goes away and kills wild life [yes even small pieces of plastic].
This was a fantastic post to read, thank you for showing how to make the hair glitter, awesome.
http://unicorntrax.com
This is really cool.And I am going to try it. So I just tried it and I love it. And it looks very pretty to. By,Stella AnnThorpe
Hi Anya, Love Guernsey!! My aunt lived there for years and visiting was a delight! So!! What if you just want some sparkles highlighting all through your hair? Can you mix them in with mousse as you go? Or … is there mousse with sparkles already in the mousse? I want little bits of sparkle in my very short, greying hair for those fun occasions when I’m also using glitter skin lotion. Thanks!
Love the glitter hair!
But can I ask where that necklace is from? It’s gorgeous!
Can you share how to make hair color clay recipe?
Sorry to hijack this away from hair but THAT NECKLACE!!!! ?
Mmm like this…I am a guy, though, so I’m nervous to try it…
Can I use glitter glue and if not can I use any other kind of glitter
Please do not put glue in your hair.
[…] For those of you who are interested in trying it out, here is a great article that will walk you through the steps! Hair Glitter […]
Great tutorial ^_^
Can you close up those jars that have the glitter and gel and save them for later or will they be ruined, and if so, why? I guess I am wondering if you could make a bunch at one time and just keep it at the ready.
Yes you can close the jars and save them for later. I always make a load at one time and keep them at the ready!
how well does this do with storage? like could i make a decent amount of it and save it for several uses?
Hey! could you recommend a similar gel that could be used instead of the one that you mentioned? i have looked everywhere and i could only find that brand online for a higher price than i really want to pay. Love the tutorial and can’t wait to wear glitter to the next concert i go to!
Try these…
Fructis – Survivor Ultimate Gel
VO5 – Wet Look Styling Gel
OMG thats so cool how long does the glitter last if you don’t wash it off! i want to wear it to a camp!!!!! (not a great idea but why not)
Also love your hair i want to dye my hair like that!!!1
Hi Kandy! The glitter will stay till you wash your hair. But personally I find when my hair hasn’t been washed for a few days and my hair is oily, my scalp gets itchy. And with the glitter you can’t scratch an itchy scalp through the hard gel. If you try the gel cracks and flakes. Much better to shampoo and re-apply the glitter so your hair stays clean and not itchy! 🙂
how do u wash it out?
Just with regular shampoo.
Thank you for the supercool tutorial. I am def trying this as soon as possible. Btw, your hair color is ridiculously amazing!!
Thank you Amber! I’d love to see photos of your hair glitter if you do it 🙂
OMG I had glitter gel when I was a tween way back in 2000… it was iridescent pink – not as full of glitter as the current trend but it did have a cute shimmer and I did get conpliments! My only concern now is if washing glitter down the plug is a crime against the environment…
I’m planning on washing my hair in a bowl of water so I can strain the glitter and dispose of it in the bin with other old craft supplies so it doesn’t get washed down the drain. The biggest struggle is finding vegan hair gel :'(
Great photos for a step by step tutorial! I wasn’t sure I liked the glitter look at first, but it’s growing on me.
I might give it a try.
Ps. You might want to hide nails using the same technique!
Hi Anya! I love this tutorial. I was so envious at christmas when I first saw you with glitter hair but now i’m so excited to try it myself. I might have to wait until the next school holidays though 😛
You’ll have to post link to your hair glitter photos Katie! I’d love to see! I suspect it will involve some pink? 😉