Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Make Biodegradable Glitter Hair Gel for Braids and Waves
Article originally published: 2/20/25
Article updated: 3/21/25 with a new glitter hearts hairstyle idea
In the world of glitter makeup and hair gel, we have to start paying attention to what is better for the environment. When I saw some tutorials for DIY glitter hair gel, everyone was making it with regular glitter. Regular glitter can be fine on crafts, but when it comes to washing glitter down the drain from makeup and hair products, biodegradable glitter is the way to go. Here’s how to make biodegradable glitter hair gel for braids and waves. I’ll also tell you how to remove the glitter!
Easy Glitter Braid Hairstyle
What Is Glitter Made Of?
Regular glitter tends to be made of an aluminum-coated plastic. Some professors even determine it to be a microplastic. When you wash plastic down the drain or even spread it out into the environment, traditional glitter doesn’t break down. Some may think, well, a little glitter won’t do much damage, but if you think about HOW MANY people and kids use glitter, it adds up.
My biodegradable glitter hair gel ingredients
What Should Glitter Be Made Of?
In my research, biodegradable glitter, or plant-based glitter should be the norm. Not all biodegradable glitters break down quickly, but some can break down in a matter of 4 weeks, which is great! Biodegradable glitter usually is made out of cellulose, which a plant-based fiber and is what paper, cellophane and rayon is made with. There are many brands of eco-friendly glitter starting to hit the market, and this makes me happy!
The front view of the glitter braid hairstyle
Biodegradable Glitters to Check Out:
Hemway Eco Friendly Glitter, Amazon, $16
Karizma Beauty Eco Glitter, Amazon, $7
On Point Biodegradable Glitter, Amazon, $14
Cosmic Shimmer Biodegradable Glitter, Walmart, $9
How Long Will This Biodegradable Glitter Hair Gel Last?
Because this glitter hair gel tutorial is made with biodegradable glitter, I suggest only making what you need for a week or a day or so. As it sits in a jar in your home in the gel base, it can start to break down over time (time varies according to room temperatures, environment, ect.), so it probably won’t be as pretty as it was when you first made it several months later.
Side view of the glitter braids
How You Can Reduce Pollution
Now that you know more about glitter, try to choose products that use biodegradable glitter. If you don’t know if it’s biodegradable or not, ask the company or look it up on their website. If no one can give you an answer, just don’t buy it. I know the brand Lush uses some glitters in their bath products, and YES, it’s biodegradable. Read more about their stance on glitter on their website in this helpful article.
Making the glitter hair gel
DIY Biodegradable Glitter Hair Gel
Now for the how-to! This is super easy and quick. Here’s what you need:
Biodegradable glitter (I choose Karizma Chunky Biodegradable Glitter from Amazon in Rhythm Gold and Harmony Pink…it’s currently $7 and a little goes a LONG way)
Hair Gel (I choose the cruelty free brand Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Sculpting Gel and got it at Walmart)
Optional: Small sealing jar or small bowl for mixing, hair dye brush or cosmetic brush, hairspray
Get my 1-minute video tutorial for this glitter hair gel above or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden.
Mixing the hair gel and glitter
For a one to two-time use, in a mixing bowl or small container, add a couple tablespoons hair gel.
I made a rose gold and a gold hair gel
Pour in some glitter and stir until combined. I started with a little bit of glitter (amounts you use depend on how glittery you want it and it depends on the size container you are using) and added more, stirring to see if it was enough.
Biodegradable glitter hair gel
I ended up with a nice consistency of about half hair gel, half glitter and it worked for my hair. Using a lighter color shows best on darker hair, where a darker glitter works better on lighter hair.
Glitter gel can cover up roots when you can’t get to the salon
If you apply too much glitter gel to your hair, it could weigh it down or take a while to dry. Apply a little at a time and use a hair dryer to dry it IF you accidentally apply too much at once or need it to dry fast. You can also use your finger to apply it. Use hairspray to seal the glitter in your hair. Glitter hair gel can conceal growing out hair roots if you can’t get to a salon!
You can apply the glitter gel with your fingers
How to Remove the Glitter Gel
To remove at the end of the day, I brush my hair over a table or a sink and brush out the glitter. Then I use a damp paper towel to scoop up the glitter that falls and throw it away. Any that rinses down the sink should be fine IF you used biodegradable glitter. If not, don’t let any flow down the sink as it’s a PLASTIC.
You can use a hair dye brush to apply the glitter
Glitter Part Hairstyle
For one hair style, I parted my hair in the center and pulled it back into a half up hairstyle. I used a hair dye brush to apply some pink glitter hair gel along my center part and a bit down my strands of hair. I used hairspray to seal it in my hair.
See my similar half-up hair tutorial (minus the glitter) in my 1-minute video above or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Using a smaller makeup brush to apply glitter to my braids
Glitter Braids
I braided my hair (see the tutorial here on YouTube for the braids) on the front of my head and pulled my hair into a low ponytail. I used a small cosmetic brush to apply some glitter gel, then sealed it with hairspray. Get my 1-minute video tutorial for glitter braids below or via my YouTube channel.
Glitter Waves with Heart Barrettes
Applying the glitter to the hair inside my barrette
For this other glitter hairstyle, I put my Viori dry shampoo (use my code CAROLYNBRADEN or this link for 10% off at Viori.com) att my roots and used a Wet Brush Ceramic Brush (it does help me dry my hair a little faster and does great to detangle…see it here on Amazon) to brush out the shampoo and my tangles.
Using the wet brush for pre-styling and post styling
Get the 1-minute video tutorial for this hairstyle in my video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden.
I placed two open heart barrettes into my hair (get similar barrettes on Amazon or Temu) and then used a small makeup brush to apply some glitter inside the barrettes. I sprayed them with hairspray to lock the glitter in my hair and wore it all day.
No, the heart outline does not stick around if you take the barrettes out, even if the glitter is dry. I tried and the style looks best when the barrettes are in your hair.
The finished glitter heart hairstyle
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.