Your Thoughts on this Post about Glitter

I saw this post on Model Mayhem because someone was asking about where to buy cosmetic grade glitter. Someone answered her post with these comments and wanted to get your thoughts and feelings about her response. This was written by a make-up artist:

Also, did you know there is no such thing as cosmetic grade glitter? I made a call to the FDA to sort this out and they explained that all glitter is considered a composite pigment and is therefore not approved or compliant with FDA regulations regarding cosmetics. No matter what shape or cut is used.

Essentially cosmetic companies and glitter manufacturers came up with the term "cosmetic grade" glitter in much the same way they made up the term "hypoallergenic."

Here is the FDA website re: composite pigments: http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdd … 110032.htm

And you can call them yourself to check: 1-888-463-6332

Really, most of the fine glitter at art stores is "cosmetic grade" glitter. You just have to look for a hex cut to get that "won't blind a person, probably" kind of glitter.

I volunteer at SickKids Hospital as a face painter for the last 14 years. Traditionally, Technicians that run the X-Rays, CAT scans, PET scans, and MRI machines ABHOR sparkles and glitter. It shows up on the tests.

Polyester cosmetic sparkles do not show up on these scans. Craft sparkles DO show up on the scans.

I feel it does matter which kind of glitter I get for face painting. I have been given sparkles as a gift, and it feels gritty.

Happy Sparkling!
Lisa

hmm... and the link given goes to page not found.

That's interesting about the scans...I guess it's the metal reflecting the rays? Are they ingested sparkles?

I actually just took off glues and glitters from the "FDA approved" phrase on my website. I had it all in one sentence. Maybe I should say "made with FDA compliant products because I bet that each type of paint wasn't FDA approved, it just doesn't have nasty stuff in it. I think Snaz may be the only brand that went through the approval process because they wanted the toy rating.

D.

Be sure that you are getting polyester glitter to be sure (so there is no metal) and I'll stick to the ones that at least TRY to be safe for our uses because there are no sharp edges on them that would injure someone. I don't think anyone has tried to claim that they have FDA compliant glitter?

I picked up some beautiful glitter at Sally Beauty Suppy last week, 6 of them for $5. When I was taking off the packaging I noticed a tiny little sticker say not not use on lips or eyes Glad I can throw them in with my tattoo kit, I would have po'd otherwise.

Hmmmmm, well I don't usually have concerns about whether my glitter is safe, just that its on the face paint.

Misha wrote:I picked up some beautiful glitter at Sally Beauty Suppy last week, 6 of them for $5. When I was taking off the packaging I noticed a tiny little sticker say not not use on lips or eyes Glad I can throw them in with my tattoo kit, I would have po'd otherwise.

Most glitter has this. It's known as a CYA (cover your "you know what") clause. It's so the company doesn't get sued if someone dumps the whole thing in their eyes. You can still use that glitter on the face.

What about Mica glitter, it is really very different and reacts much differently. Coastal Scents says safe for use on face and eyes where most other glitters don't - similar to LIT Cosmetics glitter. But I ordered glitter from a professional facepaint shop that said it was safe glitter and it was scrapbooking glitter. I just don't know what is or isn't recommended anymore. I really only use Mica glitter near the eyes and mouth but it makes me wonder!

Polyester glitter... size .004 or .008 is the best. That way there is no metal in it and the size is smaller.

No face paint is FDA approved as the FDA does not approve products... they have two lists... approved and not approved.

Both lists contain ingrediants only.

So, when a company says their makeup uses fda approved ingrediants, it means it has things from list A but none from list B and MAY have other things that are on niether list.

The term "Cosmetic Grade" is interesting, as I don't think it literally legally means anything.

I tend not to say anything about FDA when describing my stuff. I say something like "professional-quality, skin-safe face painting products".

Yuck! I don't think this is a good comment for those people trying to save a buck and use craft glitter with their craft paint!!! Ack!!! No, no, no!

That's like saying an organic apple is the same as a regular apple......ok, spray the apple with RAID and wash it off under the tap and eat it

Here's the link http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditivesinSpecificProducts/InCosmetics/ucm110032.htm

Can someone explain that to me? All I'm seeing is aluminum added to plastic glitter. I'm still not sure what it means or how it relates or seperates between cosmetic glitter and craft glitter?

Denise Cold wrote:
I actually just took off glues and glitters from the "FDA approved" phrase on my website.
D.

None of our products are likely FDA approved, but some of them use FDA compliant ingredients. It's a common misunderstanding that many face painters make. I see it all over FP sites, on signs, etc.

"Cosmetics are not subject to FDA premarket approval or mandatory establishment registration or ingredient reporting. It is the firm's responsibility to assure that its cosmetic products and ingredients are safe and properly labeled, in full compliance with the law. Assignment of a number by FDA to a cosmetic establishment or a cosmetic product does not in any way denote approval of the establishment or its products and does not constitute an admission, or agreement, or determination by FDA that a product is a cosmetic as defined in section 201(i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act."
http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/VoluntaryCosmeticsRegistrationProgramVCRP/default.htm

yes, professional face paints are "FDA Compliant" but not approved... Glitter, even "cosmetic grade" glitter might not even have that kind of thing apply... we want to use polyester glitter because it doesn't contain metals which could injure someone's eyes... but polyester itself isn't going to be considered safe for "food and drug" testing... colours would likely be mixed into the polyester and not come out easily.... one would presume that no one is lacing their glitter with arsenic or anything.... oh well, just my thoughts on it.