'Glacials' have landed: Glitter facials debut at London Fashion Week

Legendary make-up artist and industry veteran, Val Garland, is a permanent fixture backstage at London Fashion Week. From Lady Gaga album covers to Alexander McQueen shows, she’s worked her magic on some of the biggest artists – and at the biggest events – during her career.

Val’s also known for rebelling against the ordinary and trying something different. And she’s done just that this season at London Fashion Week.

Working with Mac Cosmetics backstage at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Val debuted what shall henceforth by known as the ‘glacial’: a glitter facial.

Inspired by the Haenyeo, the community of female divers in the Korean province of Jeju, the hair and beauty on the Preen catwalk was very much inspired by the sea.

Describing the look as strong, powerful and rebellious, Val said: “We wanted to create the look of just coming out of the water, but they were strong women so we didn’t want it to look like mermaids. The skin will be very moist, gorgeous and glossy – I’m calling the skin glacial, like a glitter facial.”

How to achieve a ‘glacial’ at home

A glacial sounds gorgeous, but just how wearable is a face full of glitter? “If you have confidence, you can wear anything,” says Val.

Simply smatter a little of Mac Cosmetics’ glitter onto your forehead and high up into the hairline.

GHD Fashion Week Ambassador, Eugene Souleiman, also used the glitter in the models’ hair.

“The inspiration for the hair is sea anemones. We want the girls to look like they’re in water, with their hair looking otherworldly – like it is floating with zero gravity. We’re putting glitter in their hair so it’s glistening.”

With declining numbers of Haenyeo, due to industralisation, Val also commented on the link between the environment and the beauty industry.

“It is continually evolving – if not, it would be very boring! I think we’re a lot more aware of what we’re putting on our skin. And we want to know whether products are sustainable or good for the environment, we’re becoming a lot more aware, which is a good thing.”

An eco-friendly alternative to glitter

Just like microbeads, many scientists are calling for glitter to be banned as it has a similar effect on the environment. Although cosmetic glitter is much more finely cut compared to craft glitter, the majority of cosmetic glitter is still made of microplastics – a known environmental hazard for the world’s oceans.

Fortunately, the rise in awareness has resulted in the creation of environmentally-friendly alternatives. Try EcoStardust – who describe themselves as biodegradable cosmetic glitter for eco-conscious sparkly people.

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