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Fabric glitter spray: temporary or permanent?

Published 21 October 2026

Glitter on fabric can come from one of two things: a temporary shimmer for a night out, or a fabric paint fixed into the fabric for good. Here is how to tell which is which.

If you want sparkle for one night, an event or a costume, you want a temporary glitter spray: Glitzify, for example, is a temporary silver shimmer made for hair, body and clothes. If you want to change a jacket or a bag for good, you want a permanent fabric paint, which is fixed into the fabric once it is dry, most often with heat.

A temporary glitter spray, like Glitzify

What it is for: hair, body and clothes. It is suitable for all types of fabrics.
Before it goes on: try a hidden spot first, such as the inside of a hem, especially if you need the garment back exactly as it was.
How it goes on: shake it well, hold it 20‑30 cm (8‑12 in) away, and spray lightly, or layer it for more intense sparkle. The steps are in how to use glitter spray on clothes and fabric.
Drying and fixing: allow about a minute to dry, and you're ready to go.
Permanent? No. It is a temporary shimmer.

A permanent fabric paint

What it is for: fabric. Check its label for the fabrics it suits.
Before it goes on: makers say to wash new fabric first, to take off the finish it was sold with.
How it goes on: some are sprays; others are brushed or stamped on.
Drying and fixing: it can take much longer to dry (one fabric spray paint gives about two hours), then it is fixed, most often with heat: an iron, an oven or a clothes dryer, for the time its instructions give. With some, an additive lets it air‑cure for a few days instead.
Permanent? Yes, once it is fixed.

The fabric paint side comes from makers' own instructions, which differ from paint to paint: follow the label of the one you buy.

Which one do you want?

A Halloween or party costume: a temporary spray; there are ideas in silver Halloween costume ideas.
A festival outfit or a night out: a temporary spray; see festival glitter looks.
A dress for a wedding, a hen party or prom: a temporary spray, misted on the shoulders or the hem after a hidden-spot test; see silver glitter looks for weddings, hen parties and prom.
Something you want to change for good, such as a jacket or a bag: a permanent fabric paint made for that fabric.

How to tell which kind a spray is

Read the can and its directions. A fabric paint usually calls itself a fabric paint or says it is permanent, and its directions include a fixing step, most often with heat, or a wait before its first wash. A temporary spray usually says it is temporary: Glitzify's listings, for example, call it temporary and say it is for hair, body and clothes. If a spray says neither, check that it is made for fabric before it goes on your clothes.

Safety

The spray is flammable: use it away from candles, sparklers and open flames.
Keep it away from your eyes: do not spray towards your face, and close your eyes if you spray near your hairline. If any gets in your eyes, rinse with plenty of clean water, and get medical advice if irritation does not settle.
Do not use it on broken or irritated skin.
Spray in a well-ventilated place, and do not breathe in the spray.
For ages 16 and over.

Get it on Amazon UK Get it on Amazon US

Questions

Is glitter spray permanent on clothes?

It depends on the kind. Glitzify is a temporary shimmer. A permanent fabric paint is fixed into the fabric once it is dry, most often with heat; its instructions give the time and temperature.

How do you fix fabric paint?

Let it dry completely, then fix it as its instructions say: most often with heat, such as an iron, an oven or a clothes dryer. With some, an additive lets it air-cure for a few days instead.

How long before fabric paint can be washed?

Only once it is fixed, as its instructions say. One fabric spray paint, for example, dries for about two hours, is then fixed with an iron or an oven, and can go in a wash at up to 40 °C (104 °F) after that. With some paints, an additive lets them air-cure for a few days before their first wash.

Which is better for a costume?

For a costume you wear for one night, a temporary glitter spray. For a piece you want to change for good, a permanent fabric paint.