BIOGLITZ
FOUNDING STORY
FOUNDER(S) & LEADERSHIP
Saba Gray, Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Rebecca Richards, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer
Morgan Whittinghill, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
BioGlitz founder, Saba Gray, began her relationship with glitter through figure skating. Growing up figure skating, Saba was often encouraged to use glitter to dazzle her look for shows and competitions. Glitter was used to make the skaters appear ostensibly more "feminine" or "girly," which was an idea that Saba instinctually resisted. Over time, she developed an aversion to glitter for this reason.
In her early 20s, Saba was living in New York and becoming involved in underground fashion & art communities, she experienced a new sartorial freedom that opened her eyes to the infinite possibilities of style. Glitter was no longer “girly”, but rather a genderless, universal tool for self-expression. It could be punk, chic, funky, high fashion, pretty, scary, and everything in between.
With this new awareness, Saba began to bring glitter everywhere, sharing it with anyone and everyone who seemed like they could benefit from a little sparkle. Immediately, she saw the immense power these tiny particles possess to break down social barriers, cultivate connection, and encourage mindful engagement.
At the time of Saba's internal shift and newly recharged inspiration around glitter, she was working for a sustainable fashion design and manufacturing company. Through her work experience, the use of ethical and sustainable materials and production practices were now a part of Saba's ethos. After researching, she found that conventional glitter is a toxic microplastic and that the marketplace was not offering sustainable alternatives. She knew there must be a way to make environmentally friendly glitter. BioGlitz was started in 2014 with a mission to raise environmental awareness and encourage fearless self-expression through spreading sustainable shine.
ETHICAL PRACTICES
CERTIFICATIONS
Microplastics are a menacing pollutant in our environment and are a critical concern to scientists globally. Many microplastics originate from any plastic waste that degrades down into tiny pieces. Another lesser-known pollutant source is the synthetic fabrics in our clothes that are made of plastic. Microplastics are released from our clothes and into our water systems when doing a load of laundry. Microplastics are also found in many cosmetic products including, you guessed it, glitter. Glitter and microplastics found in cosmetic products are particularly problematic because they are inherently near-impossible to recycle.
It is estimated that 51 trillion microplastic fragments are now in our oceans. Marine animals ingest microplastics. This is harmful to their health and can cause death. This also means that microplastics have entered the food chain affecting all marine life, land animals, and us. A 2019 study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that the average American ingests between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles a year.
Rather than plastic, BioGlitz is made by transforming the cellulose derived from eucalyptus tree pulp fibers into a fine sheeting material kept on a roll. The eucalyptus plant materials used are sourced from suppliers certified by The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC sets standards for responsible forest management and protects forests for future generations. Once the eucalyptus pulp fibers are transformed into rolls, they are coated in .1 percent aluminum and cosmetic pigments. The 36-inch rolls are then sent through a precision cutter, and the pieces are caught in a net as they are sliced out. By sourcing from FSC certified plant-based ingredients, using a tiny percentage of metalloids, and never testing on animals, this formula is 100 percent biodegradable, compostable, and guilt-free.
BioGlitz is OK Biodegradable WATER certified by TÜV Austria which guarantees that BioGlitz will biodegrade in a natural freshwater environment and is non-toxic for animals. Bioglitz is GMO-free which means that it’s safe for your face and body.