The Best Glitter Paints For Walls To Add Shimmer And Shine
Five glitter additives and glazes for a feature wall that catches the light from every angle.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best glitter paint for walls is the V1rtus Holographic Glitter Paint Additive, because you decide how much glitter goes into the emulsion, and the pads in the pack buff the dry wall until the flakes show. If your wall is already a colour you like, the Polyvine Sparkling Glitter Glaze is the better choice, as it brushes straight over the existing paint with nothing to mix.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of V1rtus Holographic Glitter Paint Additive
Best Overall
V1rtus Holographic Glitter Paint AdditiveFeature walls where you want to control how much glitter shows
- Check price of Levaka Glitter Additive
- Check price of Polyvine Sparkling Glitter Glaze
Best No Mix
Polyvine Sparkling Glitter GlazeAdding sparkle over an existing painted wall without mixing
- Check price of CrystalRus My Glitter Wall
- Check price of Mopa Crafts Glitter Paint
Start with the colour underneath, because flakes that catch the light on a deep navy or charcoal wall look far quieter on white. From there it's a choice between stirring an additive into your own emulsion, which lets you build the sparkle up, and a glaze with a fixed amount of glitter that goes over the existing wall.
Buffing is the step people skip. On our own dark feature wall, rubbing the dry paint with an abrasive sponge brought the flakes out far more. The five below run from budget silver pouches to a range of coloured glitters.
How We Tested These Glitter Paints
Glitter paint isn't something we reach for on every renovation, but we've used it on a number of feature walls. Our preferred method is an additive mixed into emulsion, because you can add more or less glitter until it looks right.
We've tried additives and ready-to-use glitter glazes, and judged each one on the strength of the glitter effect, how easily it mixed into the paint, how well it spread across the wall and how much buffing it needed afterwards.
The photos above come from our most recent glitter wall, a dark feature wall mixed with V1rtus. Once the V1rtus emulsion was dry, we went over the wall with an abrasive sponge, which knocked back the paint film sitting over the flakes and made the glitter far more visible. That buffing step makes a big difference with any additive.
Beyond our own walls, we compared colour choice, how much paint each pouch treats, which paint finishes it works with and value for money. Mixing ratios and coverage come from the brands.
The Best Glitter Paints For Walls We Recommend
Four of these are additives that go into your own emulsion, and one is a ready-to-use glaze. Check how much paint each pouch treats before buying.
Best Overall
V1rtus Holographic Glitter Paint Additive
Best for: Feature walls where you want to control how much glitter shows
Check Price On AmazonV1rtus is the additive we used on our most recent glitter wall, and the photos in our testing section show the two silver pouches before mixing. It was easy to mix into ordinary emulsion, and buffing the dry wall brought the holographic flakes up well.
V1rtus says it mixes with any emulsion paint for walls, whether matt, silk or plain, and with acrylics, and one pouch treats up to 2.5 litres. With 25 colours you can match the glitter to the room, and the two buffing pads in the pack save buying a sponge. V1rtus describes it as non-toxic and child safe, and says the glitter withstands temperatures up to 230°C. It's relatively expensive for an additive, but you can add as much glitter as you want.
What we like
- Mixed easily into emulsion on our feature wall
- Treats up to 2.5 litres of paint according to V1rtus
- 25 colours to choose from
- Two buffing pads included
- Works with emulsion and acrylic paint
- Non-toxic and child safe
What to know
- Relatively expensive for a glitter additive
Our verdict
We used V1rtus on our latest dark feature wall, and the control it gives you is the reason it tops this list. Add a little for a subtle shimmer or the whole pouch for full sparkle, then buff it up with the pads in the pack. With 25 colours and up to 2.5 litres treated per pouch, one purchase goes a long way.
Best Value
Levaka Glitter Additive
Best for: Silver glitter on a budget for a small wall or ceiling
Check Price On AmazonLevaka's silver glitter additive is one of the cheapest options we'd still recommend. You pour the 150g pouch into 1.5 litres of emulsion or soft sheen paint and stir for 5 minutes, and you can use less if you'd like a subtler effect.
It comes with two buffing pads and Levaka describes it as non-toxic. The pouch only treats 1.5 litres, which is enough for a small feature wall or ceiling but means buying several for a larger area. It's silver only, so it works best over pale colours or on a darker wall where you want a frosty sparkle.
What we like
- Cheaper than V1rtus and Mopa Crafts
- Set your own mix ratio
- Mixes with emulsion or soft sheen paint
- Two buffing pads included
- Non-toxic according to Levaka
What to know
- One 150g pouch only treats 1.5 litres of paint
- Silver only
Our verdict
Levaka is the additive to choose for a silver glitter finish without spending much, especially on a small wall or ceiling. For a bigger room, V1rtus treats more paint per pouch and comes in more colours. Anyone after a coloured glitter should look at Mopa Crafts.
Best No Mix
Polyvine Sparkling Glitter Glaze
Best for: Adding sparkle over an existing painted wall without mixing
Check Price On AmazonPolyvine's Glitter Glaze is a clear, water-based glaze with glitter already in it. You brush or roll it over a wall that's already painted, so there's no mixing and no need to repaint the whole wall to get the effect.
It dries to a washable surface, has very little smell and comes in a range of colours. Polyvine says it works on interior and exterior walls as well as furniture and fabrics. The brand quotes 4 square metres per tin, which is fine for a chimney breast or alcove but means several tins for a full wall.
What we like
- No mixing needed
- Goes over existing painted walls
- Dries clear and washable
- Minimal odour
- Also works on furniture and fabrics according to Polyvine
What to know
- Only 4 square metres per tin
- You can't adjust the amount of glitter
Our verdict
Polyvine Glitter Glaze is right for anyone happy with their wall colour who wants to add sparkle with the least fuss. It suits small areas best. For a full room or more control over the effect, an additive such as V1rtus is better value.
Best Large Flakes
CrystalRus My Glitter Wall
Best for: Bold sparkle with bigger flakes on a feature wall
Check Price On AmazonCrystalRus uses larger flakes than the standard additives, so the glitter is more noticeable from across the room. The 150g pouch mixes into 1.5 litres of matt or silk emulsion in 5 to 7 minutes.
The brand says the flakes are fade and temperature resistant, and that the mix is non-toxic and child safe. In our testing, it needed more buffing than the other additives before the flakes came through, so set aside extra time for that step once the paint is dry.
What we like
- Larger flakes for a bolder sparkle
- Fade and temperature resistant according to CrystalRus
- Mixes with matt or silk emulsion
- Non-toxic and child safe
What to know
- Needed more buffing than other additives in our testing
- 150g pouch only treats 1.5 litres
Our verdict
Bigger flakes mean a bolder sparkle, and that's why CrystalRus earns a place for a statement wall behind a bed or a TV. The trade-off came at the buffing stage, where it needed more work than the other additives in our testing. Set aside time for that once the paint has dried, and use the full pouch for the strongest effect.
Best Colour Selection
Mopa Crafts Glitter Paint
Best for: Coloured glitter to match a particular room scheme
Check Price On AmazonMopa Crafts offers its glitter flakes in 35 colours, the widest choice in this roundup. That makes it the one to look at if you want gold over a deep green or a pink sparkle in a child's bedroom.
Each 100g pouch mixes with 1.5 litres of any emulsion and needs 5 to 7 minutes of stirring. The brand says it's non-toxic and child safe. The pouch holds less glitter than the Levaka and CrystalRus pouches for the same 1.5 litres of paint, so you pay a premium for the colour choice.
What we like
- 35 colours to choose from
- Mixes with any emulsion
- 100g pouch treats 1.5 litres according to Mopa Crafts
- Non-toxic and child safe
What to know
- Smaller 100g pouch for the same amount of paint
- Needs 5 to 7 minutes of mixing
Our verdict
Mopa Crafts is the pick for a specific glitter colour that the others don't offer. You pay a little more for that range. For a classic silver sparkle, Levaka is cheaper, and V1rtus treats more paint per pouch. Buy one pouch first and test it on a sheet of lining paper before committing to a whole wall.
Choosing A Glitter Paint For Your Walls
Glitter paint is simple to use, but the type you buy and how you apply it make a big difference to the finish. Get these right and a feature wall comes together far more easily.
Additive Or Ready-Mixed Glaze
An additive is a pouch of glitter flakes that you stir into your own paint. You choose the base colour and how much glitter goes in, and you can test a small amount on card first. A glaze has the glitter already suspended in a clear base and goes over a wall that's already painted, which is quicker but gives you less control.
We prefer additives for most jobs, because the glitter sits in the colour coat itself and we can keep adding flakes until the test patch looks right.
Base Paint And Colour
Most additives mix with matt, silk or soft sheen emulsion. Silver and holographic glitter shows up best on darker colours such as navy, charcoal or deep purple, where the flakes catch the light. On white or very pale walls, the effect is softer. If you're struggling to settle on a base colour, our guide on how to choose paint colours helps narrow it down, and our comparison of matt or silk paint explains how each finish looks on a wall.
Flake Size And Amount
Fine flakes give a subtle shimmer, while larger flakes such as CrystalRus give a bolder sparkle that you can see from across the room. Check how much paint each pouch treats. V1rtus treats up to 2.5 litres, while Levaka, CrystalRus and Mopa Crafts treat 1.5 litres, so work out how much paint the wall needs before buying.
Applying And Buffing
Stir the additive in thoroughly and keep stirring as you go, because the flakes sink to the bottom of the tin. A short pile roller spreads the glitter evenly, and our pick of the best paint rollers has a few that suit smooth walls. Use a brush for the edges and corners.
Once the paint is fully dry, buff the wall with a buffing pad or abrasive sponge. This takes the thin film of paint off the top of the flakes so they sparkle. It's the step that makes the biggest difference, as our photo of the dark wall shows.
Painting Over Glitter Later
Glitter paint is harder to cover than a standard emulsion, because the flakes leave a slightly rough surface. Sand the wall lightly, wipe off the dust, and apply a coat of primer or a stain block before your new colour. Our roundup of the best stain block paints covers primers that hide stubborn finishes.
More Questions About Glitter Paint
Can you mix glitter into any paint?
Glitter additives mix into most water-based emulsions, including matt, silk and soft sheen. Some, like V1rtus, also mix with acrylic paint and wood varnish. Avoid adding glitter to paints with a thick texture, such as masonry paint, because the flakes get lost. Stir thoroughly and keep stirring as you paint, as the glitter settles at the bottom of the tin.
Does glitter paint need buffing?
Yes, glitter paint looks far better after buffing. Once the paint is fully dry, rub the wall with a buffing pad or abrasive sponge to remove the thin film of paint covering the flakes. This brings the glitter to the surface so it catches the light. Larger flakes, such as CrystalRus, need more buffing than fine glitter.
Is glitter paint washable?
Glitter paint is as washable as the emulsion it's mixed into. A glitter additive in a durable silk or soft sheen emulsion wipes clean better than one mixed into a flat matt. Polyvine Glitter Glaze dries to a washable surface. Wipe gently with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing, so you don't dull the flakes.
How do you paint over a glitter wall?
To paint over a glitter wall, sand it lightly to knock back the flakes, wipe away the dust and apply a primer or stain block before the new colour. Without a primer, the glitter shows through and the surface stays rough. Two coats of emulsion on top will give an even finish.
Is a glitter additive better than a glaze for a feature wall?
For most feature walls, yes. An additive puts the glitter into the colour coat itself, so you can build it up a little at a time on a test patch until it looks right. A glaze such as Polyvine Sparkling Glitter Glaze is quicker and suits a wall that's already the colour you want, but you can't adjust the amount of glitter and it covers only 4 square metres per tin.
Which wall colour makes glitter paint show up best?
Darker colours show glitter best. Silver and holographic flakes catch the light on navy, charcoal or deep purple, and our latest V1rtus feature wall was dark. On white or very pale walls the effect is softer. Whatever the base, buff the dry wall with an abrasive sponge, as that knocks back the paint film over the flakes.
How much glitter additive do I need for a small wall?
Check how much paint each pouch treats. V1rtus treats up to 2.5 litres, while Levaka, CrystalRus and Mopa Crafts each treat 1.5 litres. One 1.5 litre pouch is enough for a small feature wall or ceiling, but a bigger area means buying several. Levaka is the cheapest silver option for a small wall.
Is CrystalRus worth the extra buffing for bigger flakes?
CrystalRus is worth it for a statement wall behind a bed or a TV, because the larger flakes give a bolder sparkle you can see from across the room. In our testing it needed more buffing than the other additives before the flakes came through, so set aside extra time once the paint has dried.
Our Favourite Glitter Paint For Walls
V1rtus Holographic Glitter Paint Additive is the one we used on our latest feature wall. It mixed easily into emulsion, and you choose how much sparkle shows. Levaka Glitter Additive is the budget alternative for a classic silver finish.
If you'd prefer not to mix anything, Polyvine Sparkling Glitter Glaze goes straight over your existing wall colour.
Eddie spent five years as a self-employed painter and decorator before going part time to become one of the main writers at DIY Works. From garden fences to mist coats on fresh plaster, painting and decorating is his speciality.