Whether you decide to use glitter additives or glaze, we still recommend painting the surface in the desired colour and finish with one or two coats of glitter paint or glaze. Surface preparation is therefore minimal. Glitter glaze is a clear paint containing glitter crystals. The glaze is intended to be used on pre-painted walls and it usually provides a more sparkly finish than glitter additives. Just make sure the surface is clean and seal all surfaces not to be painted with painter’s tape. Don’t forget to protect the floors with a drop cloth. Aside from choosing a whipeable and durable white paint, there are a few things you can do to keep your walls whiter for longer.

Unbuffed, a pouch of additive is suitable for up to 1.5L of paint. However, considering the price of a pouch, we recommend mixing the quantity with 2.5L of paint and buffing the wall with buffing pads to unleash your new sparkling effect. The glitter flakes are designed to mix with matt and silk emulsions but won’t mix well with speciality paints even if water-based. As such, the product is not quite suitable to use in the bathroom or kitchen. Gloss and eggshell paints also don’t mix well with this glitter.Water-based and non-toxic, the glaze is suitable to use in poorly ventilated environments or in your children’s room. Application is easy and straightforward; just stir the glaze and apply it with a smooth roller or wide bristles brush, depending on the surface. Glitter additives are supplied as glitter crystals to mix with the emulsion of your choice. Some additives can be mixed in all types of paint, others are compatible only with water-based emulsions, while others are incompatible with speciality paints, even if water-based. Mixing the product with a smaller quantity of paint enhances the sparkling effect. If desired, you can tone down the shimmer by mixing the additive with a larger quantity of paint. According to the recommended mix ratio, the product doesn’t turn out much cheaper than the V1rtus. However, most users report that the product still provides satisfactory results when the same quantity is mixed with 1.5L of paint. And in this case, Hemway is more affordable, provided that buffing unleashes the desired sparkling effect. For a sparkling effect, it may also be necessary to buff the wall when the paint is dry. This step enhances the effect of all glitter products, but it does take more time.

Hemway Silver Holographic Additive is the low-cost alternative to V1rtus, a glitter additive brand belonging to the same manufacturer. The main difference between the products is the price, but also the covering power. In fact, the additive produced under Hemway’s brand has a recommended mix ratio of 100g to 1 litre of paint. Coming in 25 colours, the product is very easy to use. Just pour the contents of a pouch into the indicated quantity of paint, stir it vigorously, then apply the emulsion to the wall with a smooth roller. We followed these indications and achieved satisfactory results; however, some users suggest that mixing a small quantity of glitter with a small quantity of paint in the roller tray can enhance the end-results. Recommended for use with water-based wall and ceiling emulsions, this additive is compatible with most interior paints. This makes it ideal to use with wall, wood and metal paints for a host of DIY projects. Glitter additives and glitter glazes are designed for the same purpose – to add sparkles to walls and other interior surfaces. The difference is in the way they’re used. That being said, we found the manufacturer’s instructions useful. Applying the product in a criss-cross motion reduces any patches, and the glitter gathered in certain areas is also easy to disburse by pressing it hard with the roller or brush.Keep stirring the product throughout the process to prevent the formation of patches. Leave the first coat to dry before adding another coat if needed. Once your walls are dusted, create a solution of warm water and a mild detergent, and use a sponge to gently wipe the surfaces. Leave for 5-10 minutes, and then use clean water and a clean sponge to rinse your walls. Avoid using too much liquid, as this can cause water stains. As well as helping you create the right mood and a quality finish, we understand that you want your walls to stand the test of time, so our team of experts have developed paints that meet the specific needs of different rooms in the home.