Writer Becky Hunter Kelm says glitter sprays are making a comeback — but not for the reason you think. Once a nostalgic clubbing staple, body glitter has been rebranded as a bold symbol of sisterhood, boundary-setting, and a clever deterrent for married men who shouldn’t be straying.
When I was in my late teens and early twenties, my girlfriends and I would love nothing more than a generous blast of glittery body spray before we went out clubbing. But today, single women are spraying themselves in glitter for a different reason, to support the sisterhood and repel married men.
The logic is that if a guy is out on the town, married and looking to cheat, he’s way less likely to want to try and get up close and personal with a sparkly girly, because glitter transfers easily, and will not come off. Even a slight dusting of glitter will give away the fact he’s been around other women (or more!). Evidence of flirting or philandering that won’t come straight off in the shower, this glitter strategy has become known as ‘married man repellent,’ ‘ divorce dust,’ or the strip club’ test.
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Content creator Dalia Grande went viral on TikTok spraying her entire body while going on a date, with the caption: ‘Going on a first date [because] I’m at the age where they could be married (married men HATE glitter).’
Daila’s video got 15.8 million views, two million likes, and nearly 20,000 comments, such as: ‘She’s protecting herself and helping other women out, and I’m here for it.’
I think it’s a really clever way for women to go out and have fun while still setting a boundary.
I think it’s a really clever way for women to go out and have fun while still setting a boundary. Women may want to meet someone, but they want a quality person, and this is a good way for them to separate ‘the wheat from the chaff.’ They don’t want to attract guys who are taken, and they want to protect the wives or girlfriends at home, ultimately championing a Christian value, no adultery please!
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The ‘divorce dust’ trend reflects the shift in women’s equality over the last decade. It’s the patriarchy that pitches women against one another in the first place. Hence, as we continue to tackle sexism as a society, I’ve noticed a difference in the way women look out for each other, in business and their personal lives. There is a new level of respect between women, even in public, where they are refusing to be pitted against one another for profit or entertainment anymore.
Historically, reality TV shows like Real Housewives make billions off women behaving horrifically to one another. And this week, I was watching Selling Sunset, and as the drama went down between the women, my jaw hit the floor when they tried to solve their differences without name-calling. I pray we are entering a new era where women and girls no longer need to compete, and I think this pleases God’s heart for his daughters.
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There has also been a whole online response to the body glitter trend from women who point out that glitter is also a very convenient deterrent for handsy men. So what about us Christian girlies on a night out with our friends? Well, those of us who are married have our wedding rings front and centre, let’s look out for our single girlfriends so they don’t get any unwanted attention when we’re out together.
On the (now rare) occasions I’m out with a group, I take for granted the safety of my husband’s presence next to me at the bar
On the (now rare) occasions I’m out with a group, I take for granted the safety of my husband’s presence next to me at the bar, or my wedding ring on my left hand. It’s important to be aware of how our single girlfriends might feel on a night out, keep them at the centre of your group. If she’s praying to meet her husband, invite a few Godly guys to your celebration. Keep it in a group setting and don’t make it weird, Christians need opportunities to meet people and get to know each other. I also have a friend who wears a diamond cross necklace on nights out to see if it might put out a vibe: ‘believer seeking hot husband!’
For those of us who go out with our friends who don’t yet know Jesus, the glitter could be a fun idea to suggest, as would be never accepting drinks you haven’t seen poured yourself, setting a cutoff limit for drinking, and keeping a general eye on each other.
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