All that Glitters

by Kerry Andersen

There’s a certain joie de vivre that comes with living in Louisiana, an exuberance that spills over into our music, attire, and even makeup. In most cities, spotting someone wearing a feather boa and a neck full of beads would stand out, but in Louisiana, that’s just a typical Friday night celebrating the latest festival or party. The use of body glitter has long been the shiny icing on the festive cake for Mardi Gras and other celebrations. Now, all that shimmers and shines is taking center stage in the fashion world too with glitter offering an affordable way to add fun and whimsy to your wardrobe (regardless of age or gender).

This is not the messy glitter of our youth but rather a new modern splashproof formula with zero fallout and easy application. Last year, CourtLin Designs owner Lindsay Bourgeois (aka Glitter Girl) and a friend bought some face glitter and wore it on a trip to Mexico. When they couldn’t source it anymore, they mixed up a batch of shiny color-coordinated purple and gold glitter themselves for Mardi Gras. So many people stopped them to ask about it that a business was born in January of this year, initially as a pop-up shop and currently an online retailer.

“It’s impossible not to smile when your face shines with glitter!” says Bourgeois. “Glitter is an easy way to glam up any outfit and bedazzle even the most mundane day to make it shine a bit brighter. It’s not just for parties and special events anymore, you can wear glitter to everything.”

The Bourgeois family garage is now a production line with workshop tables, shelves, and AC to keep the space comfortable while they work long hours mixing up eye catching shades of glitter with a vegan hypoallergenic gel. The paste makes it easy to apply the glitter to the face, body, and hair in a long lasting formula that is also easy to remove with just soap and water.

Artistic creativity quickly elevated this locally owned business to booming glitter empire. CourtLin Designs offers glitter in custom colors with fun catchy names like Tropic Like it’s Hot and Pineapple Punch. They shimmer with shades of LSU, mermaid scales and McNeese blue and gold.

Customers purchase the glitter to match an outfit or occasion, to show school spirit, or just for a fun night out on the town. It’s been part of gender reveal parties, sporting events, and purchased by cheerleader squads for their performances.

Custom orders are now a huge part of the company’s inventory for schools, sports teams, Mardi Gras krewes and sororities. In fact, a boutique in Alabama just put in an order for all the sororities at Auburn University so glitter from Southwest Louisiana will be included in gift bags for rush events this fall. CourtLin Designs products are available wholesale and carried by four boutiques in addition to the online storefront. The glitter gel sells for $12 a jar and a little goes a long way.

“It’s wild how far it’s come in such a short time,” Bourgeois says. “People in Louisiana, kids, and adults alike love a little extra glitter in their life and it’s surreal to see people walking around Lake Charles wearing our product. It’s fun, it’s cool and we’re enjoying it!”

Find CourtLin Designs’ fun glitter options (and homemade artwork too) at www.courtlindesigns.com, on Instagram, or shop locally at Mimosa Boutique. Follow them on Facebook for new designs, giveaways, and discounts. For custom orders, email courtlindesigns@gmail.com.