“It Reclaims the Joy.” Why Olympians and Enthusiasts Love Wearing Glitter in the Outdoors.

September 28, 2026

Sparkling face glitter is becoming popular at marathons and bike races, and even in non-competitive outdoor activities like whitewater rafting and skiing. Athletes say the sparkly accessory helps reduce the pressure they feel to perform, and adds a boost of fun when a race becomes a test of suffering. Enthusiasts say glitter reduces the fear of participating in dangerous outdoor activities, and helps them express their personalities to their peers.

Face glitter is having a moment in outdoor culture. If you’ve sat on a chairlift, floated down a river, or competed in a bike race recently, you might have already noticed this. Ultramarathon racer Jennifer Lichter finished the Western States 100-mile endurance run in June, setting a new course record, with orange glitter splashed across her cheekbones. Thru-hikers are glittering themselves on the Continental Divide Trail. Even wildland firefighters are bringing glitter into the woods.

The rise of glitter on summits and at finish lines can be at least partially attributed to elite athletes rocking it on a national and global stage in recent years. Jessie Diggins, the prolific cross-country skier with four Olympic medals, four World Cup overall titles and seven World Championship medals, sparkled her way through the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. But her use of glitter goes much further back. Outside