Jewels, crystals, and rhinestones have been a staple of performance costuming for centuries. From elaborate theatrical productions to festival stages and concert tours, decorative gems have a unique ability to catch the light, command attention, and elevate a look from impressive to unforgettable. Whether you’re a dancer, circus artist, musician, or any other kind of performer, understanding your options when it comes to face and body jewels can open up a whole new dimension of your visual presence on stage.
Here’s a breakdown of every product type worth knowing about, what it is, and how it can be used in your performance aesthetic.
Individual Rhinestones
The building block of most performance jewelry looks, rhinestones are small, glittering stones made of glass, crystal, or acrylic, cut to resemble diamonds. They come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes and can be glued, sewn, or otherwise affixed to fabric, skin, or accessories. In performance costuming, rhinestones are used everywhere, from subtle costume accents to fully encrusted bodysuits. Having a supply of individual rhinestones on hand gives you maximum creative flexibility for custom work.
Face Rhinestone Adhesives
Face rhinestone adhesives are rhinestones specifically designed to be worn directly on the skin. Applied using a cosmetic-safe glue, they can be arranged in virtually any pattern, from delicate constellations around the eyes to bold geometric designs across the cheekbones. They’re a popular choice for festivals, concerts, and stage performances where a close-up-ready, high-impact look is the goal. Always use a skin-safe adhesive and patch-test before a performance if you have sensitive skin.
Body Crystals
Body crystals take the concept of face gems and scale it up. These small, shiny crystals or rhinestones are designed to be applied to the skin anywhere on the body, including the arms, collarbone, legs, or torso, using a cosmetic adhesive. For performers who work with a lot of skin on show, body crystals are one of the most effective ways to add visual drama and catch stage lighting in a way that fabric simply can’t replicate.
Hair Crystals
Hair crystals are decorative rhinestones or crystals designed to be worn in the hair, attached using clips, combs, bobby pins, or adhesive. They add sparkle and dimension to hairstyles without requiring a full updo or elaborate styling. For performers, they work particularly well under stage lighting, where even small details read beautifully from a distance. When using hair crystals regularly, invest in high-quality attachments to avoid any damage to your hair over time.
Gem Stickers
Gem stickers are self-adhesive decorative stickers made of plastic or resin, designed to resemble gemstones. They’re one of the most accessible and cost-effective options for adding sparkle to costumes, props, and accessories. They peel on, can be repositioned if needed, and are available in an enormous range of colors, shapes, and sizes. While they’re less durable than sewn or heat-set rhinestones, they’re a practical choice for quick costume customization or one-off performances.
Self-Adhesive Jewel Swirls
Self-adhesive jewel swirls are rhinestones or small gems arranged in a pre-set swirl pattern on a peel-and-stick backing. They’re particularly useful for performers who want a polished, consistent decorative element without the time investment of placing individual stones. Apply them to costumes, props, set pieces, or accessories for an instant touch of glamour. They work on any clean, smooth surface and are widely available in a range of styles and color combinations.
Face Glitter Temporary Tattoos
Face glitter temporary tattoos combine cosmetic-grade glitter with a skin-safe adhesive to create temporary designs applied directly to the skin. They come in a wide range of colors and shapes, from stars and hearts to more elaborate motifs, and are especially popular for festival or high-energy performance looks. They’re quick to apply, eye-catching under stage lighting, and easy to remove with soap and water or makeup remover when the show is done.
Rhinestone Sheets
Rhinestone sheets are flexible sheets of material, typically nylon or spandex, pre-set with rhinestones or crystals in a specific pattern or design. They can be cut to any size or shape and applied to costumes using heat transfer, adhesive, or stitching. For performers building or customizing their own costumes, rhinestone sheets are a major time-saver. Instead of placing hundreds of individual stones, you can apply an entire section of coverage at once, making them ideal for bodysuits, skirts, or large costume panels.
Rhinestone Ribbon Rolls
Rhinestone ribbon rolls are flexible decorative ribbons embellished with rhinestones or crystals, sold by the roll and cut to whatever length you need. They’re widely used in dance and performance costuming to add defined lines of sparkle along hems, necklines, seams, or cuffs. Like rhinestone sheets, they offer a quicker application method than individual stones while still providing that high-impact glitter effect. They can be sewn, glued, or heat-transferred onto fabric depending on the material and your needs.
Crystal Rhinestone Chain
Crystal rhinestone chain consists of small crystals or rhinestones linked together in a continuous chain, typically sold by the meter. The result is a flexible, highly decorative element that can be draped, shaped, or applied to costumes, accessories, or props in ways that flat rhinestone products can’t achieve. Popular in high-end performance costuming and theatrical design, rhinestone chain can be used to create fringe effects, outline costume details, or add three-dimensional sparkle to a look.
Rhinestone Eyeliner Stickers
Rhinestone eyeliner stickers are pre-made adhesive strips of small rhinestones designed to be applied along the lash line or outer eye area, mimicking the effect of a rhinestone-accented eyeliner. They’re an efficient alternative to placing individual stones around the eyes, delivering a clean, even result with much less time and effort. Available in a range of colors and styles, they’re popular for stage, festival, and editorial looks and can be removed easily with makeup remover.
Rhinestone Eyeshadow Stickers
Similar to eyeliner stickers, rhinestone eyeshadow stickers are designed to be applied directly to the eyelid. They create a bold, sparkling effect in the eye area without requiring any actual eyeshadow application. For performers who want a dramatic eye look with minimal prep time before a show, these are a practical and effective option. They come in a range of colors and designs, from subtle shimmer to full statement looks.
Metallic Gold Temporary Tattoos
Metallic gold temporary tattoos are foil-based temporary tattoos applied to the skin for a short-term decorative effect. They come in a wide range of designs, including jewelry-inspired patterns, tribal motifs, and floral designs, and are particularly effective for bare skin looks on stage or at outdoor events. They have a premium, high-fashion quality that photographs and films beautifully, and they remove easily with soap and water or makeup remover when the performance is over.
Glitter Puff
A glitter puff is a small, soft applicator covered in loose glitter, used to apply sparkle to the face, body, or hair. It gives more control than loose glitter poured from a container and can be used to create either a targeted highlight effect or a broader all-over shimmer. Compatible with fine glitter, chunky glitter, and holographic glitter, the glitter puff is a quick and practical tool for adding last-minute sparkle before hitting the stage.
Glitter Blush Brush
A glitter blush brush is a soft, densely packed makeup brush designed for applying loose glitter, mineral shimmer, or powder-based sparkle products to the skin. The dense bristles pick up product evenly and allow for smooth, buildable application across the face or body. Unlike a glitter puff, a brush gives you more precision and is ideal for working glitter into specific areas, such as the cheekbones, temples, or décolletage. Regular cleaning keeps the bristles in good condition and ensures clean color application every time.
From individual rhinestones to full rhinestone chains, the world of performance jewelry is vast and full of creative possibility. Building up a working toolkit of these products gives you the flexibility to customize your look for any performance, any stage, and any audience. Start with the basics, experiment with what works for your aesthetic, and let the light do the rest.