Ask The Costume Goddess:

Gluing Rhinestones

By Dina

Dear Costume Goddess,

I am the teacher of a baton group that marches in parades. This year, I wanted all the girls to wear special, pierced earrings that are studs with a tiny rhinestone. Is there a way that I can glue the rhinestones directly to the earlobes of the one girl that doesn' t have pierced ears, thus making it look like she is wearing the same earrings as the rest of the girls?

Also, in parades, the girls get hot and sweaty, so those stones would have to be attached really well.

--Nickie

Dear Nickie,

Rhinestones and other decorations can be glued to the skin with spirit gum, available in costume supply or theater supply shops (I use the Ben Nye brand), and it sticks so well you should buy the remover too. Rain or sweat should not affect it.

Belly dancers might like to affix rhinestones or glitter on the skin, or a jewel in the navel if you care to get silly. It will glue lightweight objects like feathers too. In theater it's used for attaching false facial hair, not that most of us would have much use for that! The photo shows my Black Widow persona with red jewels glued on as spider eyes.
Dina As Spider

Let a drop or two of the gum remain on the skin for a few minutes until it gets very tacky, then affix the decoration.

--The Costume Goddess

About The Costume Goddess

For more great advice from the Costume Goddess, access to a photo gallery featuring her wearing some of her own costumes, and to learn about her background, please visit the main menu for Ask The Costume Goddess.