Glossary
Luster dust
A shimmering powder brushed on dry or mixed into paint, checked for whether it is edible or decorative only.
Luster dust is a fine, shimmering powder brushed onto fondant, gum paste or chocolate to add metallic or pearlescent shine. It can be dusted on dry with a soft brush for a subtle sheen, or mixed with a clear alcohol like vodka to paint on more concentrated, opaque color.
The two applications produce noticeably different looks from the same product. A dry brush leaves a light dusting that catches the light without much added color, while a wet mix behaves closer to metallic paint and can fully coat a surface in gold, silver or another shade once the alcohol evaporates and leaves the pigment behind.
Look closely at labeling before buying, since luster dust is sold both as an edible product and as a non-toxic decorative one meant only for items that will be removed before serving, and the two are not interchangeable. A common mistake is assuming all shimmer powders are edible by default, so checking the label against how the finished piece will actually be eaten matters.