Okay, I'm confused about luster, peal, petal, and shimmer dust. What gives what look? I need to have a shiny/satiny look to my MMF for a wedding cake ~ like shiny stuff on this cake:
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=86397
Which dust should I use? Can I "dust" it on with a new powder brush, or do I have to paint it on to get the effect I want?
TIA!
<S>
On the photo you referenced, super pearl luster dust was used. You can either dry brush this on, make a paint with either almond/lemon extract, or Everclear/Vodka. The paint can either be sprayed on with an air brush or painted on. Each will give a completely different look.
Petal dust is just very fine powdered food color. It has no shine to it at all. It is used for gumpaste. You can either knead it into the gumpaste for a base color and then brush on more for a deeper color. Or you can brush the color onto white flowers to add dimension and "life".
Shimmer dust really should just be used to sprinkle on top of a cake. It won't make paint, it won't stick to gumpaste, and is made to give buttercream cakes some sparkle without using edible glitter. It has a larger "grain" than the petal dusts or luster dusts.
Luster dusts always have shine of some kind. Dry will have a somewhat sparkle look, steamed will give a nice shine to your flowers, and paint will be intensified color. The paint is great for detail work.
I know, way too much information. Sorry, I can't help it. 
Michele
be acreful with new brushes, esp the black brsitle kiind; they will leave streaks/black/dirt on your cake.
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