Thanks for your feedback, April! Due to the resin used in our Glow Loops, they do need to be “charged” prior to use. While direct sunlight works, we find that artificial light such as a lamp or other light source, seems to be a bit more effective! Typically after about a week of use, your glow loop should be glowing brighter and holding a charge for a longer period of time! If your loop is still not glowing after a few days, please reach out to our customer support team at team@loopycases.com!