rocketqueen
Well-known member
This is Rocketqueen's guide to pigment pressing! Keep in mind that there are more than one way of pressing, but this is my style! I've used the pink/gold shadow Meerkat from Fyrinnae here.
Why press pigments, you might wonder? Well, I personally feel that the shadows become much easier to handle, silkier and softer, plus you avoid downfall on cheeks since it's very easy to control the amount of pigment on the brush with pressed shadows. And I love having them sorted by colors in the palettes, not to mention that it's fun creating marbled patterns and my own textures!
You'll need:
Fyrinnae Powder modifier
Empty pans
Magnets (I use these, self-adhesive ones)
A palette
A piece of denim cloth
A penny
Toothpicks
A plate (or some parchment paper)
Loose mineral shadow (I use approximately half a jar from Fyrinnae for one pan, 2,5 grams - also very much depending on which shadow you use)
Purified water
Lets' get started, shall we?
1. Put the pigment on the plate.
2. Make a little crater in the pigment pile and add 7-8 drops of the Powder Modifier.
3. Mix the pigment with the liquid. Use a toothpick and be careful; pat the liquid and the pigment together so it becomes crumbly. It can take a while, so no need to rush, and don't add more of the Powder Modifier.
4. Add 2-4 drops of water and mix again. Slowly! Now it becomes more of an even clay-ish formula if you're doing it right.
5. Add 1-2 drops of water again if necessary. Mix again (very important!). Now everything is gloopy and ready to be put into the pan.
6. Scoop it all up and put the liquid into the pan. A viscous mixture as you can see!
7. Leave to dry for a few hours, the time depending on how much water you've used.
8. Use the penny and the denim to press the shadow. This has to be done when the shadow has dried a little (when the surface is more matte as opposed to water-glistening), after 2-5 hours. Press quite hard.
9. Stick the magnet to the pan (I use self-adhesive magnets, very easy to use!). Done! Leave to dry over night.
My first pan:
My first palette:
FAQ:
Q: How much pigment is needed for one pan?
A: I use approximately 2,5 grams for one pan (half a jar of Fyrinnae shadow, that is). Do keep in mind that it varies a lot from shade to shade! The picture below shows a big difference; there's only like 25% of Digital Faerie and the rest of the space is taken by Javan Rhino - and those two were the same weight (and looked like the same volume) before mixing with the Powder Modifier.
Q: Can I use alcohol for pressing pigments?
A: Nope, that won't work. You need a binding agent and not just evaporating alcohol.
Q: Can I press my MAC pigments?
A: Absolutely, and all you need is pans and isopropylalcohol (which also can be used for mending shattered eyeshadows and blushes). So easy! Search here at Specktra for a good tutorial.
Why press pigments, you might wonder? Well, I personally feel that the shadows become much easier to handle, silkier and softer, plus you avoid downfall on cheeks since it's very easy to control the amount of pigment on the brush with pressed shadows. And I love having them sorted by colors in the palettes, not to mention that it's fun creating marbled patterns and my own textures!
You'll need:
Fyrinnae Powder modifier
Empty pans
Magnets (I use these, self-adhesive ones)
A palette
A piece of denim cloth
A penny
Toothpicks
A plate (or some parchment paper)
Loose mineral shadow (I use approximately half a jar from Fyrinnae for one pan, 2,5 grams - also very much depending on which shadow you use)
Purified water
Lets' get started, shall we?
1. Put the pigment on the plate.
2. Make a little crater in the pigment pile and add 7-8 drops of the Powder Modifier.
3. Mix the pigment with the liquid. Use a toothpick and be careful; pat the liquid and the pigment together so it becomes crumbly. It can take a while, so no need to rush, and don't add more of the Powder Modifier.
4. Add 2-4 drops of water and mix again. Slowly! Now it becomes more of an even clay-ish formula if you're doing it right.
5. Add 1-2 drops of water again if necessary. Mix again (very important!). Now everything is gloopy and ready to be put into the pan.
6. Scoop it all up and put the liquid into the pan. A viscous mixture as you can see!
7. Leave to dry for a few hours, the time depending on how much water you've used.
8. Use the penny and the denim to press the shadow. This has to be done when the shadow has dried a little (when the surface is more matte as opposed to water-glistening), after 2-5 hours. Press quite hard.
9. Stick the magnet to the pan (I use self-adhesive magnets, very easy to use!). Done! Leave to dry over night.
My first pan:
My first palette:
FAQ:
Q: How much pigment is needed for one pan?
A: I use approximately 2,5 grams for one pan (half a jar of Fyrinnae shadow, that is). Do keep in mind that it varies a lot from shade to shade! The picture below shows a big difference; there's only like 25% of Digital Faerie and the rest of the space is taken by Javan Rhino - and those two were the same weight (and looked like the same volume) before mixing with the Powder Modifier.
Q: Can I use alcohol for pressing pigments?
A: Nope, that won't work. You need a binding agent and not just evaporating alcohol.
Q: Can I press my MAC pigments?
A: Absolutely, and all you need is pans and isopropylalcohol (which also can be used for mending shattered eyeshadows and blushes). So easy! Search here at Specktra for a good tutorial.
