Tricks to apply pigments?

[cky]

I have got some pigment sample from a friend. I thought it was supposed to be easy to use,turned out it wasn't.My eye looked like I got hit, so messy and the pigment was all over the place. I wonder if i should wet my brush or do u have some kind of tricks before applying it. Whats the difference between pigment and eyeshadow and what brush(es) should I use? Any advice would be appreciated.Thanks for helping: )

 

[Junkie]

I usually use a flat eyeshadow brush and take pigment from the sides or the lid - its less messy than dipping a brush in. A brush can pick up a LOT of product, so its better (in my opinion) if you just dip the tip in and gently sweep or pat it on depending on the coverage you want. The brush isn't necessarily important - you can use just about any type. Fluffier brushes can blend or spread colour out more evenly and allow you to build the colour intensity. Flat brushes usually concentrate colour in specific areas.

You can use water (distilled preferred as its going on your eye) or also toner, Fix+, thermal water in an aerosol can (like Evian face mist), mixing medium (store bought or your own concoction), etc.

You can also try putting down a eyeshadow base first so it sticks to that -

ie. Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Urban Decay Primer Potion, L'oreal Decrease, GOSH Velvet Touch Eye Primer, Benefit F.Y.Eye, MYC Jumbo Pencils, Make Up Forever Flash Colours, et al. The list goes on.

Eyeshadows (in pan form) are just pressed pigment - thats the gist of it anyways. Loose pigments are often highly concentrated versions.

 

[DaniCakes]

Definitely use some sort of base. I use MACS paintpots. They really stick to these and you don't need much product at all. Use a flat shader brush like the MAC 239 and dip the tip carefully in the pigment. The whole brush should not be covered. Just the tip. Just start patting the pigment into the base. If you use a little, you can def. build up the color, but pigments are very pigmented so you should'nt need more. Fix + will definitely work, but be forewarned it intensifies the color greatly. Also, if the color is too intense take a Mac 224 or any fluffy brush and sweep it over the lids, this will remove some of the color. I also like to use some loose powder under the eyes when applying pigments. This will catch the fallout. See pic below. I had already applied pigment to her eyes. The powder will catch the fallout. Hope this helps.

 

[FiestyFemme]

I typically use a sticky base with pigments (like NYX Jumbo Pencils or MAC CCB), and I also pat then on with a flat shader brush (MAC 242). I find these two steps minimize fallout, but honestly, you're still going to get some. I think it's just the nature of the product!

 

[Skin*Deep]

try pressing it in first, then blend, usually when it goes all over it is because you have used too much, a little goes a looong way with these guys!

 

[Meisje]

If you're having major issues with fallout... pat, don't rub.

I really only use pigments as accents over shadow. I'll make a look, find a coordinating pigment, and then pat some on over a similar color to accent it.

Lots of the Specktra community manage to make beautiful looks by blending their pigments, but I don't have the patience, so that's how I do it

 

[summerblue]

I'm sure youtube has videos on applying pigments.

What I do is either use a one of the mixing mediums that change powder/pigment into an eyeliner like MUFE, She Laq, etc. (alot of members use visine), or I use MAC's Gloss Brilliante (clear, slightly sticky gel) as a base & then apply the pigment, or I mix the pigment with a white gel liner like Coastalscents (assume you can also use MAC's White Chromaline).

 

[Shadowy Lady]

I agree with all advice given. I just add that the best way to wear pigments is to first apply a damp layer (I use a home made mixing medium with 224) and then add a pat a dry layer of the same pigment on top (I use 239 for that).

HTH, pigments are a lot of fun. I use them on a daily basis.

 

[summerblue]

I agree with all advice given. I just add that the best way to wear pigments is to first apply a damp layer (I use a home made mixing medium with 224) and then add a pat a dry layer of the same pigment on top (I use 239 for that).

/quote]

Shadowly Lady, how do you make your own mixing medium?
TIA!

 

[spectrolite]

I use pigments nearly every day and these are some
tips/tricks I use

- Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy - Hands down the best base for any kind of loose pigment or glitter that I have tried. It also works great for mineral shadows. You can get it at Fyrinnae.com for super cheap and you only need a tiny bit. You apply it and wait for a few seconds until it becomes tacky then pat your pigment on top and it sticks perfectly. This stuff has totally changed my life lol.. No more stuffing around wetting my brush or mixing the pigments with anything.

- Tilt your head back slightly when patting the pigment on your lids. I find you are less likely to get fall out on your cheeks and under eye area that way.

- Pat don't sweep - and be gentle because too strong a pat can cause super fine powders (like the Sugarpill pigments) to fly upwards into your brow area

- Double tap! - Pick up some pigment with your brush and tap it into the lid of your pigment container twice to get rid of the excess. That should give you the perfect amount to start with and cut down on fall out. Repeat until you have the coverage you want

- Keep your foundation brush handy - after I apply any pigments if there is any fall out I can easily clean it up with the same brush I used for applying my foundation at the end. If there is heaps of obnoxious glitter fall out then you can pick it up with medical adhesive or sticky tape first. Be super gentle and use quick motions... you don't want tape sticking to your skin you just want to get the rouge glitters

- I use the Mac 242 for applying pigments. It's a flat, natural hair shader brush and since I have lots of lid space to work with it is perfect for me. If you have smaller lids then maybe try the 239.

 

[cazgh]

Always tap off the excess powder before applying to your eyes - this should definately help

 

[Shadowy Lady]

Shadowly Lady, how do you make your own mixing medium?
TIA![/quote]

I use one part Glycerin and 3 parts water, works great for me.

 

[jazmatazz]

I apply a paintpot close to my skintone with a 217 brush. Then gently press on the pigment with a flat eyeshadow brush. Start kind of close to the lashline in the middle of your eyelid, blend that shadow around first before applying more.

A little pigment goes a long way and sometimes the amount can be deceiving. Keep practicing, pigments are fun and super versatile!

If you wet your brush you will be using another technique called 'foiling' that changes the effect of the pigment. It looks a lot like brushed metal, shiny and metallic.

 

[thiscarmen]

When using a brush for pigments and you want to wet it with fix+ or water or mixing medium, remember to use a synthetic brush. They retain their shape when wet so they can still help pack on colour.

Another trick is to use a cream shadow similar to the pigment colour OR similar to your own skin colour. That way, the pigment has something sticky to cling onto.

As well, if you don't want fallout, remember to tap off any excess so you don't get fallout on your cheeks!

 

[shontay07108]

I used to just apply my pigments dry, but I tried it with fix+ recently and I love using that with the pigment most of the time. I use a 239 brush and I dip it into the plastic cover that comes between the lid and the actual product so that I won't pick up too much. I don't use a paint pot or anything other than too faced shadow insurance primer, but I'm sure a paint pot or a colored base similar to the pigment color would be great. Oh and pat the product onto your lids instead of sweeping it. You'll get less fallout and more opacity from the pigment.

 

[nebbish]

I've had a lot of problems with piggies myself. They never want to be true to the color I know they are! UNTIL NOW.

- First, you need a good brush. My current love is the BE concealer brush. It doesn't work well with liquids cos it's intended for powder & does a beautiful job with my pigs. The brush doesn't have to be fancy, it just need to be POROUS & DENSE. This helps pick up & hold the pigs.

- Use the pigment from the side of the jar or the lid! Dipping the brush, as someone mentioned earlier, is way messy. Pat/rub the pig into the brush itself and then tap it on the side to remove excess.

- I use a PP [Soft Ochre] and Pixie Epoxy as my bases. If I want my colors to REALLY stand out, I use Pure White Chromaline on top of the PP, under the PE. This seems like a lot, but you only need very small amounts. I suggest one eye at a time, as everything tends to dry quickly. You can use any base you want, but definitely use a base! It helps make the pigs stick & of course helps with creasing. I've also used a PP mixed with a CCB, which also produces beautiful results.

- PAT DON'T SWEEP! This gives the best color payoff! & helps prevent fallout, unless you're me in which case nothing is really going to help

I've never applied wet, so I can't say anything about that other than it can change the way some colors look, which is great if that's what you're after.

HTH!

 

[summerblue]

I never use a pigment directly from the jar/lid, but, rather, I transfer a small amount to a sample jar & use it from there as not to contaminate the original jar.

 

[User38]

I use my taklon brush dampened with spritz -- I pack it on and then sweep as I am now looking for a lighter airbrushed finish. Also, removing some of the product from the original jar is a good idea -- MAC sells the small stackable jars and these work great for me when I move around and carry pigments.

 

[JM3535]

I love pigments but they can be messy. I will put on pigments first and use Almay's m/u remover pads to pick up the fallout. Because no matter how you apply them there will be fallout. Don't give up!

 

[Miss Redgal]

i usually use pigments in one particular spot
sprinkle some out in a napkin
then use a flat brush and pat it on with fix + or a mixing medium