TECHNIQUE FAQ: Pigment uses

mac_obsession · 06-07-2005, 01:04 PM #1 (**permalink**)

Where can I wear MAC pigments?
The most common uses for MAC pigments are on the eyes and the lips, but pigments can be used anywhere on the face, décolleté, cheeks, eyes, lips, nails and hair. They can be used as a blush, contour, highlight, to enhance, whatever you want - anything, anywhere. It is, however, suggested to ensure the product safety status prior to using MAC pigments.

What techniques are used to wear MAC pigments on the eyes?
Using pigments as a loose eye shadow can be difficult, and it’s best to use a base to help them adhere.

Many products can be used as a base. The most popular are Urban Decay's Primer Potion, MAC Shadesticks, MAC Paints, MAC Cream Color Bases, Mixing Mediums (such as Ben Nye LiquiSet, or MAC's water-based mixing medium), water, or saline drops (such as Visine). Some people use petroleum jelly (Vaseline), or lip balm as a base. Anything that is tacky, or helps the pigment to stick to your skin will help. Not only will this help the pigments stay put, but will aid makeup in lasting all day, and night, if need be.

You can also combine a drop of water, mixing medium, visine, or other liquid of your choice with a pigment forming a sort of 'paint' which will create a more metallic, satin or smooth finish.

The best way to avoid dusting pigments onto your face while applying them to your eyes is to put a tissue under your eye, the corner of which pointing towards the corner of your nose and eye.

Pigments can also be used as an eyeliner, wash, contour, highlight, all over color, or however you choose to use them.

What techniques are used to wear MAC pigments on the lips?
There are a few techniques for using pigments in lip color.
You can mix the pigment with clear or colored lip gloss in a separate jar, or you can apply a bit of pigment to your lips after putting gloss on, blend, and then add another coat of gloss on top.

What techniques are used to wear MAC pigments in nail color?
You can add pigments to clear nail polish to create your own color. It is a good idea to use a jar of polish that has the little metal agitator pellet in it. If your polish does not have the agitator ball, you can use a small be-be or ball bearing, which you can generally find at craft stores or hobby shoppes. Using these metal balls allows you to continue to mix the two elements together.

You can also use pigments and glitters by sprinkling them over nail polish before it has dried.

What techniques are used to wear MAC pigments as body shimmer?
You can add pigments to body cream by putting a dab of cream in your hand, sprinkling pigment on top and mixing together to create a beautiful shimmery body lotion.

You can also add pigments to any foundation or facial cream to give it a pearlescent or shimmer effect.

What techniques are used to wear MAC pigments as cheek color??
Apply small dabs of the pigment across your cheek like a football player line, and then blend in with your fingers or a brush.

What techniques are used to wear MAC pigments on hair?
Take your favorite hair styling product (cream, mousse, gel, pomade, etc.), sprinkle a bit of pigment over it and mix well. Then streak it through your hair, or use all over for a total effect. If pigments or glitters are just dusted over your hair without mixing with something to help them adhere to the hair, they can spill out causing pigment to be everywhere.

angelwings · 08-19-2005, 09:39 PM #2 (**permalink**)

Thanks for posting this

mac_obsession · 08-19-2005, 10:25 PM #3 (**permalink**)

You're Welcome

I hope it helps!

Grace · 08-29-2005, 10:21 PM #4 (**permalink**)

wow, i've been looking for some info like this...i've been doing a lot of window shopping on ebay but there are so many choices and i don't quite know a lot about pigments...thank you

mac_obsession · 08-29-2005, 10:58 PM #5 (**permalink**)

You're very welcome Grace, if you need some more help just msg me

Butterfly Princess · 11-28-2005, 03:53 AM #6 (**permalink**)

Thankyou so much for this info. I just bought some pigment samples and it helps to know how I can use them

oh_yes_nicola · 12-12-2005, 07:01 PM #7 (**permalink**)

yeah I just bought my first 2 MAC pigments EVER and I've been having trouble figuring out how to use them. This is really helpful from the beginners point of view. Oh and on the subject of pigments, how can you get samples?

luvme4me · 12-15-2005, 06:36 PM #8 (**permalink**)

Thanks for posting. Can't I also just use water on my brush and spread it on my eye lids like true colors?

bluekrushbabe · 01-10-2006, 03:53 PM #9 (**permalink**)

Thanks for that great post. It was very helpful to get a more detailed way of using pigemnts. Great job!!

.Serenity.Eludes. · 01-14-2006, 03:19 AM #10 (**permalink**)

i was just thinking about this and i googled it the best i could and found nothing. Thanks so much!

cyens · 01-19-2006, 07:19 PM #11 (**permalink**)

Awsome, I didnt knew how to use my 2 samples. I experiented and did some tinted lip balm with it.

thank you so much!!!

And I did a lil' tutorial out of curiousity!!
http://specktra.net/forum/showthread...344#post363344

thanks again :P

RicanPrincipessa · 01-23-2006, 03:26 AM #12 (**permalink**)

Thank you...

thank... you thank you!

Luxurious · 01-24-2006, 11:22 AM #13 (**permalink**)

helps a lot...

laurenmo88 · 02-07-2006, 09:21 PM #14 (**permalink**)

what is everyone's favorite way to get pigments to stick? UD primer potion, CCB, paints, or water/visine???

lil_lee · 02-20-2006, 10:47 AM #15 (**permalink**)

Thank you for those tips...I'm hoping to buy some pigments but was at first put off because I didn't have a clue how to wear them!!! Thank you

pjammer · 02-21-2006, 08:53 AM #16 (**permalink**)

Thanks for the tips. I am hoping to get some pigment samples from eBay and appreciate the info! Everyone here is so knowledgable! I am so glad I found you.