How to Press Pigments & Fix Broken Eyeshadows

How to press pigments and fix broken eyeshadows! Don't toss them, repair them easily with these steps!
Products Used in the Tutorial:
Empty 26 mm pans
www.coastalscen...
You can also pop your pans in these on-the-go pots!
www.coastalscen...
Small spoons
www.coastalscen...
To see how I make my magnets for my pans, please see previous video about depotting here:
• Video
Look Worn in Video:
MAC Dynamo on the lid
MAC Mythical and Wedge in the crease
MAC Orb to blend
Red Cherry false eyelashes #47
MAC Hibiscus lipstick

[@prettygreenglow]

Outstanding video, Z! I used your information to press 21 pigments/loose eye shadows, and one broken eyeshadow. The result is a neatly put together palette with several custom eye shadows made from pigment fragments. This was so much fun. Thank you!

[@Zabrena]

Oh no! Happy this has helped you repair it! :) Thanks for watching!

[@cathy12957]

This is one of the coolest DIY videos I've seen. Thanks for the knowledge.

[@meitaltool]

I did press one of my pigments exactly as you showed and the result is STUNNING !!!! Thank you for another super tutorial! Love you!

[@Zabrena]

Haha! Really!! ;) Thank you for the sweet comments!! I'm so glad you're enjoying the site! XOXO! :D

[@Zabrena]

Hi! You could definitely try Witch Hazel and see how it goes. I haven't had any experience with it directly so I can't really say from personal experience. I'm sure there wouldn't be a dramatic difference between the two as they are interchangeable in real life. :)

[@Zabrena]

Thank you for becoming a member! Enjoy the site!! :)

[@MrsTitina]

Wow!!! I've just pressed my fiirst EIGHT pigments into a couple of palettes I bought on EBay. And I've had amazing results!! Thank u sooooo much!!!

[@Zabrena]

Hmmm! Do you have something like Witch Hazel? That works in place of alcohol too!

[@mindracer1]

After getting back into makeup after a 30 year absence (don't ask!), I find.your videos informative, helpful, and easy to understand. I just subscribed to your site and I'm loving everything there. Thank you SO much for sharing!.

[@Zabrena]

The color won't be lost, but I haven't tried pressing any of the MUG pigments yet so I can't say if they'll press easily or not. Because Utopia is a little chunkier than most, it may have some issues, but I can't say for certain. My apologies!

[@marissabrooke713]

do you think you could do like a pigment and maybe a glitter and get a nice effect??

[@Zabrena]

Exactly! :) That's the other reason why I love pressing them - makes them SO much easier for travel!

[@Sapphirejewals]

A Very well explained technique and tutorial. Thank you very much. Have you tried other pressing agents. If so I am curious to know your results.

[@Zabrena]

I haven't tried it, but I recommend cotton because it absorbs MUCH better. Silk may or may not. :)

[@Zabrena]

More than likely after the new lash line is announced in August/Sept., I may be giving away a few of them ;) Thanks for asking!

[@Zabrena]

Hmm! Were these MAC pigments? If it's not a MAC pigment, that might explain why. It might help to add a tiny amount of glycerin in when you press them. I have some NYX pigments I have to do that with, or they fall apart like you mentioned with the metallics. Glycerin will just help to bind them together; it sounds like they're missing the binding agent found in MAC's pigments.

[@Zabrena]

Oh wow! What a project! I'm so happy to hear this was helpful for; thanks for sharing that! I love the part where you get to sit back and admire all your hard work - ha! :)

[@marciaboc8672]

OMG!!! The best tutorial ever!! I just bought a big bags of coastal scents pigments ! I've never imagine that it was so many in a bag!!! THANKS!

[@dianamanotti8953]

can u do this with bare mineral loose eyeshadows?

[@Zabrena]

Great way to put bronzer back together! Have fun! :)

[@HettieB8]

Is there anything else you could use rather than the rubbing alcohol/vodka; perhaps witch hazel? Or would they really not work very well at all? Or would it just take longer for them to evaporate and they work fine? [I know witch hazel seems to evaporate pretty fast when on my skin and it's antibacterial etc] Thanks! P.S I loooove the idea of mixing your own colours. So creative (:

[@MarimbaCharlotte]

Does it work mixing it with fix plus or another setting spray instead of rubbing alcohol? :)

[@mauistarz8302]

I think that's the best method mixing with setting spray. Also makes the pigments more adhesive and more opaque. I've tried the setting spray and an eye primer gel. Works great! You would still have to put a little alchohol to dry it out a little to set it.

[@amandamontgomery3021]

Can this be done with loose blushes as well? I have several loose Bare Minerals blushes that I would love to press!

[@makayladixon7150]

This is awesome! I think I'm going to try to press some of my bare essentials pigments but perhaps using a smaller amount so I don't have to use my whole jar. Also, if you are looking for the pans they are on amazon. type in makeup pans and you can get 10 for $4.50

[@laureenhawes8093]

Hi! I'm assuming the alcohol dries sufficiently so as not to burn the eyes.How long do you have to wait before you can use them? Great idea, I have several pigments I haven't used in a while because they're too messy.

[@Valerio9170]

How will this affect a chunckier pigment such as MUG's Utopia, will the overall effect be the same or will some of the color be lost?

[@huotariart]

Great tutorial. Signed up to be a member of your website!! Pretty excited!

[@natadamscole]

This is so cool! Thank you for the tip! by the way, you're wedding ring is GORGEOUS

[@menraholez69]

tkbtrading also has great pigments, micas, and mixing stuff. Their sample size is 6g for only $1.50

[@ginasparks5413]

Wow...I had no idea that you could fix broken/dropped eye shadows. You are a genius, Zabrena!! Thanks for the great tutorial!! xo Gina

[@stacymarie7500]

zabrena, I was wondering if just using alcohol would work with the jessie's girl pigments

[@Debbie7351]

Thanks for this video. I am curious to know if you have had problems with the shadows having looseness when using a brush on it. It isn't that bad inside my jar but if in a palette, it would pose a problem. I was hoping to just use alcohol like you have, but am wondering if I need to use a binder too.

[@Zabrena]

Debbie7351 Hi! With MAC pigments, no binding agent is needed, but if you're using other pigments it may very well be possible :)

[@AAB-intheATL]

I want to press my Silk Naturals pigments and have watched several tutorials, but then I saw yours. Yours makes sense and I'm ready to try! Going to give this a go today. :-)

[@victoriaatiya862]

For a repairing a broken eyeshadow pan,, does alcohol dry out the pigment or change the original pigment color?

[@jkruger2576]

First, I want to say I love the design of your wedding band. Unique and classy; very pretty. I haven't tried pressing yet, but I have tons of Bare Minerals loose eye shadows. In many tutorials I have read you need a binder. You only used alcohol. Do you know if only using Alcohol will work with Bare Minerals brand? Or will I need a binder and if so, what is the name of a binder so that I can find some. Thanks! New Year Resolution: DECLUTTER (starting with make up!)

[@Faes_gaming]

Wont the rubbing achohol make the pigmentation weaker??? And also Do you have to use a clothe cant you use a paper towel??

[@kawi4174]

Very interesting! A question though, are pigments the same as loose eye shadow powder? Could I use loose mineral eye shadow to do this?

[@natalieeeeeeeeeee97]

Ka Wi yes you could

[@ashlynnkaplan1369]

What about pressing a loose mineral foundation?

[@saigeherthneck5864]

I have a question, I have the James Charles palette and the yellow one is like cracking and falling apart I don’t know do it wasn’t pressed hard enough I don’t know but the yellow is a pressed pigment and I am scared if I cut it up and repress it I will ruin the shade. What should I do?

[@bombayrivers9228]

This is awesome! I near destoyed my bronzer a while ago so I'll try this out! XX

[@KittyKraftStudio]

What about binders?

[@rosalindrambo8507]

Do you use Bare Minerals. If so, can you do one for BM? or will it be done the same as the video. It would be first time. I have over 60 eyeshadow pigments with BM but never use because easier to use palette shadow. But mypigments are so much more beautiful. Thanks.

[@Tengounsecreto231]

This is late in coming but you need a pressing pigment for mineral shadows.

[@RHv445]

Do you know of a replacement for rubbing alcohol? In my country we don't use that.

[@dismalcyanidecustoms]

Just curious if anyone has had a problem after fixing the broken shadows or face powders, etc. with being able to pick up the product on a brush afterwards? I can’t seem to get hardly ANYTHING on my brush now that I have repaired and pressed a matte MAC shadow. I’ve also tried just adding the alcohol and smoothing it across and not packing it down with my shivering white powder that needed repair hoping it would help. Nope. Advice???!? Also, any tips on reviving dried up MAC gel liner??

[@mauistarz8302]

I would recommend heating the liner a bit. You could add very small amounts of glycerin or and oil like jojoba or grapeseed oil. I use the jojoba. Works great for me

[@DamnDaniify]

metallic? is that the same as shimmer? cause i want to do this to some very highly shimmery eyeshadows but im scared they will be bland afterwards.

[@thefarrahrose]

Can u press it on the pot(if the pot where smaller than urs)

[@Zabrena]

You are correct! ;) I usually wait a full 24 hours just to be sure myself, but waiting 6-8 is probably a real good idea if you want to use them quicker. :D

[@barbararodriguez6840]

do you use the same method for pressing pigments other than Mac? I heard that when pressing non-Mac pigments you have to add either fractionated coconut oil or glycerin along with the alcohol as Mac pigments already have a filler in them.

[@maggietjackson]

Can i use this trick for a larger size pressed translucent powder? i dropped mine and it broke

[@MB312011]

I tried doing this, but the metallic colors were not pressed, I mean when it got dry, It was all loose sitting in the pan, I tried with matte pigments and it worked fine but when i tried this method with 4 metallic colors, silver, bronze etc and it did the same thing, can you please suggest what can i do?

[@ejlyd]

Awesome tutorial! I've never we anything like this. Thanks!

[@faroshscale]

Is that safe to use on the eyes with the alchohol in it???

[@starsickkk]

faroshscale yep, alcohol evaporates completely and leaves nothing behind

[@mguerraone]

Hey Z, I was wondering if you knew of a different bonding agent to use with the MAC pigments that are matted, (for example: Basic Red, Pink Vivid, Yellow, Orange, etc)? The 91% alcohol makes the matted colors crack after pressing them. All other pigments that shimmer adhere very well when pressed. If you have any info, please share! Thanks so much!!

[@StormValleyStables]

I've heard good things about the TKB bonding agent that they have. That's what I'm going to try with my mineral eye pigments. It's REALLY cheap too, 2.50$ for ½ oz and that's all I think I'll need for my small pigments.

[@jenniferrogerson9338]

I love this thank you so very much. I have wanted to fix a few eyeshadow and could not because I didn't know how, now I do!

[@Zabrena]

I will keep that in mind for you! :) You really would just follow the same steps as you see here though, no different! :)

[@pvgiri00]

Where do you find the pans Can you use water insted of alohol

[@StormValleyStables]

Zpalette sells them as well as other retailers, and no you can't use water.

[@gaziaalshummary1917]

+Alexandra Doucet why?

[@bluebunny1013]

do you have to use rubbing alcohol

[@Zabrena]

Yeah, right?! I haven't experimented as much with creating my own custom colors as I'd like to, but I love that there's the option!

[@chrisannahampton]

I do this with mica powders because they are less expensive and the color is amazing but only use make up grade

[@shanleeDD]

Can u do this tech. Wish eyeshadows ?!?

[@jacquelinemartin3151]

Great idea but question: With rubbing alcohol does it burn? Maybe when it might rain.

[@MizzMetallikat76]

Is rubbing alcohol the same as isopropyl alcohol?

[@Zabrena]

Yes!

[@braishnarasul8601]

Can u do u vedio on broken blush

[@Freak2507]

I just have tried this with two of my shadows fron the najed palette because they sadly broke. Its now 4 hours ago and they shadows are just super slightly pigmented. What did i do wrong?:(

[@lucianita85]

hi! i don't understand what type of alcohol are u using, please could you write it, thanks :)

[@Zabrena]

Link is in the description box :)

[@Zabrena]

Aww yay!!! That's awesome!! So happy this helped you! Love you too! XOXO!

[@sarahsmiley8882]

You are fantastic!!! You are for sure going to help me make purchases!! (: SOOOO excited for the 'Archies Girls' collection to launch! REALLY hoping that they have some COLOR paint pots! :D EEEEEK, OMG, CANT WAIT!! Keep on being great! xoxox

[@snowboarddmonkey1]

so glad i found this, i was so sad i had destroyed my stila kitten eyeshadow but this worked for me. thanks! :)

[@KriistalKleerDiamond]

where can i get those tiny spoons?

[@imapikkle]

What camera do u use

[@ashleyroads202]

Where can I buy the pans?

[@laurenolson4553]

Won't using alcohol dry out a creamy formula? What could be better? The item is a physician formula butter blush.

[@Taurusbaby579]

This is sooo helpful! I've been depotting some shadows and have broken a few. I'm going to use this method for the next time I have an "accident" :-)

[@momiqazi217]

i live in saudi arabia and no alcohol here! is tgere an alternative way? thanx :)

[@Zabrena]

Saudi Arabia doesn't allow any alcohol in their country, even antiseptic types :( So unfortunately Momi couldn't get it like that either, but thanks for trying to help! ;)

[@rosalindrambo8507]

I tried it with Bare Minerals, it was a mess! It would not solidify. I'm not sure if its because its too finely milled. Any suggestions?

[@Tengounsecreto231]

For mineral shadows you need a pressing pigment. Mac pigments already have binders but mineral shadows don't. Watch vintageortacky's video on pressing pigments.

[@Zabrena]

Thank you! :)

[@hemptresslove]

Hey! I was wondering if the alcohol method works for my pressed pigment by MAC that is in Sweet Angel. So it has sparkle in it. I am watching and reading all these tutorials and everything and I dont know which one is right for me! It is shattered and in the bigger pan. HELP! :(

[@vickinoble4744]

Alternate S the pigment she used had a good shimmer to it. I have used this method on more higher glimmer (not exactly a full-on glitter and not really a shimmer) shadows and it works beautifully.

[@myadavis2490]

will the alcohol be okay for our skin once we apply our eyeshadow?

[@GamerGrl90]

It evaporates after 24hrs

[@meitaltool]

AWESOMEֱֱֱ!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND

[@Chispa8707]

Has anyone tried this with bare minerals loose eyeshadow? Good or bad results? Could this also work in the glitter pigments by Mac? Like reflect gold? Thanks for the help! :)

[@MarlaCalandra]

Ive used it with Bare minerals- its works

[@rabaabmirza846]

Any Substitute for alcohol ? Pls ?

[@axreason]

toner

[@yvetternld45]

Will this burn you eye

[@randomgirls1430]

Can i use water instead of alcohol

[@mauistarz8302]

I wouldn't recommend water. Water causes bacteria (mold) in the eyeshadows unless you have a preservative.

[@Zabrena]

Hiya! Not at all! :) They remain exactly the same; just MUCH easier to use/travel with! ;)

[@sparklewish80]

great video as usual!!

[@nmakosky54]

What kind of alcohol

[@kikibuzz25]

Has anyone tried this on a Lorac pro palette?

[@eRPeunia]

kikibuzz25 yes. it works just fine.

[@chalicemagic]

Thank you for making this video. I have my broken face powder next to me waiting to be repressed!

[@faithtrustandalittlepixied6468]

can you press glitters?

[@naiixxbby]

Yes (; however it is a little harder but check out shannybanny 's channel she has a great tutorial on it

[@Zabrena]

Haha! Once you start, you can't stop! :) Love ya too!

[@jhernandezjuarez]

Awesome!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@girlylaughter3071]

Can you do like half and half in one small pan thing lol

[@Zabrena]

Ah, same here! I think it's an initiation into depotting - everyone has to break one or two eyeshadows the first few times. LOL! :)

[@butterfly8514]

I love presssing mac pigment just alcohol ,pan and cloth

[@БориславаНайденова-у6я]

Thanks for this video!Love you eyeshawols

[@saskiacornish7126]

I clicked on this and then thought... wait a minute, you’re the historical makeup girl! Hell yeah.

[@Zabrena]

LOL! Hi love!

[@BeautyByMissB84]

you can even use a toner! i have a tutorial on that on my channel :)