PIGMENT Pressing

[@narcotica1411]

This is such a great way, I find loose pigments so hard to work with, I am definitely pressing mine! Thanks so much Koren, you totally saved me from keeping a bunch of unused pigments around!

[@EnKoreMakeup]

Pigments are a more concentrated colorant. so its multi use, can be applied to lips, and face as well as long as they are approved for those areas. Eyeshadows have fillers and additives that makes it stick to the lid area, and also approved for use in the eye area.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

you check it every now and then, and using a tip of your clean finger, touch the surface, if it feels firm, and no trace of the pigment sticks to your finger, you can start pressing. If it still feel wet/damp, give it more time.

[@ellovato]

Thank you so much for this video! I pressed a all of my pigments today and now have them all conveniently located in one place. You're the best!

[@EnKoreMakeup]

pigments are more multi use - you can use some as blushes and some are used in lips as well. Eyeshadows are mainly used for the eye area, and sometimes I find myself using the lighter ones as face highlighters. Eyeshadows have added ingredients as well that makes the powders stick to the skin, and pigments are used to color eyeshadows. hope that helps.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yes, the pressed pigment will get wet, so make sure to let it out to air dry prior to storing back. I scrape some powder off then use a wet brush - then this defeats the purpose of pressing, and the reason why I keep some pigments loose.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yes, you can mix body butter or shea butter with the pigments and it will be like a paste/cream shadow consistency.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

by pressing it, it makes it neater, and less mess. Pigment powders gets all over the place and can be subject to spilling. Not to mention less Fall-outs when youre applying it. Thats why many presses them, rather than having them in loose powder form.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Jovoices - No, this method is ONLY for regular pigments and eyeshadows, like from MAC. For anything fine-milled or mineralized like BE or HIP, you will need mixing medium like I did on my Pressing Mineralized video.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

pressed eyeshadows are about 1.3 grams, so its best to weigh your loose powders or refer to a conversion chart. Converting volume (tsp) to weight (gr) can be tricky, but for most light powders 1/2 teaspoon is about 1 gr.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

absolutely - thats how you can come up with other colors, effects. and finishes too.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

depends on the pigment. Some coarser ones are enough. The finer ones you need more, usually abour 1/2 teaspoon.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey bevhillschic - absolutely! thats one of pigment's great wonders. You can definitely add pigments to change colors, lighten, brighten, etc.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

You can use mixing medium or eyedrops like visine. But it will take pretty much half the day to dry, so alcohol is preferred if you dont want to wait long as it evaporates faster than others.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

pressing compacts the powders and binds further. The pirments would be usable not pressed but it will just dry to its original powder form if not pressed, basically.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

it's on the vid! you can get them online. Different companies carry them. I get mine (mostly) from Yabycosmetics dot com. You can get blush pans and all sorts of empty palettes there as well. Make sure you switch to US $ as the prices shown are in Canadian $. Pack of 8 e/s empty pans is like $3 (US).

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yes - they are 2 different things. Pigments that people refer to, are loose multi-purpose color powders that MAC or NYX sells. Minerals are loose powders made from ground mineral mixtures and colorants.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

Yes! you can definitely mix the pigments to come up with other colors. Definitely give it a try.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

jet-milled fine powders are harder to press, and some mattes are hard too - but can be achieved using a pressing medium instead of alcohol.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

isopropyl alcohol, by nature, is oily in its pure form. So it will act as a polymer which makes it a great mixing medium. You need the pigment to dry for it to bind together. Pressing binds it further more.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

a lot of people prefer to use them much like a regular eyeshadow, so pressing it is best. Also, its not as messy when it is pressed, as most of us know - loose pigments tend to get/spill everywhere. Also, NO Fall-Outs when its pressed, again, unlike loose, when you apply it, most will end up in your ender eye. So thats why a lot of people press them to pans.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hi lanie - basically you will need about 1/2 teaspoon total of pigments. No, visine will not bind the pigments, it will look like it will but after a couple days, it will be back to its powder state, and there are ingredients in visine that will stay in the product. Alcohol evaporates when it dries.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

you can use pigments from other brands, they are safe as long as they are cosmetic pigments. And make sur ethat they are approved for application in the eye area. There are those that are not approved even from MAC.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yes you can, however, if you are pressing matte or fine-milled powder pigments like NYX, then you need to use my Pressing Minerals method.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey jas - yes you can press La Femme. You can use mixing medium, it just take so much longer to dry.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

if they are finely milled or matter - you need to use the Pressing Mineral version. if you use this alcohol version, it will not press and bind well.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

its the pigments -- if youre pressing regular ones, you want the alcohol method. If you are pressing mattes of fine powder pigments, then you want to use the Mineral pressing method.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

the Smidgen are usually part of a measuring spoon set you get from Kitchen store like Bed Bath Beyond, Linen's and things. The micro spatula I got from a Science Laboratory Store.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

Yep same way - and you can use a small metal measuring (1/4)cup to press.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

pressing medium are basically the liquid you add to the powder to make them stick together and pressable. People add oils, but some prefer oil-free products.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Yaya - no, they will not still be eye safe. What cometics company do is they get the products tested by Opthalmologist, if they dont pass for eye wear, then the product is labels not safe for eye use. So, pressing will not change that unfortunately. You can get the sample jars at Michaels or online at Beautyfromtheeart or coastalscents, and various soap-making stores too.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

Yes you can, it just take LONGER to dry. Waterbase Mixing Medium is basically water and glycerine. MAC has an alcohol based one as well. I use 91 percent rubbing alcohol and it dried in 20 minutes. I used waterbased mixing medium before and it took about 1 hour 15 minutes. So, I guess that depends on how soon you want them to dry.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

the ones that has GLITTERS doesnt work. The pigment part will set and press, but the glitters will stay loose, as there is no polymers that will bind them together. I still have to further experiment with REFLECTS and see if it is press-able using other mediums than alcohol.

[@DonniLava]

Oh thank you! I've been wondering how to do this for quite a while now. This was very informative. :D I love that you don't only do looks, you also show how to look after your utensils/ prepare the makeup! Great job.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Geck0 - yes, definitely go for the pressed ones if you're planning to press them anyway. Thats one step less to do. If theres a color you want pressed I believe you can email them and they will press for you.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

the pans i use are 26mm which fits perfectly into the MAC palettes. You can also get the pans from starsmakeuphaven

[@EnKoreMakeup]

the mac palettes have a metal plate backing -- so the only way it will keep the pan in, is adding a magnet in the base.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

you can use sample jars too, but of course, those will not go into palettes if you choose that route.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

I havent tried visine to press. You will need something with Glycerin or Dimethecone. Not sure if vidine have those. I know MM does - waterbased is glycerin base, and face&body MM is dimethecone base (best for fine powder pressing)

[@ainagurl]

I watched a bunch of pigment pressing videos & this one was BY FAR the best one.. cant wait to try it, thanks sooo much!

[@EnKoreMakeup]

it blows the powders all over the place if you spray it on, and the alcohol dries on the surface before it soaks the powders or get to the bottom ones.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yep - alcohol pretty much evaporates pretty quickly. By the time the pigment is pressed and dried all the alcs are gone.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

we get them at most drugstores and grocery stores here. Some countries calls it Isoprpyl, or Isoprophenol. Its the more sceintific term for rubbing alcohol

[@EnKoreMakeup]

i got the spatula from the Discovery Channel Store at a Mall. Just google micro spatula and see who sells them close to you. Most likely a chemicstry/laboratory store or something like that. Cinema Secrets also have a stainless steel makeup spatula you can check.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

some pigments are not opthalmologist approved to be safe for the eyes. All makeup products that can be applied to the eye area has to pass certain tests including opthal before they can market it as SAFE for eye area.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

the Pro Palette is 26mm - so starsmakeuphaven one have the right size if youre using the MAC palettes.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

Well for me, its less messy! Loose pigments tend to get all over the place. If I use them as eyshadows, it's better pressed, plus, pressing them in pans and putting them on my palette is far easier than carrying each individual jars of them. I have about 60 colors, and those fit in 4 palettes -- yeah better than lugging 60 jars around. I still carry a few jars for airbrushing because those needs to be in loose form (diluted with mixing medium).

[@EnKoreMakeup]

Micas are basically what pigments are without the preservatives, parabens, and additives. So if you like a more all-natural pigment, definitely look into micas.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey bubbles - for the most part, the MESS factor. Loose pigments can get all over the place either spilling or simply opening jar caps etc. Pressed is neater, you dont have to deal with the loose mess.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey proudmama - definitely try. If the powders were finely jet-milled, its harder to press them. If its a little corse, then it will press nicely.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

Yes, all the alcohol actually evaporates, so it doesnt stay on the product once it completely dries.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

sorry, I mean i USE now. I used to use the pans from Yabycosmetics but those were smaller than what fits in MAC palettes. But Yaby also sells empty palettes that fits their pans.

[@Vexxia2Go]

I'm sure you have been told this many times over, but you are so adorable and AMAZING!! This is such a great idea. I have so many pigments and samples; this will keep me much more organized than the bottles and baggies. Thanks!!

[@lorinait]

Hi koren! I used this procedure also to create a perfect eyeshadow out of a trio (colors golden, copper and white): I cracked the whole thing into a "mortaio" (italian grandmas used it to cook pesto sauce), I punched them, added a few drops of demineralized water, poured into a sterilized pot, and let it dry without lid in a clean place for a couple of days. In my case I did not press it, so at one point it was a bit dusty. Next time I added more water, so it was creamy!

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey taylor - there is no change in color, vividness, or texture. Many here have pressed using this method with great success. Definitely give it a try.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Angie - I got them at office depot, and the recent ones from Staples. They come in all kinds of colors like red, yellow, blue, green, white. I think theyre called DOT LABELS - have a check again.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey paige - 70% works fine just allow a little longer time to dry. NYX pigments are fine milled, so you need the MM method on that. For the pans, both starsmakeuphaven and coastalscents now carry pans that fits mac palettes.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

the alcohol completely evaporate when the powder dries. So by the time you use it when its completely dry and pressed, tehre will be no mor alcohol in it.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Karika - the alcohol should completely evaporate after a while, even if you over add alcohol. Depends on when you pressed the shadow, give it a day or couple days before using, make sure it airs out too to really dry.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

the alcohol evaporates once it completely dries. So it will be way gone before the pressed e/s is ready to apply.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey yadah - for the most part full-sized pigments are the same size. The only ones that comes smaller are the holiday set.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey lesley - like which glitter pigments? Pressing is not ideal for anything super glittery as the binders strip the colors off the glitters. I tried to press reflects glitters and all the glitters turned silver as the alcohol or mixing medium stripped the colors. I also tried pressing regular glitters and again, they all turned out silver.

[@jujibee]

u r so descriptive and informative. you skip over no details. i love it!!

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey babycatk - much like regular eyeshadows, its less messy than using loose form. Its still multi use when pressed.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Yaya - 1/4 teaspoon is average for most sample size out there and its an ok amount to press. I find that if I want a real full pan, less than 1/2 teaspoon is ideal (give or take)but trying to really fill a tin pan is messy to press, so you are really better off not filling it.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yeah, but if they are finely milled, its best to use the Mineral Pressing method.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yes, you can - again make note that mattes needs to be pressed in a different way. You will need the Pressing Minerals method for those.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Koko - I have a seperate video on Pressing Minerals. Its in 2-parts ne is Preparing, and the other is pressing. I hope that helps you. For regular pigments you can use mixing medium, but it will take HOURS to dry, instead of minutes using alcohol. And you cant let it completely dry, so you have to keep an eye on it. So Alcohol is more ideal, unless you have all day to keep checking every 15 mins or so. Hope that helps.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yes, that works just a great, it just takes a little longer to dry because its got more water ratio than the 91%, but thats it.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

just regular rubbing alcohol you buy from the drugstore. its also called isopropyl or isoprophenol.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yeah these days they are tough to find! I get them at michaels and the last trip, i didnt see them. I also get them at Pearl's Crafts or the Ragshop. Joanne's Crafts might have them to. I started just buying the sheets and using a large hole-punch. It works splendid!

[@EnKoreMakeup]

thats pretty much it, I use the pans to make lipstick palettes in pans. and pressing pigments.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

more like cake icing consistency, just let it sit a while and when you dab it with your finger and the pigment doesnt stick you your finger, then its ready to press.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

any clean fabric works -- jeans materials, tshirt, etc - just look at the weave of the fabric closely, what you see is the pattern or hatchmark impression it will leave on the surface.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

No, once it thoroughly dry, the alc evaporates along with the smell.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Kimo- well, for me, its more compact than having a lot of jars, and its less messy when its pressed. loose powders can get everywhere if youre not careful.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Sonya - i got the paper circle labels from Office Depot, the magnets from Michaels (also starsmakeuphaven) the 91% alcohol from walgreens, and the cotton thingie is just a clean old shirt I cut.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

You will need to use the Pressing Mineral method on matte pigments.

[@EmilyBee]

It worked, it worked! Great tutorial, many thanks for posting this clip. (It's quite addicting too, I might add--I made 5 pots for my palette last night.) I also whipped up a batch of your homemade brush cleaner as well--fabulous stuff & so easy to make! Keep those tutorials coming :)

[@EnKoreMakeup]

you can try it. I BAKE my mineralized stuff. I still have to experiment myself with pressing variety of mineral pigments. So far I have success with baking them, just like manufacturers do. But that's another complete new tutorials. For now, try this method, and let me know!

[@EnKoreMakeup]

if youre pressing regular corse pigments, then NO, you need alcohol to bind the powders. otherwise they will just dry to its original loose form.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

ye syou can press HIP pigment - but you dont use alcohol, you use mixing medium. Hip pigments are finely milled and will be difficult to fuse using alcohol. Its the same process only, replace alcohol with mixing medium.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

most face powders are finely milled -- it will not press if you use alcohol. You need to use the Pressing Mineral (video) method for that.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

it just simply binds the loose powder together, and then it evaporates, leaving the powders nicely pressed.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

well, pigments technically are pure colors. So when someone say oh, wow, thats really pigmented, it means it has vivid intense color. Most pigments come in Powder form.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

i havent seen empty pans from any drugstores. But you can buy ELF shadows and just empty it out and use the pan. ELF products are $1 each.

[@MissDeeCanada]

I love the fact that you are always so organized!

[@EnKoreMakeup]

the spatula I got from the Discovery Channel Store, I dont know where else you can buy them, Im sure they are all over online, just google it.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

you can get thos elittle jars at Michaels Crafts, in the same isle where painting brushes are.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Proma- its the same color. If you want it to look more vibrant, apply it using a wet brush. That will give you a better, intense color pay-off.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yeah I havent seen the tin pans anywhere but online. I have a video on MAC brushes vs painting brushes that might help you. Just look it uop in my vids list.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey charmbutterfly -- they sell 1/4 teaspoon smaple, and yes, that is more than enough to fill the pans. They also added FULL SIZE bottles! check those out too.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey ssoundsoul - the scooper, i got from Bed Bath and Beyond. Its part of a Measuring Spoon set, and this one is the smidgen. The spatula I got online at a chemistry/ laboratory supply store. You can buy stainless steel spatula at Cinema Secrets too.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey nancy - for mica powders, you want to use my Pressing Minerals method. I have a seperate video on that.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey Darth - if its finely milled powder its best to use my Mineralized Pressing method. If its coarse like MAC Pigments, then this method will work.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

hey ooLice- yes you can create custom colors by mixing pigments.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

depending on the alcohol you used - the higher the percentage, the faster it dries.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

in the UK they are called Surgical Spirit.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

I heard in the UK its called isoprophenol. Some also say Ethanol. And some are refered to as Surgical Spirit. Check at Boots or other Pharmacy type stores.

[@EnKoreMakeup]

yeah, as long as they are not finely jet-milled or matte.