Pigments have long been used in the creation of professional makeup, and recently they have become available for home use, and immediately became very popular. And no wonder, because no eyeshadow can match the brightness and durability of pigments.
What is this
Actually, a pigment is a colored powder that is ground very, very finely. Initially, it is it that is added to the cosmetic base to obtain eye shadow, lipstick or nail polish. It is the pigment that gives this or that shade to the product. However, later the colored powder itself was used to create make-up, similar to how it was used in antiquity.
The highly pigmented powders themselves, leaving a bright mark on the skin or fabric, are not a modern development. Ancient people used the first pigment from iron oxide for rock art, and in the early Minoan era in Crete, purple was mined from snail shells. Of course, today pigments are mostly synthetic in origin, but the principle has been preserved.
What is the difference between pigment and shadows
So, the mainThe difference between these products for the eyes lies on the surface - the pigment is much brighter and richer than the shadows. However, this is not all the differences. The pigment for the eyes is a concentrate of color, you need very little of it to get a bright make-up. Shadows, as a rule, lie down in a translucent layer. By the way, the economical consumption of pigments prompted manufacturers to release it as an independent product for professional makeup artists - they need a lot of cosmetics, and dry pigment for the eyes, which requires quite a bit, allows you to save a lot.
And one more difference, so fond of first by professionals, and then by those who paint on their own - the pigments mix perfectly with each other. This allows you to create new shades of cosmetics, unique and suitable for you. In addition, the pigment can be added to an existing cosmetic product, diversifying its palette. For example, by adding glitter or metallic pigment to your usual eyeshadows, you will get an updated shimmery eyeshadow with a new property.
Secrets of using pigment in eye makeup
If you decide to try the pigment in eye makeup, then you should not think that you will limit yourself to buying only one jar. First, you will need a special brush. Recall that the pigment is a dry fine powder, and it is better to apply it on the eyelid not with a finger, not with a sponge, but only with a brush. Moreover, it should be flat, tightly stuffed, wide and fairly rigid. The soft brush prevents eye pigment from picking up, and the wide, flat shape allows it to be properly applied to the eyelid.
It is also better to choose a brush from a combined or artificial material, as a natural one may not pick up enough pigment on the pile. But to blend the already applied dye, you can use a fluffy natural brush.
You will also need a primer. This is a special substance that allows the pigment to adhere well to the skin and stay on it for a long time without smearing or erasing. You may also need a special gel with which it is convenient to mix shades.
How to use eye pigments
Although the pigment resembles loose eyeshadow, it is worth remembering that it is much more concentrated and requires careful application and some practice.
First of all, apply primer to the eyelid, and then take a little pigment from the jar with the right brush and shake off the excess on the edge of the package. Apply the product without smearing, but driving it into the skin with light patting movements. For this you need a wide and flat brush. This technique will avoid shedding of the pigment.
Even if you use only one shade for eye makeup, you will need to blend it to make the border invisible. To do this, take a clean soft brush and work as with regular shadows.
How to choose
First of all, carefully read what is indicated on the jar of the product. Pigments approved for use on the eyes must be labeled accordingly. Shouldn't be usedfor the eyelids, the product whose purpose you doubt, since some pigments are quite aggressive, and applying them near the mucous membrane of the eye can be dangerous to he alth. Usually these are neon and very bright acid shades.
In addition, pigments have a different effect when applied to the skin. They happen:
- Satin - with a slight, even sheen, reminiscent of that of a silk or satin fabric.
- Shimmer - with small sparkles in the composition, which create depth and radiance of color.
- Metallic effect - silver, bronze, gold shadows that allow you to get a spectacular dense coverage with a metallic sheen.
- Matte - not having any shine.
Despite the fact that initially pigments have a very good ability to create a dense bright coating, today you can also find powder pigments on sale. They have a more transparent application and are designed to create a semblance of haze on the finished eye makeup.
Stamps
Today, eye pigment can be bought at any cosmetic store. One of the most popular are products from the American company MAC. They are used by professional makeup artists around the world, and among makeup lovers they have many adherents. They are perfectly applied, shaded, do not roll on the eyelids and have a rich palette. The most famous and versatile of them are the shades of Vanilla and Naked. By the way, due to their neutral light shade and magnificent shine, they are often used as a highlighter, for example, forapplication under the eyebrow.
Another famous pigment manufacturer is Inglot. This brand is famous for the fact that you can buy as many refills and jars as you like, and then create new compositions with them, store them in magnetic cases and combine them as you wish. The glittery eye pigments from this brand are also distinguished by their richness of shades, especially the presence of a large number of interesting duochrome shades, that is, those that combine two different colors that appear in different lighting conditions.
A more affordable product is NYX brand pigments. They have a rich palette from neutral light and beige to deep dark or bright shades with a chic sheen of iridescent particles. They last long enough than only high-quality expensive eye pigment can usually boast. Reviews, however, note the inconvenient packaging and the capricious nature of the colored powder - it is quite difficult to apply it accurately, especially for beginners.
Pigment makeup examples - daytime version
If you need everyday makeup for work or school, pigments can add a twist to it. For daytime makeup, the ideal option is light neutral shades with a slight shimmer or satin sheen. For eye makeup, apply a primer on the eyelid, and then draw arrows with a black pencil or kajal. Blend the upper border of the arrow and apply pigment to the entire moving eyelid. Add mascara - and daytime makeup is ready. On the one hand, thisa very simple option, but on the other hand, it is the pigment that will give the look depth and brightness.
Evening eye makeup
In evening make-up, where bright colors and brilliant shadows are appropriate, pigments reveal all their beauty. And to make the bright pigmented shades even brighter, they should be applied not on the bare skin of the eyelids, and not even on a colorless primer, but on a black oily base, best of all on black cream shadows.
Shadows should be applied to the entire moving eyelid, setting the main outline of the drawing with a brush. Also, shadows need to bring the lower eyelid close to the mucous membrane of the eye. Next, with a softer brush, you need to slightly shade the borders on the upper eyelid, and also extend the shadows to the outer corner of the eye. Then, without delay, until the base has dried completely, apply the pigment. It is better to take two or three shades - light for the inner corner of the eye, dark for the outer and an intermediate bright color for transition. It can be blue, green, purple, or even golden eyeshadows that are appropriate for a festive make-up.
Start light pigment into black eyeliner from the inner corner of the eye, stretching the color all over the eyelid. Then add a second color and blend the border between them. Stretch the third color to the outer corner of the eye towards the temples, remaining within the contour previously drawn with shadows. Don't forget to apply pigment to the lower eyelid as well.
Next, it remains only to correct the drawing with a clean brush, remove the crumbling particles with a napkin and make up orput on false eyelashes. You can also add concealer to mask the circles under the eyes and highlight the lower eyebrow contour.
Permanent makeup pigments
Let's say a few words about the pigments used in permanent eye makeup. Unlike conventional cosmetics, they are in a gel or semi-liquid form and consist of the actual pigment, water and glycerin.
In eye tattooing, the technique of filling the space between the eyelashes with color (which makes the eyelashes visually darker and fuller without the use of mascara) and drawing arrows on the upper eyelid (imitation of a pencil arrow) is mainly used. Also, tattooing will help to give the eyes a more beautiful shape or correct the lowered outer corner of the eye.
Pigments for permanent makeup are mostly black-brown, less often blue, green, gray shades. The beauty of modern professional tools is that the master can mix shades and choose the perfect one for each color type.
