Marianne Martinez
Pressing pigments into pans is a great way to create unique eyeshadows at home. It's a simple process that allows you to have complete control over the colours and ingredients in your makeup. All you need are a few key ingredients and tools, such as an empty eyeshadow pan, your chosen pigment, rubbing alcohol, a binding agent, and something heavy like books to press the pigment. The process involves mixing the pigment with alcohol to create a paste-like consistency, pressing it into the pan, and letting it dry. With this method, you can make colourful works of wearable art and avoid the messiness of loose pigments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Rubbing alcohol, empty shadow pan, heavy books, tea towel, pigment |
| Pigment type | Shimmery pigments are easiest to press; matte pigments can be used but may be dusty; glitter pigments should not be used |
| Pigment quantity | More pigment is needed than expected |
| Consistency | Paste-like consistency after adding alcohol; should be slightly chunky |
| Tools | Cotton bud, tea towel, quarters |
| Process | Drop the pigment pan lightly to level off the pigment; let alcohol evaporate for an hour; place tea towel, quarters, and heavy books on top of the pigment pan and let it dry overnight |
| Pan type | Metal pans are commonly used for eye shadows, eyebrow powders, and eyeliners; various pan shapes and sizes are available |
| Pan size | Eye shadows, eyebrow powders, and eyeliners are often pressed into 26-millimeter pans; pan sizes can range from 15 to 57 millimeters |
| Container | Reuse old containers or purchase new palettes; containers should have a lid to keep the product free from contaminants |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right pigment consistency
Type of Pigment
The type of pigment you choose will impact the final consistency of your pressed pigment. Shimmery pigments are generally the easiest to press, while matte pigments can be a bit dusty and glitter pigments are challenging to work with. Natural, synthetic, and specialty pigments are also available, each offering unique characteristics.
Pigment Loading
The amount of pigment you use will affect the consistency of your mixture. A higher pigment load will result in a thicker consistency, while adding too much alcohol or other binding agents can make your mixture too thin or runny. Aim for a paste-like consistency that can hold some form but is still somewhat liquid.
Colour Stability
Consider the colour stability of the pigment to ensure that it remains vibrant and consistent over time. Arcopearl® Black, for example, is known for its excellent colour stability, even in challenging conditions.
Texture
The texture of the pigment will influence the final consistency of your pressed pigment. Some pigments provide a creamy texture, making it easier to achieve a smooth application and blend.
Compressibility
If you are creating pressed powders, consider using pigments with excellent compressibility. Bismica Max Pigments, for instance, are known for their superior compressibility, making them ideal for creating high-quality pressed powders.
Dispersibility
Choose pigments that disperse easily in formulations to ensure uniform distribution and consistent colour payoff. Arcopearl® Sparkle Interference pigments, for instance, are designed for easy dispersibility, preventing clumping or streaking.
Sensory Experience
For a luxurious sensory experience, select pigments that offer a smooth and creamy feel. Arcopearl® Sparkle pigments, for instance, are known for providing a superior sensory experience, enhancing the overall user experience.
When selecting the right pigment consistency, it's important to consider the specific requirements of your project, whether it's for cosmetics, painting, or another creative endeavour. Experimenting with different pigments and consistencies will help you achieve the desired results.
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Preparing the pigment pan
To press pigments into pans, you will need an empty eyeshadow pan, pigment, rubbing alcohol, a couple of quarters, a clean dish towel, and a few heavy books.
Firstly, clean your empty eyeshadow pan of any remaining particles. Next, pile your pigment into the pan. The more pigment you can fit in, the better, as you will be adding alcohol to soak down the pigment. Then, add rubbing alcohol to the pigment via a dropper. You want your pigment to end up slightly chunky, with a paste-like consistency. If your pigment becomes too thin or runny, simply add more pigment until it becomes thick again.
At this point, you can pick up the pigment pan and drop it lightly a few times to level off the pigment and create a flat surface. Your pigment is now too wet to press, so you must wait for some of the alcohol to evaporate. Leave it for about an hour, until it is soft to the touch but not wet.
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Adding the binding agent
When pressing pigments into pans, a binding agent is required to hold the powders together. The type of binding agent used can vary depending on preference and skin type. Some common options include:
Rubbing Alcohol
This is a key ingredient in pressing pigments. It is added to the pigment in the pan to create a paste-like consistency. The amount of alcohol added will depend on the desired texture, but it is important to avoid making the mixture too runny. The alcohol is then allowed to evaporate slightly before proceeding to the pressing stage.
Oils
When choosing an oil as a binding agent, it is important to select one that does not clog pores and is suitable for the specific skin type. Oils can provide additional benefits to the skin while also helping to bind the powders together.
Waxes
Powders that are surface-treated with wax can be used as a binding agent. These powders have a natural waxy coating that helps to hold the pigments together. This option may be suitable for those looking for a more natural alternative to traditional binding agents.
Adhesives
Using an adhesive, such as craft glue or hot glue, can help secure the pigment pan to the inside of the compact. This ensures that the pressed powder stays in place and does not shift within the container.
It is important to note that the addition of a binding agent may alter the colour and texture of the pigment. Therefore, it is crucial to experiment with different binding agents and ratios to achieve the desired outcome.
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Pressing the pigment
Pressing pigments into pans is a simple process, but it can be messy. The key ingredients you will need are an empty eyeshadow pan, rubbing alcohol, a couple of quarters, a clean dish towel, and a heavy book or two. You will also need a pigment of your choice—shimmers are the easiest to press, while mattes can be a bit dusty and glitter pigments should be avoided.
Firstly, clean your empty eyeshadow pan of any remaining particles. Then, pile your pigment into the pan. The more pigment you can fit in, the better, as you will be adding alcohol to soak down the pigment. Next, add rubbing alcohol to the pigment using a dropper. You want to achieve a paste-like consistency, so that the pigment is slightly chunky. If it becomes too thin or runny, simply add more pigment until it is thick again. You can use a cotton bud to mix the pigment and alcohol together.
Now, pick up the pigment pan and drop it lightly a few times to level off the pigment and create a flat surface. At this point, your pigment will be too wet to press, so leave it for about an hour to let some of the alcohol evaporate. Once your pigment is soft to the touch but not wet, place a tea towel over the pan and slot in two quarters on top. Add a heavy book or two on top of the quarters and let it dry completely overnight.
And that's it—your freshly pressed pigment is now ready to use!
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Drying and setting the pigment
Now that you have added your alcohol to the pigment, you will need to let some of it evaporate. Leave the pigment alone for about an hour, or until the pigment is soft to the touch but not wet. Once the pigment is ready, take a tea towel and place it over the pan. Then, place two quarters on top, followed by a heavy book or two. Leave the pigment to dry completely overnight.
The tea towel you use will affect the imprint on the pigment, so choose wisely. You can also use a clean dish towel.
If you find that your pigment has become too runny, this means that you have added too much alcohol. To fix this, simply add more pigment until the mixture becomes thick again.
After pressing, your pigment is ready to use!
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Frequently asked questions
The key ingredients to pressing any pigment are rubbing alcohol, an empty shadow pan, quarters, a few heavy books to press the shadow, and a clean dish towel.
First, clean your empty shadow pan of any remaining particles. Next, pile your pigment high into the pan and add alcohol to soak down the pigment. Then, add more pigment or alcohol to achieve a paste-like consistency. After that, cover the pigment pan with a tea towel and place two quarters on top. Finally, add a heavy book or two on top of the quarters and let it dry completely overnight.
You want your pigment to end up slightly chunky and thick. Do not let your pigment get "thin" or super runny—if this happens, add more pigment until it gets thick again.
The size of the pan depends on the type of product and how often you use it. Eye shadows, eyebrow powders, and eyeliners are often pressed into 26-millimeter round metal pans, but you can use containers as small as 15 millimeters or as large as 36 millimeters. Blushes, bronzers, highlighters, concealers, and color correctors typically use 36-millimeter or 44-millimeter pans.
