TIPS ON PIGMENT USE

For tips on how to apply our foundation, see Foundation FAQ

Here are some tips on how to use our pigments. For makeup application, you'll find a nice set of brushes will do you well- it makes it easier to apply makeup, and the application will look more professional. I buy all my brushes at art supply stores... they're cheaper and in some cases better quality than a lot of makeup specific brushes.

Pigment Application as Lipgloss: Dab the pigment onto your lips with a finger or brush. Then apply the clear lipgloss of your choice- the best choice is a squeeze-out type rather than one with a brush or doe-foot applicator, because that way you won't contaminate the tube. If you don't have that type of gloss available you can avoid contamination by applying the gloss first, then dabbing a few spots of pigment on, and blending with your finger. Some personal favorite glosses of mine to use are MAC Clear Lipglass (squeeze tube, yay!), and on the cheaper end, Sally Hansen Diamond Lip Treatment in the clear-with-silver-sparkles shade Diamond. The latter has a brush applicator, but for the price (~$4-$5) I don't care about contaminating a few of them (and the quality is amazingly high).

Pigment Application as Lipstick: Dab the pigment on your lips with a finger or brush. Then apply a waxy lip balm over it- this mimics the finish of lipstick quite well.

Pigment Application as Contour Blush: First, you need to choose a shade that will work. It should be within the blush type family (pink/coral/plum) but a bit darker than you'd usually use on the apples of your cheeks. Swipe it with a blush brush right below your cheekbones in a straight line. Then blend the heck out of it, and blend some more. And use a bit less than you think necessary. This trick is great for those of us with less than amazing cheekbones.

Pigment Application as Basic Blush: Pick a shade flattering to your skin tone, and apply as you usually do- fluffy brush, blend from the apples of your cheeks on back towards your ears.

Pigment Application as Subtle Facial Highlighter: To highlight your whole face, my preference is for a mild faint iridescence or hint of shimmer in a color that's either translucent or matches your skin tone pretty closely. Start with a moderate amount, you can always add more. Imagine where light hits your face, and that's where you put the highlighter. Tops of cheekbones, temples, end of nose, center of chin, a tiny dab on the forehead.

Pigment Application as Serious Face Sparkle: Sometimes a girl just has to go for maximum shine. This isn't for the faint of heart! Choose a translucent, extremely sparkly color- I like ones with interference (duochrome) iridescence sometimes, as well as multicolored sparkle. Dust it onto your cheekbones but don't apply all the way back to your ears- just dab onto your cheekbones below your eyes and maybe an inch and a half back from there. Then apply right under your eyebrows onto your browbones. Dab a bit right into the inner corners of your eyes too, for instant glamour.

Pigment Application as Eyeshadow: While some people can use our pigments with no preparation, just applying with brushes, many of us with oilier complexions need a base for the pigment to adhere to, to prevent creasing over the course of the day. Someday we would love to create our own eyeshadow base, but so far we can recommend a few of our favorites instead. Wet ‘n' Wild makes a wonderful inexpensive cream eyeshadow called MegaEyes Crème. A more upscale option would be MAC paints- Bare Canvas is a good choice for those of us with pale skin; it's a bare hint of peach with a teensy bit of shimmer if you look real close. OK, after you've applied a very thin coating of your base- it only takes a teeny bit, really!- wait for it to dry. Besides using your brushes to apply, you can also finger paint with our pigments- unlike pressed shadows, the oils in your fingers cannot damage them. You can also use a thin dampened liner brush with the darker shades to make eyeliner. While water works just fine, BeneFit's SheLaq will make it waterproof.

Pigment Application as Body Shimmer: A powder puff can work perfectly, or you can mix some pigment into your favorite sunblock or other body lotion for a subtler sheen.

Pigment Application as Nail Polish: This really is a fun use for pigments- if you've never tried it, it really is easy. First you need a brand new, sacrificial clear nail polish. While you probably won't contaminate it you might. Now, dip the brush carefully into the loose pigment and brush on your nail. You want to get a sparing amount of pigment on the brush- expect to do one more coat more than you usually do, since you're aiming for a sheer application so as not to contaminate the nail polish too much.