MAC Pigments: How Do I Love Thee?

What are shiny and bright and make your lids (or cheeks or nails or lips) oh-so-pretty? Why MAC pigments, of course! These are multi-purpose powders for use anywhere on the body (NOTE: not all pigments are eye or lip safe), with intense hues and pigmentation that are very long-lasting, especially with a sticky base (like shadesticks or paints). I really love the beautiful colors, the subtle shimmer, the incredible staying power of these multi-hued granules. I love thinking of new ways to combine them on my lids, and I like reading a long list (think 130 pages) crafted by another MAC pigment afficionado on beautiful combinations using pigments and sometimes regular MAC eyeshadows. I have almost all the colors of MAC's pigments, albeit many of them in sample jars. I used to buy only samples because I doubted if I'd ever use up one MAC pigment jar in my lifetime (it is so HUGE and you only use so little). That is why I have amassed quite a lot of samples that I haven't even put a dent in. You only need to swipe your eyeshadow brush on the residue on the lid in order to acquire an adequate amount for one application. It is truly so economical that you cannot even fathom how you can use up one whole jar. Eventually, though, I found myself using the same pigments again and again, loving the neutral look, that I suddenly gave in to this craving to purchase full-size jars of pigments I know I'll be using for a long time, some of them even when I'm already in my 50's because the colors are classic, classy, timeless. Here are some of my favorite MAC pigments that I bought full (or half-full) jars of because I know I'll be using a lot of these in my lifetime (and I don't think these pigments ever go stale, except if you wet them):


Cornflower, Coco Beach
Sunpepper, Coco
Sunnydaze, Goldenaire, Emerald Green

My pigment samples stash that I don't think I will EVER use up because a tiny amount goes a really loooong way:



Some of them opened - the little pots delighted me while taking this pic - they look good enough to eat!



A closer look -



For more dramatic looks, especially for nights out, foiling pigments is the best way to bring out the beautiful pigmentation. I use the water-based MAC mixing medium to foil sheer pigments to bring out the depth of the colors, and also to create a shimmery look for the eyes. When buying MAC's mixing medium, make sure to get the water-based one which is safe to use on the eyes. You can also use the mixing medium to create beautiful eyeliners using the pigments. Just put a drop on the lid and add pigment and mix to create a paste, then apply on lashline with an eyeliner brush - voila! Beautiful lined eyes!



Now, you must be thinking of how cumbersome these pigments can be, especially since they're loose granules. So what is the best solution to this? Pressing pigments, of course.

I've always bought and used loose MAC pigments because I thought pressed ones will change the color payoff and won't last on the lids as long as the loose ones. I was so wrong.

I just got this awesome, awesome quad of pressed pigments in an ELF compact from a member of a MAC makeup community. She made the pressed pigments and they're brand-new. I'm wearing them right now and the colors are gorgeous! I can't believe I haven't tried pressed piggies before. They are very very easy to work with (no spillage), the color payoff is better because the alcohol makes it more vibrant, and the staying power is awesome. Here is a pic of the exact quad I bought:


My neutral pigment quad (clockwise): Subtle (from the Nocturnelle collection), Tan, Melon and Provence

I so loved my quad that I again bought from this awesome girl, this time pressed pigments in Kitschmas, Copperclast and Blue Storm:



I also traipsed to the ELF website and was pleasantly surprised that they sell the sturdy, good-quality quad compacts for only a buck each! It has a built-in mirror and made of durable plastic that surely kicks MAC's own flimsy plastic empty quad. I got a coupon code online that reduced the amount of each compact to only 50 cents each. Needless to say, I got 10 of them.

I read that in order to press pigments, mix alcohol and pigment (usually 1 tsp) in the pan with a toothpick, let dry for a couple of hours, then using an old cut-off tshirt and a quarter, press pigments with 5 heavy hard-bound books overnight. A c-clamp may also be used. I am not that resourceful nor too gung-ho about pressing, so I'll leave it up to the experts and just buy the pans from them (for a reasonable price, that is). I'm just glad somebody else can do it for me, because pressed pigments are convenient, don't spill, and most of all, they give the same intense hues as loose ones.