LOVEBEZUKI

Pigments are mess, they are very pretty to look at, but after sometimes those novelty wear off and I press my pigments straight after when I am done with admiring how pretty they are. I used few different method of before, and I came to this conclusion that this is the best way for me to press my pigments.

There are method of using particular solution for pressing pigments and using pure alcohol, but I find it quite a hassle to find those.

Instead, I settled down with the way of using Glycerin (which you can find it in super markets and drugstores – and cheap!), and beauty oil (optional, don’t worry if you don’t have any) which doesn’t oxidize fast. Otherwise you can use things in your house to do pigment pressing. This method is great – Glycerin make pigments bond together, which makes it harder to crack once they solidify, gives moist-ish texture which makes pigments appear intense when you are applying.

So, here’s what you need:

*Glycerin – you need very little for a big quantity, and Glycerin itself is very inexpensive.

*Cocktail stick – to mix the pigments with solution

*Container – to mix your pigments in

*Some sort of device – to mix Glycerin and hot water in.

*Beauty oil – if not, cooking olive oil would do this job too. It’s completely optional, you don’t even need any. I like it as I like the “moist” texture of pigments once its pressed, and it makes it even more intensive.

It’s very easy!

Pictures are pretty self explanatory, but one thing I have to explain. You need to make a mixture by mixing hot water and Glycerin. You can do it with normal cold water, but I like it hot as I make sure I don’t get much bacteria in my pigments. You mix hot water : Glycerin ratio =  30ml : 5~10drops – you don’t have to make it exact, so don’t worry about it too much.

So, pigments into container, pour some solutions in to soak (boundary between solid-liquid texture is be best for pressing), mix well, then put this back into the original container (or new pan if you want to use that).

Then take anything that has “flat” end and just fit the shape of your container (it can be coins), put a layer of tissue paper and press it lightly. Repeat this few times until you don’t get much water transferring to tissue papers, then, GO DIRECTLY with flat circular item (in my case, nail polish), and tidy up the top area by tapping it evenly and lightly.

That’s it! Leave them overnight to dry completely, and … that’s all.

Lots of people wonder:

*Does colour and effect (intensity) of pigments (eye shadows) change once they are pressed?

My answer is, for “mineral” pigments, colour never changes when you apply to your skin, although it might appear different by eyes (picture below)

Left is loose, right is pressed. “look” slightly different, but colour are the same once they are applied to my skin.

BUT, intensity changes, and pressed one is lot more intensive.

(This colour is Bellapierre Champagne) Left is loose, and right is pressed. They are both lightly applied. It’s up do your preference, but I like more intensive effect, so I prefer the pressed one more. IF YOU ADD OIL when you are mixing the pigments with solution, it makes it even more intensive, which I really like!

Of course, you can create your own colours by mixing pigments. It’s fun and easy, and certainly it doesn’t make me feel nervous of making a mess when I am using pressed pigments.

I hope it was helpful!

-LoveBezuki X

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