MAC Pigment

Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Pigment comes in an excellent range of colours. Use to create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Pigment does not streak or cake, is easy to blend and long-lasting. Pigments are sold by weight not volume. Full size containers can appear to be less than full due to settling of the product.

These are a highly versatile, heavily pigmented loose powder product. It has numerous uses and is often collected. They come in a variety of finishes varying from matte to a finish similar to luster eye shadows in loose form. There are a fair amount of pigments which were limited edition, or have been discontinued over time. These are usually the most wanted and most expensive.

Uses of Pigment
Eye Shadow
Blush
Highlighter
Bronzer
Body Sparkle
Nail polish
Lip gloss
Lipstick
Mascara
Hair gel

Pigment is most commonly used on the eyes and lips, but can be used anywhere. The possibilities with this product is endless. However, some (mostly the neon colors) are not safe to use in the eye area.

There are tons of Fake MAC Pigments being sold online, the majority on ebay. The prices are great on these fake pigments so you think that you are getting a good deal, but the quality is not nearly as great as the real thing. With real MAC pigments, a little goes a long way so they last a really long time. The prices may seem too expensive for makeup but when you think about the quality and how long it will last, its an excellent deal. If you do not want to pay so much, then just buy a sample size (but make sure it is from a trusted seller). Sample sizes usually come in 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon. Less than ten dollars and will last for a while. Its probably better to buy a sample size if you do not wear makeup a lot or you are purchasing a color that you will not wear all the time.

Tips on Spotting a Fake:

~~~ Authentic pigments have a removable protective plastic lid across the top. It will never have a hole in it

~~~ Pigments that do not have the name of the color on the box, but instead a number are fake. There should be a round black sticker on the box and a clear or silver sticker on the bottom of the jar with the shade name printed on it

~~~ Real pigments have a bar code sticker on the bottom of the box. Fake pigments have this bar code printed on the box.

** If you want to use your pigment as a loose eye shadow, a base is recommended to help the pigment stick. Some popular bases include: Urban Decay's Primer Potion, MAC Shadesticks, MAC Cream Color Bases. Petroleum jelly and lip balm can also be used.

** You can combine an eye-safe liqued (such as water or visine) with the loose powder to form a creamier or paint-like substance. You can dip your brush into the liquid before putting the pigment on the brush. This creates long-lasting eyeshadow or eyeliner

** Use a stiff brush when applying for more control over the application

** Some people find it easier to get the color from the seal of the jar, rather than dip the brush into the jar. This way, you do not get more than you need.