Mac Pigments - how to use them for different skin tones

Hi Everyone!

I have been wanting to blog about Mac pigments for a while, so I thought I would pick my three current favourites, and tell you guys why I think each colour is perfect for different skin tones, and how I like to apply them to create different looks.

I find with all Mac pigments that if you wet your brush slightly before use (with a face wipe, or a drop or two of water- don't immerse it) the colours come up a lot more vibrant, metallic, and pigmented. It also makes it easier to pick up the colour onto your brush, as they can get a bit messy. You can of course use the pigments dry for a less dramatic look. Also I advice using tape under the eyes, or leaving your foundation and concealer until last when using these pigments, as there can be quite a bit of fall out, especially when used dry.

Kitchmas

This pigment is such a pretty colour, it's like a "barely there" pink with a lot of sparkle. If you're not brave enough to experiment with darker colours, I'd go for this one as it's simply gorgeous and girly, and will jazz up your eyes for a night out without looking over done. I recommend using it with Mac's eyeshadow Vanila all over the eye, then adding Kitchmas to the outer part of the eye, and blend it into the socket area. You can add a shimmery white shadow to the inner corners of the eye, such as White Frost. This look is to be kept simple but polished, so I would then add a very thin line of brown or black liner to the water line of the lower and upper lashes, and mascara. Kitchmas is great for pale skin tones, those with a smaller gap between the eye and the eyebrow, and also mature caucasian skin as the pigment isn't overly strong or metallic.

Blue Storm

Blue Storm is actually my absolute favourite at the moment, especially over the party season I have been using this a lot to create a smokey eye with a twist. The pigment comes out almost like a midnight blue, and has a real metallic feel to it, depending on how you blend it. You can obviously use it alone, but I love to use it with Mac's eyeshadow Electra in the inner part of the eyelid extended to the middle, a small amount of Carbon (don't pack it on too heavy) on the outer eyelid area, then sweep over Blue Storm (with a damp brush) over the Carbon and blend into the outer eye area and over the whole socket. The key to this is to blend, blend, blend! I then use a damp eyeliner brush to extend a thin line of the pigment under the lower lashes to make the eyes the absolute star of the show. Add liner and mascara as you wish. I think Blue Storm looks especially gorgeous on dark skin tones.

Tan

The beauty of this pigment is that it suits almost everyone. Whether your skin is pale or dark, it will find a way to make you dazzle in different ways. If you have olive or tanned skin, this pigment looks so beautiful alone and will give you a sun kissed glow. Sweep it across the whole eye up to the socket (with a damp brush) and blend outwards and upwards, then underneath the lower lashes. Add a really good coat of volumising mascara such as MaxFactor False Lash Effect, and a creamy red lipstick and you're good to go. I think the simplicity of this look with the Tan pigment is just stunning.

 If you have pale skin, this pigment works really well as your darker colour when creating a golden smokey eye, rather than using a black or rustic gold, which can be too much on lighter skin tones. Create your smokey eye as usual, then add the Tan pigment to the outer eye and blend into the socket. Use a wet or gel eyeliner across the top and bottom, flicking it slightly towards the ends, add mascara, a bronzer, and a light coloured lipgloss or a lip balm with some colour such as Burt's Bees in Raspberry. 

For dark skin, you can get away with using this along side a burgundy - brown, such as Mac's eyeshadow Star Violet. Apply Star Violet lightly over the whole eye and blend through the eye socket, this will act as a base colour that you can build on, and will give warmth. Then add Tan pigment on top of this across the whole eyelid and extend outwards at the ends. This will give your eyes a vibrant finish. Pair with cat eyeliner flicked at the ends, mascara, pink under toned blusher, and a clear gloss. If you are feeling brave you can try a burgundy lipstick, but switch the pink blusher for a golden highlighting glow instead.

I hope you enjoyed this post!

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Thank you so much for reading!

Love and Light

~ Miss Christina C ~