Photographer - Dorit Thies; Model - Jamie Van Dyke; Makeup - Iris Moreau
Photographer - Dorit Thies; Model - Jamie Van Dyke; Makeup - Iris Moreau
PERFECT PIGMENTS!
My favorite multi-use makeup.
I love pigments, and when Jennifer invited me to share my pro tips on using them with My Beauty Bunny, I jumped at the chance! I have a whole section in my kit devoted entirely to pigments, and I use them to create a myriad of magical looks. They come in so many amazing shades, and are so much fun to play with!
As a makeup artist that loves to use interesting colors and textures, I am always on the lookout for fabulous pigments to work with. One of my favorite brands is Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (Editor’s note: I love OCC! Check out our interview with owner, David). Their pigments are 100% pure and uncut (providing intense color, so a little goes a very long way!), and they are completely cruelty free, vegan and Peta approved. I also love MAC Pro Pigments for their huge selection of colors and extra long wearability.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with pigments; with the right tips they are actually quite easy to use. Keep reading for a few of my favorite ways to use them!
1. Delightfully Dry!
Make sure to dust under the eye area with a good thick layer of loose powder before applying the pigment to catch any falling color; that way you can just sweep away any stray particles when you’re done.
Another great trick is to stick Shadow Shields under the eye area. They are crescent-shaped, disposable, self-adhesives that you gently stick under the eyes to catch falling pigment, and eliminate the ‘raccoon eyes’ effect. A makeup artist’s best friend!
Follow by dipping your brush into your pigment of choice, and giving your brush a little shake before applying the color.
Experiment! Try layering on a few different colors to add depth and definition, and test them out on the back of your hand before applying to the eyes. Finally, make sure to blend, blend, blend!
2. Wet and Wonderful!
For high intensity, bold bursts of color, lightly wet your brush (too wet and you’ll end up with a runny mess) and dip it in your pigment. Carefully dab color onto the center of the eye and using your brush, gently “paint” on the pigment to achieve your desired effect. Use a dry brush to blend and shape.
In the image above shot by beauty photographer Dorit Thies and featuring the amazing face of model Jamie Van Dyke, I used this technique to add extra intensity and depth to Jamie’s eyes and rimmed them with MAC Pro Eye Pigment in Grape, on both the upper and lower lids, then added just a touch of MAC Zink Color Glitter in Brilliant Purple to give Jaimie’s eyes extra “Pop”!
3. Glorious Gloss!
Another really neat way to play with pigments is by dabbing on a reflective gloss after applying your color, to create radiant light reflecting shimmer. I like MAC Gloss Crème Brilliance. Squeeze a little on a flat brush and slick it over your pigment for super sexy shine!
4. Luscious Lips!
For a fabulous finishing touch, mix a dab of pigment powder in a soft gold or champagne shade into your lipgloss before applying it to your lips to add extra oomph and a beautiful soft glow… Stunning!
5. Scintillant Skin!
Swirl a small amount of a light and shimmery pigment into your body lotion and smooth over skin for a lustrous, radiant sheen. Gorgeous!
I hope these tips inspire you to have fun and incorporate pigments into your makeup looks. The sky really is the limit on how you can use them, so get creative, grab some pigment and Play! Xxx’s, Iris
Los Angeles based makeup artist Iris Moreau, knows perfection from the inside out. After successful careers in New York City and Paris as both a classical dancer with the Joffrey Ballet and fashion model with Elite and Metropolitan, Iris took her passion for painting and color- experimentation, and her love of fashion, and applied them to the world of makeup. Starting in Paris, where she was based for many years, her range, versatility, and professionalism quickly made her a favorite with clients and her work has been seen in the pages of Italian Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire, and in ad campaigns for companies such as Urban Decay, Guess, Nikon, and Target to name a few. Her extreme attention to detail, and easy-going attitude, continue to keep her in high demand. Iris approaches each new face as “a blank canvas with endless possibilities”, and views each new job as “a fresh opportunity to play.” A native of Southern California, Iris Moreau returned from Paris to Los Angeles in 2003, where she is currently based. Her travels take her between L.A., N.Y., and Paris where she is constantly searching for new sources of inspiration to incorporate into her art. You can view more of her work at http://www.irismoreau.com, and follow her blog at http://www.themakeupartistblog.com.
