To girls and women alike, makeup is just as important as what they wear. Eyeshadow, in all of its muted and crazy colors, can be seen as one of many ways to express yourself. With so many brands and types out there, what exactly is the difference between high pigment eyeshadow colors, and non-pigmented?
Typically people use the terms eyeshadow and pigment are used interchangeably, but ask a beauty guru and they’ll list off more than enough differences that’ll make your head spin.
Non-pigmented Eyeshadow
When it comes to creating eyeshadow, cosmetic companies will oftentimes use synthetic materials to give it great coverage, blend-ability but also that extra oomph of color that pigments don’t have. Mica is typically included for that extra glittery touch. It’s easy to manage without needing to reapply it just to get the color you want, Other ingredients give it longer shelf life, but also a cheaper selling price to the consumer. Remember, cheaper isn’t always necessarily better! Watching the ingredients label is extremely important, as some brands include talc as a filler, which has plenty of controversy surrounding it due to its possible cancer-causing properties. No thank you!
Eyeshadow usually doesn’t need a primer to have the color stay-in-place on the lid but requires at least a few layers of application to get where you want it to look. Fillers tend to make the colors appear lighter.
Pigmented Eyeshadow
Pigments, on the other hand, come from natural minerals, as well as basic compounds, and are ground up to be used for lips, cheeks, eyes, or anywhere else on the face. To make high pigment eyeshadow colors blendable (like the ones from https://doseofcolors.com), the loose powder is mixed with a soluble dye or a neutral liquid material in a pan where it’ll then harden to easy application. Pigment needs the sunlight to transform its color, whereas normal non-pigmented shadow doesn’t. Pigmented eyeshadow, on the other hand, definitely needs a primer or else it won’t set properly. Pigments require the use of a fluffy blending brush, while non-pigmented can use the applicator it comes sold in.
Should you decide to purchase pigmented eyeshadow, you’ll want to look for a type that kicks up a bit of dust when swirling a brush around in it. It sounds crazy since most of us are told otherwise, but that means there are a smaller ingredients list and fewer fillers.
In conclusion…
When it comes down to it, it’s a matter of personal preference over what sort of eyeshadow you want. A huge variety of colors that also sparkle? Non-pigmented. Or do you want something more natural, with vibrant, solid colors? Pigmented. Both are an amazing addition to your cosmetic routine.
