FAQ

I handcraft a full line of pigment-based cosmetics and art supplies, all formulated by me from scratch. The lineup includes loose powder eyeshadow pots, pressed 4-pan eyeshadow palettes, Eye Ink Liner, watercolor pans and 6-pan tins, acrylic paint vials (formulated specifically for miniature painters), 10-free nail polish, shimmer body mist, and pigment fidget keychains. Over 100 colors across the catalog.

Every product is formulated and made by hand by me, in small batches, using formulas I designed myself. My paints and shadows achieve full opacity with a thin, smooth texture. No fillers, no unnecessary preservatives, no mass-production shortcuts. You're getting pigments made by someone who actually uses them.

Loose powder comes in a 5ml pot. It's the purest form of the pigment with maximum color payoff and versatility. You can also mix it with water for body paint or use it for art projects. Pressed palettes are 4-pan compacts where the powder is pressed into pans for portability and convenience. Same pigments, just a different format. Both are available in every color except neon (not eye-safe) and jelly finishes.

Eye Ink is my liquid eyeliner line. It comes in brush-tip tubes and is available in every eye-safe pigment color I carry. The formula uses a professional-grade mixing liquid base with my mica pigments, so you get the same color-shift and shimmer effects in a precise liner format. It sets in about 60-90 seconds. Brush-tip applicator only, no felt tips.

Shimmer body mist is a lightweight spray with fine cosmetic-grade mica suspended in it, so your skin catches the light with a subtle shimmer. Available in multiple scent directions, including tropical/fruity, citrus/fresh, and floral. Shake, spray, glow.

Multiple finishes: metallic, chameleon (color-shifting), duochrome, neon (glows under blacklight), starlight/interference, opal, matte, and jelly. All are 10-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Neon is not eye-safe, so it's available in nail polish and paints but not eyeshadow. Jelly is a nail polish exclusive.

Chameleon pigments are metallic and reflect different colors depending on the viewing angle. They're the color-shift effect you see in my videos. Neon pigments are matte and glow under blacklight. They're vivid and bold but are not eye-safe, so they're available in nail polish and paints but not eyeshadow. Interference pigments change vibrancy based on the color underneath. Over dark surfaces they pop with color; over light surfaces they give a pearly sheen.

Yes! I can make custom colors for any product in the lineup. Most pigment styles can be blended together too. Blending specialty pigments may soften their individual effects, but they can play off each other in interesting ways. Reach out at the.pigmenteer@gmail.com to discuss.

Absolutely. You can choose any colors you want for a custom 4-pan pressed palette or 6-pan watercolor tin. Just let me know your picks when you order.

Yes, and this is actually the reason I started making eyeshadow in the first place. I was in color guard and kept reacting to commercial eyeshadows during performances, even ones labeled "all natural." I found that most contain synthetic preservatives that cause sensitivity issues. So I used my chemistry background to design a four-ingredient base formula: mica powder, arrowroot powder, lavender essential oil, and vitamin E oil. No preservatives, no fillers, no irritants. It's been my formula ever since.

Yes, across the entire line. No animal testing, no animal-derived ingredients. The nail polish is 10-free (meaning it excludes the 10 most common harmful chemicals found in conventional polish). Everything is formulated to be as clean as possible without sacrificing performance.

It means the formula excludes the 10 most common harmful ingredients typically found in nail polish, including formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, and seven others. Cleaner formula, same performance.

Mostly, yes. The mica and iron oxide pigments I use are naturally lightfast. For artwork you plan to display long-term, they'll hold up well.

Yes! Add a bit of water to turn the powder into a cream or paint consistency for smooth application on skin. The preservative-free formula makes it gentle for face and body use. (Neon pigments are the exception. They are not safe for use around the eyes, so they're only available in nail polish and paints.)

The formula works on a wide range of surfaces: unfinished wood, canvas, cloth, paper, resin prints, and primed surfaces. For unfamiliar surfaces, do a small test patch first. I've had good results with unprimed materials, but priming never hurts for important projects.

Pigments work great in resin (though I don't recommend my watercolor paint specifically for resin projects). For airbrush use, thin the watercolors with water or paint thinner until they reach a liquid consistency. They work well with standard brushes, palette knives, and most other painting tools.

Use a water dropper to place a few drops of clean water into the pan and let it soak for a few minutes. This softens the surface and gives you a smoother, more opaque first layer.

Drop a few drops of clean water into the pan and let it soak for a few minutes before painting. This helps ensure a smoother, more opaque layer with maximum color shift.

The base color underneath changes everything. Over black paper or matte black paint, interference pigments pop with vibrant, saturated color. Over light surfaces, they give a pearly, translucent sheen. Try them layered over line art for a striking effect.

My acrylic paint vials are specifically formulated with a thin consistency so you get full opacity without thick coats. That means tiny details stay intact. The chameleon acrylics are especially popular with mini painters because there's nothing like them from conventional miniature paint brands.

Some cracking is natural over time and doesn't affect performance. The best prevention: don't flood the pan with too much water, and let them air dry fully between uses with the lid open. If you accidentally add too much water, dab it out gently with a clean paper towel.

Yes! Acrylic paint makes an excellent base coat for my watercolors. You can also mix pigments into other mediums. Always do a small test before committing to a full project to make sure you like the result.

Let watercolors and eyeshadows air dry completely after each use, then store in their tins or pots with lids closed. Keep nail polish out of direct sunlight. No special storage requirements beyond common sense.

Watercolors: 10+ years if dried properly between uses. Nail polish: ~5 years. If it thickens over time, a few drops of polish remover will thin it back out. Eyeshadow: ~5 years as long as you keep it clean (avoid introducing bacteria into the pot by using clean brushes). Acrylic vials: years if sealed after use.

About 5 minutes. You can speed it up by dipping your nails in cold water. A top coat isn't required, but you can use one if you prefer extra shine or protection.

Nope. Use your usual brush cleaning routine. My paints don't require any special cleaning products or extra steps.

Standard shipping is 3-day. If the product is in stock, that's your total wait. If it needs to be made to order (custom colors, large orders), add 4-6 days for production and drying time.

Yes! Shipping is calculated by weight. International rates will be higher than domestic but the option is always available at checkout.

Yes, you'll receive a tracking number when your order ships.

Take photos and send them to the.pigmenteer@gmail.com. I'll work with you on a replacement or return.

Returns and exchanges are handled on a case-by-case basis. If something isn't right, reach out and I'll do my best to make it right.

Of course! Leave a note at checkout that it's a gift and I'll take extra care with the presentation.

Eyeshadows and watercolors go in mini zip bags for protection, wrapped in tissue paper, inside a padded bubble mailer. Everything is packed snug to arrive safely.

Yes to both. Bulk purchases for any reason are discounted, and I have a wholesale program for shops, salons, and studios. Contact me at the.pigmenteer@gmail.com to discuss pricing and minimums.

I 3D-print PLA pans (so I control my own supply), weigh out each ingredient by formula, mix thoroughly, pour the paint into pans, and let them dry for 2-4 days. Each pan gets labeled with its pigment color and is ready to go. Everything is mixed, poured, and finished by hand.

It depends on the raw material and how it's manufactured. Iron oxide pigments are naturally abundant and affordable. Chameleon pigments require a much more complex manufacturing process to create those color-shift layers, which makes the raw material more expensive.

Yes. I do batches from a single product up to 50 at a time, and I usually make several batches in a day when production is going. Every batch is tested with swatch samples before it goes out.

I follow precise recipes with ingredients measured by weight, and I order the same pigments from the same suppliers every time. Every batch gets a swatch test to confirm I'm happy with the color before it ships.

I source from small businesses whenever possible and select across the widest color range I can. I test everything personally on multiple surfaces and applications before adding it to the line.

I 3D print my own pans from PLA, which means I never have to depend on outside suppliers for them. Steady supply, no delays, and I can control the size and shape to fit my tins exactly.

Yes! My Instagram (@the_pigmenteer) is full of process videos: pressing palettes, pouring watercolors, swatching pigments, and mixing batches.

It started in color guard. I kept getting eye irritation from commercial eyeshadows during performances, and I couldn't find anything gentle enough that still had real color payoff. So I used my chemistry background to design my own four-ingredient formula. That solved the eyeshadow problem, which led me to watercolors, because I wanted paints that were truly opaque and vibrant without turning dusty on paper. One product line became seven, and The Pigmenteer grew from there.

I officially launched the brand in October 2024, but the R&D goes back years. I designed the eyeshadow formula in 2020, the watercolor formula in 2022, and the nail polish in 2023. Early 2024 is when I started building the full brand and product line.

I sell at farmers markets in the Sacramento area, including locations in Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Roseville. I also have a booth in Ogden, Utah. Check my Instagram or website for the current market schedule and upcoming special events.

Online at thepigmenteer.com, on Facebook Marketplace, at my farmers market booths, and through local stockists. You can also order by emailing the.pigmenteer@gmail.com or sending me a direct message on Instagram or Facebook.

Workshops are coming! Follow me on Instagram or sign up for email updates to be the first to know when they're available.

Always. I can create custom palettes and colors tailored to an artist's or brand's vision. Reach out at the.pigmenteer@gmail.com with your idea.

I 3D print my own reusable PLA pans, use reusable packaging wherever possible, and keep shipping materials minimal while still protecting the product. Small-batch production also means less waste. No overproduction, no landfill inventory.

Yes. I've donated makeup to high school marching bands and dance teams, art supplies to local schools, and I'm building out a more formal donation process to reach more organizations.

Follow @the_pigmenteer on Instagram, sign up for email updates on the website, or find me at local events. New colors and products drop regularly.

Tag me @the_pigmenteer on Instagram or Facebook, or send photos to the.pigmenteer@gmail.com. I love seeing what people make.