Cool TinyD! Thanks detective. I wonder too. Let's see if you guessed right.
And Laura, I bet Allisong is handy with the MAC pigments and can give you some tips.
Ok, here's a cut and paste of how internet users deal with MAC pigment application:
-ok basically you need a good base and good application techniques with this one, as well as using good products.
Using something like YSL Touche Eclat is a good idea to prepare the eye area. Also use a white/bone coloured base shadow before you start layering the heavy duty colour on.
-If you are using sparkly loose powders, such as the mac pigments, I find that they won' stay on unless you mix them with something.
When I have been doing jobs, I've used, Eight hour Cream, Clarins Flash Balm, even Vaseline does the trick...although it probably wouldn't give you enough staying power for a night out.
Lots of places do clear eye gloss, which when mixed with shimmery colours, prevents them sliding off, and makes them look really dewy and pretty.
Hope this helped you a bit.
-I love using them wet, with an angled brush (I use Sonia Kashuk, but MAC makes a similar brush) to line my eyes.
I added a little of Rose, Fairylite, and Vanilla to my loose face powder for some extra shimmer.
Rose or Fairylite are great in lotion for extra shimmer.
Blue Brown makes a surprisingly good color when lightly applied over a clear lipgloss.
Fuchsia or Violet is pretty when brushed on the ends of freshly mascara'ed lashes.
Pink Pearl is nice with lipgloss.
Vanilla is perfect for a browbone highlighter or for adding extra sparkle to just about anywhere!
Old Gold, Golden Olive, and Green Brown make a HOT smokey eye look- I use the L'Oreal Eye Smoker pencil in Forest to help with that. (I sell them and couldn't resist keeping one for myself!)
-mix your foundation with some moisturizer. just scoop a bit and mix in your hand. kind of like a tint! but it goes on so beautifully and goes right into the skin. a gorgeous finish.
-apply concealer on the eyelid and then powder before applying eyeshadow,.this should keep it in place
-I always powder the lid before applying the colour. It really does seem to work. Also go for "wet" colour or blend a little eyeshadow with vaseline and then apply.
-If you like shimmery eyeshadow I think MAC paints eyeshadow in stilife has really good staying power and is a lovely beige/neutral colour a good base is benefit lemon aid with MAC blot powder over it.
-I got a fab eye shadow base in the Clarins Fairy Lights kit. Here's a review from cosmeticconnection.com -
"Eye Powder
Yes, Clarins has done it again – this is another great kit. The Fairy Lights powder kit comes with a tube of All Over Base, three pots of superfine iridescent loose eyeshadow, and a sponge applicator. The idea is to apply the base to the entire eyelid area, and then swipe the powder eyeshadow over it. The base is somewhat iridescent itself, and it holds the powder on very effectively, without creasing or feathering. The three eyeshadow powders are gold, silver, and lilac, and they are beautiful. They are extra fine powders, with just the right amount of sparkle, without looking too shimmery. The application process takes a little while to get used to, but the result is stunning. I don’t think that these are eyeshadows that I’d use every day, but for special occasions they are absolutely perfect."