Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
How to press matte eyeshadows — WITHOUT ALCOHOL!
Full transcript is below! I figured it was time to do an update of my pressing tutorials, since they've only really had one update since I first posted them in 2020. I hope you find them helpful, and please do leave a comment or shoot me a DM if you have any questions!
So, here's something I rarely ask:
If you appreciate this kind of content, please consider subscribing to my Patreon! Patrons get extra storage in my app, the @universalpalettebuilder, among other cool things*.
I know things are hard for everyone right now, but if you feel called to help a queer, autistic woman make her way in the world, I sure would appreciate your support! You can find it in the link place or at patreondotcom/universalpalettebuilder
*The Patreon was set up to support the Builder, but it's all going to the same place right now (ie, to support me and my family)
Anywho, here's the transcript! Thanks to all of y'all who show up and support, in any form it takes.
/**TRANSCRIPT**/
If you're matte eyeshadow breaks, you're screwed, right?
Wrong!
Today I'm going to teach you how to repress mounts without alcohol.
Here's what you're going to need: grab a depotting tool, some smooth paper, Kleenex, something to grind with, something to press with, and of course, some pans.
What you do not need is any alcohol or binder.
Use your depotting tool to dig out the product from the pan onto your piece of paper and grind it up. You can use a palette knife, a credit card, or even the butt of a makeup brush, but I prefer to use a mortar and pestle.
You might find that the product forms soft clumps. That's okay. What's not okay are pieces of hard, shiny bits that crunch. If anything is crunching or you hear any sound at all. You need to grind more.
Now we're going to press the powder into the pan in two even layers.
For the first layer, fold up your paper loosely and pour the product into the pan. Take your palette knife and just siphon off the top. Then, lay the Kleenex over the top, drop in your pressing tool, and press as hard as you can. I like to use my hands, but some people prefer to use other tools, like a coffee tamper. (shoutout to @martesmakeup for this genius method!)
Repeat the process again for the second layer: Pour, pat down the product, and press. Once your second layer is in, we're going to do a quick tap test before we're done.
Turn the pan over and lightly tap a couple of times on the back of the pan. If anything falls out or looks wrong, just grind it up and try again. You really can't mess this up.
And you're done! It's now ready to be stored with your other shadows.
If you have any questions, let me know down below and I will see you out there on the internet!
How to press matte eyeshadows — WITHOUT ALCOHOL!
Full transcript is below! I figured it was time to do an update of my pressing tutorials, since they've only really had one update since I first posted them in 2020. I hope you find them helpful, and please do leave a comment or shoot me a DM if you have any questions!
So, here's something I rarely ask:
If you appreciate this kind of content, please consider subscribing to my Patreon! Patrons get extra storage in my app, the @universalpalettebuilder, among other cool things*.
I know things are hard for everyone right now, but if you feel called to help a queer, autistic woman make her way in the world, I sure would appreciate your support! You can find it in the link place or at patreondotcom/universalpalettebuilder
*The Patreon was set up to support the Builder, but it's all going to the same place right now (ie, to support me and my family)
Anywho, here's the transcript! Thanks to all of y'all who show up and support, in any form it takes.
/**TRANSCRIPT**/
If you're matte eyeshadow breaks, you're screwed, right?
Wrong!
Today I'm going to teach you how to repress mounts without alcohol.
Here's what you're going to need: grab a depotting tool, some smooth paper, Kleenex, something to grind with, something to press with, and of course, some pans.
What you do not need is any alcohol or binder.
Use your depotting tool to dig out the product from the pan onto your piece of paper and grind it up. You can use a palette knife, a credit card, or even the butt of a makeup brush, but I prefer to use a mortar and pestle.
You might find that the product forms soft clumps. That's okay. What's not okay are pieces of hard, shiny bits that crunch. If anything is crunching or you hear any sound at all. You need to grind more.
Now we're going to press the powder into the pan in two even layers.
For the first layer, fold up your paper loosely and pour the product into the pan. Take your palette knife and just siphon off the top. Then, lay the Kleenex over the top, drop in your pressing tool, and press as hard as you can. I like to use my hands, but some people prefer to use other tools, like a coffee tamper. (shoutout to @martesmakeup for this genius method!)
Repeat the process again for the second layer: Pour, pat down the product, and press. Once your second layer is in, we're going to do a quick tap test before we're done.
Turn the pan over and lightly tap a couple of times on the back of the pan. If anything falls out or looks wrong, just grind it up and try again. You really can't mess this up.
And you're done! It's now ready to be stored with your other shadows.
If you have any questions, let me know down below and I will see you out there on the internet!
