Mica Flakes – Medium

Mica Flakes- Medium-

– offered Silver, Copper, Gold, and Pearl

1gr per container. Depending on the color 1 gr will vary in volume

The Properties of Mica

Mica is a non-toxic silicate mineral that has been used for centuries. Most mined mica boasts blue or green hues, but iron oxides and other additives are used to make it different colors. Heat-treating is sometimes used to increase the metallic appearance of mica.

When ground into a powder, mica displays a translucent sheen that has made it a favored ingredient in cosmetics since ancient times. Its ability to reflect light means that it is used in small proportions for items such as face powders and highlighters. It’s used in larger quantities in lipstick and eye shadow, where it’s a key coloring ingredient. Mica powders are one of the foundational ingredients in most mineral makeup.

Uses for Mica Powders

Mica is used in everything from face powder to soap making to crafts. Mica powders are non-reactive, so they’re also used for construction and industrial purposes. They’re available in a variety of colors with manufacturers offering many mica powders colored with natural and non-toxic ingredients. These powders are also used as a soil conditioner.

Using Mica Powders in Cosmetics

Mica is frequently used in both professionally manufactured and homemade cosmetics. It can be mixed with most types of base products. It facilitates better spread of most products and creates a pleasant hand feel for powdered products. Make sure that mica powders you buy for cosmetics and body products are described as cosmetic grade.

• Combine with other cosmetic powders for foundations and finishing powders.
• Use about 4 percent mica powder in cosmetics with oil-containing ingredients to help cut down on greasiness.
• Make cream eyeliner by mixing equal parts shea butter, coconut oil, and mica powder in the desired shade.
• Combine with a lip balm base for a metallic gloss.
• Mix with eye shadow primer to create a wet-to-dry shadow.

Using Mica Powders in Body Products

Cosmetic-grade mica powders are often used as colorants in body products. They mix well with various product bases but aren’t water-soluble. Liquid products with mica powder need to be shaken before use to distribute shimmer and color evenly.

• Combine mica powder and fragrance oils with a lotion base for glimmering body lotion.
• Mix with coconut oil, sesame oil, cocoa butter, or another carrier oil for a quick body butter with sheen.
• Use as a coloring agent for bath bombs or salts.
• Add it to a soap base to color soaps.
• Add translucent mica powders to homemade toner for grease control.
• Mix with other powdered minerals to create a translucent all-over-body powder.
• Add a dash to pomade to create colored or metallic streaks in hair.

Using Mica Powders for Crafting

The use of mica powders in art also dates to ancient times. They have been used as coloring agents and to add metallic or shimmering elements to paintings, drawings, ceramics, and glass. To use mica powders for most crafts, you’ll need a set of art brushes.

• Make a shimmering background on any paper project by spraying on a mixture of water and mica powder.
• Mix them with raw polymer clay as a coloring agent.
• Brush or rub onto cured polymer clay, then seal with a clay finish.
• Mix them with an acrylic medium to paint on clay or paper.
• Add powders to liquid acrylic, latex, or oil paints for added color depth and shimmer.
• Mix into melted candle wax to color candles.
• Brush onto metal or ceramic surfaces for color and sheen, then apply a finish.
• Use with a clear pigment ink to create shimmering decorations on rubber stamp projects.