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    Why depotting eyeshadow is the ultimate makeup hack

    20 Feb 2018 4:00 PM | Posted by
    bh's Sophie Howe's picture
    bh's Sophie Howe
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    Have you heard of depotting eyeshadow? It used to be a makeup hack privy to makeup artists only, but the beauty practice has gone mainstream - and for good reason! Depotting will save you time, space and money.

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    Here’s everything you need to know about depotting.

    What is depotting?

    Depotting is essentially just customising the perfect palette for you, using only the makeup shades that you actually use. You remove a makeup product from its original palette and place it into an empty palette, where you can keep adding makeup products until you have all your favourite products in one place. You can do this with eyeshadows, blush and even lipsticks.

    Why is depotting so popular?

    Instead of having to use two or three different palettes to apply your makeup, you can move all your go-to’s into one palette to save space and time when you’re getting ready. This also saves you money as you’ll only have to purchase refills of the shades that you used, instead of replacing an entire palette.

    Ok, I’m convinced - how do I get started?

    First, you need to purchase an empty makeup palette or a Z-Palette ($24, beautybay.com). Then you can start the process of removing your makeup products out of their old palettes and into the empty one. You’ll need heat to loosen up the glue that’s holding the old palette together. The best method is to use a flatiron against the bottom of the palette or to blast it with a blow dryer. Then, use a knife or tweezers to remove the makeup from the palette. And finally, combine all your favourite shades into one perfect palette.

    Have you ever tried any depotting? Would you try depotting for yourself?

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    81 Member Comments

    Rose_P 14 Aug 2019 8:39 AM

    It sounds like a great idea in theory, but I’m not sure if I’d do it. I’d be worried about breaking them. I think I’m happy with my palettes they way they are.

    MerryGoRound 4 Aug 2019 9:42 PM

    I’ll be trying this soon after winning an Australis magnetic palette in a recent BH comp. Definitely looking forward to customising my own palette (the way Nutrimetics used to let you with their eyeshadows about 20 years ago). Not to mention the Australis one is only $10, so if I need another it’s not a huge impost. https://www.beautyheaven.com.au/makeup/makeup-brushes-applicators-bags/product/customization-magnetic-palette

    Lucy16 14 Jan 2019 3:17 PM

    I don’t know if they still do but Stila used to sell palette refills...

    GeeJ 14 Nov 2018 9:44 PM

    I need to do this. I have loads of palettes and one use one colour or two from each.

    Jodiem17 13 Jul 2018 11:48 PM

    In theory this is good but my pallets have different shapes and sizes. I like the idea of outing things together in on are/ maybe get a ton and put magnet on the back of your pot Nd make your own

    Okatko 27 Jun 2018 9:27 PM

    I’m glad someone has commented on this article because it reminded me I have an update. I have since tried this again THIS TIME using a candle to melt the sticky glue and they came out a dream. When I have more space in my palette I will be “depotting” more of my eyeshadows.

    abby.liana 27 Jun 2018 9:16 PM

    Seen a lot of people doing this online

    Okatko 28 May 2018 7:37 AM

    I did some more depotting last night. Some of these did not go so well. The tin pot wouldn’t hold its shape and caused the powder to crack and go everywhere. My recommendation is to only do it with cheap eyeshadow. Also, only if there is space to wedge a pin into the gap between the pot and the palette otherwise you will twist the pot and make a mess. Lucky mine were cheap.

    Sally10 18 Apr 2018 9:40 PM

    I love my palettes as they are!

    Luxe Beauty Lover 16 Apr 2018 10:32 PM

    I did this years ago when MAC pro palette shadows were so hard to find!!

    southcoastclare 8 Apr 2018 10:09 PM

    Sounds like a lot of work to me, I don’t mind using several different pallets, it keeps me fresh and inspired to try new things

    cosmoslyn 19 Mar 2018 11:09 PM

    why the hassle when you can buy individuals and pack them together like inglot does

    bebeautiful34 16 Mar 2018 11:22 AM

    I prefer using ready made palettes. Buying individual shadows seems like a waste, what about all those individual empty cases you're left with?

    dream-angels 12 Mar 2018 6:00 PM

    I'd love to try this

    Simone 8 Mar 2018 8:30 AM

    Sounds handy, though I don't mind having all my products seperate.

    Petal 3 Mar 2018 5:35 PM

    I have two Z Palettes which contain an array of single eyeshadows that I depotted. In the beginning, I broke a few eyeshadows, but I also learned a lot in the process.

    Jessica712 28 Feb 2018 6:59 PM

    I like the idea of doing this but I don't want to wreck my current palettes.

    cityglenda 27 Feb 2018 6:02 PM

    I won't be doing this because my tastes in colours/shades change over time depending on my mood.
    I remember years ago that Amway had customised palettes where you only had to purchase the colours of blush & shadows that you liked and clicked them into place. No waste. Do they still do this?

    Shop A Everyday 25 Feb 2018 4:21 PM

    Oh no, I just love my palettes as they are

    sootyblack_14 25 Feb 2018 3:43 PM

    An interesting idea... Not sure about it though...

    Sally10 24 Feb 2018 8:29 PM

    A nice idea in theory, but so many of my eyeshadows are in different sized and shaped pans - big, smaller, round, rectangular.......it would be extremely difficult to find a container/palette to put all of them into.

    Petal 3 Mar 2018 5:34 PM

    Buy a Z Palette which will accommodate all shapes and sizes of eyeshadows.

    jaydet 24 Feb 2018 2:41 PM

    I haven't tried it because I will definitely break them.

    Gilliey 24 Feb 2018 2:20 PM

    A good idea for some but I'm happy to muddle along and do as I do at present!

    Susmat 24 Feb 2018 9:18 AM

    the next step would be actually able to buy sets tailored to you

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