
Depotting is a process that involves removing individual makeup pans from a palette and placing them into a customizable palette or storage system. This can be done by heating the palette, prying the pans out, and arranging them in an empty magnetic palette. It is a useful skill that can make achieving your ideal makeup look easier and more travel-friendly. In this article, we will discuss whether you can remove the pans from a Makeup Geek eyeshadow palette and provide a step-by-step guide to depotting your eyeshadows.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for depotting | To organize your makeup collection, make it easier to use, and more travel-friendly |
| Depotting process | Remove individual pans, transfer to alternate packaging, and place magnetic stickers at the bottom of each pan to arrange them on the magnetic bottom of a customizable palette |
| Tools | Box cutter, tweezers, candle, blade, hairdryer, flatiron, sharp object (e.g. Exacto knife), alcohol |
| Tips | Clean off glue after depotting, cut cardboard before removing pans, use heat to loosen glue, be careful not to damage pans or burn plastic, label pans by brand and shade |
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What You'll Learn

How to depot eyeshadow
Depotting eyeshadow involves removing each individual pan of eyeshadow from its palette and transferring them to alternate packaging. This can be useful if you want to create a more compact, travel-friendly palette, or if you want to combine your favourite shades from different brands and formulas into one custom palette.
To depot eyeshadow, start by prepping your depotting tools and workspace. You will need a flat tool, such as a spoon or butter knife, to pry the eyeshadow pans out of the palette. You may also want to use a hairdryer, flat iron, or pot of boiling water to heat the palette, which will make it easier to remove the eyeshadow pans.
Once your tools are ready, follow these steps:
- Heat the palette: If your eyeshadow pans are glued into the palette, use a hairdryer, flat iron, or pot of boiling water to heat the palette for a few minutes. This will soften the glue and make it easier to remove the pans.
- Remove the pans: Once the palette is warm, use your flat tool to gently pry the eyeshadow pans out of the palette. You may need to apply a small amount of pressure, but be careful not to use too much force as you don't want to damage the eyeshadow pans.
- Clean the pans: If your eyeshadow pans were glued into the palette, you may need to clean them to remove any excess adhesive. Use a cotton swab or Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently clean the pans.
- Label the pans: Use a marker or Sharpie to label each eyeshadow pan with the brand and shade name.
- Add magnetic stickers: Cut small squares of magnetic stickers and stick them to the bottom of each eyeshadow pan.
- Arrange the pans: Once your eyeshadow pans are clean and labelled, arrange them in your empty magnetic makeup palette.
Some additional tips for depotting eyeshadow include:
- Go slowly: Take your time and don't try to depot all your palettes in one sitting. You'll be less likely to mess up your pans this way.
- Practice on your least favourite shades first: If you're new to depotting, start with your least favourite shades or palettes. That way, you can practice the technique without worrying about damaging your favourite shades.
- Check expiration dates: Before taking the time to depot your makeup, check that it isn't close to expiring. Expired products can contaminate the other products you depot.
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Warming up the palette
To remove the pans from a Makeup Geek eyeshadow palette, you will first need to warm up the palette. This will help to loosen the glue that holds the pans in place.
One way to do this is to use a hairdryer. Hold the hairdryer about 6 inches away from the palette and blow it on the highest setting for about 2 minutes. Alternatively, you could place the palette over a pot of boiling water for a few minutes, allowing the steam to warm it up. If you have a flatiron, you can turn it on and set it to a low heat setting, then place the palette on top of it. Make sure the flatiron isn't too hot, as you don't want to damage the eyeshadow pans.
Once the palette is warm, you can start to remove the pans. Use a thin, flat tool to gently pry the eyeshadow pans out of the palette. You may need to apply a little pressure, but be careful not to use too much force as you don't want to damage the pans. In some cases, you may be able to simply press on the metal edge of the pan with your tool and it will pop up.
If you're struggling to remove the pans, you can try using a few drops of 70%+ alcohol on the edges to soften the product and prevent it from shattering. You can also use a thin tool, such as a carving tool or a knife, to help with removal. Go slowly and be careful not to bend or crack the pans. If you do break a pan, you can use alcohol to re-press the broken bits back into place.
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Removing the pans
Firstly, depotting involves removing the individual pans from a makeup palette and placing them into a customisable palette or storage system. This process can take some time and effort but is a great way to organise your makeup collection and make it more travel-friendly.
Before removing the pans, it is important to disassemble the palette and identify any extra plastic pans surrounding the metal ones. This can be done by using a sharp object, such as a box cutter or an X-Acto knife, to gently pry off the plastic. It is also recommended to cut away as much cardboard as possible before removing the pans, as this will make the process easier.
Once the palette is prepared, the next step is to heat the palette to loosen the glue holding the pans in place. This can be done by using a hairdryer, holding it about 6 inches away from the palette and blowing it on the highest setting for about 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can place the palette over a pot of boiling water or use a flat iron on a low heat setting. Be careful not to overheat the palette, as you don't want to damage the eyeshadow pans or burn the plastic and release toxic fumes.
After the palette is warm, use a flat tool, such as a thin knife or carving tool, to gently pry the eyeshadow pans out. You may need to apply some pressure, but be careful not to use too much force to avoid damaging the pans. In some cases, you may be able to press on the metal edge of the pan, and it will pop up easily. If the pan seems stuck, the glue may not be warm enough, so apply heat for a little longer.
Once the pans are removed, you can place magnetic stickers at the bottom of each pan and arrange them in your customisable palette. Label the pans by brand and shade to keep your collection organised.
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Customizable palettes
Customizable makeup palettes are a great way to organise your makeup collection and make it easier to use. Depotting involves removing individual makeup pans from a palette and placing them into a customizable palette or storage system. This allows you to create a unique palette with your favourite shades and colours from different brands and formulas.
To depot a makeup palette, you will need to heat the palette to melt the glue that holds the pans in place. This can be done using a hairdryer, by placing the palette over steam, or with a flat iron on a low heat setting. Be careful not to overheat the palette, as this may damage the eyeshadow pans. Once the glue is melted, gently pry the pans out of the palette using a thin, flat tool. Be careful not to use too much force, as this may damage the pans.
After removing the pans, you can place magnetic stickers at the bottom of each pan and arrange them on the magnetic bottom of your customizable palette. Label the pans by brand and shade to keep your collection organised. Depotting allows you to create a travel-friendly, space-saving palette that is customised to your preferences.
It is important to note that depotting requires time and patience. Work slowly to avoid damaging the pans, and ensure that your makeup is not close to its expiration date, as depotting may cause it to expire faster. Additionally, be cautious when working with heat and sharp tools to prevent accidents.
By following these steps, you can successfully create a customised makeup palette that suits your needs and preferences.
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Depotting tips
Depotting your makeup involves removing individual makeup pans from a palette and placing them into a customizable palette or storage system. Here are some tips to help you successfully depot your makeup:
Prepare your workspace and tools:
Before you start depotting, gather all the necessary tools and create a clean, organised workspace. You will need a heat source such as a hairdryer, flat iron, or candle, as well as tools for prying out the pans, like a thin knife, carving tool, or flat spatula. You may also want tweezers, paper towels or soft cloths, and magnetic stickers for your new palette.
Heat the palette:
To loosen the glue that holds the eyeshadow pans in place, you will need to heat up the palette. Use your chosen heat source to warm up the palette for a few minutes. If using a hairdryer, hold it about 6 inches away and blow on the highest setting for about 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can place the palette over a pot of boiling water or steam for a few minutes, or use a flat iron on a low heat setting. Be careful not to overheat the palette, as you don't want to damage the eyeshadow pans or the palette itself.
Remove the pans:
Once the palette is warm, use your chosen tool to gently pry the eyeshadow pans out of the palette. You may need to apply a small amount of pressure, but be careful not to use too much force to avoid damaging the pans. In some cases, you may be able to simply press on the metal edge of the pan, and it will pop out. If the pans are difficult to remove, reapply heat to further loosen the glue.
Clean the pans and palette:
After removing the pans, use rubbing alcohol to clean any remaining glue from the pans and the palette. Alcohol can also be used to soften the product, preventing it from shattering during the depotting process. Additionally, clean your new palette before placing the eyeshadow pans inside.
Label and arrange your new palette:
Before placing the pans in your new palette, label the back of each pan with the shade name and brand. This will make it easier to identify and repurchase your favourite shades. Then, cut little squares of magnetic stickers and stick them to the bottom of each pan. Finally, arrange your pans in your new palette however you like, and enjoy your customised makeup storage system!
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Frequently asked questions
Depotting is the process of removing individual makeup pans from a palette and placing them into a customisable palette or storage system.
First, heat the palette using a hairdryer, a flatiron, or by placing it over steam. This will warm up the glue and make it easier to remove the pans. Then, use a thin, flat tool to gently pry the eyeshadow pans out of the palette. You may need to apply a bit of pressure, but be careful not to use too much force to avoid damaging the pans.
You can use a variety of tools to remove the eyeshadow pans, such as a box cutter, a sharp knife, tweezers, or a flatiron. It is important to use a thin tool to help with removal, as thicker tools like a butter knife may damage the pans.
Depotting your eyeshadow palette allows you to create a custom palette with only your favourite shades. It is also a great way to organise your makeup collection and make it more travel-friendly. Additionally, you can combine colours from different brands and create a unique palette that suits your preferences.











































