Easy Ways To Remove Makeup Stains From Pans

Depotting is the process of removing makeup pans from their original containers and transferring them to a single carryall palette. This practice is popular among professional makeup artists who carry large amounts of products from various brands, allowing them to condense their kits while having everything they need. To depot your makeup, you'll need a heat source, such as a hairdryer or a candle, and a sharp object like a knife or tweezers to pry the pans out. It's important to be cautious and patient during the process to avoid damaging the pans or the surrounding area. You can then place magnetic stickers at the bottom of each makeup pan and arrange them on the magnetic bottom of a customizable palette.

Use a heat source to loosen the glue

Using a heat source to loosen the glue is a popular method when removing makeup from its pan. This method is known as depotting.

To begin the depotting process, you will need to gather the necessary tools. These include a heat source, such as a candle, hairdryer, flatiron, or stove, as well as a flat tool such as a butter knife, spatula, or tweezers. It is also recommended to have a work surface, such as a cutting board or silicone mat, and some form of protection to prevent injury, like long tweezers or a towel.

Once you have gathered your tools, you can start heating the palette. If using a hairdryer, hold it about 6 inches away from the palette and use the highest setting for about 2 minutes. For a stove, a small pot of boiling water can be used to generate steam, above which the palette can be held for a few minutes. A flatiron should be set to a low heat setting, and the palette placed on top for 1 to 3 minutes. It is important not to make the palette too hot, as this may damage the eyeshadow pans.

After heating, the glue should be loosened, and you can begin to remove the pans from the palette. This can be done with a flat tool, gently prying the pans out. 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, pressing on the metal edge of the pan with the flat tool may cause the makeup pan to pop up.

If you are having difficulty removing the pans, you may need to reheat the palette to further loosen the glue. It is important to be patient throughout this process, as rushing may result in damage to the pans or their contents.

Pry the pan out with a sharp tool

Before prying the pan out, melt the glue that holds it in place. You can do this by holding the makeup case over a candle flame, or by using a hairdryer or straightener. Be careful not to hold the case too close to the flame, as this can burn the plastic and release toxic fumes. If you're using a straightener, place thin paper over the iron part, then set your palette on top and leave for around five minutes.

Clean the pan

Once you've removed the makeup pans from their containers, you'll likely need to clean them to remove any excess adhesive. Here's a step-by-step guide to cleaning your makeup pans:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You'll need a few simple tools to effectively clean your makeup pans. These include:

• Cotton swabs or Q-tips
• Rubbing alcohol
• Paper towels or tissues

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol to the Pans

Dip a cotton swab or Q-tip into some rubbing alcohol. Gently rub the swab or Q-tip over the surface of the pan to dissolve any remaining adhesive. Be generous with the alcohol, as it will help break down the glue.

Step 3: Wipe Away the Adhesive

Once the glue has started to dissolve, use a paper towel or tissue to gently wipe away the excess adhesive. Be careful not to use too much pressure, as you don't want to damage the pan. You may need to repeat this process a few times to fully remove all the glue.

Step 4: Dry the Pans

After removing the adhesive, ensure that the pans are completely dry before proceeding. You can use a clean, dry cotton swab or Q-tip to absorb any remaining alcohol, or simply allow the pans to air-dry.

Step 5: Optional: Apply Magnetic Stickers

If your pans are not magnetic, you may want to apply small magnetic stickers to the bottom of each pan. This will allow you to easily attach them to a magnetic palette. Cut the stickers to fit the size of the pan, then stick them onto the clean, dry surface.

Step 6: Arrange Your Pans

Once your pans are clean and dry, you can begin arranging them in your desired order. If using a magnetic palette, simply place the pans onto the palette, and they will stick securely. If using a non-magnetic palette, you may need to use a strong adhesive to ensure the pans stay in place.

Tips for Effective Pan Cleaning:

• Be gentle: Avoid using excessive force when cleaning your pans, as they can be delicate and prone to bending or crushing.
• Practice on sacrificial pans: If you're new to depotting, consider practising on a few inexpensive pans first. This will help you perfect your technique without risking damage to your favourite makeup products.
• Work in a well-ventilated area: Some of the chemicals and adhesives used in depotting can have strong fumes, so ensure you work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling toxic chemicals.

Label the pan

Labelling your makeup pans is an important step in the depotting process. Once you have removed the eyeshadow pans from their original packaging, you will want to label them with the brand and shade name. This will make it easier to identify the colours when you are creating your custom palette. It will also be helpful when you need to replace a shade after you have used it up.

There are a few different ways to label your pans. One way is to use a marker to write directly on the back of the pan. This method ensures that the label won't come off, but it can be difficult to write on the small surface of the pan. Another option is to use a sticker or label and write the brand and shade name on it. This gives you more space to write, but there is a chance that the sticker could fall off over time.

If your pans are magnetic, you can also find magnetic stickers or labels that will stick to the back of the pan. This option is especially useful if you plan on moving your pans around in your palette often. You can also use metal stickers if your pans are not magnetic.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to clearly label each pan so that you can easily identify the brand and shade name. This will make creating your custom palette a breeze!

Stick the pan to a magnetic palette

To stick a makeup pan to a magnetic palette, you will need to attach a magnet to the back of the pan. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need a makeup pan, a marker, a box cutter or sharp knife, a candle, tweezers, a desk cover (optional), and magnetic stickers.

Step 2: Disassemble Your Makeup

If your makeup has an extra plastic pan surrounding the metal pan, remove this first.

Step 3: Heat the Glue

Using the tweezers to avoid burning yourself, hold the case above the candle flame. Be careful not to hold the case too close, as you may burn the plastic and release toxic fumes.

Step 4: Loosen the Pan

If the glue has loosened, use your knife to carefully pry the pan off the plastic. Ensure that you hold the blade straight to avoid deforming the pan and crushing the makeup. If there is resistance, repeat step 3 as the glue may still be semi-solid.

Step 5: Clean the Pan

Wipe off any remaining glue from the base of the pan.

Step 6: Attach the Magnet

Cut out a small square of the magnetic sticker and stick it to the bottom of the pan. You can now place the pan in your magnetic palette.

Tips:

• Practice on a shade you don't care about first, in case the makeup breaks in the process.
• If you are having trouble removing the pan, heat the area more to loosen the glue further.
• Use a thin tool to help with removal, such as a pin or sewing needle.
• Go slowly and be patient to avoid damaging the pans.
• If you are using a plastic palette, you can heat the plastic with a lighter or candle until it becomes soft. Then, push up with something metal (e.g. the back of a pair of tweezers) and pluck the pan off the top.
• If you are using a cardboard palette, cut away as much cardboard as possible before removing the pans and use alcohol to soften the cardboard and loosen the adhesive.
• If you are using a magnetic palette, ensure that the magnet you attach to the pan is large enough to keep the pan secure.

Frequently asked questions