Makeup Case Tidy: Removing Tin Pan Stains

Removing a tin pan from a makeup case, also known as depotting, can be a tricky process. It involves carefully heating the bottom of the palette and prying out the pan with a suitable tool. It is important to take your time and practice on less favoured makeup items first, as mistakes can be costly. There are several tools and techniques you can use to depot your makeup successfully, and it is a great way to condense your collection and create a custom palette.

Use a heat source, like a candle, to melt the glue

To remove a tin pan from a makeup case, you can use a heat source like a candle to melt the glue. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare your workspace: Place your makeup case on a heat-resistant surface, such as a desk or table, and have your materials ready. You will need a candle, long tweezers or metal tweezers, a box cutter or blade, alcohol for cleanup, and a desk cover (optional) to catch any pigmented clutter or soot.
• Disassemble the makeup case: If your case has multiple levels or components, carefully take it apart until you reach the part that surrounds the tin pan. Remove any extra plastic pan surrounding the metal pan.
• Apply heat: Using the tweezers, hold the case above the candle flame. Ensure that only the very tips of the flame touch the bottom of the case, and be careful not to hold it too close to avoid burning the plastic and releasing toxic fumes.
• Melt the glue: Keep the case above the flame until the glue softens and becomes semi-solid. You may need to adjust the distance from the flame or rotate the case to ensure even heating.
• Remove the tin pan: Once the glue is soft enough, use the blade or box cutter to carefully pry the tin pan off the plastic case. Hold the blade straight to avoid deforming the pan and crushing the product inside. If there is resistance, repeat the heating process as the glue might not be melted enough.
• Clean and prepare the tin pan: After removing the tin pan, wipe away any remaining glue from the base using a cloth or wipe with a small amount of alcohol. If desired, you can label the tin pan with the brand and shade of the product.
• Use magnetic stickers: Cut small squares of magnetic stickers and stick them to the bottom of the tin pan. These stickers will allow you to arrange your depotted makeup in a customizable magnetic palette.

Remember to work carefully and patiently throughout the process. It is essential to avoid burning the plastic of the makeup case and to prevent any damage to the tin pan and its contents. Always ensure proper ventilation when working with open flames and heated materials.

Pry the pan out with a tool like a box cutter or depotting spatula

To remove the pan from the case, you'll need to pry it out with a tool like a box cutter or depotting spatula. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need, including:

• The makeup product you want to depot (remove the pan from its case). Choose something inexpensive that you don't mind sacrificing if things go wrong.
• A marker to label the brand and shade of each eyeshadow.
• A heat source like a candle or lighter.
• Long tweezers to hold the case over the heat source without burning yourself.
• Alcohol for cleanup.
• A box cutter or depotting spatula to pry the pan out.
• Desk cover (optional) to catch any pigmented clutter and soot from the makeup cases.

Step 2: Disassemble the Makeup

If your makeup product has an extra plastic pan surrounding the metal pan, remove the plastic part first. If you're working with a clunky palette, you might need to unhinge the different levels to get to the pan.

Step 3: Apply Heat

Using the tweezers, hold the case over the heat source. Be careful not to hold it too close, as you might burn the plastic and release toxic fumes. The goal is to heat the glue that holds the pan in place, so it softens and becomes easier to remove.

Step 4: Pry the Pan Out

Once the glue has softened, use your box cutter or depotting spatula to carefully pry the pan out. Hold the blade straight to avoid deforming the pan and crushing the pressed powder. If you feel resistance, the glue might not be soft enough yet, so repeat Step 3.

Step 5: Clean and Label the Pan

Wipe off any remaining glue from the back of the pan using a wipe or tissue with some alcohol. Then, use the marker to label the brand and shade, if desired.

Step 6: Add Magnetic Stickers

Cut small squares of magnetic stickers and stick them to the back of the pan. This will allow you to arrange your pans in a customizable magnetic palette.

Remember to be patient throughout the process and work slowly to avoid damaging your makeup pans. With the right tools and techniques, you'll be well on your way to creating a sleek and organized makeup collection!

Clean off the glue with alcohol

To clean off the glue with alcohol, you can use either rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. First, soak a cotton ball or a cloth with the alcohol. Then, press the cotton ball or cloth against the glue and let it soak in for a few minutes. You can also try gently rubbing at the stain, working in the same direction as the metal's grain.

If you are removing adhesive residue from car paint, be sure to wipe the area with a damp cloth and soapy water after the glue has dissolved to ensure a clean surface.

For a tougher clean, you can also use vodka or nail polish remover, which contains acetone, in the same way as the alcohol.

Label the pan with the brand and shade

Labelling the pans with the brand and shade name is an important step in the depotting process. It is a simple yet effective way to prevent confusion and make your life easier in the long run. This is especially important if you are planning to depot multiple shades and brands into one palette.

There are a few ways to go about labelling your pans. One way is to use a marker to write directly on the pan. This method is quick and easy, but it may not be ideal if you want to maintain the aesthetic of the pan or if there is no space to write on the pan. Alternatively, you can use small stickers or labels and write the brand and shade name on them. This gives you more space to write and allows you to include additional information, such as the product name or finish.

When labelling your pans, be as specific as possible. For example, if you have multiple shades from the same brand, include the shade name or number, as well as any other identifying information such as the product name or collection. This will make it easier for you to identify and locate the specific shade you are looking for.

It is also helpful to label the pans before placing them into your new palette. This way, you can arrange them in a way that makes sense to you, whether it's by brand, shade type, or any other organisational system that works for you.

Finally, consider using a labelling system that is easy for you to understand and navigate. For example, you could use abbreviations or create a code system that works for you. The goal is to make your makeup routine more efficient and enjoyable, so feel free to personalise the process to fit your needs.

Stick a magnetic sticker on the pan and place it in your new palette

If you want to remove a tin pan from a makeup case and place it in a new palette, you can use a magnetic sticker. This method is ideal if you want to avoid the potentially destructive process of heating up the makeup case to melt the glue that holds the pan in place.

First, gather your materials. You will need:

• A box cutter or similar tool to help pry the pan out of its case.
• Alcohol for cleanup.
• A towel or long tweezers to protect your hands from heat.
• A desk cover to catch any pigmented clutter and soot from the makeup case.
• Magnetic stickers to stick on the bottom of the pan.

Once you have your materials, follow these steps:

• Disassemble the makeup case to expose the pan. If there is an extra plastic pan surrounding the metal pan, pick that off.
• Use the tweezers to hold the case above a candle flame. Be careful not to hold the case too close to the flame, as you may burn the plastic and release toxic fumes.
• Use the box cutter to gently pry the pan out of the plastic case. Be sure to hold the blade straight to avoid deforming the pan and crushing the pressed powder. If you feel resistance, the glue may still be semi-solid, so repeat the previous step to apply more heat.
• Wipe off any remaining glue from the base of the pan using a wipe or tissue with some alcohol.
• Cut out small squares of the magnetic sticker and stick them onto the bottom of the pan. You only need enough sticker to cover a small portion of the pan's surface—it should be enough to secure your makeup in the new palette.
• Arrange your pan in your new magnetic palette.

Now you have successfully removed the tin pan from your old makeup case and placed it into your new palette using magnetic stickers!

Frequently asked questions