How to Depot Lipstick Into a Palette
POUT Beauty Team
••4 min read
Tutorials
If your makeup bag is overflowing with half-used tubes of lipstick, or if you’re a traveler who hates packing ten different bullets for a single trip, it might be time for a professional secret: depotting. Depotting is the process of removing the lipstick from its original tube and placing it into a small, organized palette. It’s a game-changer for organization, travel, and even for creating your own custom shades. In this guide, we’re showing you how to depot lipstick safely and efficiently, turning your cluttered collection into a professional-grade kit.
Why Depot Your Lipsticks?
- Space-Saving: You can fit 20+ shades in a palette that is the same size as two standard lipstick tubes.
- Customization: Having all your shades side-by-side makes it incredibly easy to mix colors and create your own unique hues.
- Visibility: You can see all your options at once, which means you’re more likely to use all the colors in your collection.
- Professionalism: It’s how the world's top makeup artists work!
If you're looking for new shades to fill your first palette, our Trending Shades section is currently full of the season's must-have colors. To build a comprehensive palette on a budget, our Dupe Finder can help you find affordable versions of luxury shades to round out your color range.
What You’ll Need
- An empty lipstick palette (you can find these at beauty supply stores or online).
- A metal spatula or a clean butter knife.
- A small metal spoon.
- A heat source (like a candle or a lighter).
- Isopropyl alcohol (for sanitizing).
- A label maker or permanent marker.
How to Depot Lipstick: Step-by-Step
- Sanitize Everything: Wipe down your palette, spatula, and spoon with alcohol. Hygiene is vital when you’re working with cream products.
- Scoop the Product: Twist your lipstick all the way up and use your spatula to slice the bullet off as close to the base as possible. Place the product onto your metal spoon.
- Gently Melt: Hold the spoon over your heat source for a few seconds. Do not let the lipstick boil! You just want it to become a smooth liquid. Melting ensures the product lies flat in the palette and removes any air bubbles.
- Pour and Set: Carefully pour the liquid lipstick into a well in your palette. Tap the palette gently on a table to level the product. Let it sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes to fully set.
- Label: This is the most important step! Label the bottom of the palette with the brand and shade name of each well.
Important Note on Formulas
While most traditional bullet lipsticks (creams, satins, and mattes) depot beautifully, be cautious with very sheer or oil-heavy formulas, as they can sometimes separate when melted. Never try to depot liquid lipsticks this way—they are designed to be kept in their original airtight tubes.
Finding Your Palette-Worthy Shades
Building a lipstick palette is an act of curation. You want a range of nudes, pinks, reds, and berries that cover every occasion. But before you start melting your collection, it’s vital to ensure that every shade in your palette is one that truly suits you.
With the POUT Shade Matcher, you can audit your current collection and find new shades with absolute precision. Our AI technology helps you identify which colors will look best on your skin tone, ensuring that your newly organized palette is full of winners. Transform your beauty routine with an organized, professional kit that makes every morning a little more creative.
Ready to find your perfect shade? Skip the guesswork — try POUT's free Shade Matcher and discover your match in seconds.