Don't you just hate it when your favourite lipstick is almost done and you're left scraping at the bottom with your lip brush (or for some their fingers). Truth be told, I've actually never finished a tube of lipstick but I'm sure many of you have.
Many makeup artists I know use lip palettes or chop up their lipsticks and squish into a palette to save space in their kit. I on the other hand am a packaging fiend. I love to keep lipsticks in their original tube especially if it has lovely packaging. I'm weird that way.
I thought it was about time to lighten my load and chop up some lipsticks! The Japonesque Lipstick Palette Kit ($18 USD) is more for personal use as it can only hold 8 lipsticks and the actual square itself is pretty small. It's a great way to get some extra mileage out of your favourite lipsticks that are nearly done or for creating custom shades that you can carry with you at all times.
I found this kit pretty useful. The lipsticks that went under the chopping block are from lipsticks I rarely reach for but that might still come in handy on a job. The kit comes with a little silicone bowl and a spatula for digging out product and mixing. Once you have chopped up your lipstick (width should be about the same distance from the tip of your finger to the cuticle) into the bowl, place in the microwave for 1 minute. I found lipsticks that weren't sheer, took an additional 30 seconds to melt but microwave settings vary. I suggest keeping your palette near the microwave so you can pour it into the palette right away. I found the lipsticks would cool pretty quickly leaving some product in the bowl. For easy pouring, the silicone material of the bowl allows you to squeeze it into a spout.
At around the 4th or 5th lipstick the bowl can get a tad hot so hold with a small cloth. You can skip melting the lipsticks if you prefer just smushing it in the palette but it looks a lot neater when melted. I tried both and definitely prefer the look of the melted lipsticks. With just a few easy steps, you've created your custom palette! The palette also comes with a mirror and lip brush so you can apply your lipstick anywhere. Keep in mind, lip palettes can get a little icky - lint, hair, and other disgusting random particles so be sure to clean it frequently. I usually spray with a sanitizing spray and scrape with my spatula. You can use one from Beauty So Clean or just plain old rubbing alcohol.
If you're one of those women who carry at least 5 different lipsticks in your purse, you might want to check out this palette. No more digging at the bottom of your purse for a lipstick!
Have you tried this lip palette? Love it? Hate it? Want it?
Product was sent for editorial consideration.