Wednesday, November 10, 2010

No More Wasted Lipstick Thanks To Japonesque!


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.

13 comments:

dani@callitbeauty said...

this is fantastic! i definitely need one of these in my life :D

Camille said...

This a cool idea, I don't use lipstick that regularly but I love that this is made so that you use every last little bit! I just realized I was throwing away a quarter of my concealer because it was stuck in the tube, so a saved a face powder compact and scraped it out! I could not believe how much product was in there! Thanks for this cool post I will keep it in mind!
xox Camille@ nevernaked.blogspot.com

stells and co. said...

Amazing idea!! I know of some makeup artists using bobbin cases from sewing supply stores to do the same thing!

NancyPower said...

I have been making my own palettes for years now using various craft items. I really think this is a great idea for someone to have in their purse and it's cute to look at as well!

Farah said...

I also make my own palettes by melting them. You didnt melt these did you?

Make-up Junkie said...

@dani - if you have a tonne a lipstick that u want to carry all at once you will find this handy!

Make-up Junkie said...

@Camille - You can definitely use this for concealer or foundation. Just don't melt it. This palette is definitely multi-functional!

Make-up Junkie said...

@stells and co - makeup artists are very creative in finding ways to make their kit more functional! Bobbin cases definitely work!

Make-up Junkie said...

@NancyPower - If I didn't love packaging of a lipstick tube so much I'd use mostly palettes too!

Make-up Junkie said...

@FacesByFarah - I did some melted and some I just smushed into the palette. Definitely like the look of melted better!

Cassandra Rae Ferguson said...

I have been mixing shades for years, as I know many others have.

However, I am sure that many makeup lovers have never actually thought of doing so; hence I believe this product was a clever move by the manufacturer!

If you have any lipsticks you never wear, consider mixing them - it will save you alot of money and avoids wasted product!

Have fun mixing!

brownsmoke said...

this is soo convenient especially when one has to travel. Having to just choose one or two due to limited space is always heart-breaking. Many of us didn't even know this existed. hehe^^

Colleen at Forty Something Bride said...

What a great idea - I have had lipsticks that are fairly full just disconnect from the tube. It is always frustrating when that happens, but this would be a good solution for keeping those.