We've all been there. We are looking for a new palette and staring at an option when we think to ourselves... 'I'm not sure if I'd use all of the colours.' This is a common thought for anyone who is unsure about investing in a new palette. Sometimes we question the worth of a palette itself if unsure whether or not all of it will be used. This is completely fair. I've recently become interested in the idea of building something that can be customized all the way down to each individual shade and believe me, it exists. First things first; you need a Z-Palette.
Now, what is a Z-Palette you ask? A Z-Palette is simply an empty, magnetic palette. It is made to do one of two things. You can A) Pop out your favourite eye shadows/blushes etc. from your existing palettes and store them in one easy place or B) Purchase magnetic individual shadows from companies such as Sephora or Make Up For Ever to create your own, custom palette. Let me first tell you that if you want to pop out individual shadows from an already existing palette, it isn't so easy. Let me also warn you - be prepared to crush and/or possibly ruin your favourite shades. If you think it's as easy as taking the miniature spatula they give you and weaseling them out, believe me... you are dead wrong. In order to successfully remove your shadows from your older palettes you must use heat to melt the glue holding the shades in, by using an iron. I'm not going to recommend doing this as it sounds dangerous and I've never attempted it myself; therefore I have no idea what the outcome would even look like.
That's not what I want to talk about today. I want to get back to the idea of creating your own custom palette. Below you will see an example of a Z-Palette after it has been customized.
I want to first off mention that I would highly recommend purchasing your individual shades from Make Up For Ever. The quality is absolutely incredible. The formula is highly-blendable, with vivid color payoff. What you see is truly what you get with these gel-powder eye shadows. *Note: You can also use these shadows as blush. Each individual shadow is $24. However, you can purchase them in bulk for a lower price depending on quantity. When you open them, they do not have a case. They are simply a single eye shadow with a magnetic bottom - ready to be placed into your Z-Palette. Check them out here.
If you like this idea but perhaps don't want to spend that much money, there is an alternative. Sephora also makes individual shadows for $16 each. There are a variety of finishes including shimmer and matte - however, they will come in an existing case. I have been told by Sephora employees that they are very easy to pop out as there is a small hole at the bottom right of the case that you can get into with the spatula included with your Z-Palette. Their words, not mine. I can't vouch for the quality in comparison to the Make Up For Ever shadows as I have never tried the Sephora shades before. That being said, I have felt the texture and the pigment appeared to be very good. Check them out here.
Overall, this is a really good idea for anyone who knows what they want and what they will use. Don't feel the need to fill your palette as soon as you get it (like me). Think of it as something you can build over time. Although it may be more expensive than buying a palette that's already created for you, you can ensure that the end result will be something that you will use entirely; because well... you designed it.
Start your Z-Palette here.
Thanks for reading,
Stay tuned.
dear lady