3 Months of NEW Palettes Would Have Cost Over $600... Singles vs Palettes: REVISITED // Singles Week

[@CatMcCloud]

I feel like palettes are great for building your collection at first, and then singles for filling in the gaps 😊

[@flechandpina4804]

Yess. Good plan, I started backwards. I would buy single Mac shadows and as my makeup addiction grew so did my pallet collection lol

[@CM-pc3dl]

So true

[@jamiecrucefix4078]

So true Cat McCloud. I seem to have aquired both at the same time I started to seriously buy makeup. I think thanks to watching Lauren´s earlier duping out eyeshadow palette she used alot of Coastal scents hot pots. I remember I spent weeks planning out which ones to choose looking at flat lays of peoples collections on pinterest (I duped out the Natasha denona Safari and the J* Alien palette.) and made my purchases on those plans.

[@yoder3danielle]

Also if you want a palette for one shade, just think of the savings when you hunt down a single that is a dupe for that shade instead of getting the palette with repeat shades you do already have.

[@taytayfresh34]

I've really tried to keep this in mind with new launches

[@lilithcarter]

If you want a palette for just one shade, maybe it's better to wait a little until Make up reviewers show some "dupes" or use something that is closer to the shade you want, sometimes blushes or bronzers do the trick. I have to admit that I'm not big on eyeshadow, for me it's easier to purchase just one colour that I know I will use often.

[@ambular1304]

Yes! My mind was blown when this part of the video came on. Like I’m drawn into those amazing shimmer/glitter shades. We all have the browns, tans, etc. so my new goal is going to not buy anymore palettes and search for those shimmer shades from indie brands.

[@jillkeller8956]

Another thing that stops me from buying palettes and buying singles instead, is the fact that even when I SUPER love a palette, there's always a couple of shades that I don't really care for or won't really use. So if you only counted the shades in the palettes that you'd use/ dupe and compared that to the cost of the palette, I'm sure your numbers would be a lot closer.

[@MathPiHanan]

I actually found your channel through the makeup math series. Yes, I did search “makeup AND math” 😅

[@trinzy3000]

Now THAT is an obscure search 😂😂

[@flechandpina4804]

Yess...me too. I didn’t realize I was spending so much lol

[@slytherinprincess5682]

I duped the vibes of the Melt x Beetlejuice Recently Deceased palette today and realized how much I DO NOT need it. I got annoyed with them teasing it for two weeks without announcing the price and it turns out I love my own version way more than theirs 😂

[@themoviemakeupmoment6605]

Yes! I want to know the price! Plus releasing on Black Friday was foolish.

[@slytherinprincess5682]

I agree, it’s just such a weirdly timed launch overall and I don’t like the lack of upfront transparency with prices. My Instagram page is @slytherin.beauty if you’re interested in seeing my dupe! I pulled from palettes since that’s a vast majority of my collection, but I’m happy to see that it’s been inspiring people to look in their own collections for similar shades!

[@Melissa68219]

The lack of prices and actual swatches actually have turned me off from the collection entirely. The only thing I would entertain purchasing would be the mirror and/or brush set. But it would have to be $30 or less since I realize my hype was truly just the packaging.

[@jillianribich2264]

As an accountant i love these types of videos 😂 makes me want to do some similar calculations myself!

[@sarahh4082]

I am sure you already have your video ideas for singles week planned and recorded but two ideas I’d love to see at some point are eye looks with a single shadow and building your dream palate / ultimate Lauren edit of your singles

[@quailypoes]

Am only like a minute in, but have to say, that blush looks freaking wonderful!

[@LaurenMaeBeauty]

Thank you!! 💕

[@quailypoes]

@@LaurenMaeBeauty Absolutely! And okay, have finished the video now and aaahh!! This was the coolest video!!! I can only imagine that it must've been hours and hours of prep, and it was completely fascinating. Your videos are always great, but the breakdown on the shadow value (including the value of more frequently using shades) was really cool, definitely my favorite of your videos. Super excited for the magnetic palette video, too. Thanks for all the awesome content you make, and for legit doing research to break down real eyeshadow prices!

[@rachelbeach9848]

It really stood out to me as well. Love the placement and the colour. Absolutely beautiful!

[@entwashian]

Sexy of you to break down how you factored in the full price of your bundled/depotted shadows instead of just glossing over it. 😍

[@themoviemakeupmoment6605]

What I’ve done is I explore what shade is drawing me in and then decide to buy that shade in a single. I wanted the Tiny Marvels but only one shade drew me in and noticed your swatch of nirvana by Looxi and and I ordered that shade and it’s definitely cheaper that way.

[@sharonkelly2086]

Im so glad you’re going to do a video on depotting! Its been on my mind ever since you went Edward Scisorhands on your Violet Voss palettes bc at some point when your collection gets really large I know I just tend to grab the same palettes all the time. I mean I wouldn’t tear into a Natasha Denona or a PmL palette to depot but some of my others? Why not? Every day whats untouched gets closer to expiry. Really enjoying your series. Xo

[@dgs788]

For me, single shadows really shine when I just want one or two shades from a palette, but I don't need the rest. That is where you really save money.

[@godslittlestidiot2984]

My discalculia having ass is simultaneously amazed and confused 😌 for me I prefer single eyeshadows (but I am no longer buying makeup atm for the past year) but I will always buy face palettes. once sephora accidentally mailed me a natasha Denona face palette and I used it so so much and still love it!

[@KatieReadsRants]

I loved the makeup math series so this is so fun! I’m watching this and trying to imagine having to explain this to someone else and there is no way, yet I am completely able to understand what you are getting at.

[@LaurenMaeBeauty]

Haha I am glad you can understand it!! After filming I was like.... did I even make sense?!?! 😂😂😂

[@samanthabrenner8102]

Lauren I’m completely obsessed with your content! I’ve been watching you for a little over a year but I just think your content especially recently is just SO interesting and thought provoking and I’m constantly excited when I see a new video has been posted. I appreciate you being a bright spot in a sea of same old same old on YT

[@LizzaLee]

I'm nerding out right there with you. I love this stuff. I'm in the process of depotting most of my Colourpop palettes so I can use them to recreate new palettes instead of buying more. I have several of the monochromatic 9-pans and bought the new Stone Cold Fox palette specifically to take it apart. That's an inexpensive way to start a collection of singles. The pans from the palettes are small, but that means they take up less space in the large storage palettes.

[@hellotrude]

I depotted all 21 of my CP palettes and haven’t regretted a second of it. I use them much more than when they were all in little palettes. 👌😉

[@dgs788]

I also think quality should be taken into account. Like, I'd pay more in single shadows if the quality is superior. Often indie quality IS superior even to luxury. But if the palette is good quality with low price, as with colourpop, then I am gonna go with the palette.

[@miscellaneouscell]

I’m all about saving space so I only stick to single eyeshadows. I even have a spreadsheet of all my singles sorted by color and finish to avoid buying dupes.

[@Khaleesi_Of_Kittens]

*Lauren!! Girl, you're missing out!! Nabla's Single Shadows are the BEST, most beautiful eyeshadows you'll ever find. Particularly the shimmer shades because most of them are duochromes or have a really cool shift. The ones that don't are super reflective and just gorgeous. Some killer shades are Water Dream, Millennium, Glasswork, Alchemy, Selfish, Absinthe, Snowberry, Grenadine, Pegasus, Juno Moon, Calypso, Daphne No 2, Mystic, Virgin Island, Luna, Ludwig and Chattermark. There shadows are GLORIOUS and I really hope you check them out. (There are live swatches on Nabla's website). As beautiful as the swatches are, when you see them in person, you'll poop your pants!!*

[@greesamu]

I feel like purples got used and reused a lot because you’ve pointed out that purples are a place where your singles collection is pretty sparse. So the purples that you do have had to work double time duping, and probably sometimes weren’t a satisfactory match but just the closest thing you had.

[@ariacaitlin]

I think one thing that makes palettes less cost-effective is when you never use some of the shades in them, and maybe you're only really attracted to a few in a palette. That's where single shadows really shine in my world

[@carasnow8441]

Some of us only look good in certain colors, To me that's the advantage of singles over palettes. Every single I own says "yes."

[@quailypoes]

Heck yeah! It's so satisfying to love all your shadows (and so much less wasteful!)

[@carasnow8441]

@@quailypoes well, "less wasteful" - my favorite shade is purple. I probably have 10 slightly different shades in that color that look exactly the same on my eyes. It's just that I am looking for the PERFECT purple BAHAHA

[@defectiveshark7602]

This.

[@lydiaisamazing1]

This is why I love palettes with magnetic pans (colourpop, Natasha Denona, alter ego) you get the best of both worlds.

[@AvilaCranfill]

When I started building my eye shadow collection a few years ago I didn't see many palettes I wanted. Now I'm firmly on the single shadow train. It's really difficult for me to justify buying a premade palette when I have singles that I love and can buy a few each season to stay on trend and/or replace ones I've finished.

[@blendofdays]

You are almost single handedly turning me into the kind of makeup consumer who only wants to fill holes in my collection w/singles. On the other side of that, Gina (facesbygina) is almost single handedly responsible for me wanting to destroy all my palettes & break them down into magnetic palettes!

[@zahedah80]

I have hundreds of palettes but to be honest the most use I get is from the custom eye shadow palette (45 shades) that I made of mac singles in a discontinued MUFE XL palette.

[@mh6107]

I “depotted” all of my Colourpop palettes into an adept cosmetics palette, decluttered all the dupes, and arranged them into 9 pans and I use them so much more now

[@estellemondine7712]

I depotted all of my palettes and only have large palettes of ´singles’. I was drooling over the ´she ´s in parties’ palette, but I know I don’t like Melt’s shimmers, so I went the singles’ route instead, with three Lethal mattes and five Sydney Grace shimmers.

[@hellotrude]

Good choice 👍 👌😉

[@daisycate]

Estelle, would you mind sharing which colors you chose? I am duping that, too, and am having trouble.

[@AnnettesMakeupCorner]

'Dont buy everything along the way, that way youll just be buying palettes AND single shadows' Me 😂 But like I have a channel thats my excuse okay im sticking to it lol

[@Drag0nS1ayer]

Hey I appreciate it. I live vicariously through you when I can't justify buying a pallet XD But I've actually gotten WAY more into singles since I started watching your channel. Like Menagerie cosmetics has such good prices on singles for such crazy good pigment! But their pallets are sooo cute so I end up buying those anyway XD but knowing I can use the crap out of a color and then refill it with a single is SOOOOOOO nice.

[@MiniMeags]

That’s my excuse too BUT I RARELY UPLOAD LOL

[@BeckyLovesKanga]

I love that with single shadows you can add a little more excitement to the original palette with duping. The original may have a beautiful silver shade but then you can add in a silver blue duo chrome to just make it that much more fun! I don’t currently have a large single shadow collection but I’m definitely planning on putting my money towards that instead of towards palettes

[@mairino7799]

Since I don't care about using multiple palettes in a look, I find palettes are a much more cost effective way to buy eyeshadow. Although, I still want to buy some multichromes from clionadh.

[@turnamandal4774]

You should! They are incredible!!!! My favourite is Oculus.

[@ohyourelovely6046]

Yes! I was requesting this for singles week. Love this. So if we wanna get crazy, what are the holes in your collection? Can you go over unique shades that you don't have?

[@Littlentern]

Wow I had never thought about the cost per use or actually any of the way u broke down the price. Very interesting and insightful, definately rethinking my buying and having more respect for singles.

[@suzubee9602]

This makes me wanna do this for myself more often whenever i like a new palette

[@dbcakes]

Girl! I recreated your "The Child" eye look today (the one with the palette you created, but my CP one came in yesterday) except I didn't have Prismatic yet (it's coming!! 😬😬) so I used Unexpected...... Whooooo soooo preeetttyy!!! Thanks for the inspiration, Lauren! All of your content really gets my creative mojo charged up! 🥰❤️😄... sidenote, Unexpected from JD is CRAZY AMAZE BALLS!! It truly takes the shift of whatever you're wearing around or underneath it... Today it was more greeny, the other day it was more red/goldy/marooney... Damn, best $7.50 I've ever spent on shiny particles, lol!!

[@macgordon9583]

I’ve found that i am starting to deconstruct a lot of my palettes that i don’t like as much anymore and rearranging them and really finding the value in them again. Definitely found that love through your violet Voss depotting video!

[@traceyk1335]

I love this video (and all the ones you do) that make me STOP before buying 😊

[@newestgirlz]

Living for makeup math ❤️🤑

[@rawsteph4114]

Another way singles or duping out palettes can be useful is for palettes that are limited edition/sold out/discontinued. I would love it if you duped out the ABH Sultry, ABH Jackie Aina, etc.

[@danarose7644]

I’m loving single shadows week so much! And yes I remember makeup math, I’ve loved you and your channel for years ♥️

[@baileewestergren1479]

I'm trying to grow my single collection. I feel like a smart/ cheap way to grow it is to purchase some of the colourpop palettes ( since their cheap) and depot them and put them in a palette 😊🥰

[@CurliesCuriosites]

I knew singles would be more up front but better in the long run but didn't know the exact numbers wow crazy. I hope you have a segment on z Palettes during single shadows week loving this series!

[@yensid4294]

I first got into single shadows originally (this was over 25 years ago) because palettes aka quads just didn't have the shades I needed/used. So I always ended up buying a duo & a single or a quad & single to get a deep enough brown. Fast forward to now & I mainly started looking to singles because the shimmers in palettes just didn't do it for me & I noticed most palettes had pretty much the same neutral mattes over & over. So, when I found out about Indie Brands & experienced their shimmer/metallic/duochrome shadows I was able to get more use out of palettes like ABH Modern Ren. Then I started buying mattes in specific colors like olive green or deep forest green or charcoal brown. I have quite a good selection of greens, purples/pinks & warm/cool neutrals now & would like to add a few shades of blue but lighter blues have been harder to find in a shimmer or metallic finish. Watching you dupe newer palettes with your singles has inspired me to mix it up more & try doing that with my shadows too. It makes you much more aware of how much makeup you already have & where you might be lacking. Really enjoying your singles series 🤎💚💜🧡

[@annalang5687]

I started my single collection when I realised I only ever liked one or two shades in each palette that I looked into buying. Especially if you like colourful shadows, most palettes come with way to much filler around that one shade. I can't justify buying a whole palette for that one pop of green or purple.

[@youreinacultcallyourdad395]

Also want to say - If you want a palette mostly for the packaging, consider getting on Etsy or find a local artist to decorate an empty magnetic palette instead. I haven’t done this but I want to when something is really inspiring!

[@taytayfresh34]

Why spend $35+ for a bunch of browns instead of finding that one cool green I wanted for $6? This is how I try to look at new launches since my collection is complete as far as transition shades

[@emilyrider4003]

Love this video! I would love to see a video at some point of tips for how you find the holes. Do you just keep track as you dupe out palettes? Do you lay out all your shadows and visually make a list of missing a bright red? Or do you choose a brand and compare their options to what you already have and go from there? Think this will also help those of us with knowing where/how to start!

[@andnownails]

What I have gathered from this video is: A: I need to recreate this look of yours, you're so gorgeous and creative Lauren! B: I wish I was as thoughtful and considerate as you are with my money! C: I spend A LOT of money, relative to my income, on cosmetics and apparel. I'm guesstimating 30% of my income but I am so curious to now actually calculate it. I don't even wear makeup much the last 8 months. I've bought so much eyeshadow in that time frame and worn eye makeup.. Maybe 4 times? Yikes. D: Thanks for helping me become more woke. You are a true hero. ❤️❤️❤️

[@rebbyB777]

One thing about single shadows that you use over and over again is that you know how they’re going to perform, which is not necessarily true of palettes even when they’re from the same brand. There’s a time saving in that.

[@ksogor]

I enjoy magnetic palettes. Nice for travel - I can select shades, great for fun (reorganizing), and super cool for storing (annoyed of packaging? like only 70% colors? that's totally fine). I think all eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers should be magnetic.

[@BelleStreetBoyz]

YES! I would love to see more brands doing magnetic, single pan face products!! 🙌🙌🙌

[@thecolorfulhag4008]

I got sucked back into Boxycharm. I totally regret it! 😭🙄 Why is FOMO such a struggle! I need to cancel & stay away!

[@hannahmalcolm934]

Noone else does this it's soo interesting I love your videos and I have zero single shadows only pallettes your convincing me to purchase them but at the same time I'm a pallette girl

[@mirandaquinnn]

I always like hearing your point of views on everything. I am happy you are able to keep on using your single shadows, and duping palettes with them. On the onther hand, I have a hard time using my single shadows. I have 4 or 5 magenitic palettes full of singles and for the life of me I can't make me use them. I love reaching for a beautiful pre-made palette.

[@darciann]

LOVED this video! Especially the breakdown of seeing which shadows you repeated! I was surprised that there weren't more neutrals - just from the fact that a lot of palettes have some basic neutrals in them. Thank you for all the research and breakdown you did and time you spent on this video! Loved it so much, Lauren!!!

[@errynmara]

I just found your channel pretty recently and you’ve become one of my favorites already. I work in cosmetic retail and used to be more active with IG beauty and ended up buying and hoarding so much makeup to the point I felt overwhelmed. Your videos really put things into perspective for me with like value vs quantity. Love love love your videos and they have definitely changed the way I make decisions about making new purchases.

[@MsMdip]

I love Lauren's makeup math! Bring it back as a regular feature please :)

[@Kbaltrush]

“It’s like Inception over here!” 😂 heart your work

[@chelseasullivan7355]

I have the color makeup geek matrix palette and I love it so much I want the neutral ones and I feel like I can create any look. I add in my single sparkly shades and I’m good!

[@arianamama]

I love the math. Nerdy makeup videos are some of my favorites.

[@KieraJo]

Yes! I really liked this video. This is where I’m at with my collection, too. I already have so many palettes! Every time I see a new palette I want, I realize that while I like it as a whole with all of those shades put together, I already have 75% of the shades (and sometimes literally 100% of the shades). It’s almost always only two or three shades that are making me really excited about it. All I feel is “missing” from my eyeshadow collection are certain special shades (color flips, textures, etc) that can amp up other more basic shades that I already own. The best special shades like that are Indie singles anyway! I do think one of the best pros for me when I buy a ColourPop palette is that it is so easy to pop the shades out and switch them around or mix and match them with shades from other ColourPop palettes.

[@Julzableful]

These videos have changed my buying habits so much. I've de-potted most of my palettes and arranged singles into colour groups so now when I see a palette I want, I look over to my collection and go 'got it!' And move on 😂 thank you!!!

[@daisymorales6916]

Love these kind of videos, i find the relaxing. love the saving money aspect that you bring. Help look at my collection and that I don’t need all the new palette’s that come out.

[@drsallymanderchoi]

the cost of your homemade palettes were higher than I expected! Even though they cost a lot, it's true there is the re-use value when the cost overlaps, and even if the remake cost $70, that's still $40 or however much the new palette is that you didn't spend, which is a win!

[@ted8480]

I am person who loves to shop and likes to keep her life super, and they don't go well together, I depot so that i have one palette to grab in the morning. I even do the cream pots when i am traveling/ not getting ready at home, it works for me. I also like how magnetic palettes have a clear front so I can easily see what I am looking for, this also helps when I see a palette I like but know i have those colors already. I feel like buying singles shadows is overwhelming, but no palette is perfect for me, also you don't know how much a palette will work for you until you live with it for a while. I even bought a z potter on sale, I find depotting really relaxing.

[@jessicaharrison4719]

I absolutely love the single palettes I've started. I've noticed that a lot of people who focus on singles focus on the shimmery or sparkly shadows, and there isn't as much comparison between matte formulas. Certain colors I want to be pigmented, others I want to focus more on being buildable and easily blended, but since there isn't as much focus on the mattes, I feel a little at sea. If you do singles week or Indy week again, I'd love to see a comparison of matte shadows between the Indy brands, and I'd especially love to see Devinah and Looxi being in that comparison. I am on a bit of a low buy this year, and I don't want to "waste" my purchases on things I won't use.

[@swood2603]

If you start with a ColourPop palette, you could potentially have dupes for half of the shadows for another palette, especially if it is a more neutral palette.

[@_day_light]

I’m a Pricing Analyst and a makeup lover and cute thing collector- I love this so much!! Interesting, aesthetic (you’re beautiful, and who doesn’t love pretty makeup?!) and informative and helpful.. YES!! So glad I found your channel, you do your research and you’re positive ! 💖

[@Letty4]

I love singles! I almost never like most colors in a palette, so they rarely tempt me.

[@hermanlane9846]

Lauren you are so inspiring. I am TeamSingleShadows all the way these days because when I found myself depotting the few palettes I had - I realized that it was more fun to put shadows together to make a palette versus taking palettes apart and shafting the unwanted colors just to have less product than what I paid for. Ofcourse this is not for everyone - when I first started dabbling in makeup, Ihad started collecting some Mac singles - but had no idea how to use them because I barely knew how to use eyeshadows. But as my makeup skills have grown, I love the creativity of putting together my own color stories and I love the freedom of moving the shadows around into different "created" temp palettes. I am using my singles so much more and not only that my creativity is flourishing in this type of play. Enjoy the hours I send quietly swatching my singles and finding new ways to pair colors together. I also really enjoy learning about what colors and combination of colors suit my face and my personality - I am having a really really great time. Considering that we are stuck still wearing masks, my eyes are where my makeup budget has been going LOL.

[@KateLB1027]

I LOVE these videos where you break down the math! I am almost to a point where I can recreate palettes that give me a passing fancy so that I STOP lusting after them, buy them, and then only use them every so often. I placed myself on a low buy after watching your past series. So now I need to go through my singles collection. But I DO need more multichromes ...😂🤓 Also, my nerdy-self wanted to help you add graphs and visual charts to the video. OMgosh! Haha

[@unmeichan]

Oh Lauren, this makeup look is just so ethereal and beautiful.... Like a sophisticated fairy princess in the most wearable modern way possible.... It's so simple but you look simply gorgeous!!!!

[@BiancaIris33]

I thought I was the only one doing this with my singles collection. Thanks for this.

[@turnamandal4774]

I have every single matte shadow I could ever want, so now I only fill gaps in my collection with special singles from Indie brands. Thank you for this incredible video.

[@galacticgabs]

i loooooovved this video! besides being super helpful you were also so funny 😆 i had to laugh whenever you would say 'are you still with me'

[@Brandiwine13]

Soooo, I think I may be going crazy, but I decided tonight I'm not buying any more makeup. At least not eyeshadow. I own about 300-400 palettes---mua, small time KZbinr, instagrammer. You made me go look at all my single shadows. And omg I think between the palettes and all of my singles I can dupe any palette that comes out...thank you for opening my eyes!!!!! Love your channel.

[@tukamousa9025]

I love this video idea so much! I know you said you are not, but I AM one of those people who likes to have a function for everything, and little to no duplicates, so singles have definitely been the way for me. I have three palettes, but I may repan one of them soon 😜

[@hellotrude]

My obsession for singles came first, then I moved to palettes - grew my collection to around 120 - and now I’m back to singles again. I have amassed over 650 singles. Honestly, there’s nothing I can’t dupe now. It takes all the fun out of buying palettes (I’ve completely lost that urge) but it’s still fun duping 😉😝

[@ZovestaDark]

Love your videos, and I just wanted to comment to say that I love your makeup look today! The blush is so cute. :)

[@albaguzman8031]

I'm always blown away by the prices of all the stuff when you do these videos!

[@Olivina330]

I so want to enjoy depotted shadows but I never use them, so I ended up comprising and buying palettes with interchangeable shadows. This really helps me rearrange and enjoy my uniform palettes simultaneously

[@natnguyen4052]

Love this video! I only buy singles because I stick to the same shades and I hate the idea of not using all the shades in a palette. However, I have so many singles of essentially the same shade. Nice to see someone actually breaking down the math of palettes vs singles.

[@amandadelatorre3790]

U really put in the WERK for this vid 👏🏼👏🏼 Just duping palettes I’m trying not to buy has become a hobby for me. I get into trouble when I like a palette and I haven’t tried the formula yet bc I looooove trying new brands/formulas 🙈

[@sparkling-starling]

I think this is good occasion to thank you Lauren! I had a lot of fun creating "mini versions" of some palettes with my single eyeshadows. Also just yesterday I took my palettes and single eyeshadows, did some swatches and realized I can't justify buying new Raw Beauty Kristi palette . (I'll buy two new single eyeshadows, but still: it's a win for my budget.)

[@EitaLiraz]

I've always been aware of the cost differences between singles and palettes. The thing that urged me into preferring singles is I much rather buy singles I'm really interested in and be disappointed in the quality than buy a palette knowing that 2-4 of the shades would be pure ash on my skin tone or I only want the two stand out shades in the palette. I'm also more willing to spend more money on certain types of makeup; for me that's foundation and on occasion eye shadow (Clionadh Cosmetics > Aunty Pat & Natasha Denoway). Other people will shell out $40 on a single makeup brush. I could never, and that's okay. Be aware, be informed, and do what works for you. I also have a few palettes bookmarked with the mindset of de-potting upon arrival. I don't know if I'll ever get around to buying them, but the thought is definitely there.

[@jamiecrucefix4078]

I going to do some make up maths myself- going to count all my individual pans of eyeshadow including the ones in palettes to see the number of eyeshadows I own. Hopeful encourage my Project panning starting next year and discourage impulse buying when you see every new purchase as adding X amount of eyeshadows to your collection.

[@ceceking7445]

I have purchase a ton of colourpop singles/palettes that I’ve Depotted recently and I’ve Depotted over 50% of my collection and decluttered shades I don’t need or don’t like/wear and I noticed the repeating shades and I love it.

[@honoratagold]

As someone who's just starting my collection this really solidifies for me that to be cost effective, you should start your collection with a few palettes, but then use single shadows to fill out your collection once you have a good base of palettes. Also, I don't comment enough, but I want you to know I love your channel and how you approach makeup.

[@BelleStreetBoyz]

I loved this!! I geek out over makeup (and especially single shadows) so hard so this was absolute heaven to me! Lol Thank you, Lauren. You're killing it, girl. 🙌💜👏🏻💚✨

[@ChaosWitxh]

I just decided that it was best for me to depot my entire stash and buy singles from here on out. Luckily, my collection isn’t huge. But, I got the Z Potter and I found Z Palettes in book format. They have 4 “pages”, aren’t huge, and fit 112 26 mm eyeshadows each. I got the book Z palettes because I didn’t want a ton of Z Palettes either, that was part of the switch for me was having to look through all my purchased palettes to make a look. So, I got 4: 1 for warm tones, 1 for cool tones, 1 for shimmers/glitters, and 1 for neutrals. I’m just waiting on the supplies to arrive! I can’t wait to have all my colors together so I can find the red, blue, green, etc. that I’m looking for without looking through a million palettes. I rarely used 1 store bought palette per look because while the color stories are beautiful, how often do they really match what you’re wearing unless it’s a monochromatic palette. I am still allowing myself to buy a palette if I really want to, and keep it in its packaging as long as it’s getting use in it, but I just don’t see me wanting palettes. Because, I’m starting to really see that brands are really just offering us the same thing over and over or neutrals with a small pop of color. Like I’m kind of dreading depotting next week and seeing how many times I have the exact same neutrals...I also forget what I have sometimes, so having it all color coordinated by color will really make sure everything is getting used. And since I’m depotting with the Z Potter I intend to keep the packaging for my collection temporarily in case I do regret it. I don’t think I will, but I like having that fall back. I want makeup to be fun, but I also want to use what I buy, so this just seems like the best of both worlds and leaving myself options without feeling guilty about it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@kateregier7713]

Makeup math is so interesting!!! I think you’re convincing me to search out some singles :)

[@pluccp8093]

This is a really cool idea for a video! I especially love how you were honest about pricing (including the price of a full palette if a shade came from there). It's really cool to see the shades you used multiple times, and hear some of the pros and cons of singles (over the long and short term)

[@sincerelyalex28]

I believe the 12 pan palettes from ColourPop were originally $16, not $12. Other than that, I’m livinggggg for this kind of video! Makeup math is my favorite kind lol

[@LaurenMaeBeauty]

Ahhh you are right!!! Thank you for the correction!! Haha I hate that it makes the numbers off!

[@aheimdahl5201]

Thanks for crunching these Numbers and doing the Comparisons! 👍 I've managed to avoid buying quite a few Palettes by realizing 'oh, I have that/those Shades'. I did break down during the recent Sephora Sale and bought the Pat McGrath Celestial Divinity Palette because her Formula is great (I discovered this when I bought one of her Ecstacy Mini Palettes on Sale), plus the CD Palette was 18 Shadows for 78.00 instead of 125.00 for 10 Shadows. PLUS I got 15% off on the Palette during the Sale 🤗

[@professorplumish]

Thank you for this thorough analysis! I am so here for the math and the breakdowns. I've always had my suspicions that it would be cheaper to dupe luxury palettes, so it's nice to see some actual examples of that.

[@sarahh4082]

Also I LOVE watching your dupe videos. It’s really relaxing to watch. And I really enjoy when you put your own twist on it 💕. Ps looking forward to the depotting video! Such a great idea!

[@jamiecrucefix4078]

Dear Lauren, Another fantastic video made me contemplate my collection. It was an interesting exercise seeing all the pans from the Natasha Denona depotted their Glam Vibe really dulled . This video made me apreciate that I have a wide selection of single pan shadows to choose when I need to dupe things. Thank you Lauren!

[@allycatbeauty]

I can relate to the number crunching!! Haha loved this video! As someone newer to the makeup scene, I have had to talk myself out of buying plenty of palettes. I don't have a big collection, but it's nice to see you also trying to save even with a big collection. 💙💙😺😺

[@stqblue1909]

This is such a comprehensive and well expressed exploration of singles vs. palettes. I appreciate that your discussion encourages creativity and a love of makeup while keeping consumerism and finances in mind. I don't know whether you've already got content like this planned out, but I'd love to hear more about how you got into buying singles and what informs your decisions/choices. Part of the seduction of a great palette is a well crafted color story - it's like the work of putting together a look is already done. That's what I find intimidating about exploring singles - there are SO MANY options, it's overwhelming and I don't really know where to start. It took me a long time of becoming familiar with my own tastes and preferences to navigate adding single shadows to my collection.

[@mallyflower844]

Very intriguing to watch this breakdown of all the prices. Would you recommend that someone who has a good size pallette collection to add singles ? I’ve been mainly interested in duo, trio or multichromes. Can you a video on the best value for those kinds of eyeshadows ? Maybe which brands or pallettes I have not seen anyone do a video like that. Thank you.

[@randomstuffwithvicky]

I love the geeky and nerdy content!