Pots or pans

[sugababe82]

For someone who Does very much love MAC, but only has a small collection due to financial restrictions, who is also planning on buying 4 neutral eyeshadows very soon (xmas money gifts), would you recommend
1- buy the neutrals in pots
or
2- buy the pan refills and a mac pro palette?

[almostcosmic]

If you know you only want four you could actually pick up an E.L.F 4 pan palette for $1.00 at a Target and save yourself some money. However, if you think your collection will grow a larger palette may be a good investment. But also look into palette like the Z palette Marlena sells in her store. Its a free form palette so you can fit more then the 4, 15 etc you get from MAC (unless you pull them apart).

I wish I had started buying pans sooner. You save money and it is easier and less nerve wracking then depotting them after the fact. I now have like 70 shadows I need to depot and I am so scared of breaking a LE shadow that I havent even tried.

[sugababe82]

Thats really helpful, i didnt think of e.l.f! I live in uk, but i couldnt see the pan palettes on their website
I am so very tempted to get one of the big z palettes on this site, but then i know i would be way to chicken to try and depot my eyeshadows i already have... but like you mentioned, i think there will come a time when i know i will wish i had turned to pans! Plus the MUG eyeshadows are pans and i plan on getting some of those too..... I feel one of those impulses coming on where i just go to the store and checkout with hundreds of things!
PErhaps i should just go with the mac pans, and buy myself a z palette - does that sound like a plan??

[Aro]

I have to agree with almostcosmic, buying free form palettes is a lot easier in the long run. Personally, I think that unless a product has really pretty packaging buying pans is better, they're certainly easier to deal with and keep organized, especially as your collection grows. If you want something a bit prettier, a seller on etsy called anothersoul does hand-made palettes with decorative paper. They're around the same size as a regular z palette, sell for $13 or $16 each, and international postage is $9 each or $14 for 3. She has a very pretty selection.