Project Meltdown Complete!

As promised here are the details of Project Meltdown!

How to melt your lipsticks

What you will need:

• Kleenex
• Lighter
• Rubbing Alcohol (optional)
• Plastic Pill Boxes
• Lipsticks for melting
• Microwave
• Small Spatula or toothpick

Step 1:

• The pill boxes I bought from the dollarama store came with the days of the week on each pill box and I didn't want any writing on it but if it doesn't bother you skip this step.
• Take a Kleenex or paper towel and soak it with 99% alcohol (50% would work I'm sure but will take more scrubbing)
• Place towel over words and put some elbow grease into it!
• Letters should simply rub off and you will be left with a plain pill box like the one below.
  

Step 2:

• Open your lipstick and twist it all the way up
• Grab a fresh Kleenex and gently try to pull the entire lipstick out of the tube
• Some lippies are stubborn and will break in your Kleenex like mine did not to worry
• Place the half that's in your Kleenex in one side of the pill box and grab your spatula or similar item like a toothpick
• Scrap the left over lipstick out of the tube and place it in the other side of the pill box next to the half you already extracted.
• If your lipstick comes out in full (like my second attempt) great!
  
• Break it in half carefully in your Kleenex and place the 2 halves beside each other in the pill box.
• It doesn't have to look pretty or neat as long as its not really spilling over the sides or on the outside of the box at all you're fine!
  

Step 3:

• You are ready for melting!
• Make a mental note of which color/brand you placed on which side as you will need to know this for the next step.
  
• Place pill box in your microwave for approx 15 seconds (700W microwave)
• Keep your eye on it and if after 15 seconds it isn't totally melted (see pic below) try another 5 -10 seconds
• It should be totally melted and in liquid form (don't over heat it)
• Clean off sides, so it looks neat (see left side of box)
• I generally like to remove mine from the microwave and place it in the fridge carefully for about 5 minutes so it cools down and sets
  

Step 4:

• After you remove your melted lipsticks from the fridge grab your lighter and the empty tubes.
• Hold the lipstick tube in one hand and light the flame under the label
• BE CAREFUL not to put the flame too close to the tube or you will melt not only the tube but the label which you need!
• The flame should NOT be touching the tube you just need the heat to loosen the glue on the label
• After a few seconds you should notice the label getting loose or a corner peeling away from the tube
• This is the point where you can put the lighter down and simply peel off the label with your hands
• As soon as you get the label loose life up the pill box carefully (do not flip it over unless totally hardened, simply lift it over your head to you can see the bottom)
• Stick the label to the corresponding side and press firmly.
• Alternatively if you don't want to use a lighter simply get round sticky labels and write the names and brands of your lipsticks on that and stick it on.

VOILA!
You have now successfully completed your project meltdown!!
Simply repeat for all your lipsticks and don't forget if you are depotting MAC lipsticks to save the tubes for the back to MAC program!

Hope this was pretty clear and helps you to save space for your kit or traveling ;)

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me at facesbyfarah@gmail.com

xoxo
Farah