For All Petty Panners - A Guide to Cheating Your Way to Pans

Today, I want to say something about all the negativity I've seen in the panning community lately. People have been writing posts, stories and comments addressing panners who, in their opinion, cheat their ways to empties and pans. Other than just talking shit about the panners they believe cheat, the discussion has also been about what's allowed and what's not and whether someone is a cheater or not. The things people seem to dislike can be anything from swatching eyeshadow to digging for their eyeshadow pans. I get it, but I don't get it. Why can't we just drop this conversation? Do we really need to drag this kind of negativity into the panning community?

My makeup collection when I started my account back in late March 2018.

The panning community seemed like the nicest and friendliest community on the internet when I started almost a year ago by now. Everyone was very supportive and people cheered each other on. Unfortunately, things seem to be changing. I don't know if I've only come across this pettiness and jealousy because I follow and interact with more people now or if it's actually something that has only started a few months ago. All I can say is that it needs to stop. This kind of negativity doesn't belong in this community.

My main problem with this negativity is that people seem to just blindly judge people. They don't ask questions like "Wow! How did you manage to hit pan on that shade so quickly?" when they see fast progress. They just blindly decide that this person must have cheated by digging for the pan. The reason behind that sudden pan might be something completely different. It could be that the panner has used the shade to set their eyeprimer every single day since buying the palette, or they have used it as a face highlighter or blush and not only as eyeshadow. Or maybe the panner is a person who does their makeup multiple times a day sometimes and therefore goes through products more quickly than their peers. Or maybe it's just a powdery formula. You can't judge people without all the information, so don't.

An eyebrow palette I used up fast.

This kind of negativity doesn't benefit anyone, not even the people complaining. Being a part of the panning community is supposed to be fun. It's supposed to be a safe space for people who want to cure their makeup addictions, people who want to downsize and use up their collection, and it's supposed to be a place free from judgement because everyone is different and has different habits.

And then we get to the conversation about what counts as cheating. Seriously, why is this even a conversation? Who are we to decide what's cheating and what's not when it comes to other people's makeup habits? I'm going to go through all of the "cheats" I've come across and share my thoughts on them. If you think these are all cheats, then welcome to my Beginner's Guide to Cheating Yourself to Pans.

Is swatching products cheating? No, why would it be? If you want to know how a few shades look together before you put them on your face, swatching is the way to go. I mean, wouldn't it be more like cheating if they, instead of swatching, messed up their makeup and had to redo everything and use even more product? I just don't get the logic behind calling swatching products cheating. I see it as a vital part of coming up with new looks without having to wash one's face three times. Shades can look very different in the pan and on the face. Swatch your products when needed. It's not cheating.

Is using eyeshadow as blush/highlight/bronzer or vice versa cheating? Definitely not. You're using your products in a way that suits you. It is not cheating. Isn't it a huge win if you've managed to find versatile products?

Is using face cream as body lotion cheating? No. If you can't stand a product for its intended use you can definitely use it for something else. It's a lot better to use that product in a way it works than just throwing it away.

Is creating franken products cheating? No. If you have makeup that doesn't work on it's own (and even if it does work) it's definitely okay to try and mix them with something else. Bad makeup science is a great way to get to know products and see how they work. Go ahead and throw some green eyeshadow into that moisturizer for a Grinch foundation instead of purchasing a bottle of face paint that you're never going to use again.

I've made my own tinted lipbalms four times so far. No regrets.

Is digging for pan cheating? Well, if you are pushing your brush into your eyeshadow with the sole purpose of hitting pan, I admit it could be considered cheating if you're not honest about it. Maybe you should just declutter that shade you hate instead? Buying a palette with a really crappy formula on the other hand is not your fault. I've come across my fair share of bad, unpigmented, powdery formulas (I'm looking at you black shimmer in the NYX Sex Bomb palette), and no one should be crucified for hitting pan on those. You deserve a medal for actually using them.

Is tapping/blowing of excess cheating? First of all, don't blow on your brushes. It's not very hygienic. Second of all, no it's not cheating. If you got too much product on your brush, feel free to tap it off. Sure you can tap it off back into the product, but it's not the end of the world if you don't. It is also okay to clean up your palettes if you have a lot of loose pigment flying around. That is not cheating, that is called taking care of your makeup and keeping it clean.

Is decluttering cheating? Sorry, WHAT!? Why in the holy hell would decluttering products you do not like be considered cheating? Why should someone have to use up a product that doesn't work for them or doesn't suit them? That's insane. You are definitely allowed to declutter.

A product that didn't work for me that I ended up just pouring down the drain.

There are probably way more makeup habits petty and jealous panners think should be considered cheating, but those where all the ones I've come across (and remembered) so I'm going to leave it here. Now remember, just because someone else uses makeup differently than you, doesn't mean they are "cheating" their ways to pans. The just use makeup differently. You're always allowed to declutter and repurpose product that don't work for you, since they are your products. No one can decide how you're supposed to use your own things. You're not hurting anyone by swatching your eyeshadows.

Repeat after me: It is never cheating to you use your products.

Please share your own opinions on this topic in the comments. I'd very much like to know if you don't agree with me or if I forgot any "cheats".