A custom makeup collection starts somewhere, and for most people that somewhere is a plain palette waiting to be filled. Empty makeup palettes let you organize singles, depot your favorites, or mix custom shades without lugging a half-dozen bulky compacts. The right pick keeps things tidy, portable, and easy to clean. This roundup covers stainless steel mixing palettes for artists, magnetic cases for pressed powders, and tempered glass surfaces for oil painters and DIY crafters.
A Snapshot Of The Selections
AKIRO Stainless Steel Mixing Palette With Spatula
Allwon Magnetic Palette Mermaid With Mirror
Sinen Stainless Steel Palette With Spatula (Silver)
Nuanchu 8 x 12 Inch Oval Tempered Glass Palette
Nuanchu 12 x 16 Inch Oval Tempered Glass Palette
Nuanchu 10 x 14 Inch Oval Tempered Glass Palette
What Each Pick Brings To The Table
The AKIRO Stainless Steel Mixing Palette earns its spot as a versatile workhorse for anyone who regularly blends custom foundation shades, lip colors, or cream pigments. Its stainless surface wipes clean in seconds, which matters during back-to-back client sessions when there’s no time for scrubbing. The included spatula has a weighted feel that gives precise control when scooping from a tube.
Compared to the magnetic Allwon case later in this roundup, this is a completely different tool. There, the focus is on storing pressed shadows. Here, it’s about active color formulation on a non-porous surface that won’t absorb oils or stain permanently.
Useful Touches
- Smooth stainless surface lets foundation, concealer, and cream pigments mix evenly without streaking
- Steel construction resists staining from darker pigments, so a quick wipe usually restores a clean look
- Included spatula handles small-batch mixing for custom lipstick or contour shades
- Compact enough to sit beside a vanity or on a salon trolley without hogging space
Points To Keep In Mind
- No border or lip, so runny liquid products can slide off the edge onto the counter
- Stainless shows fingerprints and water spots, meaning it needs frequent wiping to look tidy
- Lacks compartments, so multiple colors must share one flat area, which can muddy fast
Made For
Makeup artists and enthusiasts who mix custom shades daily and want a surface that cleans up in one swipe.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The Allwon Magnetic Palette is a better fit for someone who wants to depot and organize pressed singles rather than blend cream pigments.
The Allwon Magnetic Palette Mermaid turns a scattered singles collection into a tidy, travel-friendly compact. Its built-in mirror means one less item to pack, and the magnetic base holds standard 1-inch pressed pans securely. For depotting fans, this is one of the more accessible entry points because the included adhesive metal stickers let non-magnetic pans join the system.
Where the AKIRO steel palette is all about blending, this one is about storage. Think of it as a small filing cabinet for shadows, blushes, and bronzers that have outlived their original packaging.
Positive Points
- Interior dimensions (about 6.37 by 3.18 inches) fit roughly 18 standard 1-inch eyeshadow pans
- Built-in mirror adds genuine value for touch-ups on the go
- Carton-and-plastic construction stays lightweight in a carry-on or gym bag
- 20 adhesive metal stickers included, so depotting non-magnetic pans becomes a one-step process
Worth Bearing In Mind
- Cardboard-based body may not survive rough drops, so careful handling pays off
- Only works with metal-based pans or the included stickers, meaning plastic pans need extra prep
- Clamshell design doesn’t lay flat, which can slow down quick shade swaps during application
Who It Suits Best
Depotting enthusiasts and frequent travelers who want a single, compact case for a curated set of pressed powders.
Swap It Out When
The Sinen Stainless Steel Palette suits someone who creams and liquid pigments more than pressed shadows.
The Sinen Stainless Steel Palette measures roughly 5.9 by 4 inches, which lands it in a comfortable middle ground for hand-held mixing. It’s large enough to lay out three or four custom shades side by side, yet still small enough to balance on a knee during on-location work. The included black plastic spatula complements the steel surface for scooping and folding pigments.
Where the AKIRO leans toward compact daily mixing, Sinen opens up a bit more real estate, which can matter during bridal or editorial sessions where multiple testers get built in a single sitting.
Notable Gains
- Slightly larger surface than the AKIRO gives more room for multi-shade formulation
- Stainless steel body holds up well to alcohol and oil-based cleanser wipes
- Lightweight design reduces arm fatigue during long application sessions
- Smooth edges help it sit comfortably against the hand without pinching
Some Limits To Know
- No raised border, so runny liquid foundations may pool and drip during extended blending
- Spots and smudges are highly visible, requiring quick wipes between clients
Key Specs
Right Fit For
Working makeup artists who build custom shades for clients and want a slightly larger mixing surface than entry-level palettes offer.
Not Your Match When
The Nuanchu glass palettes are a better fit for painters working with oils or acrylics rather than cream cosmetics.
The Nuanchu 8 x 12 Inch Tempered Glass Palette steps outside the makeup world into oil painting and craft territory. The neutral grey background is a deliberate choice, since grey is the standard reference that helps artists see the truest color value of mixed paint. The oval shape and built-in hand cutout mean it sits comfortably in the palm while working on a stretched canvas.
Compared to the steel cosmetic palettes above, this is a different animal entirely. The audience here is painters and crafters, not makeup users, and the tempered glass surface stands up to solvents and scraping in ways the metal options don’t.
A Strong Showing
- Tempered glass resists scratching from palette knives and color shapers
- Neutral grey base gives accurate color reading for both warm and cool pigments
- Hand cutout improves control during long painting sessions, reducing wrist strain
- Easy to wipe clean with standard painting solvents
Trade Offs
- Glass adds weight compared to steel or plastic palettes, so it can tire the hand during extended plein air work
- Larger footprint demands dedicated table or easel space, less ideal for cramped studios
Key Specs
Who Should Grab It
Oil painters and crafters who need a portable, solvent-friendly surface for accurate color mixing on the go.
Consider Something Else When
The Nuanchu 12 x 16 Inch model suits studio work where a larger mixing area matters more than portability.
The Nuanchu 12 x 16 Inch Tempered Glass Palette offers significantly more mixing area than its 8 x 12 sibling, which becomes valuable during larger compositions with multiple color families. Studio painters working on canvases above 16 inches will appreciate the breathing room for keeping premixed grays, skin tones, and accent colors separated without crowding.
For most weekend hobbyists, this size may feel oversized. For working artists, the extra real estate replaces the need for multiple smaller palettes cluttering the workspace.
What It Does Well
- Generous surface accommodates several premixed color zones side by side
- Tempered glass construction handles palette knife work and heavy solvent use
- Neutral grey background keeps color perception consistent across the entire surface
- Hand cutout supports a steady grip even when the surface gets weighted with paint
Possible Compromises
- Heavier and bulkier than the 8 x 12 version, so it isn’t a casual travel companion
- Needs a flat, stable work surface to avoid wobble during mixing
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Studio painters tackling larger canvases who want one reliable surface for full painting sessions.
Look Elsewhere When
The Nuanchu 10 x 14 Inch version suits a hobbyist who wants a glass palette without committing to a full studio size.
The Nuanchu 10 x 14 Inch Tempered Glass Palette lands as the middle child of the Nuanchu glass line, which often makes it the most practical pick for general use. It offers noticeably more room than the 8 x 12 without requiring the dedicated studio real estate of the 12 x 16. For weekend painters or DIY crafters, that balance tends to win.
Like its siblings, it shares the neutral grey base that helps color accuracy, so stepping between sizes doesn’t mean retraining the eye.
Points In Its Favor
- Mid-size surface handles a typical project without forcing constant re-mixing
- Tempered glass stands up to repeated solvent cleaning and palette knife scraping
- Hand cutout keeps the palette stable during detail work and small brushwork
- Neutral grey tone supports accurate color judgment across varied pigments
Factors To Consider
- Still heavier than paper or plastic disposable palettes, so it isn’t ideal for hiking or plein air trips
- Lacks a cover, meaning wet paint can transfer during storage unless wrapped separately
Best Suited To
Weekend painters, hobbyists, and crafters who want a reusable glass surface that bridges portable and studio use.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The Nuanchu 12 x 16 Inch model serves artists running multi-canvas studio sessions who need extra room.
What To Weigh Before Choosing Your Palette
Size And What You Actually Use It For
The first honest question is what you’ll be putting on the surface. Cream pigments and foundation mix easily on small steel palettes like the AKIRO or Sinen, since a few square inches handle most custom shades. Magnetic cases work for pressed powders, but only if pans are either metal-based or paired with adhesive stickers. Tempered glass palettes belong in the painting and crafting world, where solvents and palette knives come into play. Matching the palette to the medium avoids the frustration of buying the wrong tool for the job.
Build Material And Cleaning Realities
Steel wipes clean with alcohol or makeup remover and resists stains from most pigments. Tempered glass stands up to harsher solvents like turpentine and handles scraping from palette knives without clouding. Cardboard magnetic cases stay light but show wear faster, especially around the hinges. The trade-off is always between weight, durability, and how often the surface needs replacement.
Portability Versus Workspace
Smaller palettes travel well in a kit bag or carry-on, while larger glass surfaces stay home on a table or easel. A built-in mirror on a magnetic case adds genuine value on the go. A hand cutout on a glass palette makes a surprising difference during long painting sessions by reducing wrist strain. Choose based on where the palette will spend most of its working hours.
Magnetic Compatibility And Pan Sizes
Magnetic palettes work best with standard 1-inch metal pans, which is the most common depotting size. Larger or oddly shaped pans won’t sit flat, and plastic pans need adhesive metal stickers to stay in place. Before buying, it helps to measure a few of the most-used singles to confirm they fit the interior dimensions listed.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
The most common mistake is buying a magnetic case without checking whether pans are metal-based. A second slip is choosing a tempered glass palette for cream cosmetics, where the weight and rigidity feel awkward. Finally, ignoring the absence of a border on flat steel palettes leads to messy drips, especially with liquid foundation or runny pigments.
Where The Extra Money Goes
A higher price in this category usually reflects tempered glass versus cardboard, larger mixing surface, or a built-in mirror. The jump makes sense for working artists or depotting enthusiasts, but a casual user mixing the occasional custom shade will rarely notice the difference. Match the spend to actual use, not the lure of premium materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is An Empty Makeup Palette?
An empty makeup palette is a blank case designed to hold or mix cosmetic products. Magnetic versions store pressed powders, while flat metal or glass palettes serve as mixing surfaces for creams, liquids, or paint pigments.
Can Empty Palettes Hold Liquid Products?
Flat metal and glass palettes handle liquid cosmetics reasonably well, though raised edges help contain drips. Magnetic cases are built for pressed powders and don’t suit liquids.
How Do I Depot Eyeshadow Into A Magnetic Palette?
Press the pan out of its original casing, then place it onto the magnetic base. Pans without metal bottoms can be attached using adhesive metal stickers designed for that purpose.
Are Tempered Glass Palettes Safe For Oil Painting?
Yes, tempered glass handles oil paint, palette knives, and common solvents like turpentine. The scratch-resistant surface cleans up well and lasts for years with reasonable care.
How Do I Clean A Stainless Steel Mixing Palette?
A wipe with isopropyl alcohol or makeup remover usually does the job. For stubborn pigment, a small amount of oil-based cleanser followed by a dry cloth restores the finish.
Closing Remarks
Empty makeup palettes are deceptively simple tools, and the right one quietly improves every routine it joins. Match the format to the product you’re working with, the size to your typical project, and the build material to your cleaning habits. A clear-eyed matchup now saves the frustration of a wrong-fit purchase later.
