How to Start Your First Project Pan Challenge in 2026
So you’ve been eyeing that drawer full of barely-touched eyeshadow palettes and wondering why you keep buying more when you haven’t finished a single one? Welcome to the club. The good news is that 2026 might just be the year you finally use up those products collecting dust in your makeup bag—and the Project Pan challenge is here to help.
If you’re new to the concept, Project Pan is basically a commitment to actually finish your beauty products before buying new ones. It sounds simple (and maybe a little boring), but trust me, there’s something genuinely satisfying about hitting pan on that perfect bronzer you’ve been using for months. Plus, it’ll save you money and help you figure out what you actually love versus what just looked pretty on the shelf.
Ready to give it a try? Here’s everything you need to know to start your first Project Pan challenge this year.
What Exactly Is a Project Pan Challenge?
Project Pan is a beauty community challenge where you commit to using up specific products in your collection. The goal isn’t to torture yourself by only using things you hate—it’s about being more intentional with what you already own and discovering whether products you bought months (or years) ago actually deserve space in your routine.
The name comes from the satisfying moment when you use enough of a pressed powder product to see the metal pan underneath. But the challenge applies to all types of products, from foundations to lipsticks to skincare.
Why You Should Try Project Pan in 2026
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s talk about why this challenge has become so popular. First off, it’s a serious money saver. When you’re focused on finishing what you have, you’re way less likely to impulse-buy that new palette just because your favorite influencer posted about it.
But beyond saving cash, Project Pan helps you understand your actual preferences. You know that highlighter you swore you’d wear every day when you bought it? If you’re three months into using it and still dreading reaching for it, that tells you something important about what you actually like.
There’s also the environmental angle. The beauty industry creates a ton of waste, and most of us have way more products than we could ever realistically use before they expire. Using what you own is a small but meaningful way to reduce that impact.
How to Choose Your Project Pan Products
This is where people often mess up. They either pick products they actively dislike (hello, self-punishment) or choose so many items that the challenge feels overwhelming before it even starts.
Here’s my advice: start with 5-10 products max. If this is your first time, honestly consider starting with just 3-5. You want this to feel manageable, not like homework.
Pick a mix of products you’re genuinely excited to use up and maybe one or two that you’re on the fence about. That foundation you bought in the wrong shade? Skip it. Donate it or toss it if it’s old—Project Pan isn’t about forcing yourself to use things that don’t work for you.
Good starter products include:
- A pressed powder (bronzer, blush, or eyeshadow) since you can actually see your progress
- A mascara or lip product with a set expiration date to keep you motivated
- A primer or moisturizer you use daily
- One palette you want to get more use out of
- A lip balm or gloss you keep forgetting about
Make sure at least some of your picks are products you already reach for regularly. This makes the challenge feel less restrictive and more like you’re just being mindful about what you’re using.
Setting Realistic Goals and Timelines
Here’s the thing about Project Pan—you don’t have to finish everything. Seriously. Some people do yearlong challenges, others do rolling three-month pans where they replace items as they finish them.
For your first challenge, I’d recommend a three-month timeline. It’s long enough to make real progress but short enough that you won’t get bored and abandon the whole thing. At the end of three months, you can reassess and either continue with the same products, swap in new ones, or take a break.
Set specific goals for each product. Maybe you want to completely finish that mascara, or use your eyeshadow palette at least four times a week, or get halfway through that face cream. Whatever feels achievable based on how much product you’re working with and how often you realistically use it.
Tracking Your Progress (Without Getting Obsessive)
Part of what makes Project Pan fun for a lot of people is tracking progress. It keeps you motivated and lets you see just how much product is actually in that tiny tube you thought was almost empty three months ago.
You can go as simple or as detailed as you want here. Some people take photos at the start, middle, and end of their challenge. Others weigh their products to track exactly how much they’ve used. And plenty of folks just make mental notes and call it good.
If you want to share your journey, the Project Pan community on social media is super supportive. Instagram and TikTok have tons of people documenting their progress, and it can be really motivating to see others working toward the same goal. Plus, you might pick up some tips for actually using up those stubborn products.
Tips for Actually Sticking With It
Let’s be real—the novelty of Project Pan wears off pretty quickly. Around week three, you’ll probably get bored of using the same products over and over. Here’s how to push through that phase.
First, put your Project Pan products front and center in your makeup bag or on your vanity. When they’re the first thing you see, you’re way more likely to reach for them. Consider putting the rest of your collection somewhere less accessible so you’re not tempted to grab something else.
Create some variety within your challenge. If you’re panning an eyeshadow palette, challenge yourself to create different looks each week. YouTube is full of tutorials that’ll help you see the palette in new ways.
Remember that you can still buy and use other products. Unless you’re doing a strict no-buy (which is a different challenge entirely), Project Pan just means prioritizing certain items, not exclusively using them. If you want to switch to a different foundation on the weekend, go for it.
And if you realize halfway through that you actually hate one of your products, it’s okay to remove it from the challenge. The point is to be more intentional with your collection, not to make yourself miserable.
Making It Work With Your Actual Routine
One reason people abandon Project Pan is because they try to force products into their routine in ways that don’t make sense. If you’re panning a bold red lipstick but you work in a conservative office, don’t try to wear it to work every day. Wear it on weekends, to dinner, whenever it actually fits your life.
The same goes for seasonal products. If you’re starting your challenge in January and one of your picks is a summery coral blush, you might want to swap it out for something more winter-appropriate and save it for a spring challenge.
Think about your actual lifestyle too. If you barely wear makeup on weekdays, don’t choose products that only make sense in a full face. Pick things you’ll use even on your lazy, five-minute makeup days.
What Happens After Your First Challenge
So you made it through your first Project Pan challenge—congrats! Now what? This is the perfect time to reflect on what you learned about your collection and shopping habits.
Did you discover that you actually don’t like cream blushes as much as you thought? That’s valuable information that’ll save you money next time you’re tempted to buy one. Did you finish that mascara way faster than expected and realize you should always have a backup? Also good to know.
Use what you learned to make smarter purchasing decisions going forward. Project Pan isn’t about never buying makeup again—it’s about being more thoughtful about what you bring into your collection.
Some people love Project Pan so much they make it an ongoing practice, doing rolling challenges throughout the year. Others do one challenge and then go back to their normal routine with a newfound appreciation for what they own. Both approaches are totally valid.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before you dive in, here are a few pitfalls to watch out for. Don’t pick products that are expired or that you know you don’t like. It’s not worth it, and you’ll just end up abandoning the challenge.
Don’t choose too many products or set unrealistic goals like finishing an entire foundation in a month. You’ll burn out fast.
And don’t beat yourself up if you don’t finish everything or if you decide to remove a product mid-challenge. The goal is progress and intentionality, not perfection.
Ready to Start?
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably ready to give Project Pan a try. Start by gathering up some products you want to focus on, take a few before photos if you want to track progress, and commit to being more intentional about what you’re using for the next few months.
The beauty community has been doing Project Pan challenges for years now, and there’s a reason it’s stuck around—it genuinely helps you get more out of your collection and understand what you really love. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about seeing that pan peek through on a powder you’ve been working on for weeks.
So what are you waiting for? 2026 is the perfect time to finally use up those products that have been sitting in your drawer since 2023. Your wallet and your vanity will thank you.
