Project Pan: The Art of Using What You’ve Got (Before Buying More Stuff You Don’t Need)
I was on TikTok, casually scrolling past skincare hauls and morning routines, when a new kind of video started showing up. Instead of shiny palettes or fresh foundations, I saw creators holding up well-worn compacts and half-finished lipsticks. “2025 I’m starting Project Pan!” they’d announce, showing off their ambitious plans to use up products before buying anything new.
It was refreshing — dare I say radical — to see beauty content focused on less instead of more. But as I kept watching, I couldn’t shake a feeling: Is this movement the start of a genuine shift, or is it just another TikTok trend destined to fizzle out?
What Is Project Pan?
Project Pan is the countertrend we didn’t know we needed. The concept? Use up your existing beauty products completely before buying anything new. The “pan” refers to the metal base you hit when you’ve used up every last bit of a powder or eyeshadow — a sight that feels practically mythical in a world of overflowing vanities.
The idea is simple, almost wholesome: appreciate what you have, resist the consumerist urge to hoard, and maybe even save the planet a little along the way.
The Beauty (and Fragility) of a Trend
There’s something undeniably charming about seeing people share their half-empty products and declare their commitment to mindfulness. It feels like a small act of rebellion against the endless cycle of “buy more.” But here’s the thing about TikTok: it thrives on quick, viral moments. And as much as I want to believe Project Pan represents a larger cultural shift, part of me wonders if it’s just the latest flash in the pan (pun intended).
Because let’s be honest: trends on TikTok don’t last. Today it’s Project Pan; tomorrow it’s neon eyeliner. The app’s algorithm isn’t designed to reward slow, intentional progress. It’s built for instant gratification, which doesn’t exactly align with the months (or even years) it takes to finish a palette or tube of concealer.
The Challenges of Panning in a Consumer World
There’s also the reality of living in a culture obsessed with more. From limited-edition drops to viral product reviews, we’re constantly being told we need the next big thing. And it’s not just external pressure — many of us have internalized this “new is better” mindset. The idea of sticking to the same products day after day? It feels almost… boring.
Even the creators posting about Project Pan sometimes seem conflicted. Many videos are peppered with disclaimers like, “Okay, but if Charlotte Tilbury drops something new, I might have to grab it!” It’s as if the promise of staying committed to the trend is already being undermined by the very culture it’s pushing back against.
Can a Trend Become a Lifestyle?
The real question is: Can Project Pan move beyond being a trend and become a genuine shift in how we approach beauty? For that to happen, it would need to extend beyond TikTok aesthetics.
It’s not enough to post a video of a nearly empty foundation bottle. The movement needs to focus on the why behind the practice: sustainability, mindfulness, and learning to appreciate what you have. These values are bigger than any trend — they’re a lifestyle.
But let’s not pretend it’s easy. Mindful consumption requires more than good intentions; it takes effort, patience, and a willingness to resist the constant pull of marketing and comparison. It’s not as Instagrammable as a shelf full of new products, which is exactly why it’s so challenging to sustain.
Will Project Pan Last?
I want to believe in Project Pan. I want to believe that it’s more than a fleeting trend, that it’s the start of something real. But I also know how trends work: they burn bright, they fade fast, and they leave us chasing the next big thing.
Still, there’s hope. Even if Project Pan doesn’t become a cultural revolution, maybe it plants a seed. Maybe it reminds us to pause, to look at what we already have, and to ask ourselves if we really need more. And maybe that’s enough.
Because at the end of the day, whether you’re hitting pan or hitting “add to cart,” the real win is learning to live with intention. And if Project Pan can inspire even a little of that, then maybe it’s a trend worth rooting for.
