An apparatus is described for dispensing cosmetic material from a cartridge onto a dispensing surface. The apparatus includes a retractable plate disposed beneath the detachable portion, where a dispensing end of the at least one cartridge is configured to penetrate the retractable plate and the detachable portion. When the retractable plate is at a stable highest position, the dispensing end of the at least one cartridge is flush with the surface of the retractable plate. When the retractable plate is moved to a predetermined stable downward position below the highest position, and the detachable portion is placed on the retractable surface, the dispensing end of the at least one cartridge is flush with the dispensing surface and the retractable plate is configured to move even further downward to an unstable position in response to a downward force on the detachable portion.