The Makeup: De-potting MAC Eye Shadows

Last week I discovered I had almost enough MAC eyeshadows to fill a new quad. All my most used ones were living in their single cases and the quad contained a fair few old rejects that would never be used. In the interest of being slightly more careful with my spending there was only really one choice: Depotting.

I’d never done this before, from what I heard from my best friend, straighteners can be involved – but over my dead boy was I melting plastic anywhere near my GHD’s. So I did a little search on YouTube and clicked the first link, the instructions went a little something like this:

1) Separate the upper part of the single case and lower part – I used scissors instead of a knife as it was easier to control.

2) Using tweezers, hold the upper part of the black casing (the part that holds the pan) over a burning candle – eyeshadow facing up. Warning: this can make a pretty strong burning plastic smell – I was glad my mum wasn’t in! 

3) Keep it over the candle until the heat melts a hole in the bottom of the plastic. You can then use your scissors to pop the metal pan out.

Some of my friends have bought magnets so that their pans are kept firmly in the palette – this is a very good idea as they do have a lot of room to move around otherwise. You can also melt the sticker off the bottom of the black casing and stick them on the bottom of the pan if you fancy. I have a few shades of similar colours so this was a must for me!

*If you’re under 16, or just a tad clumsy like me, it’s best to have adult supervision with this. The boy was at hand to put a stop to any fire hazards!

16 Comments

  1. Molly Lyon
    07 Jun 2013 / 2:52 pm

    It's actually easier than you think it'd be isn't it! I did two and then almost wanted to do some more, haha!

    Molly x
    lyonsnotes.blogspot.co.uk

  2. Pippa Jones
    07 Jun 2013 / 3:42 pm

    If it was me Id be on edge the hole time, Expect myself to put a big dint in the eye shadow, but your finished quad looks lovely!

    Pipp xx
    http://pippjones281190.blogspot.co.uk

  3. Madeline Murray
    07 Jun 2013 / 3:54 pm

    I always wondered how people depotted, but this seems a lot harder than I thought it was going to be ahah!

    itsamadsmadsworld.blogspot.ca

  4. Talisa Tossell
    07 Jun 2013 / 4:14 pm

    Going to do this now, great post!

    http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/liz-earle-cleanse-polish-cleanser.html

    International Giveaway

  5. Leanne Rachel
    07 Jun 2013 / 4:33 pm

    Wow, I didn't realise it would be that difficult to de-pot! Not sure how I'll manage haha! xxx

    Leanne | Seeking Serendipity

  6. Carlota | Carlotaslittleblog
    07 Jun 2013 / 4:54 pm

    I really need to depot my eyeshadows too! Can you do a post about all your mac eyeshadows? It looks like you have some amazing colours! 🙂 Thanks!
    xx

  7. Maddy
    07 Jun 2013 / 5:04 pm

    I didn't realise it would be that simple, definitely going to do it! xxx

    Maddy from UNSTITCHEDD 
    ♥

  8. Becky Fearn
    07 Jun 2013 / 6:24 pm

    Thanks for this, very helpful 🙂

    beautyandtheb1.co.uk

    B xx

  9. makeup lover
    07 Jun 2013 / 6:35 pm

    I'd love to see a post showing what shades of MAC shadows you have, I'm thinking of buying one x
    Amy | http://amysbeautyjournal.blogspot.co.uk/

  10. rosaliejayne
    07 Jun 2013 / 7:26 pm

    I normally depot them with my straighteners, It's a lot easier than this way but I can understand you not wanting to wreck them, I was on edge every time and I've depotted about 12 of my eyeshadows, It's a bit stressful when my both mac eye shadows and my precious ghds are at risk but I managed it 🙂
    Rosalie x
    RosalieJayne

  11. Emily / www.thebeautymist.com
    08 Jun 2013 / 11:48 am

    I did this with a couple of my shadows, was a lot easier than expected aha:) x

    www.thebeautymist.com

  12. Gordita
    09 Jun 2013 / 12:36 am

    To prevent damage to your GHDs (I use my GHDs for depotting, would HATE to get plastic melted onto them) simply place tin foil onto the hot plate and your MAC pot on the tin foil, that way if it accidentally melts, it melts onto the tin foil.

  13. Casey Chieri
    09 Jun 2013 / 12:57 pm

    I love the neutral colours you have! Casey-Chieri.blogspot.com

  14. Phoebe Dixon
    09 Jun 2013 / 2:05 pm

    I've always been tempted to do this as I always use the same four colours!

    www.northoflondonblog.com

  15. Celina
    12 Jun 2013 / 12:51 am

    I didn't think de-potting would be this easy! Thanks!

    http://thecelution.blogspot.ca/

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    15 Jan 2015 / 8:54 am

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