How to De-pot MAC Eyeshadows Without Heat

Eye shadow pans can be removed with a little work.

De-potting eye shadows is a way to clean up an overflowing makeup kit. A dozen bulky eye shadow pots can be easily transferred into a single sleek palette. Many de-potting processes use flame or heat and can be dangerous or painful. However, you don't need to burn your fingers or melt your pots to get a well-organized makeup kit.

Things You'll Need

• MAC Eye shadows in the pot
• Rubbing alcohol
• Wire cutters
• Small knife
• Small cup

Instructions

Removing the eye shadow from the pot

1. Insert the tip of the knife into the small crack in the front of the eye shadow pot. This crack is where the top of the pot, which holds the actual eye shadow, and the bottom of the pot meet. Gently wiggle the knife until the top of the pot pops out. Be careful when doing this, as too much pressure may cause the eye shadow to fly out and crack.

2. Insert the wire cutters far enough to cut two small notches into the front of the remaining plastic around the eye shadow pan. These notches should be at the edges of the large indentation on the lip of the plastic piece.

3. Pull back the plastic between the two notches and remove it. You should now be able to see inside the pot to where the metal pan meets the plastic.

4. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol into the cup and dip the tip of your knife into the the alcohol. Wedge the knife between the metal pan and the plastic and gently wiggle it back and forth. Reapply the alcohol and repeat this process twice.

5. Wait a few minutes. The alcohol needs some time to dissolve the glue which holds the pan in its plastic casing.

6. Reinsert your knife into the area between the pan and the plastic casing. Gently wiggle the knife until you hear the glue becoming unstuck and see the metal pan lifting from its casing. If you feel too much resistance, add a bit more rubbing alcohol, wiggle the knife and see if you can lift the pan.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful while using sharp objects; never use more force than necessary.

• Be gentle and patient through the entire process; eye shadows are fragile and will chip or crumble if too much force is used.

References

• YouTube: Depotting MAC w/o heat