Depot MAC Blushes
This tutorial is to show you how to de-pot MAC brand blushes (take the pan out of the original compact) and place them into an empty palette. This method also works with MAC brand eyeshadows and other makeup items with similar packaging. This method is easy, but requires patience. You are dealing with heat, so you must take your time and not rush trying to get your pan out.
Steps
- Grab your blush to be de-potted and your palette to house it in.
- Gently wedge the flathead screwdriver from the eyeglass repair kit into the cracks in the pot. You may have to pry it all the way around for it to loosen. Do not apply too much pressure or force it to pop up because you may ruin the blush/pot. Be patient!
- Pull the pan out...
- Grip the blush in its plastic molding with the pliers.
- Hold it over the flame for only 2 seconds to warm it up.
- Then slant the pan. until it starts to melt a tiny hole. Hold the pan at an angle about 2 or 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) away from the flame, not directly on the flame or a millimeter away from the flame. It doesn't have to be a 90 degree angle, but just slanted enough. Holding it directly over the flame may ruin the pan as heat is being distributed in one area of the pan.
- Remember, you just want the plastic to melt enough to where there is a tiny hole where you can poke right through to release the pan from the plastic molding.
- Place the pan face down gently on a paper towel or napkin, and slowly and lightly push the screwdriver through the hole while the glue is still hot until the pan is released from the plastic molding.
- Let it cool as the glue will still be hot, then transfer it into your empty palette.
- Label your blushes on the side. Some people will salvage the original stickers from either the box or under the pot, but it takes time to peel them off.
Tips
- Be patient! Forcing the pan out may ruin your blush or eyeshadow causing it to crack and shatter.
- Make sure the area that you are doing the de-potting in is well ventilated.
- You are dealing with a flame, so be careful not to burn yourself and do not place the pan directly on or in the flame, but just slanted above it.
Warnings
- Because you are using heat, the consistency of your makeup may change. Over heating the pan will cause your makeup to "clump", or melt into a solid mass.
Things You'll Need
- A candle
- Small pliers
- Tiny screwdriver (not pictured) which is found in eyeglass repair kits
- The item to be de-potted
