How To: De-pot Eyeshadows

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In the midst of spring cleaning a couple of months ago, I decided to remove some of the clutter and de-pot some shadows. I haven't done this in over a year (whoops) so it was definitely time! This is a really easy process and can help streamline your collection.

W H A T  I S  I T ?

• "To de-pot eyeshadows" means that you're removing the shadow (or blush, highlighter, bronzer) from its original container into a storage palette.

W H Y?

• It saves space, prevents clutter, prevents breakage, is great for travel, and is essential for professional makeup artists.

H O W  T O:

If you have a single shadow, like the one pictured above, you can pop it out of the container.

See the black casing around the shadow disc? 

I need to remove it so it will fit into an eye shadow magnetic palette. 

The glue holding the disc to the casing has to be heated up so it can be removed.

I like using a flat iron, with a piece of wax paper on top, and then placing the shadow on top.

Heat for about 10-20 seconds.

If the glue is heated enough, pop out the shadow with a pin or knife.

If it's not heated enough, repeat the heat process.

Place into palette.

T I P S

• If you want to de-pot a palette, like Wet N Wild, remove the paper from the back and heat over a flame very carefully. The shadows will pop out.
• MAC shadows aren't easy to pop out, so heat them and then use a pin to push through the plastic in the back to pop them out.
• If your palette or single shadow isn't magnetic, apply magnetic tape to the back.
• Some shadows are encased in flimsy metal discs, so be careful when removing, as the shadow could break.

E X A M P L E S

ELF $1

Best for round shadows--most round high and low-end shadows will fit in it.

Z Palette $20

Best for square/odd-shaped shadows/blushes, but anything will fit in here.

Here's a tiny one I received in an Ipsy bag. I use the magnetic case to hold bobby pins, too!

PS: PLEASE ENTER MY GIVEAWAY :)