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Aug 19, 2009

Back 2 MAC!


Wednesday, August 19, 2009
MAC has an amazing recycling program called Back 2 MAC (B2M). Basically if you return 6 MAC packaging containers to a MAC store you will receive a free lipstick/eyeshadow/lipglass of your choice! If you return them to a MAC counter you will receive a free lipstick. I wish there were more cosmetic brands that did something like this. It's great for the environment & great on your pocketbook. :)

Two weekends ago I bought an empty palette so I could depot 15 eyeshadows. I recruited my husband to do a demonstration on depotting so I could take the pictures. ;)
Here's a little how-to on how to depot MAC shadows.
Warning: this post is very pic heavy!


You will need the following:
MAC eyeshadows
Isopropyl Alcohol
a small dish for the alcohol
wire cutters
a small knife (if you are under 18 please only do this with adult supervision)
magnetic strips with adhesive backing (you can find this at any craft store)
an empty MAC eyeshadow palette
round adhesive labels
paper towels
First you will place your knife in the lip on the side of the eyeshadow case shown above. Twist your knife around and it should pop right out.
This is what it will look like after you've popped it out of the packaging.

Next with your wire cutters cut into the black plastic on one side of the lip. Then make another cut a few inches away from the first cut.





Next hold that piece of plastic (in between the two incisions you made) with your wire cutters and pry the plastic piece back to expose the metal eyeshadow pan.


Dip your knife into the alcohol and slide the tip of your knife in between the metal pan & the black plastic packaging.
Let the alcohol drip in between the metal pan & plastic. Just a few drops of alcohol will dissolve the glue that holds them together.

Wait a few seconds for the alcohol to dissolve the glue then slide your knife under the metal pan. Jiggle your knife around until you can pry the metal pan out. You can use a paper towel dipped in a little bit of alcohol to clean off the glue residue from the backside of the metal pan. Cut a small piece of adhesive magnet & stick the adhesive side to the metal pan. You can use the round labels to print the name of the eyeshadow then stick the label to the magnet. Now you're ready to place your eyeshadows into your empty palette!

These are the empty pots I will be taking to the MAC counter in exchange for my free lippies! :)
I didn't have any round labels on hand so I printed the names and stuck them to the lid of the palette. Eventually I'll get around to buying round labels.
I hope you enjoyed this quick how-to depot demo! Happy hump day everyone! The weekend is almost here! *.~
ETA: there are a few freestanding MAC stores that do not accept the eyeshadow packaging without the metal pan. I suggest checking with your local MAC store/counter before you try to B2M. My local MAC counter at Macy's does accept the eyeshadow pots without the metal pan. Yay! :)

2 comments on "Back 2 MAC!"

dodo7 on August 20, 2009 at 3:07 AM said...

exited to know whether they accepted these deopts, as the matall pans are not in the empty boxes;
In europe, mac doesn't accept these containers. Hopefully, you have more luck in b2m - ing :-)

JennXOXO on August 20, 2009 at 9:31 AM said...

@dodo7 Yes, there are a few freestanding MAC stores that do not accept the packaging without the metal pan. I should edit the post to add that. :)
I did check with my local MAC counter at Macy's and they accept the eyeshadow packaging without the metal pans so yay! :)