For those of you who are new to MAC, you may not know about MAC’s Back2MAC program. Basically, it’s a recycling program where in order to qualify, you have to bring in 6 plastic MAC containers/packaging and you get to exchange them for a lipstick, lipglass or eyeshadow. The program was designed with the idea that when you use up your makeup, you can recycle it instead of throwing it out. However, over the years, people have figured out how to “depot” their eyeshadow or blush from the plastic container, instead leaving them with the metal pro pan. This way, they don’t have to wait forever to use up 6 plastic container items.

There’s many different ways to depot eyeshadows, with or without heat. I personally use heat because it’s easier, and also I buy mostly pro pans these days, so I rarely have to depot anymore. But for those of you who are interested, I made a video showing how I depot my eyeshadows with a hair straightener.

BUT! Before you buy 6 eyeshadows to depot for another item, it’s actually not worth it to buy eyeshadows in pots specifically for depotting. Why? Let’s do the math!

(Let’s assume MACland has no tax)

1 lipstick/eyeshadow/lipglass =3D $14.
Pro pan eyeshadow =3D $10.50

So, 6 eyeshadows in pots: $14 x 6 =3D $84.
6 pro pan eyeshadows: $10.50 x 6 =3D $63
Total saving: $21

So if you purchase 6 pro pans, you save a total of $21, which is actually $7 more than the price of a lipstick/lipglass/eyeshadow. Make sense? If you were to purchase 6 eyeshadows in pots and recycle them for a free lipstick, you essentially spent $70, which is still $7 more than what you would’ve spent on pro pans.

However, if you don’t live near a freestanding store, you’re stuck with buying pots only, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to depot them. Also, counters only offer lipsticks in exchange for 6 empties – select freestanding/pro stores will offer lipstick, lipglass, or eyeshadow (best to call your individual store and find out).

Phew! Glad this is a makeup blog and not a maths blog.