MAC Cosmetics Resource - depanning MAC eyeshadow quads

The ready-made quads released with MAC colour stories can be great for introducing you to colours in the permanent line that you might not be familar with, as well as promoting new limited edition shades in colour combinations that you might not have thought of by yourself. The downside of them is that, unfortunately, the eyeshadows in these can be ignored in favour of colours stored in bigger palettes or that are closer to hand. If you have a large collection like I do, the quads are often relegated to the back of the traincase. So! In an effort to use these colours more often, I decided to depan them and put them into my regular 15 pan palettes. As a result I've taken to using these colours far more often, and am starting to appreciate them as individual shades. If you've not tried depanning, I encourage you to try it - it's far easier than depotting individual eyeshadows, and there isn't any messy mucking about with flames or soldering irons. :)
Depanning
	Depanning tools
	- Pre-made quad. - Paring knife or a similar strong, small blade. - Labelling items (small magnets, blank label stickers and a marker pen).
	Removing the shroud
	Similar to removing the shroud from a regular MAC eyeshadow pot, the shroud on the quad palettes also needs to be removed. Using the tip of your paring knife, carefully run it along the groove of the shroud and dislodge the glue. Use a gentle hand, as the knife can easily skitter away and nick or stab your eyeshadow pans. When the glue is removed sufficiently, gently work the tip of the knife between the shroud and the body of the palette. Apply enough pressure to make the shroud tabs pop up, but don't force it! You don't want the body of the palette to flex enough to crack the eyeshadow pans. If you take a softly, softly approach to removing the shroud and don't shatter it into a million tiny bits, you'll be able to click it back in place afterwards and reuse the quad.
	Removing the pans
	The eyeshadow pans in the premade quads aren't glued down particularly strongly, so 99% of the time you won't need to apply any heat in order to remove the eyeshadow pans. Gently work the tip of your knife under the pan and wiggle it from side to side until the glue gives and the eyeshadow pan comes free. Don't force it in any way, as the pan itself may bend and weaken or shatter the eyeshadow itself.
	Labelling and storing pans
	Voilà! One removed eyeshadow. Label and store how you see fit - I put a small blank sticker on the back of the pan to help cover any excess glue, label it with the eyeshadow name and finish (frost, lustre, etc), attach a small magnet and put it into my 15 pan eyeshadow palettes. Enjoy your newly depanned eyeshadows!
LEGAL: This guide is informational only, I take no responsibility for any results or damage aquired as a result of following this tutorial. Product names and MAC logo remain the copyright of MAC (Make-Up Art Cosmetics), and no infringement is intended. I am not affiliated with MAC in any way. For further information or product details, please visit maccosmetics.com Design by Lara Hill, larahill.com