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How To Save: Broken Powder Cosmetics

18 November, 2022 - 12:14pm by - Head Pixie | 10 Comments

by BR Amelia

I once spent $37 on a single eyeshadow. Ridiculous, I know. But it was the closest thing I could find to a shade in a limited edition palette that I'd completely hit pan on and couldn't live without. Then, tragedy hit. I was standing at the bathroom counter, placing the shade on my lid, and in an absolute fumble-finger moment it went flying from my hands, smashed on the marble tiles and broke.

$37 of eyeshadow in smithereens.

I was gutted. Could have cried an actual river into existence. However, it's not the only powder product I've had fall to pieces - there's been blushes break while travelling, not to mention setting powders crack after being dropped. Basically I can't be trusted around a powder product. Thankfully there is a fix. A way to make them if not good as new, then certainly brought back from the brink of being added to landfill before their time. How? Read on...

What You Need

Fixing a broken powder product needs four things:

  • a small bowl (like a ramekin)
  • a spoon
  • rubbing alcohol (also known as isopropyl alcohol)
  • a paper towel or tissue

The Process

This may seem counter-intuitive, but the first thing to do is to tip all the powder product into your small bowl and then break up the powder with the spoon (or a knife/spatula/something that's good at breaking things to bits) until it's fine in texture.

Next, add isopropyl to the powder and mix it togther. The amount of isopropyl you use will depend on the amount of product. Start with a few drops and go from there. You want to use enough to make it a thick paste, but not so much that it becomes watery.

Lastly, put the paste mixture back into the pan, then place your paper towel or tissue over the top of it and use the back of the spoon to press the product in, leaving the surface flat. 

From there, leave the compact open so that it can dry out. Once the mixture's dry it's good to use once again! 

As for my beloved $37 eyeshadow? It was scattered all over my bathroom floor and truly beyond repair, but the next time I find myself having a cosmetic calamity (and it's only a matter of time), I'll be getting my beauty first aid on for sure!

So, have you ever broken a powder cosmetic before? Did you fix it or send it to the great round bin in the sky? And will you be trying this trick the next time you have a whoopsydaisy? Chat below!

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Comments

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6th December, 2022

OMG this is amazing! I never knew you could fix pounders. I always kept trying to use the broken bits until it started 'leaking' out of the packaging then I'd give up and throw it away. I will have to try this next time!

3rd December, 2022

How come we only drop the expensive ones??? I so hate it when that happens :(

2nd December, 2022

I don't use powder cosmetics, but I love any tip that saves items going in the bin, so I might pass this on to friends!

1st December, 2022

Great tip!

25th November, 2022

I just put into a container and use it loose. Re pressing could make it dry skin out because of the alcohol? Good for oily skin I guess

23rd November, 2022

Ooh yes I have tried this on a broken Nars bronzer... way to expensive to chuck out, so I gave it a go! It worked enough that I can keep using the product, but it isnt pretty haha! Mine was not smooth and flat, so think it would break again pretty easily. But good enough for me!

22nd November, 2022

Oh that is such great advice , l only use eyeshadow a few times a year, blush occasionally, but l have not got any as yet that need fixing, l will put this in my quick fix ideas just incase, Thanks

22nd November, 2022

Wow, great tip! I want to go and break something so I can try this out...

21st November, 2022

Oooohhhh great tip. I recently ordered a new ABH palette (so not cheap) and dropped it as I was getting it out of the box. One of the best shades completely crumbled. I’ve been wondering how to save it so I’ll definitely give this a go, thanks

19th November, 2022

Kids always have been curious so I had many accidents. Even though I try to keep my products in safe place but turns out kids have access to every corner of the house lol. I would definitely keep this article in mind for future ;)