How To Fix Broken Powder Makeup!

September 30, 2019


Have you ever dropped a pressed powder, highlighter, eye shadow, etc. and it shattered into a million small pieces?  Did your soul leave your body for just a moment when that happened?  Mine usually does because I can just see the dollar signs floating up to the heavens along with my beautiful makeup.  Well-- don't fret, my pet.  This isn't the end of your makeup's life!  You can fix it yourself and it doesn't cost you anything extra and you get to be a scientist for a few minutes!

For my birthday this year I got a BEAUTIFUL, limited edition Becca Cosmetics highlighter that I had been eyeing up in Ulta called "Lilac Geode."  It is the most gorgeous cool lilac pink with gold pearl.  It is so stinkin' pretty!!
Photo cred: Beauddiction
Anyway-- I was loving it and using it daily for about two weeks when tragedy struck my world and I dropped the compact on my tiled bathroom floor.  I watched the beautiful powder crumble into a million tiny pieces.  I was so sad, but remembered that I could repair it myself using isopropyl alcohol.  I had seen a couple of videos and blog posts about it, but had never done it myself.

I held on to the highlighter for months and finally decided to do a little science experiment this past weekend.  Want to know how you can save your precious powders?  Here are the steps:

Items you will need:
  1. Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
  2. Paper Towels
  3. Small tool for smoothing (I used the round end of nail clippers and q-tips)
  4. Small, flat, round object for pressing
Step 1: Break up the remaining pieces of your powder to smaller pieces-- even parts that may not have broken.  I didn't break mine up as small as I could have, but as long as they aren't huge pieces you should be fine.
Step 2: Add the alcohol in small increments.  The higher the concentration, the better.  I only had 50% on hand, but you can buy higher at the drug store.  Once the alcohol has been added the product should resemble wet sand when it is at peak consistency.  Mix it together and smooth it as close to the edges of the pan as possible.  Use your tools to your advantage.  I used the smooth end of my nail clippers, but you could use your finger, the back of a spoon-- anything with a smooth surface.  If you do use your fingers just dip them in the alcohol first so that the product doesn't stick to your fingers.  I dipped my q-tips into the alcohol before using them too to ensure it didn't stick.
Step 3: Find a small object with a flat, round surface that fits the size of the pan you are re-pressing.  Fold a paper towel into a square so that when pressed it will soak up the extra alcohol.  Don't press too hard because the wet power will just come up the sides-- that is not what we want!  Press gently to make sure that the wet powder is firmly pressed in the pan and smooth.  If you want to go a step farther (like I did) you can then use the alcohol q-tip to smooth out the paper towel marks.
Step 4: Allow the powder to dry anywhere from 24-48 hours before trying to use.  The larger the pan the longer it takes to dry.  I let mine dry for 48 hours. Once its dry use a q-tip to clean around the edge of the pan and clean the mirror and it will be just like new.  Only thing missing is the fancy pattern that was originally stamped into the product, but who cares!?  Not me-- I got my beautiful highlighter back!

Now that I am sure that this works you best believe that I will be doing this any time a product breaks.  We pay too much money for these items and I'll be damned if I let a little shatter stand between me and my glow!

Has this ever happened to you?  Did you throw it away, keep using it broken or fix it?  Let me know in the comments below!


read article
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Latest Instagram Posts

© Lashes & Leggings. Design by FCD.