The Quick 5-Minute Solution to Fixing Broken Powder Makeup

You’ve been really loving your new makeup. It’s everything you could ask for, but then the unthinkable happens. It falls on the floor or maybe your kids toss it around and then it breaks into a messy, little misshapen pile of dust. If you’re like most people, you COULD throw it away. But that little thing costed a small fortune and you’re not one to waste money. So what do you do?

You fix it, of course! Here’s what you should do depending on the extent of the breakage. These simple tips work for a variety of powdered makeups:

blushes
eyeshadows
foundations
highlighters
bronzers

What if it’s just a small crack?

If your makeup wasn’t shattered into a million, bajillion pieces, then you’re not going to have to do too much work to fix it. You’ll need: your broken powder makeup and plastic wrap (optional – but it’s messy without it!). I use THIS plastic wrap, but whatever one you have at home will work just as well! Here’s what to do:

Tap the backside of the package to get all the excess makeup off. (If it’s part of a palette, make sure that it doesn’t bleed into other colors!)
Smudge the crack out with a makeup brush or your finger. (Place the plastic wrap over this before you rub it out to avoid staining your finger)
Make sure that the makeup is pressed nicely into the packaging. (You don’t want it to continue to break.)

What if it’s more than a little oopsie?

If it looks like a small Hiroshima exploded in your makeup palette, don’t worry – there’s still hope. You’re going to need just one ingredient to fix this: rubbing alcohol. You can get it HERE if you don’t have it already.

Optional things include a toothpick or spoon (it helps break down the makeup clumps), plastic wrap (it’s pretty messy without it!), and makeup remover (to clean up). THIS is a good makeup remover. They make your life a whole lot easier and a little less messy. Here’s what to do:

1. Gather what you can salvage from your makeup and put it back into the original container. Take what you can’t save and take to the makeup graveyard.

2. Using a spoon, a toothpick, or your finger, crush the remaining parts into a fine powder. (Even if it hasn’t broken). I recommend using on of the first two options, because it’s not as messy.

3. Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the makeup. Apply a layer of plastic wrap if you don’t want your finger to get dirty. Use your finger or the back of the spoon to smooth the makeup. If the makeup is too dry, then it will be harder to mold. After this step, let it dry overnight and the alcohol smell will be gone!