As a makeup lover, the worst thing that can happen is when your favorite eyeshadow falls victim to crumbles and broken pieces. The good news is that you don’t have to just throw away your favorite shadows and palettes.
I’m going to share, how to fix broken eyeshadow, so you can try and fix your broken shadows, without having to toss them in to the trash…
Why Do Powder Eyeshadows Break So Easily?
Powder eyeshadows are a makeup staple for many people, but they can be quite fragile and prone to breaking.
This is primarily because of their composition and the way they are pressed into the compact. The pressed powder is created by combining various pigments and binders, which hold the powder together.
However, the balance between these two elements needs to be just right, or it can make the eyeshadow more susceptible to crumbling and breaking.
When you accidentally drop your eyeshadow compact or even apply too much pressure while using it, the powder may break due to its delicate structure.
The dry texture of powder eyeshadows doesn’t provide much flexibility or resistance against impact.
This is different from cream-based products like lipstick or liquid eyeshadows, which tend to be more resilient due to their emollient components.
Using rubbing alcohol is a common method to fix the broken powder eyeshadow. It acts as a binding agent that helps bring the powder back to its original form.
You can add a few drops of alcohol to the broken eyeshadow, gently mix it, and then press it back into the compact. After allowing it to dry, the eyeshadow should be good as new.
However, if you’re not comfortable using alcohol, there are alternatives like makeup setting sprays or even homemade concoctions that can help rebind the eyeshadow.
The key is to find an agent that works like a binder, allowing you to press the powder back into its original form.
How To Fix Broken Eyeshadow
One of the worst feelings is rummaging through your makeup bag to find a broken eyeshadow. Don’t fret! You can learn how to fix that broken eye shadow and make it look good as new.
The following tips and tricks will help you salvage your broken eyeshadow using rubbing alcohol and other household items.
First, gather your materials. You will need a cotton pad, makeup wipe, small container, rubbing alcohol, and plastic wrap.
Find a clean, flat surface to work on. Next, carefully remove the broken product from its original container and place it into a small empty container.
You can use a lip brush or a small spatula, but make sure you don’t damage your skin with sharp tools.
Now, crush the eyeshadow into a loose powder. Make sure to break down any larger chunks, so you have a smooth consistency.
Once you have done that, add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the loose powder. This will help bind the product back together.
Start with a small amount of alcohol and gradually add more until you achieve the right consistency.
Next, use a cotton pad or makeup wipe to clean the original container to ensure there is no residue left. Carefully transfer the eyeshadow mixture back into its original pan.
You can use a small spoon or your clean fingers for this step. Once the mixture is in the pan, cover it with a piece of plastic wrap, and give it a good press to ensure the product is evenly distributed.
Remove the plastic wrap and let the eyeshadow dry for a few hours or overnight. While it dries, you can use your time to clean your makeup bag and other items, so your products last longer.
Remember, a clean makeup bag helps prevent the transfer of bacteria and can reduce the risk of damaging your skin.
How Do You Fix Broken Shadow without Alcohol?
What you’ll need:
- Broken eyeshadow
- Small empty container or plastic bag
- Paper towel
- A small piece of lipstick or clean fingers
The key to repairing broken powder without alcohol is organization and patience. Begin by collecting all the broken eyeshadow pieces and placing them into a small empty container or plastic bag.
To avoid using alcohol and potentially damaging your skin, you may moisten the eyeshadow with a tiny amount of water or a droplet from a piece of lipstick.
Use a makeup brush or your clean fingers to smush the broken eyeshadow together in the container.
Next, take a paper towel and gently press it on top of the eyeshadow to help mold and harden it.
Remember to allow it a few hours to ensure it’s completely set, as water takes longer to evaporate than alcohol.
If your clumsiness extends to broken favorite blush or other powder products like powder bronzer, don’t worry.
The same process can be applied to salvage them. Just make sure you use separate containers for different products to avoid mixing colors and textures.
Adding shimmer to your repaired eyeshadow is also possible. Simply sprinkle a bit of shimmer powder over the hardened eyeshadow and gently press it into the surface with your fingers or a tissue.
How To Fix Broken Powder Palettes With Micellar Water
Gather a makeup brush, a small empty container, a plastic bag, and some paper towels before starting the fixing process.
Begin by carefully transferring the broken eyeshadow pieces into the plastic bag. Seal the bag and gently crumble the eyeshadow into an even, fine powder—doing this will ensure a smooth repair.
Next, prepare a piece of paper towel by folding it and placing it over the eyeshadow pan to avoid any spills. Pour the crushed eyeshadow back into the pan, aiming for an even distribution.
Now, it’s time to moisten your makeup brush with some micellar water. Squeeze out any excess to make sure the brush isn’t too damp.
Avoid using regular tap water, as it could damage your skin due to its mineral content or cause your eyeshadow to clump.
Gently tap the dampened makeup brush over the eyeshadow, helping the powder particles stick together.
The micellar water will act as a gentle adhesive to fuse the broken pieces of powder back together without over-saturating it.
During the drying process, you may want to add shimmer to your eyeshadow. Create a small mixture of crushed eyeshadow and your favorite shimmering powder, and press it onto the palette.
Leave your repaired eyeshadow palette to dry for a few hours to ensure the micellar water has evaporated, and you’ll be ready to use it again.
How To Fix My Broken Eyeshadow Palettes With Hand Sanitizer
This method suits those looking for an alternative to using rubbing alcohol. Before starting, ensure you have a clean, sanitized workspace and your hands are washed to prevent any contamination of your makeup.
First, carefully salvage the broken eyeshadow pieces and ensure they are all in their original pan placements.
It’s best to remove any eyeshadow bits that had fallen on the floor or on any dirty surface. Now, you will need a clean toothpick, hand sanitizer, a dropper, and a paper towel.
Pour a small amount of hand sanitizer into a separate container. Take the dropper and carefully add a few drops of hand sanitizer to the broken eyeshadow in the pan.
You don’t need much; you want to turn the powder into a slightly damp, malleable texture. Mix the dampened eyeshadow with your toothpick, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the pan.
Once the mixture reaches a somewhat smooth consistency, use your finger, a small spatula, or the back of a spoon to gently smush the powder back into place.
Press down lightly, making sure not to press too hard. It’s essential to keep the pressure even, ensuring it’s firmly packed in the pan, which will help to prevent future breakage.
To help smooth out the surface, you can lay a paper towel on top of the fixed eyeshadow and use the bottom of a round object, like a small glass or a spoon, to gently press down and level the surface.
Finally, allow your eyeshadow to dry for a couple of hours, or until it’s set and no longer damp.
This method can be used not only for eyeshadow but for other powder-based makeup too, like broken blush or pressed powder.
How to Fix Broken Eyeshadow with Hydrogen Peroxide?
Fixing broken eyeshadow with hydrogen peroxide is a simple and effective method that will have your makeup looking good as new.
Just follow these easy, step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be able to repurpose your broken eyeshadow back into its original form without damaging your skin.
- Hydrogen peroxide
- A clean toothpick or small spatula
- Plastic wrap
- A small cloth, tissue, or paper towel
- A flat, heavy object, like a book or makeup case
To begin, remove any excess powder from the broken eyeshadow. Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into a separate container to avoid contaminating the entire bottle.
Carefully drip a few drops of hydrogen peroxide over the broken eyeshadow pieces until it is damp but not soaking wet.
Gently mix the broken eyeshadow and hydrogen peroxide together using a toothpick or a small spatula. Try to create a paste-like consistency.
Next, cover the eyeshadow with a piece of plastic wrap, making sure it’s tightly sealed to lock in moisture.
Press the eyeshadow with your fingers through the plastic wrap, or use a flat, heavy object like a book to press down firmly for about 30 seconds.
This will help compact the mixture, turning it back into a solid form. Remove the plastic wrap.
Now it’s time to let your eyeshadow dry. Let it dry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Depending on how much hydrogen peroxide was used, the drying process could take between a few hours up to 24 hours.
To speed up the process, you can gently blot the eyeshadow with a small cloth or tissue, being cautious not to damage the newly formed eyeshadow.
How To Protect Your Makeup Products, To Prevent Broken Makeup
Invest in a spacious and well-organized makeup bag. Ensure it’s large enough to accommodate all of your makeup products without having to stuff or force them inside.
A padded or sturdy makeup bag reduces the risk of makeup compacts cracking or breaking during transportation or storage. Organize your makeup products neatly to avoid clashing or crushing them.
When storing your makeup brushes, use brush guards or makeup brush holders to maintain their shape and prevent bristle damage.
Keeping your makeup brushes clean and in good condition prolongs their lifespan and helps you achieve more accurate and smooth makeup application.
Make it a habit to close your makeup compacts and containers tightly after using them. Properly sealed containers protect your powder eyeshadow, foundation, or blush from drying out, crumbling, or spilling.
Also, consider storing your makeup in a cool and dry location, away from direct sunlight, as excessive heat can harm your makeup products and degrade their quality over time.
Invest in a makeup setting spray, especially for your powder eyeshadow and other powdered products.
Setting sprays help create a smooth consistency on your makeup and prolong its wear. Regular use of setting sprays can make your products last longer, reducing the risk of breakage due to dry or brittle makeup products.
For your lip products, use a lip brush instead of applying lipstick directly from the bullet.
Using a lip brush allows for even application and less product wastage, as you’ll have better control of the amount and coverage. It also minimizes the chances of your lipstick breaking or getting deformed.
Do Broken Eyeshadows Perform The Same Once They’ve Been Repressed?
You can still salvage your favorite shades and make them good as new by repressing them. The best part is that these repressed eyeshadows will perform similarly to their untouched counterparts.
First things first, crush the eyeshadow into a fine powder, ensuring there are no lumps remaining.
This helps make certain that the powder is evenly distributed and smooth once you repress it. Use a small empty container or the original container of the product to hold the finely crushed powder.
Next, add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the loose powder and mix it well.
This addition is essential to rebind the eyeshadow particles and effectively harden it back into a pressed powder form. Ensure it’s not too watery; you want to achieve a paste-like consistency.
Once your eyeshadow mixture is ready, use a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper and press it down onto the mixture using a small, flat item like the back of a spoon or a dedicated makeup tool.
Apply firm pressure to compress the eyeshadow back into shape, ensuring it’s evenly pressed and smooth.
Allow it to dry overnight. The rubbing alcohol will evaporate, leaving behind your newly repressed eyeshadow, ready to be used just like before.
If you want to retain the color payoff, you can opt for repurposing the broken eyeshadow as a loose powder instead. You can apply this loose powder using a lip brush or your fingertip.
Summary
Fixing broken powder eyeshadow doesn’t have to be a daunting task. It’s possible to repress your favorite shades back into their original form, or even turn them into a loose powder, without damaging your skin.
Rubbing alcohol is the most reliable method for achieving this, although you can also try alternatives like makeup setting sprays, micellar water, hand sanitizer or hydrogen peroxide.
Take good care of all your makeup products by properly storing them in spacious and organized bags and containers. This will help reduce the chances of breaking your precious cosmetics due to improper handling or storage.