Sometimes, bad things happen to good eyeshadows. And although a broken eyeshadow is still useable, the loose pigment can be messy, inconvenient and frankly a bit of an eyesore in an otherwise pristine collection. Thankfully, rescuing a smashed shadow is super easy! Here’s how I get my makeup mishaps looking good as new:
Step 1: Gather your supplies. You’ll need rubbing alcohol in the highest percentage you can find (at least 70%) as well as some toothpicks and a small spatula. You’ll also need either a tamping tool or something the same shape and diameter as your eyeshadow pan that can be used to press the powder back into shape. I’ve got a wax seal stamper and a bottle of nail polish here as examples, but feel free to use anything that fits.
Step 2: If your eyeshadow broke into chunks, crush it up into a powder and then add the alcohol drop by drop, stirring with a toothpick till it clumps together like wet sand.
Note: I like to leave the eyeshadow in its original packaging till this point so that there’s less chance of powder going everywhere, but once it starts sticking together, remove the pan from its casing or palette before continuing.
Step 3: Pat it down gently and smooth it over with your spatula, then let it dry for an hour to let some of the alcohol evaporate.
Step 4: Firmly but gently, pack the mixture down with your tamping tool to flatten the surface. Be sure to use even pressure so that it’s smooth and level.
Step 5: Take a small piece of pressing ribbon and a small piece of paper towel, and place them over the eyeshadow with the paper towel on top. Now, press down firmly with your tamping tool. Leave the ribbon in place, but replace the paper towel with a new piece and repeat the pressing until all the excess alcohol has been absorbed.
Step 6: Clean up the edges of the pan and replace it into its original casing or palette, allowing it to sit open and dry out overnight before use.
And there you have it – six quick steps to erasing any cosmetic casualty. Don’t you wish everything in life could be fixed so easily?
