Have you ever accidentally dropped a compact powder box and the contents fell apart? Before throwing it away, why not try fixing it? The most common method usually uses rubbing alcohol. Although it will evaporate when dry, using alcohol may make very sensitive skin feel too dry. Fortunately, however, there is another way to fix cracked compact powder, which is with a little pressure and steam.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Rubbing Alcohol
Step 1. Open the powder box and pour the contents into a plastic clip bag
That way, the surrounding area will remain clean. In addition, plastic can accommodate scattered powder. If you don't have a clip-on plastic bag, cover the broken powder with plastic food wrap. Make sure the edges are tightly closed, or the powder will spill.
This method will use rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will evaporate, and you will get a solid powder. Alcohol is considered safe, but if you have very sensitive skin, you might want to reconsider using this method
Step 2. Crush the compact powder, including the unbroken part
Use a spoon, mini spatula, or the tip of a cosmetic brush to do this. Do this until you get a really fine powder. Make sure that you don't miss any lumps or shards, or you'll end up with a loose powder.
It looks like you're making the powder condition worse, but this will help give you a smoother finish
Step 3. Remove the powder that has been pulverized from the bag, or remove the plastic wrap
If any powder is spilled, try carefully putting it back in the container. Refine if necessary.
Step 4. Add rubbing alcohol to the powder
You may only need a few drops or a full cap, depending on the size of the powder. Pour in enough alcohol until the powder gets wet, but not so much that the powder starts to float.
- Use at least 70% rubbing alcohol. The higher the percentage, the faster the alcohol will evaporate/dry.
- If you pour too much alcohol, take a tissue and dip the tip into the container. The tissue will absorb the excess alcohol.
Step 5. Allow the rubbing alcohol to soak into the powder for a few seconds, then mix well
You can use the tip of a brush or a mini spatula to do this. Keep stirring until you get a thick, even consistency. Don't get lumps.
Step 6. Cover the wet powder with plastic wrap, then smooth it with your fingers to shape it
The plastic wrap will help keep your fingers clean while working. You can also use a spoon, brush tip, or other object to flatten and compact it.
Step 7. Remove the plastic wrap, and press the powder with a tissue
Don't press too hard, or the powder will crack. The tissue will absorb the excess alcohol.
If you want to get a compact powder like new, use a piece of cotton cloth to tamp it down. The fabric will leave a fabric-like texture on the surface of the powder like it would with new powder
Step 8. Remove a tissue, and clean the edges of the powder with a thin brush if you wish
If you want a more polished finish, take an eyeliner brush, and run the tip along the edge of the powder. That way, the powder will have an even and neat edge. There is no need to clean the powder box at this stage.
Step 9. Leave the powder uncovered, and let it dry overnight
During this time the alcohol will evaporate, and produce a solid powder that is intact again.
Step 10. Clean the powder box using a cotton swab (ear plug) dipped in rubbing alcohol if desired
When you fix cracked compact powder, chances are the powder box will get smudged. If you're bothered by it, dip a cotton ball in the alcohol, and wipe off any dry powder that's stuck to the powder case.
Method 2 of 2: Using Pressure and Steam
Step 1. Turn on the iron and set it to the highest temperature
You can repair cracked powder using just pressure, but it will be very brittle. The heat from the iron will help hold the powder together and make it last longer.
- This method does not use rubbing alcohol. So, the powder is safe to use for sensitive skin.
- Most compact powders are placed in a metal pan attached to a plastic case. Make sure your compact powder has this metal pan.
Step 2. Crush the powder so you can remove it from the pan
Use something hard like a toothpick or fork. It looks like you're making the powder condition worse, but this will result in a finer compact powder later on.
Step 3. Transfer the crushed powder to a plastic clip bag, and close the lid tightly
Make sure you remove all the powder. If necessary, use a toothpick or the tip of a fork to scoop out the powder in the corners. You will grind the powder in a plastic bag.
Step 4. Blend the powder
The easiest way to do this is to press it down with the body of the fork. You can use other utensils, even spoons. However, make sure there are no lumps or large chunks of powder. The powder should be really fine. If any lumps are missed, the resulting compact powder will be grainy.
Step 5. Remove the metal pan from the powder box
Most makeup powders are packaged in metal pans that are attached to a plastic case with glue. You will need to remove this metal pan before proceeding with the next step. The easiest way to remove this pan is to slip a butter knife under the lip of the pan and then pry it out.
If you don't remove the pan, the plastic powder box will likely melt
Step 6. Pour the powder back into the metal pan
Open the plastic bag clip, and pour the powder into the pan. Don't worry if there is some powder left on the plastic.
Step 7. Press the powder into the pan with a spoon
Use the convex part of the spoon, and press the powder until it becomes solid. Start at the edge of the powder, and work your way to the center. Try not to push the powder out of the pan. When you're done, the powder should be solid in the pan.
At this stage, the powder may look like new, but it is still very fragile and can crumble again with a slight shock. You'll need to solidify it further using heat
Step 8. Turn off the iron
At this time, the iron is hot. Turn off the iron and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. This step ensures that no water will get into the powder as it can damage it.
Make sure that the steam option on the iron is turned off. You need to use dry heat
Step 9. Press the iron into the powder for 15 seconds
Make sure you press as hard as you can. Do not move the iron up and down or left and right as if you were ironing clothes. The heat from the iron will help "harden" the powder.
Step 10. Lift the iron, wait a few seconds, then press the iron into the powder for another 15 seconds
When the iron is removed, the powder may already look smoother. However, the powder must be pressed again. Remember, you have to press the iron as hard as possible, and don't move the iron back and forth.
Step 11. Allow the powder to cool, then attach the metal pan back to the powder box
While the pan has cooled, apply glue to the cavity where the pan will be. Then, carefully lift the metal pan, and screw it back into the powder box. Wait for the glue to dry before closing the powder case.
Step 12. Done
Tips
- If you can't find rubbing alcohol, look for isopropyl alcohol instead. However, don't try to replace the alcohol with acetone or nail polish remover.
- This method can be applied to almost any cosmetic in powder form: blush, bronzer, eye shadow, and foundation.
- If only a small part of the powder is broken, try these steps: crush the cracked part into a fine powder, drop rubbing alcohol on the blank, and put the crushed powder in the blank and compact.
- If you can't fix the cracked eye shadow, just use it as a powder. The same can be applied to powder foundations, blushes, and bronzers.
- If your cosmetics are out of date, it's best to throw them away and buy new ones. The above method will only cause the expired powder to dry out even more.
- If you can't repair a broken eye shadow, use it for something else. Mix it with clear nail polish to make your own color creations. You can also mix it into Vaseline to make your own lip gloss.
Warning
- The above methods are usually temporary. The pressed powder that has been repaired may still be brittle and may break again easily.
- Some people say that after fixing, the compact powder becomes a little harder/darker than before. Some people also say that the condition of the powder is not the same as before.
