Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Using rubbing alcohol
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities
• Using rubbing alcohol
• Use steam and pressure

Why not try to recover your broken compact powder before throwing it away? The most common method is with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol evaporates when it dries, but for people with very sensitive skin, this powder has too strong a drying effect. Fortunately, it is also possible to restore your broken compact powder with the help of a little pressure and steam.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Using rubbing alcohol

1. Open the box and put it in a resealable plastic bag. This helps to keep your workplace clean and you also collect loose pieces of powder with it. If you don't have resealable plastic bags at home, cover the broken powder with a sheet of plastic wrap. Make sure to pull the foil tightly over the edges or the powder will fall out.
   • This method uses rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will evaporate and leave the cured powder. This is considered a safe method, but if you have very sensitive skin you may want to use the steam method.
2. Switch on your iron and set it to the highest setting. It is possible to recover the broken powder by using pressure alone, but the powder will not become very solid and will break into pieces quickly as a result. The heat from the iron will make the powder harder and stronger.
   • Because you don't use rubbing alcohol with this method, this method is safe for sensitive skin.
   • Most compact powders are packed in a metal tray that lies in a plastic box. Make sure your powder has such a metal bowl.
3. Break the compact powder into pieces so that you can take it out of the box. You can use any hard object, such as a toothpick or fork. It may seem like you are only making the problem worse, but this will end up with a smoother powder.
4. Place the broken powder in a resealable plastic bag and seal the bag. Make sure to get all the powder out of the box. If necessary, use a toothpick or the end of a fork to extract the powder from the corners. You will further pulverize the powder in the bag.
5. Crush the powder further until you get a fine dust. The easiest way to do this is to simply push it with the flat side of a fork. However, you can use any object you want, even a spoon. Make sure there are no lumps or granules left in the powder. You should be left with a very fine powder. If you leave lumps or granules in the powder, the final powder will become very coarse and grainy.
6. Remove the metal dish from the box. Most makeup powders come in a metal tray that is glued into a plastic box. You will have to pull this metal dish out of the box before you can continue with the next step. The easiest way to do this is to stick a butter knife under the rim of the bowl and then pry or push it out.
   • If you don't pull out the dish, you run the risk of melting the plastic box.
7. Return the powder to the metal dish. Open the resealable plastic bag and pour the powder back into the dish. If you lose some powder, don't worry.
8. Push the powder into the bowl with a spoon. Place the convex part of the spoon on top of the powder and push it on the powder until it becomes firm. Start at the edges and then work towards the center. Try not to push the powder out of the dish. When you are done, the powder should be pressed tightly in the dish.
   • The powder may now look as good as new, but it is very delicate and can break into pieces with the slightest movement. You will have to make it harden by using heat.
9. Switch off the iron. Your iron should now be nice and hot. Turn it off and unplug it. This is very important. This ensures that no water gets into the powder, which can ruin it.
   • Make sure that the steam setting of the iron is switched off. Use dry heat.
10. Push the powder with the iron for 15 seconds. Make sure to press down on the powder as hard as possible. Do not move the iron up and down or side to side as you would when ironing clothes. The heat from the iron will make the powder hard and firm again.
11. Raise the iron, wait a few seconds, then press it on the powder for another 15 seconds. When you lift the iron you will probably see that the powder has already become a lot smoother. However, you will have to press the iron on the powder one more time. Now also make sure that you press very hard on the powder and that you do not move the iron.
12. Let the powder cool down and then glue the metal dish back into the plastic box. While the dish is cooling, apply some glue to the cavity in the plastic box. Then carefully lift the metal dish and press it back into place in the plastic box. Wait for the glue to dry before closing the box.
13. Ready.

Tips

• If you can't find rubbing alcohol, look for isopropyl alcohol instead. Instead of alcohol, try not to use acetone or nail polish remover.
• You can restore almost all types of powdered makeup with these methods: blush, bronzer, eyeshadow and foundation.
• If only a small part of the powder has cracked, try the following: crush the cracked part into a powder, fill the hole with rubbing alcohol, and then smooth the powder into the hole.
• If you are unable to restore your eyeshadow, use it as a loose powder. This is ideal for powdered foundation, blush and bronzer.
• If your make-up is out of date, it may be best to just throw it away and buy something new. With these methods, powder that is out of date can only dry out further.
• If you can't fix your eyeshadow, use the powder elsewhere. Mix the powder with some clear nail polish to create your own personal color. You can also mix the powder with a little Vaseline to make your own lip gloss.

Warnings

• Usually you can temporarily restore the powder with this. The powder can still be delicate after this and can easily break back into pieces.
• According to some people, after using these methods, their compact powder is a bit harder and darker than it was before. According to some people, it is also not as easy to apply as it used to be.

Necessities

Using rubbing alcohol

• Compact powder broken into pieces
• Rubbing alcohol
• Resealable plastic bag
• Plastic foil
• Something smooth (such as a spoon or the handle of a makeup brush)
• Tissue paper or a piece of cotton fabric
• Eyeliner brush and cotton swab (optional)

Use steam and pressure

• Compact powder broken into pieces
• Iron
• Resealable plastic bag
• Fork or toothpick
• Spoon
• Butter knife / blunt knife
• Glue