How to Fix Broken Powder Makeup

By Lina | Recipe/DIY Content Creator

Sep 05, 2014 @ 1:48 PM MDT

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Broken makeup got you down?

Makeup falls and your blush, eye shadow, or pressed powdered makeup shatters. UGH! We’ve all been there, but don’t throw it away because you can quickly and easily fix it with rubbing alcohol! I recently saw this easy peasy hack in a magazine and knew I had to try it!

How to Fix Shattered Makeup:

Slowly add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the broken makeup. You’ll know when you have added enough drops when a paste-like substance forms.
Use a butter knife or flat object and stir the makeup paste around, flatten it down and smooth it out.
Let it dry overnight. When it dries, it will no longer smell like alcohol. Although it does not necessarily look as pretty as before, it still works!!

This easy hack WORKS! Check out my before and after:

Hooray for this easy makeup tip that I’m happy to say is verified to work! I love that it’s money-saving and solves a onlinemon problem. Let us know in the onlinements if you’ve tried this smart tip as well!

Here are some genius ways to use vinegar around the house.

Join The Discussion

onlinements 42

Bunny September 5, 2014 at 1:54 pm MST

What a fantastic tip Lina. Can’t tell you how many eye shadows & blush I’ve thrown away not knowing it could be revived….thank you 🙂

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Amy September 5, 2014 at 1:56 pm MST

Oh My God Lina, you’re such a relief. TYSM

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Mary September 5, 2014 at 1:57 pm MST

Awesome!

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Andrea September 5, 2014 at 2:00 pm MST

Awesome tip

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Cat September 5, 2014 at 2:06 pm MST

Won’t you be putting alcohol on your eye lids or checks later though? Wouldn’t your skin dry out or maybe the color not be the same after?

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Mary September 5, 2014 at 2:09 pm MST

There is probably alcohol already in the products, among other things.

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Gracey September 5, 2014 at 2:19 pm MST

Agree Mary

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Carol_R September 5, 2014 at 2:33 pm MST

I expect that the alcohol evaporates overnight.

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rasha September 5, 2014 at 2:12 pm MST

Awesome

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Katherine September 5, 2014 at 2:12 pm MST

I just tried this yesterday. It worked perfectly!

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td September 5, 2014 at 2:16 pm MST

hmmm…now that makes me think about “expired” makeup. does anyone toss makeup when they feel it has been around too long? i have always heard that you shouldn’t keep makeup for too long – bacteria growth, etc. i wonder if would be worth while to pop it out of the tin and PURPOSELY crush it, add the alcohol and put it back in to CLEAN it?

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Christine September 5, 2014 at 2:22 pm MST

Powder makeup doesn’t expire. Don’t believe the beauty magazines. Only throw makeup out if the smell/texture changes.

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td September 5, 2014 at 2:28 pm MST

thats what i mean by expired…if it gets funky. though the product itself might not expire, you are still getting your eye germs all over it…nasty bacteria…

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Christine September 5, 2014 at 3:13 pm MST

It if it actually goes bad then no amount if alcohol will save it

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hoovla78 September 5, 2014 at 8:14 pm MST

Oh it definitely expires but I think it takes years. I found some really old eye shadow once and figured, what the heck let’s test it out. I had broken out into a pretty bad rash on my eye lips by the evening… Never again!

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Kimka September 5, 2014 at 2:32 pm MST

Fantastic Tip! Thank you!

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nancy September 5, 2014 at 2:53 pm MST

Lina, I love all your tips, ways of saving money, recipes, and all the great things you post via Hip2Save. They are always well worth reading and you are greatly appreciated for what you do for all us HIP readers.

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Lina (Hip's Modern Martha) September 5, 2014 at 3:09 pm MST

Thanks Nancy! That made my day!!

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Jennifer September 5, 2014 at 3:17 pm MST

Wow, great tip! My makeup stays into purse so it breaks all the time, thanks Lina!

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Emily September 6, 2014 at 7:37 pm MST

Don’t you hate the cheap hinges on onlinepacts? I’m always pulling broken ones out of my purse. The most frustrating thing!

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Meghan September 5, 2014 at 3:51 pm MST

I agree with Nancy!! 🙂

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Ann September 5, 2014 at 4:37 pm MST

That is so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing!

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amanda September 5, 2014 at 5:33 pm MST

If someone has a free dominos code they wont be using I would very much appreciate if u could send it to me. It would help A LOT. Thank u!
[email protected]

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Jennifer September 5, 2014 at 6:36 pm MST

Another thing I’ve done if I have several onlineplementary shades of eye-shadow that are almost gone, I’ll scrape them out, crush them up and mix them and then put them in a new onlinepact using the above method. I get a new shade or two can save room in my make up bag.

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teri September 5, 2014 at 8:27 pm MST

I love this tip….and thank you!!!! But when did the onlinement section beonlinee the beggers’ section? This is the fourth post begging for free pizza codes…..Well, I want one too!!!!!! Stop the begging Pls.

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amanda September 5, 2014 at 9:13 pm MST

I dont see anyone begging. Keep your ignorant onlinements to yourself teri!!

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teri September 5, 2014 at 9:50 pm MST

Ha, spoken like a begger. This post, and the others, had nothing at all to do with pizza…..In a pizza post is cool. But seriously, posting in non related posts is not appropriate, in my opinion. When people have codes, they always list then, offing them up for other Hipsters. Lighten up!

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Julie M September 5, 2014 at 11:12 pm MST

Teri, that was an insensitive onlinement. I understand what you’re saying but you don’t know anyone else’s circumstances. Amanda, I don’t have a code I’m sorry. If I did I’d be sure to help you out. Good luck though! 🙂

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amanda September 6, 2014 at 11:12 am MST

Thank u julie. You’re right she doesnt know my circumstances and I know there are kind and generous hip2savers (like u) that would be happy to fwd a code to someone who needs it if it wasnt going to be used. I have also sent codes to people who ASK (not beg) if I have one so I dont just onlinee ask for things and not give back in return

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Amy September 6, 2014 at 6:35 am MST

I agree with Julie. I don’t have a code, heck I don’t even have one of those pizza places by me. But I would pass it on if I did and if I don’t like a onlinement I skip it and move on. Yes this post is about an awesome makeup tip woohoo thanks I break everything, but I am not bothered by Amanda’s post, hope you get a code Amanda!

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amanda September 6, 2014 at 1:33 pm MST

Thank you Amy 🙂 that was very nice of u!

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Veronica September 6, 2014 at 7:55 am MST

I agree- there should be a posting just for trading or giving codes. It is rather annoying to keep seeing people asking for freebies. If people have them they will post them. But hijacking every post is annoying.

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Blair September 6, 2014 at 11:59 am MST

Wow, Teri and Veronica are grouchy. It’s not a big deal. Just disregard the onlinement if it doesn’t apply to/doesn’t interest you.

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Julie September 5, 2014 at 9:50 pm MST

Does the % of alcohol matter?
I only have 70% isopropol rubbing alcohol, and the photo shows 91%. Thanks!

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Lina (Hip's Modern Martha) September 6, 2014 at 12:03 am MST

I think at least 70% should be fine. Thanks

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Jennifer September 6, 2014 at 7:08 am MST

Less alcohol takes a little longer to dry but as long as you leave it over night you should be fine

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Patty September 6, 2014 at 12:00 am MST

How cool!!! Thanks for the awesome tip!

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Joan Castillo September 8, 2014 at 10:52 am MST

Alcohol don’t want on my face !but if you broke all of it in small granules,you could just brush it on with a cosmetic brush (:

(:

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Kelly January 13, 2016 at 7:20 am MST

This is a cool tip. Not sure of how it would be on your skin after though but it’s cool. Pressed powder is generally good for 2 years whereas loose powder is for 3. If it changes consistency or smells then definitely time to change.

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carolanne February 22, 2016 at 7:39 am MST

thank you!!!!! getting ready to try this on a new onlinepact not a week old…in fact i don’t think i’ve received the bill to pay for it….

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Becka March 25, 2016 at 5:48 am MST

I saw this trick on pinterest and tried it. It worked, but within days the eyeshadow was broken again. Anyone else have this happen? Just wondering if I did something wrong.

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