How To Fix Broken Eyeshadow

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So, you’ve dropped your favorite eyeshadow palette, and it’s shattered into a million pieces. Ouch, one of the worst feelings… But don’t panic! You’re probably thinking it’s time to throw it out and start over. But wait! I’m here to tell you that all hope isn’t lost just yet.

Yes, you heard right! I’m going to share with you how to fix broken eyeshadow. There’s a simple way to fix broken eyeshadow (or any powder makeup, such as blush, highlighter, bronzer, etc.) at home using items you most likely already have lying around. It may sound like magic, but trust me, it’s not!

In this article, we’ll guide you through four true methods that we’ve tried ourselves (imagine how many broken hearts I’ve had over this…) and share the process step by step so that your beloved palette can be back in action in no time. 

Plus, think of the satisfaction when you get to save the day (and your makeup budget!). So, let’s dive right in!

How To Fix Broken Eyeshadow

Method 1: How To Fix A Broken Eyeshadow Palette With Rubbing Alcohol

My Natasha Denona Mini Palette arrived with one broken shade, which you can see on the left. Right if the picture of my palette after I repaired it with rubbing alcohol.

We’ve all been there. If you’re getting ready for a night out, reach for your favorite eyeshadow palette, and oops! It slips from your hand, crashing to the floor. Or you had a similar situation as I did, receiving a crushed palette in the mail.

You’re left with a mess of crumbled eyeshadows. Now what?! Don’t worry; we’ve got just the trick to get it back in shape. And this is actually my favorite trick that works every time!

What You’ll Need

Before we dive into the process, let’s gather up some essentials:

  • Your broken eyeshadow palette
  • Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol)
  • A coin or something similar-sized
  • Tissue paper or a soft cloth
  • A dropper or small spoon
  • Clean toothpick

With these items at hand, you’re ready to work some magic on that sad-looking palette!

What To Do

First off, using your clean fingers or the back of a spoon, gently crush the remaining bits of eyeshadow until they turn into powder. This might seem counterintuitive, but trust me on this one.

Next up is our star player – rubbing alcohol! Here’s where it gets interesting: using your dropper or small spoon, start adding a few drops of rubbing alcohol to each broken pan till it turns into a thick paste. Make sure not to add too much at once because then you’d have an even bigger mess on your hands!

Once you have that paste-like consistency going on, grab that coin wrapped in tissue paper and press down firmly onto each pan. This will help compact everything together again.

Now comes patience…you’ll need to let it sit for ~24 hours so the alcohol can evaporate, leaving behind solid pans of eyeshadow like before – only stronger!

Expert tip: I recommend using the product again after 48 hours to ensure it’s all dried down and pressed back into the packaging correctly. 

Method 2: How To Fix Broken Eyeshadow With Hand Sanitizer

This might be a method you haven’t thought of yet, but you know what, it works well! You can find alcohol in most hand sanitizers, which is actually what we need for this surgery!

What You’ll Need

To get started with this method, you’ll need the following items:

  • Your broken eyeshadow
  • A teaspoon
  • A clean cloth or tissue paper
  • Hand sanitizer (containing alcohol)

The process doesn’t require any special tools, and these items can easily be found around your home.

What To Do

First off, gather all the broken pieces of your eyeshadow into its original container. If there are tiny bits on your vanity or wherever else it shattered, scoop them up, too. Every bit counts here!

Now comes the interesting part! Add a few drops of hand sanitizer to the broken eyeshadow. The amount depends on how much product there is – start small and add more if necessary.

Using your teaspoon, mix everything together until it forms a paste-like consistency.

Next step – time for some manual labor! Press down firmly on this mixture using the back of your spoon or, even better – use a clean cloth or tissue paper over the top while pressing down to absorb any excess liquid. Let this sit for ~24 hours to dry out completely before using it again.

How To Fix Broken Eyeshadow With Hand Sanitizer

Method 3: How To Fix A Broken Eyeshadow Palette With Micellar Water

One miraculous fixer-upper you probably already have on hand is micellar water. Yes, this works as a makeup remover (it’s normal purpose, obviously) – but it works well to bring back your broken makeup to life, too! 

What You’ll Need

Before we dive in, let’s gather everything you need:

  • Broken eyeshadow palette
  • Micellar water
  • Plastic wrap
  • Small spatula or butter knife
  • Tissue or paper towel

Now that we’re all set let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of it.

What To Do

Firstly, pour just enough micellar water into the shattered eyeshadow until it’s saturated but not swimming in liquid. Then comes the fun part – mix it up using your small spatula or butter knife until it forms a paste-like consistency.

Next up is letting our little beauty patient rest. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and press down lightly with your fingers or even a coin (this will also help smooth out any lumps). This pressure helps compact everything back together so that when dry, it won’t immediately fall apart again.

Now comes patience as we wait for our palette to dry out overnight. The next morning, remove the plastic wrap and gently blot any excess moisture with a tissue or paper towel.

Voila! Your beloved eyeshadow should now be back to its former glory! Remember this trick because, unfortunately, accidents happen, but thankfully, micellar water can swoop in like a cosmetic superhero, saving us from unnecessary heartache (and expenditure!).

Method 4: How To Fix a Broken Eyeshadow Palette With Setting Spray

Ever had that heart-sinking moment when your favorite eyeshadow palette takes a tumble? Well, fear no more! This method involves using something you probably already have in your makeup bag – setting spray.

What You’ll Need

To get started, here’s what you’re going to need:

  • Your broken eyeshadow palette (of course!)
  • A spoon or butter knife
  • Some tissue paper or napkins
  • And last but definitely not least, your trusty setting spray

Now that we’ve gathered our tools, let’s dive right into the process.

What To Do

  1. First off, use the back of your spoon or butter knife to crush up the remaining pieces of broken eyeshadow until it’s all a fine powder.
  2. Next up is where our hero comes in – give the crushed powder a good spritz with your setting spray.
  3. Mix it all together so it becomes like a paste, and smooth it out with the back of your spoon.
  4. Here’s where patience comes in – leave this newly formed paste to dry overnight.
  5. The next morning, wipe away any excess from around the pan using tissue paper.

This method won’t change how well your eyeshadows work and can save you some serious cash over time because we all know how expensive those palettes can be!

Can You Fix Broken Eyeshadow Without Any Other Product?

If you’re staring at your favorite eyeshadow palette and wondering how to resurrect that crumbled pan of color, don’t worry. You absolutely can fix it without any extra products! It’s all about using what you have on hand in a clever way.

First things first, gather up all the broken pieces of your beloved eyeshadow. Now, let’s get crafty with some tools that are probably already lying around your house. The back of a spoon? Check. A small piece of plastic wrap? Got it. Some patience? That one might be tough, but you’ll need it!

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:

  1. Carefully collect all the shattered bits into their original pan.
  2. Cover the top with plastic wrap and press down gently yet firmly with the back of a spoon to re-compact everything together.
  3. Let this sit for 24 hours so everything has time to settle and bond.

And there you go – no additional products needed! Your eyeshadow should look pretty close to its former glory now.

See how Sasha Colina used this technique in her video below:

4 Ways To Repurpose Broken Eyeshadow Palettes

We’ve all been there – you drop your favorite eyeshadow palette, and it shatters into a million pieces. Let’s say that you’re not in the mood to try and fix it (maybe it’s an old palette anyway); no problem – Here are some exciting ways to repurpose those shattered pigments.

Nail Polish

Don’t toss away those sparkly shades just yet! You can create your own unique nail polish colors with them.

Just grind the broken eyeshadows into fine powder and mix it with clear nail polish until it’s completely blended. Viola! You now have custom-made nail polish in hues that no one else has.

Tinted Lip Balm

Why not turn those vibrant shadows into lip tints? All you need is some Vaseline or any other unscented lip balm as a base.

Scoop out some of the balm, mix in the powdered eyeshadow pigment, microwave for 15 seconds, and let cool down before use. Your lips will thank you for this homemade tinted lip balm!

Colored Mascara

Looking to add a pop of color to your lashes? Crush up bright-colored shadows and mix them with a clear mascara or brow gel. Use an old mascara wand to apply this mixture onto your lashes or brows – they’ll look absolutely stunning!

Just a little disclaimer: this might not be the best idea if you know that your eyeshadow palette is a few years old. Getting those bacteria close to your eyes, like mascara, can cause infections.

Highlighter Or Bronzer

Those shimmering shades can also double as highlighters or bronzers, depending on their tones! Simply crush up lighter shades like champagne or pearl for highlighter, while darker ones like bronze would make great bronzing powders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Still Use Broken Eyeshadow?

Can You Still Use Broken Eyeshadow?

You’ve got to believe it! Even if your eyeshadow palette takes a tumble and ends up in pieces, there’s no need to toss it. As long as you haven’t noticed any changes in color, smell, or texture – it’s perfectly fine to use. J

ust remember that broken powder might be a bit more difficult to control on your brush, so take care not to apply too much at once.

Does Rubbing Alcohol Fix Broken Eyeshadow?

Yes indeed! In fact, rubbing alcohol is the secret weapon of many makeup enthusiasts for fixing shattered eyeshadows.

All you have to do is crush the remaining pieces into a fine powder and add just enough rubbing alcohol (70% works great) to make a paste. Smooth out this paste with something flat like the back of a spoon, and let it dry overnight. By morning, you’ll find your eyeshadow restored!

Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Fix Broken Eyeshadow?

Here’s where we’d advise caution: hydrogen peroxide isn’t typically recommended for repairing broken cosmetics because its chemical properties may alter the product’s composition or even cause skin irritation upon application. Stick with good old rubbing alcohol, which evaporates without leaving any residue behind.

How Do You Fix Broken Eyeshadow With Water?

Water can sometimes be used in place of rubbing alcohol, but results may vary depending on the brand and type of eyeshadow involved.

The process involves mixing crushed eyeshadows with water until they form a thick paste, then letting them dry completely before using them again – usually after 24 hours.

Is It Still Safe To Use My Eyeshadow After Fixing It?

Absolutely! Once your repaired makeup has dried completely (typically overnight or give it ~24 hours), it’s safe for use again – just like new! However, always keep an eye out for changes in texture or smell, as these could indicate that it’s time to replace your product. When in doubt, toss it out!

Final Thoughts on How to Fix Broken Eyeshadow

You’ve journeyed with me through the ins and outs of fixing broken eyeshadow. Isn’t it amazing how something that seems so daunting at first can be tackled with just a few simple steps?

You now know that all you need is a little bit of rubbing alcohol, some patience, and your trusty spoon or toothpick. We’ve covered why it’s important not to toss out your beloved but damaged makeup – because, yes, there’s life in them yet! 

So next time when disaster strikes in the form of shattered eyeshadows, don’t panic; instead, remember what you’ve learned here.

I hope this guide has been helpful for you. It’s always rewarding to salvage something rather than just throwing it away – not only does it save money, but it also reduces waste. Your vanity will thank you for this fresh lease on life given to your favorite eyeshadows.

And remember – accidents happen. Sometimes, an eyeshadow palette might slip from your hand or get jostled during travel. But now, armed with this knowledge, those minor mishaps won’t ruin your day (or makeup routine) anymore!

Remember:

  • Always start by cleaning up any loose powder.
  • Use enough rubbing alcohol/sanitizer/micellar water/setting spray, but don’t drench the pan.
  • Be patient while waiting for everything to dry completely.

Keep these points in mind, as they’ll serve as your lifeline when facing a broken eyeshadow situation again!

So here’s us signing off on our tutorial about fixing broken eyeshadows – glad we could help! Now, go forth and bring those beautiful colors back to life!

7 Comments

  1. Omg girl, I was cracking up at your intro…. makeup baby ???…. but actually ? accurate!

    Also, I totally agree with your tips! I did crush up the rest of my shadow and found it helpful based on the weird way my shadow cracked. BUT you are a genuine for using a spoon to smooth out the shadow bc mine dried with more of an uneven texture lol

    1. Lmao you know you’re beauty-obsessed when you start calling your products makeup babies!

      I agree, sometimes it could be more helpful to just crack the whole shadow.
      A spoon literally makes a shadow look new again! 🙂

  2. HOLY, Thank you for this post! I didn’t even know you could fix broken powder products. Now, if I still have that palette, I can fix it. It fell off the shelf I kept it on and it shattered. It was one of my new ones as well and oh so gorgeous with all sorts of mermaid colours. And I got a few more that just had a bump against something. 🙁

  3. Okay, so is it a yes or not to using the alcohol? One video showed that it works and another says don’t do it.

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