How to Restore Broken Compact Powder

Co-authored by Camille Sanghera

Last Updated: July 24, 2024 Approved

Before throwing away your broken compact powder, why not try and fix it? The most common method requires that you use rubbing alcohol. Although the alcohol evaporates as it dries, some people with ultra sensitive skin might find it to be still too drying. Fortunately, it is still possible to fix broken compact powder with a little bit of pressure and steam.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Rubbing Alcohol

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1
Open the compact and place it in a plastic, resealable bag. This will help keep your work area clean. It will also catch any loose bits of powder. If you don't have any plastic, resealable bags, cover the broken powder with a sheet of plastic wrap. Make sure that it is wrapped firmly over the edges, or the powder will escape.^{[1]
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- This method will use rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will evaporate, and leave behind the hardened powder. It is considered safe, but if you have very sensitive skin, you might want to consider the method.
2
Break the compact up into a fine powder, including the not broken parts. Use a spoon, mini spatula, or the base of a makeup brush to do this. Keep smashing the powder until you end up with a fine dust. Make sure that there are no clumps or chunks left, or your compact will be very grainy.
- This may seem like you are only making things worse, but it will help give you a smoother finish in the end.
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If any powder got out, try to carefully tip it back into the compact. Break it up into a fine dust, if necessary.
4
Add some rubbing alcohol to the powder. Depending on how big the compact is, this could be as little as a few drops, to as much as a capful. Use enough rubbing alcohol so that the powder is damp, but not so much that it starts to float.
- Try to use at least 70% rubbing alcohol.^{[2]
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  Research source} The higher the percentage, the faster it will evaporate/dry.
- If you added too much rubbing alcohol, dip the corner of a tissue into it. The tissue will soak up the excess rubbing alcohol.
^{[3]
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Research source} You can use the end of a makeup brush or a mini spatula to do this. Keep smooshing the powder around until you get an even, creamy consistency. There should be no clumps or chunks.
The plastic wrap will help keep your finger clean while you work. You can also smooth the powder down with a spoon, the base of a makeup brush, or any other smooth object.^{[4]
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7
Remove the plastic wrap, and press down on the powder with a tissue. Make sure you use a tissue that will not easily break when wet, otherwise you risk getting tissue particles in your compact. Avoid pressing too hard, or the powder may crack. This will help remove any excess rubbing alcohol.^{[5]
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- To get that brand-new, pressed look, use a scrap of cotton fabric instead. It will leave behind that fabric-like texture many brand-new makeup powders have.^{[6]
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If you'd like your work to be neater, take an eyeliner brush, and run the point around the edges of your powder. This will help give you those nice, crisp edges.^{[7]
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Research source} Don't worry about cleaning up the compact case itself just yet.
^{[8]
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Research source} During this time rubbing alcohol will evaporate, leaving behind the caked powder.
10
Clean up the compact using a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol, if desired.^{[9]
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Research source} While you were restoring your broken powder, you may have gotten some makeup powder "mud" on your compact case. If this bothers you, dip a q-tip in some rubbing alcohol, and wipe the dried "mud" off.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Pressure and Steam

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1
Turn your iron on and set it to the highest temperature. It is possible to set broken powder using just pressure, but it will be very fragile. The heat from the iron will help set the powder further and make it more durable.
- Because this method contains no rubbing alcohol, it is safe for sensitive skin.^{[10]
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- Most compact powders will come in a metal pan set into a plastic tray. Make sure that your compact powder has this metal pan.
You can use anything hard, such as a toothpick or fork. This may seem like you are only making things worse, but it will help give you a smoother finish.
Make sure that you get all of the powder out. If you need to, use a toothpick or the end of a fork to get the powder out of the corners. You will be breaking the powder up further inside this bag.
The easiest way to do this is to simply press down on it with the flat side of a fork. You can use anything you'd like however, even a spoon. Make sure that there are no clumps or crumbs however; the powder must be very fine. If you leave any clumps or crumbs, your finished powder will be very grainy.
5
Pull the metal pan out of the compact case. Most powdered makeup will come in a metal pan that is glued into a plastic case. You will need to pull this metal pan out before you move on to the next step. The easiest way to do this is to hook a butter knife under the lip of the pan, and then pry/pop it out.
- If you don't pull the pan out, you will risk melting the plastic tray.
Open up your resealable bag, and tip the powder into the pan. Don't worry if you lose some powder.
7
Press the powder into the pan with a spoon. Place the bowl of the spoon onto the powder, and press down on it until it becomes firm. Start around the edges of the powder, and work your way towards the center. Try not to push any of the powder out of the pan. When you are done, the powder should be packed firmly into the pan.
- At this point, the powder may look as good as new, but it is very fragile and may shatter again with the smallest bump. You will need to set it further using heat.
8
Turn the iron off. By now, your iron should be nice and hot. Turn it off and unplug it. This is very important. It will ensure that no water gets into your powdered makeup, which can ruin it.
- Make sure that the steam option on your iron is turned off. You want to use dry heat.
Make sure that you are pressing down as hard as your can. Do not move the iron up-and-down or side-to-side like you would when ironing clothes. The heat of the iron will help "set" the powder.^{[11]
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When you lift the iron, you may notice that your powder is looking a lot smoother already. You will need to do the pressing process one more time, however. Again, make sure that you are pressing down hard, and that you are not moving the iron around.
While the pan cools, swirl some glue inside the cavity in the plastic case. Then, carefully lift the metal pan up, and press it back into the plastic case. Wait for the glue to dry before closing the case.

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Question

I used nail polish remover instead of rubbing alcohol. Is there a way to get it out or resaturate it?

Ashlyn Winn

Community Answer

No. Nail polish remover has acetone in it, so you have just ruined your compact.

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Can I use nail polish remover?

Community Answer

Because this is meant to be used on the face, nail polish remover is not recommended as it could be very damaging to the delicate facial skin.

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Question

Where can I purchase rubbing alcohol?

VidalGracey

Community Answer

You can find it at a grocery store or drug store.

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Tips

If you can't find rubbing alcohol, search for isopropyl alcohol instead. Don't try to substitute acetone or nail polish remover.

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If only a small part is cracked, try: breaking the cracked part into a powder, filling the cavity with rubbing alcohol, and the smoothing the powder into the cavity.

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These methods can work on just about any powdered makeup: blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, and foundation.

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Warnings

These are usually temporary fixes. Your restored compact may still be fragile and can break easily again.^{[12]
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Some people find that after restoring, their compact makeup is a little bit harder/darker than before. Some people also find that it does not go on the same as before.^{[13]
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