London - Every beauty addict knows that sinking feeling when you drop a make-up compact, smashing the powder inside, or snap a lipstick by jamming the lid back on.
You may think your only option is to consign it to the bin — but, if you know how, even the fiddliest of broken cosmetics can be fixed.
Lynne Sanders, founder of make-up company Cosmetics A La Carte, teaches Alice Smellie how to make do and mend . . .
SALVAGE YOUR FAVOURITE LIPSTICK
The Problem: Lipstick “bullets” snap or get squashed out of shape.
The Solution: “Most lipsticks are oil-based, so soften easily when heated,” says Lynne. Try softening the two ends of a snapped lipstick over a candle flame, then stick them back together. But be very careful not to burn yourself or drop melted lipstick.
If a lipstick is squashed, scrape it into a microwave-safe dish and melt gently in the microwave. Pour it into a plastic pot and leave to harden. “Using a lip brush, this can then be applied as before with barely any change in texture.”
If there’s a tiny scrape of lipstick left in your tube, scoop it out with a cotton bud and mix with Vaseline to make a moisturising lip balm.
Or if you find you just can’t live without a discontinued shade, Cosmetics A La Carte (alacarte london.com) offers a service that could help. “We can remould or recreate the exact colour and texture,” says Lynne.
TURN EYE PENCIL INTO GEL LINER
The Problem: Old eye pencils that have become hard and dry.
The Solution: Love the colour of a pencil, but not its hard texture? You can turn it into something more like a gel liner, which goes on more smoothly and blends better, says Lynne.
“Hold the pencil over a candle flame for a second, then leave to cool for 15. Do not use a hot product near eyes. Once cooled, it will create an intense colour.
“You would have to do this every time you sharpen the pencil, although once you’ve disturbed the molecules with the heat, the existing point will likely stay soft.”
GRIND EYESHADOW DOWN TO DUST
The Problem: Once a powder compact or eyeshadow cracks, it starts to disintegrate — so every time it’s opened, a little more scatters into your handbag.
The Solution: “Grind it down in a coffee grinder or using a pestle and mortar,” says Lynne. “Then decant it into a pot with a built-in sifter to dispense the powder.”
Or if you have leftover eyeshadow powder, mix it with a clear nail polish to create a new nail colour.
DILUTE MASCARA WITH EYEDROPS
The Problem: Clumpy and dry mascara that sticks to the wand.
The Solution: “Mascaras are made out of resins and contain lots of pigment,” says Lynne. A” volatile liquid, such as a silicone, is added so that when you apply it to your lashes, it evaporates and leaves the pigment behind.”
If mascara dries out, adding a form of liquid back in can help. “First, leave the mascara in warm water for a few minutes to soften it,” says Lynne.
Then add in some moisturising eyedrops or contact lens solution. The drops will mix well with most types of mascara: any with water in (so not waterproof).
Such drops are sterile, so you won’t risk an eye infection.
SCRAPE OFF OLD POWDER
The Problem: Over time, powder has developed a layer of hardened, grubby-looking grease on top.
The Solution: “Usually, this is caused by using dirty powder puffs,” explains Lynne.
Over time, the residue builds up, meaning that when you try to use the powder, it won’t transfer on to your puff. “Carefully scrape off the top layer with a blunt knife and it will be good as new.”
SHAKE UP YOUR FOUNDATION
The problem: You’re nearing the end of a bottle of foundation and it has started to dry out.
The solution: Many of us will add water to loosen remaining product, thinking it won’t affect our make-up.
But Lynne warns: “While tap water is clean, it’s not preserved, so this technique could grow all manner of bugs in a few weeks.”
Instead, Lynne suggests adding a few drops of light moisturiser. Then place the closed bottle in a bowl of hot water to warm it, and shake to combine the two.
THIN DOWN NAIL VARNISH
The problem: Nail varnish starts to thicken over time and becomes harder to apply, especially when stored in hot conditions. Once it’s opened (and every time it’s opened subsequently), it loses even more of its texture.
The solution: Nail varnishes are made out of complex chemical recipes, with the main ingredient being nitrocelluose — a highly flammable compound.
Nail varnish has to stick to the nail, as well as hardening quickly, so it’s hardly surprising it becomes fragile over time.
“However, there are various ways to give nail varnish extra life,” says Lynne. “Place the bottle in very hot water, then take it out when the water has cooled: the texture should have become thinner.”
You can also buy special thinning nail polish. Add a few drops, then shake the bottle vigorously, adding more if it’s still too thick.
“Or you could even add a couple of drops of nail polish remover,” says Lynne. But be careful, as this will slightly change the original colour. Add only a couple of drops and shake the bottle well.
SOFTEN A HARD FACE MASK
The problem: Face masks — in particular those made with mud — can harden over time, becoming impossible to smooth on to skin.
The solution: Used to give a boost of hydration to dry skin, face masks tend to be water-based. But don’t add more tap water, says Lynne — try rosewater instead.
Just mixing this in won’t do the trick. “This is a bit like making mayonnaise,” says Lynne. “Add the rosewater — a little at a time — whipping it up with a fork until you achieve the required smooth and usable consistency.”
With masks that contain active chemicals to provide an exfoliating effect, such as those using retinol, you may find that the ingredients become less effective if they’re too diluted — so add water sparingly.
Daily Mail