DIY•how to fix a broken compact•Life Hacks•Lifestyle•Seche Vite
Little DIY Projects That Actually Worked Even For Me
April 8, 2014Happy Tuesday. I wanted to share a little project that I completed not too long ago. If you are like me you probably have an entire Pinterest Board of DIY’s that you’ve never attempted. More like you’re scrolling and “oh that bathroom shower bomb….never scrub again? Don’t mind if I do….pinned to DIY/Cleaning”. Then you proceed to not ever look at it again let alone actually attempt the project.Let me fill you in on the first DIY Pinterest pin that I remembered to do and it actually worked for me (unlike this one).
First, let me tell you. I am not crafty at all. I wish I was. My poor little in my Sorority I swear I told her let me just take you out for dinner and buy you wine instead of trying to make Big/Little clues on Cardboard. Me Glue gun = Disaster. I will actually say her paddle was my one shining moment.
So here was my epic project that I’m sure to some of you this is old news but for me it was an epic discovery that actually worked. I’m going to show you how to take a broken compact that started off like this.
Ended up looking like this.
(via tumblr)
I’ve told you before I’m a Bare Minerals gal especially now they’ve idiot proofed the packaging and placed the loose minerals into a pressed compact.
It’s all great until your makeup bag tacks a tumble and you are left with the above related mess. If only I could make it look this graceful!
(via tumblr)
I was quite heartbroken because you know I’m trying to be all savvy and save money. I remembered in the back of my head a previous pin about how to save a broken compact and I trucked to Target to get some rubbing alcohol.
I was so proud of myself guys. Not only did I go to Target and not pick up anything else but I actually left with what I went in there for.
(via tumblr)
Okay so here is what you do. Take the messy compact, rubbing alcohol and saran wrap. Place a few drops of rubbing alcohol into the compact and place the saran wrap over. Then with your finger start mashing up the product even breaking up the powder that is not broken. Start pushing it all down until it starts to turn into a paste like consistency.
This is about the time I started to freak out a little in my head and started to second guess this decision. I figured well if I messed it up it was broken to begin with so I kept on with the project.
I got fed up with the saran wrap halfway through so I grabbed a tiny spatula and started smoothing the paste. Once it was flat I left it out overnight with the lid open (just wanted to clarify because I need very specific instructions when trying to follow something new).
I woke up in the morning and wouldn’t you know. All the alcohol evaporated, it didn’t smell and my compact was ready to rock and roll.
I saved myself some money and I’m pretty pumped to have the life of my compact extended.
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I read another tutorial after the fact that said to place a paper towel over the top of it to blot out the excess oil. That probably would have been a great idea. Also make sure to just use a few drops….I went a little overboard and my compact was a little soupy instead of being a paste.
This can work for broken foundations, bronzers, eyes shadows basically anything that is a power.
My other favorite life hack is when you’re done with a Bath & Body works candle dump hot water in. The wax at the bottom will float to the top. Let it cool and then clean it out. Use it for storing bathroom products like cotton balls or my current use Qtips. Full instructions here.
Placing a wooden spoon over a pot prevents it from boiling over.
If you want an Instagram filter but don’t want it to upload edit your photo while on airplane mode. The upload will fail but it will save the picture to your camera roll.
Remember this one about microwaving pizza with hot water?
Finally this isn’t a complete life hack but this topcoat is such a game changer.
My girl Biana filled me in on this one Seche Vite. It kinda freaks me out that is smells like paint thinner but no lie put it on….wait 2 minutes and your nails are as hard as a gel manicure. I flipped laundry and buttoned pants and absolutely no problem!
There are my current life hack/DIY projects I wanted to share with you! What are some of yours that you have tried and it actually worked?
Ha these gifs are great! That is how I feel whenever I accomplish a DIY project.
lol you chose the perfect gifs for this post.
does the alcohol change the consistency or effectiveness?
-kathy
Vodka and Soda
that’s what i was wondering… if it still applies the same.
That powder-fixer DIY is super cool! I´m totally pinning your image on Pinterest in case I have to do it one day. I´ve yet to try all the life hacks I´ve found on line (somehow I always forget about them).
hmmm…. and that nailpolish! I must search for that.
This is amazing! I always wondered if this really worked!
madeintheshadeblog.com
Ok, I pinned the “how to fix a broken compact” thing forever ago but never actually believed it worked. Which also means I was too lazy to try it… so I guess there’s my first fail. I’m definitely trying this with a broken MAC compact when I get home though! The placing a spoon over a boiling pot has never worked for me :( I’ve tried like 3 times, maybe it’s just me. Going to have to try that clear coat! I literally did my nails last night and apparently they were still “tacky” when I went to bed so… yeah. Time to do my nails again! :)
<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
I have a full pinterest board of maybe one days haha! I think more often than not a lot of the stuff turns out like those cookie monster cupcakes but I know there have to be a few hidden gems!!! Go you and your rock star self on getting your compact as good as new!!! *high fives*
These are awesome, I am definitely going to try the top coat and the pressed Bare Minerals powder but hopefully I don’t break it (but who am I kidding, I’m a klutz!).
I can’t wait to try that top coat!! Thanks for sharing!
Was that your actual make-up compact in the pictures?! Way to go – that is a great life hack!! So glad you like the top coat – I told you – game changer!!! The wooden spoon is one of my favorite tricks…The 6 minute clean microwave is my favorite!! As always your GIFS are ON POINT!!
I love this post! I’m not really crafty either, although I reeeeally want to be! I’ve had many a line of pinterest fails – I need to do a post about that! But this is a great one. I always have a broken compact seems like.
That compact fix was unreal. I’m curious to see how many powders and eye shadows I can save!!
LOVE the wooden spoon boiling water hack!
ooo that makeup trick is awesome! and I NEED to try the wooden spoon over the pan trick…every time i boil water it ends up going everywhere! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Awesome job lady, I did that with my blush and was so happy it worked too. I’m checking out that top coat, cause I need a good one asapy!
Such a great post! The makeup compact looks amazing! Most of my DYI/Craft adventures often end up looking like your cookie monster trial haha. My little was also screwed…I can’t even cut in a straight line much less operate a glue gun.
xx, jen
http://www.comfortably-chic.com
I’ve don’t the broken compact one two and love it. Saving me from buying another one. Need to try that topcoat mine always chip.
Seche Vite DOES work wonders! So shiny and dries SO fast!!!!!!!!!
I’ve heard of the compact trick but never tried it before. Now I kinda want to mash up a compact just for the hell of it so I can try this. Is that weird? haha
The broken compact thing is amazing! I love when those types of things ACTUALLY work! I broke an eye shadow pallet just days after I finally splurged on it and almost CRIED ALL OF THE CRIES. One of my favorite youtubers actually saw my tweet and filled me in on that trick! The seche vite is AMAZE BALLS. I love that stuff. I wouldn’t paint my nails nearly as often if I didn’t have it. The warning on the back is a little unsettling–but I’m not planning on having babies any time soon and I don’t live in california so… ;)
That cookie monster pic always cracks me up. I use the Seche base coat, love it. I’ll try the top coat after I run out of my Out the Door one. Woo hoo for successful DIY’s!
I need to be brave and try that trick! That is so awesome, I could have totally saved a couple compacts… The Cookie Monster picture cracks me up every time I see it!!
I’ve pinned both the make up and the candle DIY but have yet to try – good to know they actually do work!
I did the boiling water in the candle DIY last weekend, I now have to cute Yankee Jars holding my cotton balls and my q-tips in the bathroom!
i haven’t tried that makeup trick yet but i have heard it works – now i know it’s true!
i triiiied to love seche vite but i think my nails chip just as quickly as with other top coats. honestly the one i’ve found that i like the best is by ulta!
WHAT?! this is awesome. so glad it worked, have to try this out!!!
I use that wooden spoon one every time I’m boiling water! And go you with that compact!! I’m impressed with how well it turned out :)
I’ve actually needed a few little jars this week and have been looking for what candles are “almost” done so I can reuse the jars! They’re so handy for so many things! Especially with the lids! I couldn’t get the wooden spoon to work for me! Though it’s probably because I always use the smallest pan possible! I’m impressed with how good the compact turned out! Looks like brand new :)
That is awesome! I have never owned a compact of bronzer without myself or one of the kids knocking it off the counter haha. My current one is actually a powder I got as a free sample, but this is good to know!
Love these life hacks! I am a huge seche vite fan!
Awesome! I gotta share this with a few of my friends!
ok i have tried to wooden spoon with boiling water and it just didn’t work for me! maybe i struggled some how?
I’m so glad that it worked with your compact! That’s awesome!!
Also- water in with the hot wax to clean an old candle jar? AWESOME idea!!
I’m so impressed that you saved your compact! That is just the worst!! I’m totally trying this next time it happens to one of mine. Great job!!
Best, Mree
Seche Vite topcoat is awesome!! It does smell super-strong, though. I have never heard of that trick with a compact but it’s awesome that it really worked!
The GIFs make this post complete. I couldn’t stop watching the one of the girl (Victoria Secret model?) half-fall down the stairs. Every time I expected her to keep falling. Damn her.
omg those cookie monster cupcakes are HILARIOUS! I definitely have a few broken compacts that I just might have to try that out on!
Miche from Buttons and Birdcages
I’ve heard of that alcohol trick! I need to do that to all my broken eye shadows!! I’m running out and getting that top coat ASAP! I’m the worst at messing up my nails!!
<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
Ok where do you find the topcoat? I am horrible about destroying my nails after polishing! And my $30 NARS blush breaks every damn time so I need that makeup fix. Thanks!
Ok this compact lifesaver tidbit is AWESOME. Xx.
That candle trick is GENIUS!!!
I am the freaking worst at DIY. I am pretty good at re-use so I’ve done the candle thing.
I prefer Essie no chip!
If that rubbing alcohol trick works on my broken benefit compact I will love you forever lol I am seriously trying it tonight. I literally cried when I dropped it and it broke
You can also take a candle and put it into the freezer. Usually the leftover wax will pop right out!
I’ve tried the wooden spoon over a boiling pot before, and it didn’t work for me. However, that could have been because it was boiling over before I actually put the spoon on it. Who knows? Lol.
The makeup trick looks like a keeper!
Okay these are genius tips! How have I never heard of the wooden spoon trick? My water boils over every stinking time. I’m totally trying that top coat too!
That’s my favorite top coat! So glad that wasn’t a Pinterest fail for you AND you made it out Target with just what you went in for?! Major Feat!
Love the top coat idea and also the wooden spoon trick!
I don’t know what impresses me more- the Target trip or the life hack!!
oh that poor fat kitty stuck in kitty door! gotta love that graceful save…that would have been an unfortunate moment tumbling down those stairs in THAT dress!
That is awesome how well you were able to mend your compact…pinching pennies is essential when planning a wedding.
Hope your week is going well, Amanda!
XO, Gina
Bahahaha those “nailed it” Pinterest fail pictures kill me!!!
I’m so stoked that you’re hooked on the seche vite – Biana won hers I. My nail giveaway last year!! That stuff is like nail crack – it’s so damn good!!
I have a Dior highlighter powder that shattered and I’ve been to scared to try the alcohol trick, but I’m totes doing it now. Thanks for being the guinea pig. :-)
XO
i shared the seche and the broken shadows on the blog before–isn’t that awesome when something works like it says it’s supposed to??
Love it! I’ve always been a DIYer, but it’s always nice to know which projects are super awesome and not just made by those who have all sorts of crafting prowess!
Hahaha your gifs made me laugh so hard. ^^ Thanks for the tutorial~ this is perfect timing as I dropped a new eyeshadow pallet in the bathroom this morning. >.<;;