Perhaps one of the most devastating makeup disasters is dropping your favourite powder bronzer to find it’s smashed into dust. It takes a minute to compute the disaster before you realise you have no back up and don’t fancy splashing the cash on a new product. The good news is, it’s salvageable! Yes, that’s right, here’s everything you need to now about how to fix a broken bronzer and never waste your favourite powder products again.
What you’ll need
First, you’ll need to gather your tools to fix your broken bronzer. This method uses mainly items that you likely already have laying around but requires one main ingredient – rubbing alcohol.
- Rubbing alcohol – this is the main (and most important) tool you’ll need! The rubbing alcohol adds moisture into the powder to bring it back together and will then evaporate away to leave you with an (almost) like new powder product.
2. A small container to mix your broken product and rubbing alcohol in.
3. Paper towel/kitchen roll.
4. A flat surfaced object (or even just your palm).
The beauty of this makeup hack is that it works on pretty much any powder products. Dropped your favourite expensive eye shadow palette? No problem – this method will fix anything from a powder bronzer, to blush or eyeshadow.
How to fix a broken bronzer
First, crush the broken product into a fine powder – yes even the large, unbroken pieces (I know, it seems wrong but go with it) and scoop the remains of your broken powder bronzer out of the compact and into a small container or bowl.
Next, clean out the packaging of your bronzer and allow it to dry fully before adding the product back into the compact. You don’t need anything fancy to clean it, just your usual makeup remover or washing up liquid will do. Simply wipe out any remains of product and rinse any washing up liquid/makeup remover out fully before leaving it to dry.
Add a couple of drops of rubbing alcohol to your bronzing powder, this should now be a fine consistency free of any large lumps. Start by adding two small drops and mix into a paste, if you feel it needs more liquid add in another small drop until a thick paste is formed, you don’t want it to feel too wet.
TOP TIP – If you do find you’ve been a little heavy handed with the rubbing alcohol you can use a corner of kitchen roll to absorb the excess liquid.
Pop the bronzer paste back into it’s clean and dry container and press down to fit the pan using the back of a spoon. Lay a piece of paper towel/kitchen roll on top of the bronzer and press down using a flat surfaced object or even just the palm of your hand. This will ensure any excess liquid is absorbed and the bronzer is compact together ready to dry.
Leave to fully dry and VOILA – you’re favourite powder bronzer is saved!
The best powder bronzers
If the process of fixing your broken bronzer seems a little too much effort for your liking or maybe you’ve just hit pan and want a new powder bronzer, then here are our favourite powder bronzers – let’s hope they can stay in one piece!
L’Oreal Paris Back To Bronze Matte Bronzing Powder
If you’re looking for a matte bronzing powder that is fairly cheap, cheerful, and applies well, then you’ll love the Back to Bronzer bronzing powder from L’Oreal. It gives that summertime bronzed glow all year round with just a few swipes. Start with a little and build up to your desired amount of bronzed.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Bronzer
This bronzer from Anastasia Beverly Hills is on the pricier side but in my opinion, worth the extra cost. The fine milled powder makes application extremely smooth meaning there’s no muddy looking bronzer around here – hooray. Its warm undertones create the perfect sun-kissed glow to add some colour back into dull skin.
Benefit Hoola Matte Powder Bronzer
The Hoola Bronzer by Benefit is an absolute classic and a product that I will continue to go back to time and time again. It’s foolproof with its easy application and is super easy to build up to the desired level of bronzed. I also find that this bronzer lasts forever! It’s on the slightly more expensive side retailing for £28.50, but the longevity of use sure makes it worth it.
