How to Restore Broken Pressed Powder

Before you throw away the broken compact powder box, why don’t you try repairing it? The most common method is to use rubbing alcohol. Although the alcohol will evaporate quickly, some people with extremely sensitive skin may still find their skin dry after using this method. Luckily, there’s still a way to fix broken chalk with pressure and steam that you can apply.

Table of Contents

Use rubbing alcohol

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Open the chalk box and put it in a zippered plastic bag. This is to help keep your workplace clean. Moreover, it also helps to retain chalk particles. If you don’t have a zippered plastic bag, you can use cling film to cover the broken chalk. Make sure to wrap the edge of the chalk box well to prevent the powder from leaking out. ^{[1] X Research Source}

This method will use rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will evaporate and leave behind a compacted powder. ^{[2] X Research Source} This is considered safe, but if you have extremely sensitive skin, you may need to consider steam.

Grind pressed powder into fine loose powder, including unbroken parts. Use a spatula or the handle of a makeup brush to do this. Continue grinding until the powder becomes a fine powder. Make sure not to leave any ungrounded chalk, or your chalk box will be very messy.

This may look like you’re ruining the powder box, but it will make your final product smoother.

Remove the chalk box from the plastic bag, or remove the wrapping film. If the chalk falls out, you should try to put it back in the box. Grind to a fine powder if necessary.

Add rubbing alcohol to the chalk. Depending on the amount of chalk, the amount of alcohol added may be just a few drops or a bottle cap. Use just enough alcohol to moisten the powder, but not so much that it makes it stand out. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Try to use at least 70% rubbing alcohol. ^{[4] X Research Source} The higher the concentration, the faster the alcohol evaporates/drys. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
If you accidentally add too much alcohol, you can dip a corner of a paper towel in the excess. The paper towel will absorb the alcohol.

Let the alcohol soak for a few seconds, then mix well. ^{[6] X Research Source} You can use a makeup brush handle to do this. Continue to mix until a smooth paste is formed, without lumps or lumps. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Apply a layer of food wrap on the still wet face, then rub it around neatly. The wrap will keep your hands from getting dirty. You can also use a spatula, brush handle, or other smooth object to smooth the surface of the powder. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Remove the cover film and press down with a paper towel. Do not press too hard, otherwise the chalk may crack. This step is to help absorb excess alcohol. ^{[9] X Research Source}

To make your chalk look brand new, you can use a piece of cotton cloth instead of a tissue. It will leave a pattern on the face like many new powders. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Remove the tissue and use a small brush to clean around the edges, if desired. If you want your product to look neater, use an eyeliner brush to sweep around the cake. This step will help the edge of the chalk to be neater and more beautiful. ^{[11] X Research Source} You don’t need to worry about cleaning the chalk box in a hurry.

Open the powder box and let it dry overnight. ^{[12] X Research Source} During this time the alcohol will evaporate and leave a chalky cake.

Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean the chalk box, if desired. ^{[13] X Research Source} When performing the steps to restore the chalk, it is possible that the chalk box will be smeared with chalk. If desired, take a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and wipe it clean.

Using pressure and steam

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Plug in the iron and turn it on to the hottest setting. You can just use pressure to compress the chalk, but it will be very fragile. The heat of the iron will make the compaction tighter and more durable.

Since no alcohol is used, this method is safe for sensitive skin. ^{[14] X Research Source}
Most chalk boxes have a metal disc placed inside the plastic box. Make sure your chalk box has this metal disc.

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Break the chalk so you can pour it out. You can use anything hard like a toothpick or fork. This step looks like you’re ruining it further, but it will make the finished product smoother.

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Put the broken chalk in a zippered plastic bag. Make sure to get all the chalk out. If needed, you can use a toothpick or fork to poke the chalk in the corners. Chalk will be further ground in a plastic bag.

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Continue to grind the chalk into a fine powder. The best way to mash is to press down with the flat side of a fork. However, you can use anything, including a spoon. Make sure there are no pieces of unground chalk; The powder must be very smooth. If there are pieces of chalk left over, your finished chalk box will be very messy.

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Remove the metal disc from the chalk box. Most chalk boxes have a metal disc glued to the chalk box. You need to remove this disc before moving on to the next step. The easiest way to do this is to insert a butter knife under the metal plate and pry it up.

If you don’t remove the metal disc, you run the risk of melting the plastic chalk box.

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Steep the chalk back onto the metal plate. Open the plastic bag containing the chalk earlier and pour the chalk onto the metal plate. Don’t worry if you drop some chalk.

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Use a spatula to press the chalk onto the plate. Place the underside of the spatula on top of the chalk and press down until the powder is firmly closed. Start from around and gradually press into the center. Try not to let the chalk fall out. When finished, the chalk will have to fit inside the metal plate.

At this point, the chalk may look like new, but it’s fragile and can melt with the slightest touch. You need more compression with heat.

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Turn off the iron. Now the iron is hot enough. You need to turn off the iron and unplug it. This is important to make sure water doesn’t get into the chalk and damage it.

Make sure to turn off steam mode. You need to use dry heat.

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Press the iron onto the chalk for about 15 seconds. Press as hard as you can. Do not lift up or down or move it back and forth like when ironing clothes. The heat from the iron will help “compress” the chalk. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Lift the iron out, wait a few seconds, then press down again for about 15 seconds. When you lift the iron out, you can see that the chalk surface is already relatively flat. However, you will need to press one more time. Again, make sure you press firmly and do not move the iron.

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Let the chalk cool, then stick the chalk disc back into the box. When the metal plate has cooled, apply some glue to the empty part of the chalk box. Then carefully lift the metal plate and press it back into the chalk box. Wait for the glue to dry before closing the chalk box.

Advice

If you can’t find rubbing alcohol, you can replace it with isopropy alcohol. Do not substitute with acetone or nail polish remover.
These methods work for all types of makeup: blush, highlighter, eyeshadow, and foundation.
If only a small part of the chalk is broken, try: grind the broken part into a fine powder, pour alcohol into the gap and brush the chalk down the gap.
This method is ideal for foundation, blush and highlighter. If you can’t compress your eyeshadow, you can use it as loose powder.
If your makeup powder has expired, it’s best to throw it away and replace it with another box. These methods may only cause expired chalk to dry out further.
If you can’t restore the eyeshadow, please reuse it for another purpose. Mix eyeshadow with nail polish to create your own shade. You can also mix eyeshadow with Vaseline wax to make your own lip gloss.

Warning

These methods are only temporary fixes. Your restored compact powder box is still fragile and can easily break again. ^{[16] X Research Source}
Some people find that the restored powder is a little harder/darker. Some people also find that it is not the same as before. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Things you need

Use rubbing alcohol

Crushed chalk
Cleaning alcohol
Zippered nylon bag
Food wrap
Smooth object (such as a spoon or the handle of a makeup brush)
Paper towel or cotton cloth
Eye brush and cotton swab (optional)

Use pressure and steam

Crushed chalk
Iron
Zippered nylon bag
Fork or toothpick
Spoon
Butter knife/blunt knife
Glue

Steps

Use rubbing alcohol

Using pressure and steam

Advice

Warning

Things you need

Use rubbing alcohol

Use pressure and steam

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