This week I became a beauty handyman, and I saved myself a massive $55. I have to say "Thank you social media, thank you Internet and thank you Katherine!!"
As you know from Mother/Daughter Monday last week, I have a brand new Napoleon Camera Finish. I have also just enjoyed a girl's week-end away and whilst I returned from my week-end of fun totally intact (well – except for a re-turning of an already damaged ankle) my Camera Finish didn't fare so well.
After a week of use, I dropped it and, although the beautiful case and mirror was undamaged, the pressed powder was instantly smashed. When I told Katherine the story of my broken Camera Finish, she remembered seeing women sharing their tips on how to repair broken compacts, blushers, and pressed eye shadows on Pinterest with pure alcohol (I think it was alcohol that caused the problem in the first place!!).
So – this is how my Camera Finish had started it's life with me.And, because I'm new to blogging, I want you to use your imagination because when I emailed Katherine and told her that I had attempted to fix it, her response was – 'great, I hope you took before and after photos'. But I hadn't taken a before photo and it was too late – I had fixed it! And I wondered if I should drop it again, so I could show you the right effect. But I didn't and then we decided that everyone has dropped a compact on their bathroom tiles at some point and will know EXACTLY what it feels like to hold your breath as you open that lid and hope (against all better judgement) that it will magically be fine but, alas, it is always cracked and in a powdery mess – something like this:
Now, should you find yourself in this situation again, I can tell you exactly how to fit it! Read on.
I bought some Isocol Rubbing Alcohol for $9.95, and read a few different suggestions before decidingwhich approach to try (they all vary slightly). I settled on dripping the Isocol directly onto the top of the product in its compact, rather than, as some posts described, pouring all the powder out, breaking it up, adding the alcohol, and setting it back in. My steps were:
1. Clear bench and place compact on tissues.
2. Gradually drip alcohol onto product and keep smoothing in with the back of a tiny spoon.
3. Try to smooth to the state it had originally been in.
4. Leave to dry for about 2 hours.
5. Pat down firmly with a tissue.
6. Leave overnight.
Voila!!! $$$ saved on having to replace it, and $$$ to spend on something else. Here's how it looks – it's not perfect, but it's useable, and how great does a used compact look anyway?
Bet they don't do 'How to' classes on this at Bunnings on a Saturday morning!!
