How To Revive Dried-Out Cream Eyeshadows Because Lord Knows We All Have One

There’s a lot to be said about the longevity of a cream eyeshadow. Whether it’s a highly pigmented metallic or a subtle wash of colour, a good cream shadow will carry you through an entire night out.

Better yet, use one as a grabby base for your powder shadow and the final result will be almost impossible to budge without the assistance of a cotton pad saturated in a etat pur’s Purifying Cleansing Micellar Water ($17.50, Look Fantastic).

However, the same kudos can’t be given for their lifespan when sitting in a pot.

Depending on the formulation, the way they’ve been stored, or whether they’re 20 years old, cream eyeshadows can dry down, fade in colour, crack and appear dust-like. A far cry from the butter-soft consistency they once were.

But, there’s still hope. We promise!

How to save your cream eyeshadow after it’s dried out

Whether you’ve accidentally left the lid off your eyeshadow overnight (not again!) or the pot is nearing its use-by date, you don’t have to say your farewells just yet.

No? No! With techniques like applying heat or mixing a liquid through, even the driest cream eyeshadows can be revived.

1. Try a little heat

Sometimes all your cream eyeshadow needs is a little defrosting. Try warming up the product with heat from your hair dryer.

What to do: Point your hair dryer at the cream shadow for 30 seconds to a minute, then give the product a stir with a cotton bud. 

2. Add some witch hazel 

The addition of witch hazel will restore moisture into a dried out eyeshadow, plus work to soothe the appearance of puffy eyes all at the same time.

What to do: using a clean cotton bud, mix the witch hazel into your eyeshadow pot and stir until combined. Add more as required.

If you’d like to see a video tutorial, check one out here. 

bh recommends: Bioré Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Toner ($5.39 at Chemist Warehouse)

3. Mix in a facial spray or essence

In the same way a thirsty complexion drinks up a facial mist or essence, a dried out cream shadow will benefit greatly from the hit of moisture.

What to do: Dispense the liquid into the pot, loosen up the eyeshadow and mix.

bh recommends: Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Soft Polish Double Essence ($113 at Myer)

4. Give it a (super quick) microwave hit

The same way our lipstick will go soft when we’ve left it in the sun a little too long, giving your dry shadow a hit in the microwave will soften its consistency.

What to do: Pop your eyeshadow (with the lid off) into the microwave for no more than 10 seconds at a time or until the formula is soft. Next, mix with a cotton bud, making sure to get rid of any air bubbles. Allow the pot to completely cool down before use.

Main image credit: @lucacianciolo

Have any of your cream products dried out? Do you have any tips on how to bring them back to life?