All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Finding the perfect lipstick is difficult enough as it is, so we understand why you might be hesitant to toss your favorite shade when it comes to an untimely end. Here are six easy tricks for fixing a broken lipstick no matter where the break is:
If your lipstick broke off toward the middle and you want to lose as little product as possible, use a lighter to melt part of the lipstick (preferably the part still in the tube) and lightly smoosh the broken part back onto the tube part (if the part still in the tube is too short, burn the broken bit instead and stick it back on the tube bit as soon as you remove it from the fire). You might want to use a paper clip to sculpt lipstick from the top around the sides to make the bullet more secure. Then just pop it in the freezer and it'll get solid again in a few minutes.
If it was a clean break at the base of the stick, you're one of the lucky ones. Just scoop out the rest of the lipstick remaining on the base with a paper clip or a (clean!) bobby pin. Now put the larger broken piece onto the base instead. Your lipstick will be a tad shorter but as secure as you can hope for. Don't push too hard or you might make an already tragic situation catastrophic.
If your lipstick broke off at the top, use a toothpick or tweezers to get it out and try to keep it as close to its original shape as possible. Swipe the toothpick around the sides of the top or use the tweezers to pull the stick out in one go. Or if it's too much trouble, just leave it in the top and use a lip brush to apply it from now on.
If your lipstick is beyond repair, you might want to scoop the whole thing out and keep it in a tiny container or palette. You can either scoop it out and deal with a lumpy mess every time you use it or, if you have a bit more time and can spare a bit more effort, you can melt it in a spoon over a candle flame, pour the melted formula into the teeny container and let it solidify in the freezer.
If your lipstick was only a little nub to begin with, mash it back into the tube with a Q-tip and use a lip brush to apply it.
If you live in a hot climate and this happens to you fairly often, you might want to invest in a reusable lipstick mold. Just remember to keep your lipstick and other beauty products out of direct sunlight/heat.
Check out the most popular lip trends over the past 100 years:
