Don't Throw Away Broken Beauty Products

In tough economic times, everything you buy needs to last a little longer and makeup is no exception. So next time you drop the blush compact only to see it crumble on your countertop or jam the top of the lipstick tube right down on top of your newest red flame, relax. With a little effort, you can repair broken makeup.

The shattered blush or powder eye shadow doesn't need to be swept into the trash. If you add just a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the compact, you can use a knife or the back of a spoon to smooth the powder back into close to its original state. Make sure it dries before you use the powder again. Or, for a completely no-fix, just pour the crumbled powder into a small travel container and apply with a brush. This is also a great way to use blush or eye shadow that's the wrong color for your face. Break up the powder, mix with a powder of another color and pour into a container. You've created your own custom makeup!

A lipstick can break because of careless handling, or it can start melting in a hot car. Simply scoop it all into an empty gloss container with a small measuring spoon. Apply the lipstick with a lip brush. For a lipstick just starting to melt, put it into a refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Like the powdered blush or eye shadow, you can also mix lipstick colors to create a completely new one. Dig the color out of the tube and place in a small bowl. Microwave for a few seconds, mix and cool in the frig.

Trying to moisturize, but can't get the lotion to pump out of its container? It could be caused by a clog in the pump or possibly a defective pump. It's maddening, but both are easy to fix. For a clog, run the pump under hot water, and then use a needle to get the clog out. If the pump itself is damaged, you can either return it to the store for another one or just simply pour the lotion in another container. For a clogged hair spray pump, try the hot water and needle trick. It's easy for hair spray to build up in the nozzle over time, so if you don't use it often, consider buying small trial sizes. And when the spray nozzle is broken off an aerosol cap of hair spray, simply take a nozzle from another product. Press it down gently onto the stem. And don't forget to aim the nozzle away from your face when you're pressing down!