Re-Purpose Wrong Makeup

It's happened to me, and it's probably happened to you. Yup, I bought the wrong makeup. I got it home, opened the package, put it on, and it was the wrong color. And of course, once you open the package, it's probably no longer returnable. So what do you with it other than throw it in a drawer and grimace every time you see it? Here are a few ideas for those makeup products that just aren't right so that you can avoid sending them to the cosmetic graveyard.

Wrong foundation color. If you try that brand spankin' new foundation and find it just doesn't work for your face, don't trash it just yet. There are a few ways to use that slightly off foundation color. First, you could mix it with another foundation color. If its just a shade too light, try mixing it with a foundation shade that is just a bit too dark. Or, if it's too dark, try mixing it with a shade that's too light. You might create your own shade that you love all the more.

Foundation that is too light. If your new foundation is too light, you can use it to contour your face and too highlight any shadow areas on your face. For instance, use that light foundation in place of concealer on your dark circles under your eyes, or blend a little into the shadowy spots around your nose. Make a thin, straight line down your nose with it, and then blend it into your regular foundation to make your nose look thinner and straighter.

Foundation that is too dark. Dark foundation is great for contouring. Use it to make any prominent areas of your face less noticeable. If you have a prominent forehead, or a wide face, use the darker foundation in those areas to make them appear to recede. The key is to practice and of course, blend well with your regular foundation.

Dark eyeshadow. If your eyeshadow is too dark to wear on your eyelids, use it as eye liner. Take a small, stiff brush, and dip it into the eyeshadow. Gently place it along your eye over-top (or instead) of your eyeliner pencil to keep your eyeliner in place all day long.

Off color bronzer or blush. Sometimes a blush or bronzer that just doesn't look righ ton your cheeks makes a great eyeshadow color. Use it instead or taupe or as a nice accent color.

Pale lipstick. Lipstick that is too light for your lips makes a nice soft, cream blush. Just use your fingertips and blend it lightly along your cheekbone to illumine your cheeks.

Dark lipstick. If your lipstick is too dark, you can mix with a shade that is too light. Play with your lipstick colors to find a mix you love. Or blend it with lip balm to soften its effects.

With a little ingenuity and a bit of practice, you can avoid wasting cosmetics that just aren't the right color. Re-purpose or mix them to create something new, and save yourself from the dreaded cosmetic grave yard.