Beauty Smarts

If you haven't figured it out by now I'm a total beaute nerd, so you can only imagine my excitement when I buy a new cosmetic product...it's a bit like a kid at Christmas sort of thing. The downside? If something happens to product (ie. the pump on the lotion jams, the powder eye shadow drops and breaks into a million pieces, etc) I'm hugely disappointed, and like most people I hate let downs. This morning as I went to moisturize my lips with the Fresh Rose Lip Treatment, similar packaging to a lipstick, the stick actually broke right in half as I was mid-application. And can you imagine that the lip balm was brand new! Twenty some odd dollars and that's it? Thanks for the good times love but we must part ways and throw you in the garbage can? To me that's almost like burning a $20 bill. Why would you throw away good money? Instead it's time to get a bit resourceful and think "outside the box" (yes I guess I've been drinking the marketing Kool Aid).

One of my favorite tricks to salvage broken or almost empty lipsticks is to melt what's left into a empty lipstick palette. This is even great if you want a compact with your top 6 lipsticks in a small sleek, clutch friendly case. You can buy these sort of trays/palettes at beauty supply stores or online. I found the one shown in the picture at Alcone Company for $15. The great thing is these palettes are reusable so as long as it doesn't slip from your hand and shatter you're good to go for quite awhile.

How to Make Your Own Lipstick Palette
1. If your lipstick isn't already broken the cleanest way to cut off a piece is to take dental floss, wrap it around the stick and gently cut.
2. There's two ways to melt the lipstick:
a. Microwave: Put the lipstick piece in a papercup and microwave for 30 seconds. If it isn't
melted continue to microwave in 15-20 second increments until it is completely liquid.
b. Candle: Put the lipstick in a spoon and hold it over a candle flame until it is completely
melted.
3. Pour the melted lipstick which should be in a liquid phase into the palette. Fill it to the top of each well.
4. Cool the lipstick back into solid phase by putting it the tray into the fridge for 30 minutes.

Usage tip: Chose your favorite colors that can easily be layered, mix and matched for the optimal makeup artist palette.

The result: Money saved, a new on the go accessory made all for your lips!