How To Revive Dried Out Cream Eye Shadows

Cream eyeshadows are our go-to when we want a dewy wash of colour, or a strong and grabby base for powder shadows.

Although perfect for long-lasting wear on the eye, with their tendency to dry down quickly, they can have the opposite effect when sitting in their pot.

image credit: @cyndlekomarovski

Here are our top tips to ensure your cream shadows stay exactly as they should... CREAMY.

1. Try a little heat

Sometimes all your cream eyeshadow needs is a little de-frosting. Try warming up the product with heat from your hairdryer.

Hold it pointing at the cream shadow for 30 seconds to one minute, then give the product a stir with a cotton bud.

2. Add some witch hazel

Witch hazel is often recommended to revive cream eyeshadow, as it's skin safe and soothing for puffy eyes (win-win).

Mix some through your shadow using a small, clean utensil, (i.e. a small knife or cotton bud) then smooth the mixture back over so it's flat and compact.

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

bh recommends: Oil Garden Witch Hazel Toner

3. Mix in a facial spray

If you a love a face mist for hydrating your skin, you'll also love the fact they can bring some life back to your cream shadows.

Simply spray as much as it takes to loosen the consistency, then give it a mix.

bh recommends: Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist and Kosmea Hydrating Rosewater Mist

4. Give it a (super quick) microwave hit

Place your eyeshadow pot into the microwave for no more than 10 second intervals at a time until the formula is soft.

Mix, and press down, making sure to get rid of any air bubbles and allowing it to completely cool down before applying to the eyes.

For those looking for a cream shadow, bh loves: Revlon ColorStay™ Crème Eye Shadow, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick

Main image credit: @gigihadid

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

60 Member Comments

Rose_P 12 Feb 2021 3:37 PM

If a cream eyeshadow is so badly dried out that I can’t use it, I honestly consider whether perhaps it should be binned........

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Sootyhere 14 Jan 2021 10:19 PM

I use powder eyeshadows bur thanks for the tips for those who use cream eyeshadow

Elunia 27 Dec 2020 7:26 PM

I would of thought that the hair dryer would of made it worse.

Petal 15 Jul 2020 8:51 AM

I discard cream eyeshadows due to their short expiry date for hygiene reasons, so they never have a chance of drying out.

Beautyguru101 26 Jun 2020 10:33 PM

I just tried this and WOW!!

lianatriesmakeup 26 Jun 2020 6:36 PM

oh wow I used to just use a tiny drop of facial oil

Neel8888 22 Jun 2020 7:13 PM

I just trashed mine a couple of days ago. Should have known better.

cityglenda 22 Jun 2020 7:12 PM

Good to know.

Anishah Mullu 16 Jun 2020 4:25 PM

The microwave tip is a surprising one!

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perthchick 13 Jun 2020 5:14 PM

I owuld get a make up artist to help me with this one.

misfortune8 12 Jun 2020 4:33 AM

I've heard the microwave trick, but I haven't needed to try it out myself yet.

Hayleyk 9 Jun 2020 11:03 PM

The microwave idea and the witch hazel is brilliant i would never of thought of doing that! Thankyou for the tips

GeeJ 5 Jun 2020 10:31 AM

Will be trying some of these.

nehatalwar 2 Jun 2020 9:53 AM

Good tips,need to try !

bun 1 Jun 2020 12:50 PM

These are some really good tips. I've found a silicone based primer or oil really help revive my cream eye shadows too,

Bellefleur 1 Jun 2020 10:25 AM

I don't really use cream eye-shadows, but this is a great sustainable tip.

Am1851 31 May 2020 12:27 PM

I haven't used a creme eye shadow for a long time, not so good on aged creepy eyes these days even as a base. Light powder shadow works better for me. Good tips though.

Diamah 31 May 2020 12:07 PM

I don't use cream eye shadows, but great tips here.

Elunia 30 May 2020 4:27 PM

I will need to try one of these once covid is over as I am not using my makeup under lock down and the cream eye shadows will dry out before use.

Beautybabe140194 29 May 2020 2:38 PM

Heat is a good temporary fix. I would like to try the witch hazel option and see if that works.

maggieball 29 May 2020 2:35 PM

Sometimes having them dry out is a good indication that its time to replace them.

Chrystalage 29 May 2020 12:18 AM

Never like cream eye shadows. Tried many years ago and they ran and didn't stay on nicely

bebeautiful34 28 May 2020 1:54 PM

Great tips, I never get through my makeup products because you only need a tiny amount

Shop A Everyday 28 May 2020 1:41 PM

Applying with a wet/damp eyeshadow brush is great too

Claire88 27 May 2020 11:04 PM

Some great tips to try out before binning my old cream eye shadows.

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