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?

56 Member Comments

Beautyguru101 26 Jun 2020 10:33 PM

I just tried this and WOW!!

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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 Oozeer 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.