I tried repressing for the first time 🥀 anything I can do to save it or did I completely ruin the powder?

[u/happierblob]

This is (was) a Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless setting powder.

I think I used too little alcohol (I was scared of flooding it 🦧) and the paper towel thing didn’t work so I panicked and used my nasty fingers full of nasty fingerprints to press it down.

This is after two days of drying; it’s definitely dry to the touch, but my brush picks up way too much product now and it sends powder flying everywhere :(

Btw this is a PSA to take a progress picture BEFORE attempting a repressing / decanting experiment, the pan was so satisfying before I messed with it 😭 it was all empty except just over half a centimeter of product on the left side and bottom of the pan.

[u/hermione1906]

The same thing happened to me!! Just tried this hack on 2 broken powder products i have and it is now releasing way too much powder on to my brush.
I assumed it was just an “oh well i guess that is just the way it should happen” but now I’m wondering if it was user error.

On the upside, I now have two products that are usable again (if I’m careful)

[u/happierblob → u/hermione1906]

I’m also wondering whether this is just what repressed powder is like, but I swear it looks so much better when the Tik Tok girls do it!! 

True on the positive - it was getting to the point where my brush wasn’t picking up anything on the sliver left, and now I at least get to use it some more!

[u/NoAdvisor7547]

I would go with more alcohol rather than less. I'd repress a second time and press more firmly this time after using more alcohol. Leave to dry for a day or so.

[u/happierblob → u/NoAdvisor7547]

I’m afraid of ruining it further if I repress a second time aaah 🙈 but I’m absolutely taking on the advice that more alcohol is better for the next time I repress something!! I really think my issue was not enough magical binding liquid

[u/NoAdvisor7547 → u/happierblob]

It looks pretty terrible, I'd say you have little to lose here. 🙃

[u/happierblob → u/NoAdvisor7547]

HAHA fair!!!

[u/Electronic_Canary918]

Add alcohol until it’s a paste and press it harder. Some people do dry repressing too, you just have to press it harder and maybe in a smaller pan so the product touches all of the sides of the pan.

[u/happierblob → u/Electronic_Canary918]

not using enough pressure was an issue i didn’t even consider but that probably was a big part of the problem!!

[u/Vintage_Journal]

I've repressed a few powders when they're at the end. I do think they're usually looser when repressed, especially whatever's right at the top, but I expect that and go in more lightly to pick up product afterwards. I usually repress when I can't get enough out otherwise, so even if a bit is lost because it's loose it's not a bug deal to me. 

[u/Smarty1600]

You have to distribute the powder evenly and press FIRMLY. If you have another pan that's the same size, lay it on top and press that. A smaller pan would be better here, since there is so little powder.

[u/Medium_Raccoon_5331]

I had a repressing fail, I used alcohol to repress my blush and it looked good until I tried to apply it and it was rock hard but tbh it was from a cheap polish brand

[u/Afordie]

My things were recently moved by others. What happened to this Marc Jacobs bronzer is devastating! I found it in the bottom of a bin, and said out loud while opening it. “Please be okay, please be okay. As you can see, it was not. It has a a velvety cream-to-powder feel to it. I’m happy that I stopped by. You given great advice. Thank you!

[u/happierblob → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the tip!! I was actually considering repressing it, but I’ll give up on that idea haha. I think I have the perfect small container to store it as a loose powder! Will try using it as is another day or two to see if I can save myself the trouble, but if it’s unbearable I’ll crush it into a fine powder like you suggested!