Lipstick Masala

It takes a very special lipstick to attract my attention- I’m more of a gloss/liner kind of girl. That’s why the few lipsticks I actually do own are my prized possessions, bought after great mulling, surveying and consideration. So, you can imagine my horror when I returned from the hot tropical climate of Karachi with the melted, mangled corpse of my fabulous new, only twice-used, perfect red lipstick. Yes, the heat had broken it in two, allotting it the fate of many lipsticks before, lost in the same fashion.

Friends all around recommended two options: either use a lipbrush to pick up the color and apply to the lips or just buy a new one. Now, I’ll be honest – as much as I love spending hours in front of the mirror doing my makeup, I really don’t have the patience to use a lipbrush. Plus, does anyone really want to have to carry a brush and multiple tissues in their purse just for touchups? At the same time, I really had no interest in spending another $16 on the same lipstick.

For those of you that have suffered multiple (or even single) broken lipsticks because you either live in warm climates or asserted strength you didn’t know you had, there is another option. All it takes is a little heat, a little cold and some determination. Lipsticks are basically created from wax and emollients, which means once they get warm, you can mold them any way you like (if you played with candle wax as a child – here’s your time to shine).

So if, like me, you don’t wish to part with your precious lipstick, here’s a quick way to salvage what’s left:

Step 1) Take out your seemingly innocent looking lipstick and yell at it, but try not to use foul language – it IS Ramadan, after all. Then, lay out some paper towels to prevent any mess from getting on your table.

Step 2) Open the cap and rotate your lipstick out until the entire base has come up completely from the shell. Then, remove the broken half and place it on the paper towel.

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**Remember: Try not to take too long between steps 3-6 or the wax on the lipstick cools down**

Step 3) Light a match (a lighter might be easier to manage) and wave it first over the broken part of the base so it gets soft. Make sure not to apply heat for too long or you’ll melt the lipstick completely – remember it’s wax!

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Step 4) Pick up the stem of the lipstick, I used a paper towel to keep my fingers from getting red as well as to prevent the heat of my hands from further melting the lipstick.

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Step 5) Wave the match (or lighter) under the broken (bottom) part of the stem for a few seconds until you see it becoming slightly waxy. Again, try not to melt too much of the lipstick.

Step 6) Attach the stem back to the base of the lipstick (putting the two sides you just softened with the heat against each other) and push gently together until they stick.

Step 7) Take the other end of your match, or a toothpick if you were using a lighter, and lightly close the space between the two pieces. Light another match and quickly go around the line to seal it.

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Step 8 - Swivel the lipstick back down and put the cap on. Pop it in the fridge for a little while for it to set.

Et voilà! It’s ready to wear!

If you’re a little intimidated, don’t be – it really is much easier than it looks, plus it takes less than five minutes!! Give it a try on some of your old lipsticks and let us know how it goes!