Got colorful eyeshadows just sitting in your vanity? You know the ones – vibrant shades you bought with good intentions but rarely use. Don’t let them gather dust! Those beautiful pigments are perfect for adding a pop of color and shimmer to your craft projects. Turn your unused makeup into fun, creative DIY supplies!

Why Repurpose Eyeshadows for Crafts?

Give your colorful eyeshadows a second life in your crafting! It’s a smart way to:

• Reduce Waste: Use what you already own instead of buying new supplies.
• Boost Creativity: Explore a unique medium with diverse colors and finishes.
• Save Money: Get vibrant pigments without the art store price tag.
• Personalize Projects: Add a unique touch with colors from your own collection.

Project 1: Custom Colored Nail Polish

Easily turn eyeshadow into unique nail polish shades. That stunning duochrome or shimmer can become your new favorite mani color!

Materials Needed:

• Clear nail polish base
• Colorful eyeshadow(s)
• Small mixing container
• Toothpick or small tool
• Funnel (optional)

How-To Guide:

1. Prepare: Gather supplies. Choose your eyeshadow color(s).
2. Scrape Shadow: Gently scrape a small amount of eyeshadow into the container. Use less for sheer, more for opaque polish.
3. Powder: Crush any lumps into a fine powder using your tool.
4. Add Polish: Pour a small amount of clear nail polish base over the powder.
5. Mix: Stir thoroughly until color is smooth and even, with no streaks.
6. Test: Swatch on a nail or paper. Add more shadow for intensity, more polish for thinner consistency.
7. Transfer (Optional): Pour into a clean, empty nail polish bottle using a funnel.
8. Cap & Shake: Seal tightly. Shake before each use.

Project 2: Sparkling Watercolor Paints

Transform shimmery or metallic eyeshadows into beautiful, sparkling watercolors for journaling, illustrating, and paper crafts.

Materials Needed:

• Colorful eyeshadow(s)
• Gum arabic powder
• Water
• Mixing palette/dish
• Palette knife/spoon
• Small storage containers

How-To Guide:

1. Prep: Set up your workspace, covering surfaces.
2. Scrape & Grind: Scrape eyeshadow into the palette. Grind into a very fine powder.
3. Mix Binder: In a separate container, mix gum arabic powder with water (start with 1:2 ratio) until smooth.
4. Combine & Mull: Add a few drops of gum arabic solution to the powdered eyeshadow. Mix and grind with a palette knife until a smooth, paint-like paste forms (thick cream/toothpaste). Add more binder drop by drop as needed.
5. Test: Swatch on watercolor paper. Adjust consistency: more binder if dry, more powder if too liquid.
6. Portion: Spoon paint into small storage containers (like paint pans).
7. Dry: Let paint dry completely for 24-48 hours to solidify into a pan.
8. Use: Activate dried paint with a wet brush like traditional watercolors.

Project 3: Colored Adhesives & Embellishments

Add color and shimmer to paper crafts by mixing eyeshadow into clear glue or texture paste.

Materials Needed:

• Colorful eyeshadow(s)
• Clear liquid adhesive or Texture paste
• Small mixing palette
• Toothpick or tool

How-To (Colored Adhesive):

1. Scrape: Scrape a little eyeshadow into the palette.
2. Add Glue: Add a small amount of clear liquid adhesive.
3. Mix: Stir well until uniformly colored glue forms. Adjust color intensity by adding more shadow.
4. Apply: Use as colored glue or apply through stencils.

How-To (Colored Texture Paste):

1. Scrape: Scrape eyeshadow into the palette.
2. Add Paste: Add a small amount of white or clear texture paste.
3. Mix: Stir thoroughly until color is evenly mixed into the paste.
4. Apply: Use through stencils or spread for textured color.

Project 4: Homemade Bath & Body (Use Extreme Caution!)

Adding eyeshadow to bath bombs or soaps is possible for advanced crafters BUT REQUIRES EXTREME CAUTION AND RESEARCH. Only use cosmetic-grade, skin-safe pigments.

Key Safety Points:

• Check Ingredients: VERIFY eyeshadow pigments are safe for bath/body use in your region. Avoid pigments known to cause irritation in water.
• Use Safe Recipes: Follow trusted bath bomb or soap recipes.
• Patch Test: ALWAYS test the finished product on a small skin area first.
• Use Sparingly: A tiny amount of pigment is often enough.

Materials Needed (General – follow a detailed, trusted recipe):

• Colorful eyeshadow(s) (Use ONLY skin-safe pigments.)
• Bath bomb base ingredients* or Melt-and-pour soap base* (Research pigment safety thoroughly.)
• Mixing bowl or Container
• Gloves (recommended) or Soap molds
• Bath bomb molds or Stirring tool
• Essential oils (optional)

General Steps (Bath Bombs – Follow a detailed, trusted recipe):

1. Mix Dry: Combine dry bath bomb ingredients.
2. Add Pigment: Add a tiny amount of finely ground, safe eyeshadow.
3. Mix Color: Wearing gloves, mix until color is evenly distributed.
4. Add Wet: Slowly add wet ingredients, mixing to damp sand consistency.
5. Mold & Dry: Pack into molds. Dry completely (24-48 hrs+).

General Steps (Soaps – Follow a detailed, trusted recipe):

1. Melt Base: Melt soap base per instructions.
2. Add Pigment: Add a tiny amount of finely ground, safe eyeshadow.
3. Stir: Stir gently to mix color evenly.
4. Add Oils (Optional): Stir in essential oils if using.
5. Pour & Set: Pour into molds. Let cool and harden.

Project 5: Colored Pigments for Painting

Use eyeshadow as instant pigment for painting or mixed media by mixing it with various art mediums.

Materials Needed:

• Colorful eyeshadow(s)
• Art medium of choice
• Mixing palette/dish
• Palette knife/tool

How-To Guide:

1. Scrape & Grind: Scrape eyeshadow into the palette. Grind into a fine powder.
2. Add Medium: Add a small amount of your chosen art medium (acrylic medium, gesso, etc.) to the powder.
3. Mix: Stir thoroughly, adding more medium until desired paint/paste consistency is reached.
4. Apply: Use immediately in your art project. Best used fresh as mixture will dry.

Tips for Crafting with Eyeshadow

Working with eyeshadows in crafts is fun! Here are some tips:

• Start Small: Begin with a tiny amount of eyeshadow; you can always add more pigment for intensity.
• Grind Finely: Ensure shadow is a very fine powder for smoother results (especially for polish/watercolors).
• Manage Fallout: Eyeshadows can be dusty. Cover your workspace to make cleanup easy.
• Consider Finish: The eyeshadow’s finish (shimmer, matte, etc.) will affect the final look of your craft.
• Store Properly: Keep custom polish and dried watercolors in airtight containers.
• Label: Clearly label custom colors/products.
• Ventilate: Ensure good airflow when working with fine powders.

More DIY Ideas for Colorful Eyeshadows

Beyond these projects, consider using eyeshadow for:

• Tinting Resin: Add to clear resin for colored or shimmery casts.
• Coloring Clay: Mix into polymer or air-dry clay.
• Sparkly Slime: Add shimmer/glitter shadows to homemade slime.
• Colored Wax Seals: Swirl a tiny bit into melted wax.
• Coloring Playdough: Use non-toxic shadows for vibrant playdough.
• Tinting Glazes: Mix shimmer into clear glazes for subtle effects.

Don’t let those beautiful colorful eyeshadows sit unused! See them as a palette of creative possibilities. With a few simple steps, you can turn your makeup stash into vibrant, personalized supplies for all sorts of DIY projects. Happy crafting!