How To Refill a Vintage Compact

Before you even think about refilling your vintage compact, you need to clean it. If there is any old makeup present, it can harbor dust, bacteria, and potential irritants. Yuck!! Use hot soapy water. Q-tips and small tooth brushes can be helpful to thoroughly clean the inside of your vintage compact. To sanitize your compact soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and wipe the inside. Then rinse with warm water and set aside to dry.



Take care with certain vintage compacts as the mirrors can come loose and will need to be re-glued. Also some compacts have rhinestones or other special details or finished that should not be submerged in water. If that's the case you might want to consider refilling a different compact. However, if you are careful these can still be cleaned, refilled and enjoyed.




So, here is what you are going to need:

- Rubbing alcohol
- Loose powder or pressed powder in your choice of color
- Freshly cleaned vintage compact - Scrap of cheesecloth or linen fabric (optional)
- Small bowl to mix powder
- Butter knife or piece of stiff paper/card stock
- Small spoon

In a small, clean bowl, spoon in some loose powder or you can use a butter knife to scrape out your pressed powder from a modern compact.

Using a small spoon, slowly mix a little rubbing alcohol (about a cap full) with the powder until you form a creamy paste. Don't add too much liquid to start or you will end up with a soupy mess! It's better to add a tiny amount first and add more as needed. Be sure to smooth out any lumps as you mix.

Scoop the paste into vintage compact pan and gently press into place with the back of your spoon. Smooth out any irregularities with your knife or stiff paper/card stock. Be sure not to overfill your compact. Use a cotton ball or q-tip to clean up the edges of your compact.

This next step is optional but makes a nice finish to your powder. Take a scrap cheesecloth or linen fabric and gently press over the compact. Remove. The cloth will create a nice surface look and help smooth powder.

Keep the compact open and allow to dry overnight. Before attempting to use your newly filled vintage compact, make sure the surface is dry by wiping a finger across it. When the compact is ready to use it should feel 'powdery' and smooth.

That's it!