I was cleaning out my makeup drawer the other day and discovered that I had a ton of almost empty containers of expired makeup. Rather than just tossing them out, I wanted to reuse them for another project – kids play makeup.
This upcycle is a fun project because it gives kids a version of play makeup that is just like mom’s, plus saves the containers from the dump. What kid wouldn’t love to have “Dior” or “Chanel” makeup?!
Creating this kids play makeup is an easy project, and depending on the age of kids, they can help as well.
DIY Kids Play Makeup
The first step of this diy play makeup is to remove all the old makeup from the containers. The pressed powders came out quite easily by stabbing it with a knife and popping out the chunks into the garbage. I then rinsed the empty containers to get rid of as much makeup dust as possible.
Next, pour some nail polish into the openings of the containers. This is the perfect use for dollar store or clearance nail polish; old bottles could also be used for this project.
The containers don’t need to be completely filled, just enough to cover the bottom and make it look real. Once you pour the nail polish into the container, tilt the container around to get it to spread out, using the brush from the bottle also helps get it up the sides and into the corners.
The larger makeup containers such as foundation or blush can still take quite a bit of nail polish
While making the play makeup only takes a few minutes, there is some patience required because the nail polish needs to dry and harden before it can be used. The smaller containers of eye shadows were ready after sitting out overnight, but the larger ones required 24 hours to be ready.
I had another batch of empty containers ready, so I made a few more play makeup sets last night.
Since these are for kids play, the colors don’t necessarily have to be practical. Pick out those bright nail polish colors, add in some sparkles, have fun with it!
If you don’t use the brushes provided with the makeup, they can be re-used for play; or some fun unicorn makeup brushes would be a fun addition to this play set.
Do you have some empty makeup containers laying around? How do you re-use them?
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says
OMG this idea is brilliant! I’m so going to do this for my niece.
Kendra says
Hope she enjoys it!
Janai says
So glad you published this. This is a great idea!
Kendra says
Thanks!
Karly Gomez says
I LOVE this! Totally going to do it with my old makeup containers!
Kendra says
Your girls will probably love having all the makeup to play with!
Melissa @ This Girl's Life Blog says
Love this idea! My daughter loves playing dressup and would love having some pretend makeup.
Kendra says
Dressup would be a great time for this!
amber.m says
Oh my goodness, this is such a cute idea!!
Deb www.debcb.com says
That’s awesome! So wish I had thought of this when Rosie was little.
Jamie (Mama.Mommy.Mom.) says
This is SO awesome! My sister was looking for a set for my niece and couldn’t find one, but this solves her problem!
Kendra says
Awesome! Hope your niece enjoys them :)
Creatively Homespun says
Fabulous idea!! My littlest one (2) is ALWAYS begging to use my makeup! This will be great to have some for her at the vanity. Thanks for sharing at the Found and Foraged link party. Enjoy your week!
Diana Rambles says
This is such an awesome idea!!
Ashleigh @SimplyWright says
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing and for linking up with the OMHG WW! Have a great week! xx AShleigh @SimplyWright
Alexis @ Persia Lou says
Such a fun idea! My daughter would love this!
Susan says
What a great idea! My girls would have loved playing with this DIY kids make up. Thanks for sharing at the This Is How We Roll Link Party on Organized 31.
April G says
I wear makeup so rarely that I hardly buy new ones or get close to the end. Yet, my daughter is all into my makeup these days. I think this would be a great pretend kit for her! Even though she loves the real thing! LOL
Cydnee Knoth says
Cute idea! Every little girls dream. Thank you very much for joining in the celebration of #purebloglove, we enjoy having you each week. I hope to see you on Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says
I have done this for my little girl and she LOVES it! Thanks so much for sharing on Show Me Saturday! I can’t wait to see what awesomeness you bring to this weekend’s linky party!
Taylor says
Wow I love it
Mary@SweetwaterStyle says
What a perfect gift for my grand=niece for her valentine! Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Oh, and I pinned this too!
creativejewishmom/sara says
that is a great idea and a good way to keep kids who want to touch your makeup away from it maybe! would also be a great little accessory for a costume of some kind to fill up an old fashioned purse, or if someone wants to dress up like they work at the makeup counter! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Sarah @ 2paws Designs says
So cute! Thanks for sharing this great idea. I’m going to start saving my old makeup containers now to make a few play ones for my daughter.
Crystal Green says
This is such a great idea. I personally am not a makeup fan, but it is a right of passage to go through the whole makeup stage at least once in your life.
Thank you for sharing this idea with us on the #HomeMattersParty.
Frugal Hausfrau says
This is such a great idea! All little girls want to be just like mommy! Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday! Hope to see you next week!
Mollie
Becky says
Awesome idea!! Thanks for linking up with turn it up Tuesday.
sahana says
Great idea! Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty. We would love to have you again next week.
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Very nice this idea thanks for great sharing.