NARS may produce exquisite makeup products but its rubber packaging can be torturous once it degenerates into the sticky mess that many of us are familiar with. I was dismayed to find my once-pristine NARS Angelika blush case gummy and gooey one day. Fed up with having to deal with this, I took my bottle of methylated spirit and attacked the black casing with a vengeance*. Minutes later, I had this: a plasticky surface freed of that horrid sticky substance. It may not be the best solution aesthetically but it certainly is practical.
A month on and the case is still clean and goo-free. That icky-sticky stuff used to leave a residue on the fingers and transfer to the packaging surface of other products in my blush drawer. Thankfully, I no longer have to see/touch/feel that irksome substance now. Relief and joy abound!
I wish I had thought of using my beloved methylated spirit before depotting my NARS Orgasm a few years back. The pan now sits forlornly in a clear Rubis Tweezers box. Nevertheless, it’s better late than never. I’m glad I needn’t live through that tactile hell any more! :)
* Soak cotton pads with the alcohol and use them to rub off the deteriorated packaging. Do not saturate the pads – this prevents the liquid from entering the product and gives you more friction with which to remove the goo.
hey Mag,
I had the same problem too! Got fed up and depotted my whole collection into clear CD cases. It actually works much better now ‘cos I have all the blushes in one case and so I use them more frequently. It also takes much less time to select one to use.
Hey Iris,
I hated it so much (you can gather how irate I was in my post). I’m so glad that problem has been banished…I hope. :D I didn’t like depotting Orgasm, although I wouldn’t mind it if I had a Z-Palette! ;)
WHATTTTT?????
Nars’ Cases degenerates? OH NOOOO~
I love their cases though. I was wondering how many years you have had the Angelika blush? Just so I can have a rough estimate of when I should use your method of saving the case. hahah Thanks~
Hello Popcorn!
I’d say at least three years for Angelika. The deterioration varies for different people, from what I’ve read. I store my makeup in cool, dark and clean drawers, away from excessive light exposure. I’m not sure about those who keep their NARS cases in the paper boxes. I suspect it has to to do with the integrity of the material used and not the time span.
I used to do this to sticky rubber containers. I just got a whole lot of Nars Blush so will hv to use this method soon.
I’m sorry that you have sticky packaging, Farah. I absolutely detest it!
Where can I get methylated spirit pls? My NARS blush container turned into a gooey mess after abt 3 yrs.. SOB
Hi Sue,
You can easily find it at Watsons or Guardian Pharmacy. :)
After I’m done with the alcohol I rub a drop of Argan Oil all over the case to get rid of the white streaking, then dust a layer of face powder over it. Viola! Looks almost like new. :D
Hi Ami,
That’s a nice tip. Thanks for sharing. :)
Hi mag,
Saw this too late for one of my nars blusher.. the casing got so gooey the hinges came off n my blusher dropped into pieces.. bought a replacement. My eyeshadow is gg thru the sticky phase. Thank you for this post! ;)
Hi Ivy,
Aww, sorry to hear that…and you’re welcome. :) I hope it works for you – it’s not pretty but at least the stickiness is gone!