Q&A for How to Sharpen an Eyeliner Pencil

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Question

What can I use to sharpen my eyeliner?

Erica Coates
Professional Makeup Artist
Erica Coates is a Professional Makeup Artist and the Owner of Erica Nicole Beauty based in the Washington D.C. metro area. With more than 14 years of experience, she specializes in creating and personalizing makeup looks and skin prep for makeup. Erica received her cosmetology training from the Bennett Career Institute.

Erica Coates

Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

I definitely recommend a sharpener geared towards eyeliners, specifically — the kind that has two holes. These are great because they give the sharpest effect with the pencils.

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Question

How do you sharpen a gel eyeliner pencil? I tried a sharpener, and it tore my gel up.

Gwack

Community Answer

Roll the eyeliner up a little bit, and rub the sides in a circle around on your hand so that the tip of it will get sharper. The heat from your hand will sharpen the pencil.

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Question

How can I check if the eyeliner pencil is a quality one?

Community Answer

Search it up online and see if it has good reviews.

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Question

The wood on my eyeliners always sharpen unevenly, leaving a sharp point on one side. Any suggestions?

Community Answer

Try using a different sharpener. If that doesn't work, cut off the sharped tip of the pencil liner completely and place it in the freezer overnight. Try sharpening it again and it should work.

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Question

Can I use these tips for my eyebrow pencil?

Gwack

Community Answer

Yes, it would work the same for both an eyeliner pencil and an eyebrow pencil, as long as your eyebrow pencil is an actual pencil, and not gel formulated.

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Question

When is it time to toss out an eyeliner pencil that has regularly been sanitized and sharpened? After one year or more?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

I throw out my pencil liners after 2 years, no matter what. If I use them directly on my eyes, it might be less than 2 years, if I use a brush with them (I do that for thick pencil liners), it'll be in the trash when the 2 year mark hits. If there are any changes in smell or appearance, it's time to toss it. If you get an eye infection, throw out any and all eye makeup to ensure it's not the makeup infecting you and so you don't reinfect yourself.

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Question

What about eyeliner pencils that are the twisty kind?

Community Answer

You do not sharpen these types of eyeliner pencils. When they are running low, it is time to buy a new one.

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Question

How to I sharpen my eyeliner pencil without a sharpener or knife?

Community Answer

Put the flame from a lighter to the tip for one second, then wait for it to cool. Use the eyeliner pencil once it is cool enough for you to use.

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Question

How do I sharpen an eyeliner with a plastic case, not a wood one?

Community Answer

You can sharpen the plastic cased eyeliner the exact same way as a wood one. Just use a sharpener and try to be careful.

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Question

I freeze the pencil, but when I try to sharpen it, it still breaks off. What do I do?

Community Answer

Try getting an actual eyeliner sharpener, they are very cheap. If you have one that doesn't work, it might be clogged, or it might need to be replaced.

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Question

What sharpener should I use?

Community Answer

You can buy special eyeliner sharpeners, but normal pencil sharpeners work the same.

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Question

What about the plastic liners?

Community Answer

Those are usually liquid eyeliner, and they cannot, and should not be sharpened.

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