Sharpening a lip liner shouldn’t be that complicated, right? But there’s nothing worse than your lip liner getting all crumbly and making a mess. I mean, girl, we want that precision! So, let’s talk about how to sharpen your lip liner properly because, trust me, a dull lip liner can totally mess up that snatched look.
So, how do you even sharpen a lip liner? Simple answer: with a sharpener. But, whoa, wait—it’s not just any sharpener. You need the right one! You don’t wanna grab that old sharpener you use for your number-two pencils during class (if you even still have one of THOSE). Makeup sharpeners are legit made for your lip liners, eyeliners, and anything that’s basically gonna touch your face.
Step One: Get the Right Sharpener!
OK, first things first: Get the sharpener that’s made specifically for makeup pencils. It’s like using the right brush for contouring; it just works better, period.
Here’s the tea: makeup sharpeners have blades that are built to handle softer materials like lip liners. If you throw your lip liner into a random pencil sharpener, it’s game over. You’ll end up with broken product everywhere and a junked-up sharpener. No, thanks.
These are some brands that make great sharpeners:
| Brand | Price | Availability | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYX Professional Makeup | Super affordable | Ulta, CVS, drugstores | Lightweight and portable |
| Urban Decay Grindhouse | $$ | Sephora, Ulta | Has 2 holes for diff. sizes |
| NARS Cosmetics | $$$ | Nordstrom, Sephora | Gets a really sharp point |
One more thing: it’s smart to get one that has dual holes. Why? Because lip liners aren’t one-size-fits-all, honey. Some are super skinny, and some are chubby, so the dual sharpener is a lifesaver.
If you’re anything like me, one size DOESN’T fit all—so why should your sharpener be basic?
Step Two: Chill Your Lip Liner (Say what?!)
Yup, you read that right. If your lip liner is on the softer or creamier side, toss that baby into the fridge or freezer for like 10 minutes before you sharpen it. Trust me: this tip is seriously life-changing.
If a lip liner is too soft (like your fave creamy nude shade or that glide-on-your-lips baddie red), sharpening it when it’s warm or smushy can make it break into little pieces. And that’s tragic.
Throwing it in the fridge hardens the product just enough so when you sharpen it, it doesn’t crush all over the place. 🎯
Step Three: Sharpen It Right!
OK, here’s where everyone messes up. DO NOT twist your hand too hard! If you get all aggressive like you’re trying to finish an art project, you’ll jack up your lip liner—it’ll crack, and then you’ll just end up mad. Be gentle!
- Take your lip liner.
- Put it lightly into that sharpener.
- Turn it slowly and smoothly, not super hard, until you get a nice fine point.
That’s it! It’s not a contest to see how fast you can get it sharp. Be patient, girl.
Pro Tip: If you want a super precise application (like for an ombre lip or just really flawless lining), go for a long, pointy tip but be careful not to over-sharpen. You don’t want it to break the moment it touches your lips.
Taking your time makes all the difference! No need to rush when it comes to something as important as your lip game.
Step Four: Clean Your Sharpener! (Yes, You Need to Do This)
OK, so you’ve been carrying around this sharpener in your bag forever, and maybe it’s low-key gross now. Think about it: every time you sharpen, a little bit of liner and pigment starts building up in there.
If you don’t clean your sharpener, not only is it nasty, but it’ll also stop working as well. You’ll start to notice your liners getting gunked up with old product. Ew.
How to clean it:
1. Take a toothpick, paper clip, or something with a tiny point and scoop out all that leftover product.
2. Follow up with a tissue.
3. If it’s super grimy, you can swipe some rubbing alcohol on it to disinfect the blade.
Boom. Fresh sharpener.
Step Five: What About Retractable Lip Liners?
OK, hot topic: retractable lip liners vs. regular pencil liners. If your lip liner twists up like a mechanical pencil, don’t even think about putting it in a sharpener. Repeat: bad idea!
But then you’re like, “How do I even get a fine tip?” 🙋♀️ Here’s the hack: grab a tissue and gently roll the edge of the tip against it a few times to smooth out the rounded part. It won’t be as sharp as a regular pencil liner, but it’ll do the trick.
The Battle Between Wooden and Plastic Liners
Now, let’s spill some tea about wooden pencils vs. plastic pencils. Not all lip liners sharpen equally, and knowing which material your liner is made from can save you a lot of drama in front of the mirror.
Wooden Lip Liners: These are classic and OG in the beauty world. They tend to sharpen much more cleanly and give you a sharper point. If you’re looking for precision (or attempting the elusive crisp Cupid’s bow), wooden liners win every time.
Plastic (or PVC): Sometimes, your lip liners will have a plastic barrel, and these tend to argue a little bit with your sharpener. When you sharpen them, they might not cut as cleanly, and you could end up with bits of plastic mixed in with your product—which is the absolute worst.
But don’t worry! If the liner is really good (like the legendary ColourPop liners or Smashbox ones), they’ll still work if you’re a little extra careful with sharpening.
Wooden pencils are your BFF if you’re all about sharp edges and fierce lines.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide: When Things Go Wrong
OK, sharpening shouldn’t be stressful, but things can still go haywire sometimes. Don’t freak! Here are the most common problems and quick fixes for each:
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| The pencil keeps breaking | Pop it in the fridge/freezer first (like we talked about) |
| The sharpener is full of gunk | Clean it out with a toothpick and tissue |
| It’s not sharpening evenly | Check if the blades are dull. Try a new sharpener |
| The liner won’t twist up | Gently twist it from the base a few times, or use tissue technique to smooth the tip |
Some Final Lip Liner Hacks You Gotta Know
Because I’m obviously obsessed with lip liners (I mean, who isn’t though?), here’s a couple more tips to level up your game:
- DIY Lipstick: Listen, girl, if you’re in a pinch and don’t have a lipstick on you (mood, right?), you can totally fill in your whole lip with liner. Just make sure you’ve got some balm or gloss over it, so it doesn’t dry out.
- Outline Before Lipstick: Always line your lips before applying lipstick. Trust me: your lipstick will look so much cleaner, and this technique can give the illusion of fuller lips (without injections).
- Sharp Means Precise: Sharp lip liners are perfect for overlining your lips and creating definition, but if it’s too sharp and pokes your skin, just lightly dull the point on the back of your hand. Perfect precision without the ouch? Yes, please.
And that’s basically all you need to know about sharpening lip liners. It’s not rocket science, but when you do it right, it makes your whole lip game change. So, whether you’re serving bold, vampy looks or hitting that soft glam aesthetic, having a sharp liner will have your lips looking on point (pun intended).
Catch you in the next post babes! Stay fierce. 💋
