LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner is known for its bold pigmentation, smooth texture, and affordable price, making it a popular choice for makeup lovers who enjoy colorful eye looks. However, many users eventually face the same question after using it for some time how do you sharpen LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner properly? Because this eyeliner has a gel-like formula inside a pencil form, sharpening it can feel confusing at first. Understanding the correct method helps preserve the product, maintain hygiene, and achieve precise application without wasting eyeliner.
Understanding the LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner Design
Before learning how to sharpen LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner, it is important to understand its structure. This eyeliner looks like a traditional pencil, but inside it contains a soft gel formula. The outer casing is usually made of plastic rather than wood, which leads many people to believe it cannot be sharpened.
Despite the plastic appearance, this eyeliner is designed to be sharpened. The key is using the correct type of sharpener and applying gentle pressure to avoid breaking the soft gel core.
Why Sharpening Is Necessary
Sharpening your eyeliner is not just about achieving a pointed tip. It also helps with cleanliness and performance. Over time, bacteria can build up on the surface of the eyeliner, especially when used near the eyes.
Sharpening removes the outer layer, revealing fresh product underneath. This improves color payoff, smoothness, and helps you create cleaner, more defined lines.
Choosing the Right Sharpener
The most important step in sharpening LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner is choosing the right sharpener. Not all sharpeners are suitable for gel eyeliner pencils.
Use a Plastic Pencil Sharpener
A standard cosmetic sharpener designed for plastic pencils is ideal. Many makeup sharpeners have two holes, one for standard pencils and one for jumbo pencils. The standard-size hole usually works best for LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner.
Avoid Metal Office Sharpeners
Office sharpeners are designed for wooden pencils and often damage cosmetic pencils. Using them can cause the gel eyeliner to crumble or break completely.
How to Sharpen LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner Step by Step
Once you have the right sharpener, the process becomes simple. Follow these steps to sharpen your eyeliner safely and effectively.
Step One Chill the Eyeliner
Because gel eyeliner formulas are soft, placing the pencil in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes before sharpening can help. Chilling firms up the gel, reducing the risk of breakage during sharpening.
Step Two Insert Gently
Insert the eyeliner into the sharpener slowly and carefully. Make sure it fits snugly but do not force it. Gentle handling prevents cracks in the plastic casing.
Step Three Rotate Slowly
Turn the eyeliner slowly rather than applying heavy pressure. Slow rotation allows the blade to shave off thin layers instead of tearing the gel core.
Step Four Check the Tip
After one or two turns, remove the eyeliner and check the tip. Repeat if needed until you reach your desired sharpness. Over-sharpening can waste product.
Common Mistakes When Sharpening Gel Eyeliner
Many issues occur because of small mistakes. Being aware of them can save time and prevent frustration.
- Using a dull sharpener blade
- Applying too much pressure
- Skipping the chilling step
- Trying to twist the base instead of sharpening
LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner is not a twist-up pencil, so twisting the bottom will not expose more product.
How Often Should You Sharpen It
How often you sharpen depends on how frequently you use the eyeliner and the style you prefer. If you like precise winged liner or graphic looks, sharpening before each use may be ideal.
For softer, smudged looks, you may not need a sharp tip every time. However, sharpening at least once every few uses helps maintain hygiene and performance.
Keeping Your Sharpener Clean
A clean sharpener is just as important as proper technique. Gel eyeliner residue can build up on the blade, affecting performance.
Cleaning Tips
Use a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to wipe the blade and interior of the sharpener. Let it dry completely before using it again. Regular cleaning ensures smooth sharpening and reduces bacterial growth.
What to Do If the Eyeliner Breaks
Even with careful sharpening, breakage can sometimes happen due to the soft formula. If the tip breaks, do not throw the eyeliner away.
Simply chill it again and sharpen slowly. Minor cracks can often be corrected with patience and gentle handling.
Storage Tips to Make Sharpening Easier
How you store your LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner affects how easy it is to sharpen later. Keeping it in a cool, dry place helps maintain the gel’s consistency.
Avoid leaving it in hot environments, such as a car or near windows, as heat softens the gel and increases breakage during sharpening.
Achieving the Best Application After Sharpening
After sharpening, allow the eyeliner to return to room temperature for a few minutes before applying. This ensures smooth glide without dragging on the skin.
A freshly sharpened tip offers better control, making it easier to apply bold neon color precisely along the lash line or waterline.
Why Proper Sharpening Improves Longevity
Learning how to sharpen LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner correctly helps extend its lifespan. Proper sharpening reduces wasted product, prevents internal cracking, and maintains consistent performance from first use to last.
This small habit can make an affordable eyeliner feel more professional and reliable over time.
Sharpening LA Colors Neon Gel Eyeliner may seem tricky at first, but with the right tools and technique, it becomes simple. Using a suitable sharpener, chilling the pencil, and applying gentle pressure are the keys to success. By taking proper care of your eyeliner, you can enjoy bold color, smooth application, and precise lines while making the most of every pencil. Understanding how to sharpen it correctly ensures better results and a more enjoyable makeup routine.