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Gel eyeliners offer unparalleled precision and smoothness, but they often dry out too quickly. However, there's no need to toss them aside just yet. With a few simple steps, you can breathe new life into your dried-out gel eyeliner and continue creating flawless lines and wings.
Steps to Follow:
Using Eye Drops:
Sanitize Your Brush: Start by ensuring your brush is clean. Wash it with your preferred brush cleaner or baby shampoo and warm water. Then, dip the brush into isopropyl alcohol and let it air dry. This step prevents introducing bacteria into your eyeliner.
Rehydrate Your Liner: Add two to four drops of eye drops to your dried-out gel liner. Adjust the number of drops based on the liner's dryness and pot size. Start with two drops, then add more if needed until you reach the desired consistency.
Blend in the Eye Drops: Mix the eye drops into the gel liner by swirling your eyeliner brush in the pot. Continue blending until you achieve a thick, gel-like consistency. Don't worry if it's not perfectly smooth; a slightly lumpy texture is normal.
Smooth Out the Surface: After achieving the right consistency, use your brush to pat down the liner, creating a smooth, even surface. Be thorough in scraping down the sides to maximize liner usage.
Clean Up: Clean any excess liner from the pot's edges using a cotton swab dipped in warm water or makeup remover. Secure the lid tightly to keep your liner fresh and ready for future use.
Alternative Method: Mixing with Oil
Choose Your Oil: Select a mild, unscented oil such as coconut, jojoba, or baby oil. These oils are lightweight and gentle on the eyes. If using coconut oil, microwave a teaspoon for about 10 seconds to melt it slightly.
Expert Tip: Provided by Daniel Vann, Licensed Aesthetician.
Pro Technique: Add a small drop of oil-based makeup remover to your dried-out eyeliner. Stir the mixture with a toothpick or needle until well combined.
Special Trick: Enhance your eyeliner's texture by incorporating a drop of oil-based makeup remover. Stir the mixture thoroughly with a toothpick or needle to revive your liner.
Oil Up Your Eyeliner Brush: Apply a few drops of your chosen oil onto your palm, then saturate your eyeliner brush bristles by swirling them in the oil.
Blend the Oil into Your Liner: Incorporate the oil into your eyeliner by using your oil-loaded brush to blend it into the gel in circular motions. If needed, use a safety pin to crack the gel before mixing in the oil.
Allow the Gel to Set: After evenly distributing the oil, seal the eyeliner pot tightly and let it sit for five to ten minutes. This allows the oil to penetrate the gel, softening it throughout.
Prepare to Apply: Once the gel has softened, clean your brush to remove any excess oil. Then, use the softened gel to create your desired eyeliner look.
Water Submersion Technique
Seal Your Gel Pot: Secure the lid tightly on your eyeliner pot, then place it in a sealable bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it tightly to prevent any water from entering the pot.
Prepare Hot Water: Fill a cup with hot water, ensuring it's large enough to fully submerge your eyeliner pot. The water temperature should be similar to what you'd use for making tea or coffee, approximately 150°F (65°C).
Soak the Liner: Submerge the bagged eyeliner pot in the hot water, ensuring it's completely immersed. Allow it to soak for 15 to 20 minutes before gently stirring the liner with a brush or cotton swab. Smooth out the surface of the liner and let it cool before use.
Preserving Your Liner's Freshness
Secure the Lid: Prevent air exposure by tightly screwing the lid onto your gel liner pot. Always ensure the lid is securely closed when not in use to maintain the freshness and creamy texture of your liner.
Store Upside Down: Keep your liner upside down during storage to maintain moisture and oils at the top, preserving the usable part of the liner for longer.
Use Plastic Wrap: Prevent moisture loss by placing a small piece of plastic cling wrap between the liner pot and its lid. Tighten the lid securely to retain the freshness of the eyeliner between uses.
Helpful Tips
Essential Items
- Gel eyeliner
- Eyeliner brush
- Lightweight oil
- Eye drops
- Cotton swabs
- Sealable bag
- Cup or mug
- Hot water
