Beauty Q&A: How to Fix a Dried-Out Eyeliner
February 17, 2021
To effortlessly paint on a winged eyeliner look or create the perfect cat-eye flick, mastering the technique is important, but the product you use is also a major part of the equation. When you open a fresh liquid eyeliner, it glides on with ease, leaving behind a precise, pigmented trail. But after it’s been sitting on your vanity for a while, the formula can become dry or cakey, making achieving an even result with good color payoff nearly impossible. While this may be a sign that your product is past its expiration date, if not, it is possible to revive it back to its original, fluid state. To find out how, we asked celebrity makeup artist Jamie Dorman for her expert tips.
Kickstart the Flow of Product
“When a pen-style eyeliner is drying out, sometimes you just need to kickstart the flow of the product,” says Dorman. “I do this by gently bending the tip from the base on the back of my hand and holding it until I see product come up on the tip and on my hand.”
Add Some Contact Solution
This hack works with a dip eyeliner like the L'Oréal Paris Makeup Matte Signature Liquid Dip Eyeliner. “If the liner is the type you dip a brush into, you can add some contact lens solution to re-liquify dried-up product in the tube,” says Dorman.
Refresh Your Stash
If you’ve tried the two techniques above and are still not getting an increased or even flow of product, Dorman says it’s time for a new product. Need a rec? “My favorite felt pen eyeliner is Westmore Beauty Wing Effects Eyeliner,” she says. “The pigment is strong and the product flows evenly as I use it.” We also like Maybelline New York Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner Makeup. For a dip eyeliner, she swears by the Jane Iredale Liquid Eyeliner. “The texture is easy to work with, and it lasts a really long time,” she says.
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