Having a sharp eyebrow pencil can help you shape and define your eyebrows. A sharp pencil not only can help you produce a more natural and polished look but also allows you for more accurate application. That’s why learning how to sharpen eyebrow pencils is as important a beauty step as learning How to use an eyebrow pencil to define eyebrows precisely.
Yes!! Of course, it’s also important to know What color eyebrow pencil suits you the best, but here, We’ll teach you how to sharpen an eyebrow pencil in this article. We’ve talked about various sharpening methods and important expert advice on breakage prevention. So, whether you’re a beginner or a master, this guide will help you get perfect brows every single time you try.
Keep reading if you’re weary of fighting with a dull or broken pencil. From eyebrow pencil sharpening basics to professional tips, we’ll cover everything you need.
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BENEFITS of a WELL-SHARPENED EYEBROW PENCIL
A sharp eyebrow pencil is crucial for beautiful eyebrows. A sharpened pencil gives you more control and a more natural look. However, a dull or improperly sharpened pencil can destroy the eyebrow shape.
A sharp eyebrow pencil has many advantages. They include –
- BETTER CONTROL and PRECISION DURING APPLICATION – A well-sharpened eyebrow pencil may readily fill gaps or define eyebrow form, allowing for more control and precision during application.
- MORE NATURAL-LOOKING RESULTS – A sharp eyebrow pencil can imitate brow hairs, making it easier to create a natural look.
- CREATES DEFINED and PRECISE LINES – Sharp eyebrow pencils make lines look more defined and professional.
- EXTENDS THE PENCIL’S LIFE – Properly sharpening an eyebrow pencil decreases the chance of breaking or wasting it.
- AVOIDS an UNNATURAL or MESSY APPEARANCE – A dull or poorly sharpened eyebrow pencil can destroy eyebrow form. Sharp pencils prevent this.
- EASY to HANDLE and APPLY – A sharp pencil makes the application smooth and accurate.
- SAVES TIME and EFFORT – A sharp pencil requires less effort to get the intended outcome, saving time and effort during application. For individuals with limited time or skill, this is crucial.
Overall, a sharp eyebrow pencil is important for natural, defined, and finished eyebrows. It generates accurate lines, increases the pencil’s life, and improves control and precision during application. A well-sharpened pencil is easy to use and saves time.
MATERIALS NEEDED for SHARPENING
Sharpening an eyebrow pencil requires several tools. Some of such sharpening tools include:
- EYEBROW PENCIL SHARPENER – A sharpener sharpens pencils by rotating them against a blade. It is the most popular eyebrow pencil-sharpening tool. Sharpeners exist in many sizes and forms, and some are made for specific pencil kinds. Sharpeners are, in general fast, convenient, and easy to use. The disadvantage, though, is the blade dulling or the pencil becoming stuck in the sharpener.
- KNIFE – Sharpening an eyebrow pencil with a knife is another option. Shaving the pencil’s edges creates a sharp point. Knives offer precision, control, and the flexibility to customize and point tips. The negatives are the risk of using a sharp object and the time it takes to sharpen the pencil with a knife.
- SANDPAPER – Sandpaper sharpens and smoothes surfaces. Sandpaper can sharpen eyebrow pencils too. It is affordable and accessible. However, sandpaper sharpens pencils slowly and may leave a rough edge.
- NAIL FILE – Nail files can sharpen eyebrow pencils also. Nail files are portable and can sharpen tips. Nail file sharpening takes time and can leave a rough edge.
- SCISSORS – By reducing the pencil’s edges, scissors can sharpen an eyebrow pencil. Scissors offer accuracy, control, and the ability to make a sharp tip. Sharp scissors can be dangerous and take time to sharpen.
These are mainly the most frequent eyebrow pencil sharpening materials. Each has perks and cons, so choose the one that suits your preferences and experience.
HOW TO SHARPEN EYEBROW PENCIL STEP-BY-STEP
To get the ideal eyebrows, sharpen your eyebrow pencil. Here’s how to sharpen an eyebrow pencil with a sharpener:
- THINGS YOU NEED –
- Eyebrow pencil
- Pencil sharpener
- STEPS YOU NEED to FOLLOW –
1st STEP: CHOOSE the RIGHT SHARPENER – Choose an eyebrow pencil sharpener that matches its size. Most sharpeners feature two holes, one for regular-sized pencils and one for bigger pencils. Use the right hole to protect your pencil.
2nd STEP: PREPARE the PENCIL – Wipe the pencil tip with a tissue or cotton swab before sharpening. This guarantees uniform sharpness.
3rd STEP: HOLD the PENCIL CORRECTLY – Hold the pencil steady with your non-dominant hand. Insert the pencil into the sharpener hole with your dominant hand and slowly spin clockwise.
4th STEP: SHARPEN the PENCIL EVENLY – Keep twisting the pencil to sharpen it. Sharpening the pencil evenly prevents breakage and uneven tips. Use small strokes or twist the pencil to sharpen evenly.
5th STEP: TEST THE PENCIL – Test the pencil on your palm or paper after sharpening. This will show if the pencil is sharp enough for your purpose.
- EXPERT TIPS –
- Regularly cleaning your sharpener prevents pencil shavings from dulling it.
- Avoid wasting product and pencil life by only sharpening when needed.
You can sharpen your eyebrow pencil and produce perfect brows by following these simple steps.
HOW TO SHARPEN EYEBROW PENCIL WITHOUT a SHARPENER
No eyebrow pencil sharpener? Don’t worry! You can still sharpen your eyebrow pencil using other tools. We all discuss four methods of sharpening your eyebrow pencil here –
HOW TO SHARPEN EYEBROW PENCIL with A KNIFE
Even without a sharpener, a knife can sharpen an eyebrow pencil. Sharpening a pencil with a knife requires a steady hand and a sharp blade. You can sharpen a pencil without breaking it by utilizing a minor angle and carefully running the blade down its length.
- THINGS YOU NEED –
- Eyebrow pencil
- A sharp knife
- A piece of paper or a paper towel
- A steady hand
- STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –
1st STEP – Start by placing the paper or towel flat. This keeps pencil shavings off your table or surface.
2nd STEP – Hold the pencil in your less dominant hand while holding the knife. Make sure your knife is sharp but not too sharp to break the pencil.
3rd STEP – Hold the pencil at a small angle to the knife and slowly move the blade along the pencil from tip to base. Continue doing so until you feel entirely satisfied.
4th STEP – Rotate the pencil while sharpening to ensure equal sharpening.
5th STEP – After sharpening, clean the knife blade with paper or cloth to remove pencil shavings.
- EXPERT TIPS –
- Make sure the knife is sharp but not too sharp to break the pencil.
- Avoid pencil breakage by sharpening lightly.
- To sharpen evenly, rotate the pencil.
- To prevent pencil oversharpening, use short, even strokes.
HOW TO SHARPEN EYEBROW PENCIL with A SANDPAPER
If you don’t have an eyebrow pencil sharpener or want a natural, understated look. Sandpaper can help you sharpen your eyebrow pencil. Sandpaper sharpens by filing wood, graphite, or wax. Sandpaper is also pretty affordable and available.
- THINGS YOU NEED –
- Sandpaper with fine to medium grit (around 220-400 grit is recommended).
- Eyebrow pencil that needs sharpening.
- A clean surface to work on.
- STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –
1st STEP: CHOOSE the RIGHT SANDPAPER – From coarse to fine, sandpaper has varied grits. An eyebrow pencil needs fine to medium-grit sandpaper, usually 220-400 grit. Grit fineness increases with the number. Sandpaper that’s overly coarse can harm pencils.
2nd STEP: PREPARE your WORKSPACE – Find a clean, solid work surface. Use a desk, table, or cardboard. To catch debris, wipe and dry the surface and cover it with paper or cloth.
3rd STEP – HOLD the SANDPAPER – With the abrasive side up, hold the sandpaper in your non-dominant hand. Sandpaper should be flat and stable.
4th STEP: HOLD the PENCIL – Hold the eyebrow pencil tip down with your dominant hand. Use your thumb and forefinger to guide the pencil across the sandpaper.
5th STEP – SHARPEN the PENCIL – Apply light pressure to the pencil as you slowly circle the sandpaper. Rotate the pencil every few strokes to sharpen it evenly. Avoid applying too much pressure since it can shatter the pencil.
6th STEP: CHECK the POINT – Check the pencil tip after several strokes. Continue sharpening until it’s sharp. A clean eraser can round off the pencil tip if you oversharpen it.
7th STEP: CLEAN UP – Use a soft cloth or brush to remove dust and debris after sharpening the pencil. A moist cloth can remove residue from the pencil.
- EXPERT TIPS –
- Sharpen the pencil gently to avoid breaking it.
- Rotate the pencil after a few strokes to sharpen uniformly and prevent uneven wear.
- To avoid pencil damage, use fine-medium grit sandpaper.
- Keep the sandpaper flat and stable.
- If you oversharpen, use a clean eraser to round off the point.
HOW TO SHARPEN EYEBROW PENCIL with A NAIL FILE
If you don’t have sandpaper or an eyebrow pencil sharpener readily available at your disposal. Don’t worry; you can also use a nail file to sharpen your eyebrow pencil. Nail files can sharpen pencil tips pretty effectively, like sandpaper or other eyebrow pencil sharpener option.
- THINGS YOU NEED –
- Eyebrow pencil
- Nail file
- Soft-bristled brush or clean spoolie
- STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –
1st STEP – Start by cleaning the eyebrow pencil with a soft-bristled brush or spoolie. This prevents dirt from entering your freshly sharpened pencil tip.
2nd STEP – Hold the pencil firmly in your non-dominant hand and the nail file in your dominant.
3rd STEP – Gently file the pencil tip with the nail file at an angle. For an even point, keep the same angle.
4th STEP – Avoid shattering the pencil lead by filing it down with gentle, sweeping motions.
5th STEP – Continue filling until the pencil tip is sharp enough.
6th STEP – Wipe the pencil tip clean after sharpening.
- EXPERT TIPS –
- For an even point, file the pencil at the same angle.
- Filing the pencil too hard can break the lead.
- Try sharpening the pencil more gently or at a different angle if you’re having trouble.
- Hold the pencil firmly and file with delicate, sweeping motions to avoid breaking it.
HOW TO SHARPEN EYEBROW PENCIL with A SCISSORS
Don’t worry about not having an eyebrow pencil sharpener. You can sharpen your eyebrow pencil with scissors. Because they’re precise and sharp, scissors are great for sharpening eyebrow pencils. Additionally, scissors are readily available at home.
- THINGS YOU NEED –
- Eyebrow pencil
- Scissors (preferably sharp and pointed)
- Tissue or paper towel
- STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –
1st STEP: HOLD the PENCIL – With your non-dominant hand, grasp your eyebrow pencil’s tip. To prevent the pencil from moving when cutting, place it comfortably and steadily.
2nd STEP: TRIM the PENCIL – Start at the opposite end of the pencil point and cut the tip downward using scissors. Keep trimming until it’s sharp.
3rd STEP: CLEAN the PENCIL – Remove dust and debris from the pencil tip with a tissue or paper towel. This ensures accurate and clean application.
4th STEP: TEST the PENCIL – Check your eyebrow pencil’s sharpness on your palm or paper before using it.
- EXPERT TIPS –
- Use sharp scissors to cut precisely without breaking the pencil tip.
- Avoid accidents by holding the pencil with your non-dominant hand.
- Cut only a little at a time when trimming the pencil.
- To avoid dust and dirt, clean the pencil tip after sharpening.
- To avoid disappointment, test the pencil before applying it to your brows.
HOW TO SHARPEN EYEBROW MAPPING PENCIL
An eyebrow mapping pencil helps shape eyebrows precisely. A fine-tipped eyebrow mapping pencil is used to draw the brow form before filling it in. Like any pencil, it dulls with time and needs sharpening.
- THINGS YOU NEED –
- Eyebrow mapping pencil
- Pencil sharpener
- Tissue or soft cloth
- STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –
1st STEP – Check your eyebrow mapping pencil’s sharpness. Sharpen it if it’s too blunt to draw precisely.
2nd STEP – Put the eyebrow mapping pencil in the hole and sharpen it. To avoid wobbling while sharpening, put the pencil tightly in the hole.
3rd STEP – Turn the pencil sharpener clockwise. Twist until the pencil sharpener becomes easier to turn, indicating that the pencil tip has sharpened.
4th STEP – Remove the pencil from the sharpener and brush off any excess graphite shavings using a tissue or soft cloth.
- EXPERT TIPS –
- Twisting the pencil a few times and verifying its sharpness before sharpening it further prevents oversharpening.
- Use a sharpener designed to avoid breaking or unevenly sharpening thin pencils.
- Sharpen the pencil over a garbage bin or paper to avoid shavings everywhere.
ADDITIONAL TIPS for MAINTAINING YOUR EYEBROW PENCIL
Maintaining your eyebrow pencil helps you get the best results and extends its life. Here are some more eyebrow pencil maintenance tips:
- CLEAN Your PENCIL REGULARLY – Cleaning your eyebrow pencil regularly prevents makeup and bacteria buildup. After each usage, gently wipe your pencil with a clean tissue or cloth. A cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol can gently remove the buildup on the tip. Before using, let the pencil dry.
- STORE Your PENCIL PROPERLY – Storing your eyebrow pencil properly can prolong its life and prevent breakage. Store it in a cool, dry location away from sunshine and heat. Don’t store it in humid or hot places.
- INVEST IN A HIGH-QUALITY PENCIL, and SHARPENER – High-quality eyebrow pencils and sharpeners improve outcomes. A good pencil and sharpener will prevent breakage and jagged lines.
- BE GENTLE WHEN SHARPENING – Avoid injuring the pencil tip when sharpening. To avoid breaking or unevenly sharpening the pencil, use light pressure and rotate it evenly. Try sandpaper or a knife to sharpen your pencil equally.
- AVOID OVER-SHARPENING – Over-sharpening leads to pencil breakage and waste. Avoid over-sharpening by sharpening your pencil only when needed and creating a tip that is sharp enough but not too thin or brittle.
Follow these tips to maintain your eyebrow pencil and get the finest results.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN YOU SHARPEN an EYEBROW PENCIL with A REGULAR PENCIL SHARPENER?
ANSWER: YES!! Of Course, A standard pencil sharpener can sharpen an eyebrow pencil, although it may not work well. Eyebrow pencils are softer than conventional pencils; therefore, a regular sharpener may shatter or crumble the tip. Eyebrow pencils are thinner than regular pencils; thus, they may slip or shatter in the sharpener. Use a conventional sharpener with a small opening to avoid damaging the pencil tip.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SHARPEN YOUR EYEBROW PENCIL?
ANSWER: Sharpening an eyebrow pencil depends on how often you use it. Sharpen your eyebrow pencil every 2-3 usage for a sharp tip. You may need to sharpen your pencil more often if you use it every day or have oily skin.
HOW DO I PREVENT MY EYEBROW PENCIL from BREAKING WHEN SHARPENING?
ANSWER: Avoid sharpening your eyebrow pencil with a dull or worn sharpener, and don’t apply too much pressure. Hold the pencil and sharpener steady and spin slowly to avoid excessive pressure on the tip. To solidify the wax and make your pencil less likely to break, freeze it for a few minutes before sharpening.
Follow these steps to sharpen your eyebrow pencil without breaking it:
1st STEP – Sharpen eyebrow pencils with a high-quality sharpener. Pencils can break from dull sharpeners.
2nd STEP – Hold the pencil firmly and evenly against the sharpener.
3rd STEP – Slowly twist the sharpener without applying too much pressure.
4th STEP – Check the pencil after each turn to avoid over-sharpening and breakage.
5th STEP – If the pencil tip is brittle or damaged, try sharpening it in the refrigerator. The wax will harden up and break less at cool temperatures.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In conclusion, a sharp eyebrow pencil is essential for beautiful brows. Knowing how to properly use a pencil sharpener, scissors, or knife to sharpen will prevent pencil damage and guarantee a clean, equal sharpening. Following this article’s steps, you can sharpen your eyebrow pencil like a master.
Remember that eyebrow pencil maintenance goes beyond sharpening. Regular cleaning and storage can extend its life and avoid breakage. Buy an excellent pencil and sharpener for optimum results and savings.
We recommend trying several sharpening procedures to determine what works best for you. Practice and ask friends or beauty experts for guidance.
We hope this article was useful to you. Please share your favourite sharpening techniques in the comments below. Remember to share this article with your friends and family, and do subscribe to our weekly email for more helpful insights right into your inbox. Finally, if you’re interested to learn more eyebrow grooming tips and tricks, check out our other eyebrow grooming-related blog topics.