How to Fix Dried Out Eyeliner Gel

Co-authored by Daniel Vann

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 References

There is no beating the smooth, sharp lines that you get from a gel eyeliner. The trouble with gels is that they dry out faster than you can use them. The good news is that a dry gel liner doesn’t have to be a dead gel liner. By adding back the moisture lost by the liner, you can keep drawing silky lines and sharp wings for weeks to come.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Eye Drops

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1
Sanitize your brush. Before you fix your liner, you need a clean brush. Wash an eyeliner brush using your favorite brush cleaner or baby shampoo and hot water, then wring it dry. Then, swirl the bristles of your brush around in a shallow cup of isopropyl alcohol and allow it to dry.^{[1]
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- Once dry, the alcohol will not hurt or sting on your skin, and it doesn’t hurt your makeup.
- Sanitizing the brush helps avoid introducing new germs into your eyeliner when you mix.
The exact number of drops you need depends on how dry the liner is and the overall size of your gel pot. Start by adding two drops and mixing it in with your liner brush. If it is still dry or chunky, add more eye drops one drop at a time.^{[2]
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Swirl your eyeliner brush around in your gel pot to start mixing in the eye drops. Keep working the drops in, adding more as necessary, until you achieve a thick, gel consistency. The liner will not be smooth. Rather, it will have a thick, lumpy consistency.^{[3]
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Once your liner has the right consistency, use your brush to pat down the top of the eyeliner until it forms a smooth, relatively flat surface. Be sure to scrape down the sides to save as much liner as possible.^{[4]
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Mixing the liner can get a little messy. Clean the sides and edges of your gel pot with a cotton swab dipped in warm water or makeup remover. Then, screw the lid back on tightly and your liner should be almost as good as new.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Mixing in Oil

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1
Pick your oil. For this method, you need a bit of a mild, non-scented oil. Coconut, jojoba, and baby oil are all good choices, as they are lightweight and do not have a harsh scent that could irritate the eyes.
- If you choose coconut oil, microwave a teaspoon or so for about 10 seconds. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you will need to heat it just enough so that it melts, but not so much that it is hot to touch.
EXPERT TIP

Daniel Vann
Licensed Aesthetician
Daniel Vann is the Creative Director for Daredevil Cosmetics, a makeup studio in the Seattle Area. He has been working in the cosmetics industry for over 15 years and is currently a licensed aesthetician and makeup educator.

Daniel Vann
Licensed Aesthetician

Expert Trick: Add one small drop of an oil-based makeup remover to your eyeliner. Then take a toothpick or needle and stir the oil and eyeliner, and you should be good to go!
Add a few drops of your chosen oil to the palm of your hand. Then, swirl your brush around in the oil. You want your brush bristles to be completely saturated with your oil.^{[6]
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Mix your oil-loaded brush into your liner by working the brush over the gel in small circles. If you are having trouble getting the oil into the liner, use a safety pin to crack the gel, and mix your oil in the crack.
Once the oil is evenly distributed over the liner, seal the pot up tightly. Then, let it stand for five to ten minutes. The oil will permeate down into the gel, making it soft and usable all the way through.^{[7]
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Once your gel is soft, it’s ready to apply. Clean your brush to get the oil off, and paint on your line in any style you like.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Submerging in Water

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Tighten the lid on your liner. Put it in a sealable bag and press as much air out as possible. Then, seal the bag tightly. You want to avoid getting any water in the pot.^{[8]
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2
Fill a cup with hot water. Find a cup large enough to completely submerge your eyeliner pot and fill it with hot water. The water should be about the same temperature that you use to make tea or coffee, generally at about 150° F (65° C).^{[9]
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- The temperature does not need to be precise. A rough estimate should work just fine. You can even use a kettle to help you get the water to about the right place.
3
Submerge the liner in the cup for about 15 minutes. Place the bagged liner in the hot water and make sure it is submerged completely. Let it sit in the water for 15 to 20 minutes before stirring the line with a brush or cotton swab.^{[10]
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- Pat down the liner to make the surface smooth and allow the liner to cool before applying.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Keeping your Liner Fresh

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Air is the enemy of gel liner. To keep your liner fresh and creamy, seal your lid tightly. Never leave your liner out without a lid.
Storing your liner upside down helps keep the moisture and oils in the liner at the top. The bottom may dry out a little, but this helps keep the usable part of your liner fresh.
Place a small piece of plastic cling wrap in between your liner pot and lid. Then, screw the lid on tight. This helps keep the oils in the eyeliner fresh in between uses.

Community Q&A

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Question

Is this a temporary treatment, or is it long-lasting?

Community Answer

It is long-lasting! You can use it until it dries out again, then repeat the process.

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