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Byrdie / Lecia Landis
An eye pencil sharpener plays a vital role in your beauty routine. Not only does it keep your eye pencils in their sharpest state, but it also shaves off any old product, essentially refreshing the pencil every time you sharpen it. This can mean fewer bacteria and germs—a huge plus in our book. And because eye pencil sharpeners are already small in nature, they’re ideal for travel and keeping your pencils ready to go wherever you are.
Wondering what to look for in an eye pencil sharpener? The blade is the most important part, and you'll want one of good quality so that endless eye pencils can be sharpened. Additionally, it's helpful for it to have a cap that collects shavings, unless you only plan on sharpening over the trashcan. And lastly, if you want a sharpener that will also work for eyeshadow sticks, opt for a duo with large and small sharpeners in one.
Explore our roundup of the best eye pencil sharpeners in the biz.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Dual-Pencil Makeup Sharpener
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Courtesy of e.l.f.
Affordable
Accommodates different-sized pencils
Includes a travel-sharpener
Travel sharpener doesn't include a cover
This budget-friendly option offers two sharpener tools. One is a duo that can sharpen both standard size pencils and larger crayons. You also get a bonus travel sharpener that can take up little to no space in your makeup bag.
Price at time of publish: $2
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Number of Sharpening Holes: 2
Anastasia Beverly Hills Makeup Pencil Sharpener
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Courtesy of Sephora
Durable
Accommodates different-sized pencils
Removable lid
Printed logo fades/chips easily, looks cheap
These stainless-steel blades won’t dull or rust over time. A few notable features include a removable lid and base for easy removal and an adaptor to work with various sizes.
Price at time of publish: $6
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Number of Sharpening Holes: 2
Charlotte Tilbury Pencil Sharpener
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Courtesy of Bloomingdale's
Accommodates different-sized pencils
Sharpens to a very fine point
Spills/opens easily, can be messy
For the best application and the smoothest result, enlist the help of this handy cube to keep your pencils in the best shape. One reviewer has had hers for years and reports that it works just as well as it did the first day she got it.
Price at time of publish: $7
Number of Sharpening Holes: 2
NARS Cosmetics Pencil Sharpener
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Courtesy of Sephora
Accommodates different-sized pencils
Professional-grade
Lid captures shavings
Hard to clean
Sleek, small, and professional-grade—this sharpener ticks all the boxes. It features a dual capability, great for pencils of all sizes, and has a tight-fitting lid to catch shavings.
Price at time of publish: $7
Number of Sharpening Holes: 2
Urban Decay Grindhouse
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Courtesy of Ulta
Durable
Rust-resistant
Easy to clean
Pricier than other options
Each blade is made up of durable steel and carbon, making it extra sharp and rust-resistant. Its dual-purpose serves both slim pencils as well as larger concealer pencils. You’ll also find a plastic pick included to clean up any remaining shavings.
Price at time of publish: $10
Blade Material: Steel and carbon | Number of Sharpening Holes: 2
Chantecaille Pencil Sharpener Duo
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Courtesy of Bloomingdale's
Accommodates different-sized pencils
Durable
Pricier than other options
We love the chic, minimalistic look of this pencil sharpener. Keep your slim and jumbo pencils as precise as they could possibly be with the premium blades.
Price at time of publish: $11
Number of Sharpening Holes: 2
Morphe Sharpener
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Courtesy of Morphe
Accommodates different-sized pencils
Affordable
Spills/opens easily, can be messy
This sharpener will keep your pencil pointed with no breakage in sight, says many of its happy users. They also rave that it only takes a few turns to take a dull pencil to a precise point.
Price at time of publish: $2
Number of Sharpening Holes: 2
Clinique Lip and Eye Pencil Sharpener
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Courtesy of Clinique
Durable
Easy to clean
Doesn't accommodate different-sized pencils
Stainless steel blades shave your pencils easily and smoothly. Your makeup pencils will be shaped into the perfect tip with every turn. Reviewers claim that it works on a variety of different brand pencils.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Number of Sharpening Holes: 1
Shiseido Sharpener
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Courtesy of Macy's
Easy to clean
Minimizes waste
Sharpens to a very fine point
Doesn't accommodate different-sized pencils
Users rave that this well-designed sharpener has a sharp blade for a perfect cut every time. It does everything from sharpening your pencils to minimizing the amount of waste. Included with the tool is a pick to help dislodge smaller shavings.
Price at time of publish: $7
Number of Sharpening Holes: 1
Lancôme Le Sharpener
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Courtesy of Macy's
Easy to clean
Sharpens to a very fine point
Travel-friendly
Doesn't accommodate different sized pencils
Reviewers all agree: This sharpener is effective, compact, and works great with other Lancome products. All it takes is a few twists to get your pencils—even those with a softer formula or texture—completely refreshed and pointed.
Price at time of publish: $7
Number of Sharpening Holes: 1
What to Look For in an Eye Pencil Sharpener
A Carbon-Infused Steel Blade
When choosing an eye pencil sharpener, Urban Decay global makeup artist Steve Kassajikian says to choose a sharpener with a quality blade. He recommends those made from durable steel that’s been infused with 1 percent carbon, which will prevent it from rusting down the road. Not only will this extend the life of your sharpener, but it'll keep your products (and, of course, your eyes) protected against rust particles.
A Cap to House Shavings
Sharpening an eye pencil can prove to be a messy task, which is why Kassajikian recommends sharpeners that feature a cap to catch all of your shavings and keep them from going everywhere else. This will also make for a seamless cleaning process.
Dual Function
If you ever use eyeshadow sticks, having a sharpener that can tackle both at once will save you space and money. They're useful for those jumbo lipstick pencils, too—just be sure to clean each part well in between use, so that your red lips don't intervene with your green eye highlighters.
Meet the Expert
Steve Kassajikian is Urban Decay’s global makeup artist.