Permanent make-up — eyeliner

Permanent eyeliner defines the eye for good — nothing to smudge, nothing to draw on, and ten minutes back in your morning. There are two options depending on what you are after: a lash line enhancement, which only fills the gaps between the lashes and is hard to tell from a naturally thick lash line, or a classic liner drawn out into a wing.

The lash line enhancement is the more popular of the two. It does not read as make-up; the eye simply looks more defined and the lashes thicker. A classic liner is a stronger statement, and it is worth remembering that the shape stays even when the fashion moves on.

Who it is for

• You draw your liner daily and never quite get both eyes to match.
• Your lids are oily and liner slides.
• You wear contact lenses and doing your eyes is a nuisance.
• Your lashes are fair or sparse and you want a fuller lash line.
• Your eyesight or a fine-motor difficulty makes drawing liner hard.

How the appointment goes

Before we start we agree on the type of liner and draw the thickness on, so you can see it on your own eye. Then a numbing cream goes on and the liner is pigmented. Your eyes are closed throughout. Allow about an hour and a half.

We always suggest going thinner rather than thicker — more can be added at the touch-up, but taking it away is close to impossible.

Healing

For the first few days the lid can be slightly swollen and the liner much darker than the final result. Then a fine crust forms and comes away on its own. Do not touch the lids and do not put make-up on them while that is happening.

The touch-up four to six weeks later is part of the treatment — it fills anything the skin did not keep.

How long it lasts

Liner usually outlasts brows, because pigment behaves differently in the lid. Expect two to five years, depending on your skin and your aftercare.

Before and after the appointment

• Come with no eye make-up and without lash extensions — the lash line has to be completely clear.
• If you wear contact lenses, bring your glasses and take the lenses out before we start.
• No eye make-up, saunas or swimming pools for the first ten days.
• Book lash extensions only once it has healed, roughly two weeks later.

When we cannot do the treatment

The same as for our other permanent make-up: pregnancy and breastfeeding, uncontrolled diabetes, isotretinoin treatment, clotting disorders, acute illness or inflammation in the area, and blood thinners without your doctor's approval. On top of that, acute conjunctivitis or a stye — in which case we wait until it has cleared.