Everybody who has ever been through a phase of learning makeup will tell you that one of the most difficult things to learn is how to do your eyeliner. This is why it’s no wonder so many people prefer to have their eyeliners permanently made by a licensed permanent makeup artist (PMU).
Essentially, having permanent eyeliner means you never have to do your eyeliner anymore. But there is a bit of worry for some people who consider this because we’re talking about something permanently tattooed on your eyes. That being said, here are some of the most important FACTS and answers to FAQs about permanent eyeliner.
How long does a permanent eyeliner procedure take?
First, you will need to have your eyes numbed, which takes around 30 minutes. The actual procedure usually takes 2 hours. If you are booking in, allow a total of 3 hours to be on the safe side.
How long does permanent eyeliner last?
Because this is considered a micro-pigmentation procedure, you can expect fading over time. However, how long your permanent eyeliner will last will depend on several factors like your care routine, UVA & UVB exposure, the shade of your eyeliner, and the quality of the pigment used. Though it does fade, it’s not really classed as semi-permanent like eyelash extensions.
Most permanent eyeliner procedures will last 3-5 years while some can make it until 10 years with a few retouches every now and then. Your makeup artist will tell you when you’re gonna need these touchups to ensure that yours look crisp and nice. You may also modify the color of your eyeliner over time if you decide to change it to black or brown or even blue.
How long does permanent eyeliner take to heal?
As per most permanent makeup procedures, swelling and redness might be there for about 24 to 48 hours. If this makes you very uncomfortable, you can use cold compress to reduce the swelling on the area.
Just remember that if there is a bit of inflammation that it should go away within the prescribed time. If it doesn’t, then there is a possibility that the area is infected. In this case, you will want to call your doctor immediately to get treated with antibiotics. Complete healing should happen within 7 days.

Is an eyeliner tattoo painful?
It’s understandable how a lot of people worry about this because we’re talking about a procedure in a very sensitive part of the body. However, a lot of industry experts and doctors say that it shouldn’t hurt at all, especially if done by an experienced professional.
Even though eyeliner tattoos don’t go as deep as regular tattoos, it still involves needles piercing the skin. So the safest answer here is that pain is subjective – it really depends on the person having the procedure. Most clinics used a topical numbing cream so it should be very manageable.
Can I choose a style and shape for my permanent eyeliner?
Absolutely! Permanent makeup artists are trained to know different eye shapes by heart and know the proper eyeliner styles for your eye shape and for your goal look. Some clients walk into these clinics not knowing exactly what they want so artists will need to explain properly the options they have.
For example, if you’re going for an everyday eyeliner, then you’re going to want a thin lash line right above your lashes. If you want a more snatched look, then you can go for a permanent wing. There’s also the option to do a permanent lower lash line for a more defined eye shape. Included in your choices, if your semi-permanent makeup artist has it, are different colors for eyeliner.
A lot of people are iffy about black permanent eyeliners because they tend to look too strong for every day so they go for brown instead. And then during days when they need black eyeliner, they can just go over their brown eyeliner and use it as a guide to draw theirs with a felt-tip or brush-tip one. Personally, I think that that’s very convenient.
How long before I can have another permanent makeup procedure?
It is generally advised to wait at least 1 week before getting any other permanent makeup procedure done considering that there are no complications. Personally, I suggest you take more time than that.
How do I look for someone who is licensed to do permanent eyeliner?
You can Google Permanent Makeup artists in your area to find a clinic. First, make sure that the clinic is clean and sanitized. Second, check out the equipment and the materials they used. Third, make sure to check for certification and licenses because these procedures that we’re talking about are semi-invasive. Fourth, check for reviews. You will want to see the portfolio AKA the past work of these artists before actually booking them.