Permanent Eyeliner 

My Experience with Permanent Eyeliner: A 45-Year-Old’s Adventure in Convenience

At 45 years old, I finally decided I’d had enough of the daily eyeliner routine. I love the "awake" look that eyeliner gives me—there’s just something about those bold, defined eyes that make me feel ready to take on the world. But, let’s be real, I was tired of spending time on it every single morning and dealing with smudges and uneven lines by the end of the day. How was my eyeliner always perfect in the morning but a mess by the time I got home? Did I rub my eyes that much without realizing it?!

After lots of back-and-forth, I decided to take the plunge into permanent eyeliner. And let me tell you, it’s been a journey! I’m so happy I did it, but it wasn’t exactly what I expected, so I wanted to share my experience in case any of you are thinking about trying it too.

The Process: Two Sessions for the Perfect Look

For me, permanent eyeliner took two sessions. The first one was a bit of a surprise, lasting over 3 hours! Why? Because it was done by a student who was still in training. I’m all about supporting people who are learning, so I told the technician to take her time and do what she felt was best.

I know it sounds a little intimidating, but she was really gentle and attentive. It’s also worth noting that the entire procedure isn’t quick. If you’re expecting to be in and out in 20 minutes, you’re in for a shock. The tattooing process is detailed, and you’ll be in the chair for a while.

For my second session, the owner of the studio finished up the work. She’s an expert and actually teaches permanent eyeliner to other students, so I felt really confident in her hands. She touched up any spots that needed extra love, and I walked out of there with a set of perfectly defined eyes!

The Healing Process: Swelling and Recovery

After the second session, the healing began! My eyelids were pretty swollen at first, but I was still so excited to see how the final look would turn out. Swelling is totally normal, though, and it’s part of the process. You might feel like you’ve been in a bit of a rough patch for a day or two, but that’s temporary.

It’s important to know that the initial healing period can take about a week to 10 days. During this time, you’ll need to follow the aftercare instructions carefully to ensure you don’t get any infections or complications. Most importantly, avoid rubbing or touching the area too much!

The Big Question: Did It Hurt?

If you’re considering permanent eyeliner, I’m sure you’re wondering about pain—because let’s face it, tattoos near your eyes don’t exactly sound like a picnic. The answer? Yes, it hurt, but it wasn’t unbearable.

It’s not like you’re going to be screaming or wishing you’d never started, but it’s definitely not a pain-free experience. Numbing cream is applied, but, as with any tattoo, you’re still dealing with a needle close to your eyeball. That’s not exactly the most relaxing spot to get a tattoo!

The worst part for me was when they had to make a few “cuts” to activate the numbing cream. Once that was done, though, things weren’t too bad. Of course, as the procedure went on, I needed more numbing cream applied because the sensation would come back. But honestly, I just breathed through it. The technician was super in-tune with me and knew exactly when to reapply the numbing cream to keep me comfortable.

It wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, but I won’t sugarcoat it either—it’s not a walk in the park. However, the results are totally worth it!

One Thing I Didn’t Expect

Okay, here’s the thing I didn’t realize until I was in the chair: Permanent eyeliner doesn’t just go along your lash line the way you’d expect when you apply regular eyeliner. The technician needs to place the ink into the lash line, right at the base of your lashes, which is much closer to your eyeball than I imagined.

When I first lifted up my eyelid and saw where the tattooing was happening, I was like, “Whoa, I didn’t realize it would be so close to my eye!” But it makes sense because that’s where the most natural, defined look comes from.

Final Thoughts

In the end, I’m so glad I did it! Yes, there were a few surprises along the way, but I’m thrilled with the results. My eyes look so much more awake and defined without any of the smudging or fading that comes with traditional eyeliner. The process might not be painless, but it’s definitely manageable, and it saves me so much time every day.

If you’re thinking about getting permanent eyeliner, just be sure to go to a certified professional who uses high-quality pigments and tools. It’s important to choose someone who is experienced and knows what they’re doing, especially since this is such a delicate area.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! It was an investment in my time and my self-care, and I feel so much more confident with it.

(update:  I am 49 now, and still loving it!)