Who is a Candidate for Permanent Eyeliner?
Permanent eyeliner reduces or eliminates the daily application of eye pencils or liquid liners. It improves the definition and appearance of eyes with missing, thin, or light colored lashes. It provides safety and convenience for women with oily skin, vision problems, or unsteady hands. Ladies can swim, shower, or exercise without smudged “raccoon eyes”! Eye doctors (Ophthalmologists and Optometrists) recommend permanent eyeliner to patients with contact lenses, watery eyes, or conventional makeup allergies. When done well, this procedure can enhance eye color and make lashes appear darker, fuller, and/or thicker.

Eyeliner Tattoo Techniques

• Naturaliner™: This is also called “Eyelash Base Enhancement” or “Tight Liner” and is a subtle and natural look. Pigment is implanted in the skin only at the base of the lashes in-between rows. This makes the lashes appear darker and fuller to “frame” the eye. However, no obvious line is seen on the eyelid beyond the lashes. Naturaliner™ can be done on upper and/or lower eyelids. Men choose this procedure to add definition to their eyes without looking like they are wearing makeup.
• Full Eyeliner: This method creates a definite line above the last row of eyelashes on the upper eyelid or below the last row on the lower eyelid. The liner tattoo can be seen even when the eye is closed. Eyeliner width can be thin, medium, or thick depending on style preference. Designer effects such as wings, flicks, or layered colors may also be added. Every eyeliner procedure done by Dr. Reed includes an eyelash base enhancement (Naturaliner™) to prevent a “flesh-colored gap” of missing color within the lash line. Full eyeliner can be done on upper and/or lower eyelids, or mixed with Naturaliner™ (e.g. full eyeliner on upper eyelid with Naturaliner™ on lower eyelid).
• Eyelid Anatomy vs. Eyeliner Design: Certain styles and effects (e.g. thick liner or wings) are not suitable for some eyes based on their anatomical structure (e.g. hooded eyelids) or the person’s age. Dr. Reed will analyze eye anatomy and make recommendations for the safest design that is flattering.
• Mucosal (Wet Line) Eyeliner: Some permanent makeup technicians will tattoo the rims eyelids, but Dr. Reed will NOT because it is UNSAFE! The openings to the Meibomian Glands are found along the mucosal/wet line of the eyelids. Those glands produce a necessary component of the eye’s tear film. The glands can be permanently scarred by tattooing which leads to chronic dry eye, infections, etc.

Upper Eyelid with Naturaliner™ and Lower Eyelid with Thin Eyeliner
Healed After, Eye Open	Healed After, Eye Closed (no line above lashes)

Permanent Eyeliner Both Eyelids (Medium-Upper, Thin-Lower)
Healed After, Eye Open	Healed After, Eye Closed (line seen above lashes)

Is a License Required to Do Permanent Eyeliner?
In Idaho, there are NO laws regulating tattooed eyeliner makeup—anyone can do it anywhere with little to no training or experience! There are NO minimum required hours for initial training or continuing education. There is NO testing, NO licensing, and NO oversight of instructors. This has allowed an increase of “permanent makeup artists” in beauty and nail salons. Some are “microblade only artists” who try to apply what they learned in a 2-day eyebrow class to an eyeliner procedure! Because those artists were told they are “certified”, they work on clients thinking they know everything. But they have no comprehensive permanent makeup training covering subjects like the science of pigments, color theory, eye and skin anatomy, pain control, types of equipment, needle configurations, makeup design, facial morphology, and bloodborne pathogen (disease) control.

Does the Health Department Inspect Permanent Makeup Artists?
In Idaho, there are NO health department inspections of permanent makeup artists EVEN IF they are in beauty salons or spas. Some salons advertise that clients are safe because they are inspected and licensed by the Board of Cosmetology. That is misleading! Yes, salons are licensed by the Cosmetology Board, but their inspectors check sanitation practices related to cutting hair, manicuring nails, etc. The cosmetology inspectors are NOT trained in, NOR inspecting anything related to microblading, permanent makeup, or bloodborne pathogen control—because that falls under “tattooing” and there are no laws regulating tattooing! As a consumer, it is critical that you know this and do not have a false sense of security based on false claims.

Is My Health at Risk With This Procedure?
Since permanent eyeliner IS a form of tattooing, a client’s skin is broken exposing the artist to blood. Then you, as the next client, are exposed to the blood of the person tattooed or microbladed before you IF that artist does not sterilize correctly or makes one simple mistake! Artists may be taught a little about bloodborne pathogen control during a short class, or they take an online course to get a certificate. However, there is a LOT to know about preventing disease cross-contamination. Any artist without years of experience or a medical/dental background can easily make errors. As a retired Optometric Physician, Dr. Reed’s infection control knowledge and methods are routine and unsurpassed. Before moving to Idaho, she practiced permanent cosmetics in California and was inspected annually by the Orange County Health Department. Here in Idaho, even though “no one is watching,” she follows the same correct standards! 

Procedure Room of Dr. Laura Reed
Former Office in Garden Grove, CA	Current Office in Boise, ID

Is Dr. Reed Certified in Permanent Makeup?
Yes and her credentials are recognized worldwide. She is a Certified Permanent Cosmetic Professional and Lifetime Member of the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals. She is also a Board Certified Fellow in the American Academy of Micropigmentation and takes advanced eyeliner continuing education classes to maintain her certifications. In addition, she is qualified and experienced in the removal and/or lightening of inferior eyeliner done by manual hand tool (e.g. SofTap) or machine methods.

Why Choose Dr. Reed Over Someone Else?
Think about it…Would you rather have a needle by your eye in the hands of someone who also cuts hair, does manicures, massages, sprays tans, or waxing? Or a retired EYE DOCTOR who does nothing else but permanent makeup procedures every day?  When you have the facts, the choice is easy! Since 2006, Dr. Reed has performed over 7,000 cosmetic tattoo procedures. As an Optometric Physician, she knows how to safely handle the eyes and prevent eyeliner procedures from being painful. She has successfully tattooed eyeliner on patients before/after eye surgeries as well as patients with chronic eye conditions. Examples include: Alopecia, Blepharitis, Blepharoplasty, Cataracts, Corneal Erosion, Corneal Grafts, Dry Eye Syndrome, Glaucoma, Intraocular Lens Implants, Keratitis, Keratoconus, LASIK, PRK, Punctual Plugs, Reconstructed Eyelids, Retinitis, RK, and Sjogrens Syndrome.

How to Prepare for Your Procedure
When you schedule your eyeliner procedure, Dr. Reed will give you a detailed list of instructions that include the following and more: Allow at least 3 hours for your initial procedure appointment (if upper and lower eyelids). If you have contact lenses, you cannot wear them for 48 hours afterward. You must be fully healed following any eye surgery (e.g. LASIK, cataract)—ask that physician for timeframe.  Stop taking any blood-thinning products 5 days before (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, fish oils) unless required and prescribed by a physician. Wear your eyeliner makeup for style evaluation and bring it with you for color matching. If you are using ANY eyelash growth mascara or serum (e.g. Latisse™, Revitalsh™), you must stop using it 3-6 months prior—the reason is that those products cause extensive bleeding and bruising during the procedure. (You could have your eyes done sooner, but will need to follow a prophylactic regimen.)

At Your Procedure Appointment
You will fill out forms including a medical history that Dr. Reed will review for potential complications. She will analyze your eyelid anatomy then recommend an eyeliner style. She will discuss color choices that match your eye makeup (if desired) and compliment your skin and eye color. Topical anesthetics will be applied before and during the procedure to minimize any discomfort. Before and after photos will be taken for your file and pigment colors will be recorded for returning visits. 

What to Expect After Your Procedure
Your eyelids will be slightly red, mildly swollen, and a little tender immediately after your procedure. This will go away within a few days. Your new eyeliner will look darker, bolder, and thicker than you want, but it will lighten and “shrink” during healing. During the first week of healing, you will apply an ointment. While healing you cannot wear mascara or eye shadow, and you must also avoid swimming, saunas, the sun, etc. so keep this in mind when scheduling your procedure. Dr. Reed will go over detailed after care instructions at your appointment.

Follow-up (Touch-up) and Maintenance Appointments
A complimentary follow-up appointment is included with each new eyeliner procedure. This is the “completion” visit where the color, shape, or thickness of your eyeliner can be adjusted. This appointment takes about 2 hours and should be completed about 5-6 weeks after the initial procedure. Since permanent makeup fades over time, maintenance visits can be scheduled every few years to keep color looking fresh. These appointments are usually shorter and less expensive if the original work was done by Dr. Reed. On average, her eyeliner patients return for a refresh in about 5 years. ​​

Naturaliner™ – Upper and Lower Eyelids
Before	After (healed)

Naturaliner™ – Upper and Lower Eyelids
Before	After (healed)

Naturaliner™ Upper Eyelid with Thin Lower Liner
Before	After (healed)

Upper and Lower Naturaliner™ – Front View
Before	After (healed, wearing mascara)

Upper and Lower Naturaliner™ – Side View
Before	After (healed, wearing mascara)

Permanent Eyeliner – Upper and Lower Eyelids (Medium / Thin)
Before	After (healed, before follow-up)

Permanent Eyeliner Upper and Lower Eyelids
Before	After (healed, before follow-up)

Upper and Lower Permanent Eyeliner
Before	After (healed, lower design requested by client)

Thick Upper Eyeliner with Wing, Lower Naturaliner™
Before	After (healed, before follow-up)

Upper and Lower Thick Permanent Eyeliner Recolored
Before (faded tattoo by another)	After (healed, by Dr. Reed)

Upper and Lower Permanent Eyeliner – Graduated Medium (front view)
Before	After (healed)

Upper and Lower Permanent Eyeliner – Graduated Medium (side view)
Before	After (healed)

Upper and Lower Permanent Eyeliner – Graduated Thick
Before	After (healed)

Upper and Lower Medium-Thick – Both Eyes
Before	After (healed)

Upper and Lower Medium-Thick – Left Eye Close-up (above client)
Before	After (healed)

Upper and Lower Permanent Eyeliner – Medium Thickness
Before (eyelids red from lash growth product)	After (Healed; Note-brows are not Dr. Reed’s work)