Winged Eyeliner Tattoo in Brisbane

A winged eyeliner tattoo (also called tattoo eyeliner, permanent eyeliner tattoo, or semi-permanent makeup eyeliner) is a cosmetic tattoo placed along the lash line with a small flick at the outer corner. Unlike a standard classic eyeliner tattoo, the winged liner gives a lifted, more defined effect.

We use digital machines and fine tattooing pigments (certified cosmetic tattoo pigments and semi-permanent pigments) to create a shape tailored to your eyes. This isn’t about stamping the same “Instagram liner” on everyone. Instead, your eyeliner tattoo artist adjusts the thickness, angle and length of the wing to suit your facial structure and desired look — whether that’s a natural-looking flick, a designer winged liner or a thicker liner for maximum drama.

In our Cosmetic Tattoo Studio, Brisbane Face Figurati, we’ve seen the same pattern time and time again: clients come in exhausted from the daily battle of liquid liner, pencils, gels, and smudges. They want something reliable. They want something safe. And most of all, they want something that enhances their natural beauty without looking like a heavy block of makeup. That’s exactly where a permanent eyeliner tattoo — specifically a winged liner — shines.

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You’re a good candidate for a permanent eyeliner tattoo if:

• You wear eyeliner daily and want consistency.
• You struggle with shaky hands, vision issues or allergies to makeup.
• You lead a busy lifestyle (mums, professionals, gym-goers).
• You love the look of classic eyeliner or winged liner, but want low-maintenance.

We’ve worked with women in their 20s who want a natural-looking liner and women in their 60s who love a designer eyeliner for a lifted eye effect.

Your safety always comes first. Cosmetic tattooing isn’t suitable for everyone, and sometimes it’s best to wait. You should avoid or postpone treatment if:

• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding (hormones affect pigment retention, and we don’t risk the baby’s safety).
• You have uncontrolled diabetes, clotting disorders or immune conditions that impact healing.
• You take regular blood thinners or strong acne medications (these increase bleeding and reduce pigment retention).
• You have active eye infections, conjunctivitis or have recently had eye surgery.
• You have very loose or crepey eyelid skin where a wing would not hold crisp definition.
• You have a history of keloid scarring or severe allergic reactions.

At every initial appointment, we review your full medical background and current medications. This consultation is part of our standard infection control procedures — it ensures we only proceed when it’s safe, responsible and likely to give you great results.

Preparation is half the result. Here’s our initial appointment prep checklist:

• Two weeks before: Avoid lash serums, chemical peels or Botox around the eyes.
• One week before: Remove lash extensions, skip lash lifts and tints.
• 48 hours before: No alcohol, caffeine, aspirin or ibuprofen (all thin blood and affect pigment retention).
• Day of: Arrive makeup-free. No contact lenses — wear glasses instead.

By prepping properly, you ensure the pigment sits evenly and your healing process is smooth.

So, what actually happens in the chair? Here’s what you can expect in our Brisbane studio, step by step.

Consultation

We sit down with you, map the liner to suit your face shape, and chat about your preferences. Some clients want a soft flick for a natural-looking lift, others love a thicker liner or even a designer winged liner for more drama. If you’re after subtle definition, tight lining (placing pigment right between the lashes) can also be part of the plan.

Anaesthetic cream

Once we’ve decided on a design, we apply a medical-grade anaesthetic cream. Most clients describe the feeling as not pain, but pressure or a scratchy feeling. We want to keep you comfortable throughout the whole process.

Pigment selection

Choosing pigment isn’t just about picking a “black”. We use certified cosmetic tattoo pigments and permanent makeup pigments that are designed for delicate skin, with undertones that age well. Your skin tone, undertone and even eye colour influence our choice.

Tattooing

We use a professional cosmetic tattoo machine to implant ultra-fine passes of tattoo pigment into the skin. We build up the intensity gradually, layering pigment so the result looks crisp yet soft – not harsh or blocky. This way also means better healing and less trauma to the skin.

Final check

Once both eyes are done, we take time to check symmetry, shape and intensity. Our lighting and measuring techniques make sure both wings are as even as possible – though remember, even natural eyes aren’t perfectly symmetrical, so we work with your unique anatomy, not against it.

From start to finish, appointments take around 2–3 hours, including consultation, mapping, numbing and tattooing. By the time you leave, you’ll already see your new winged eyeliner tattoo in place – though remember, colour will look darker at first before softening during the healing process.

Healing is where patience pays off. Every client’s healing process is slightly different, but here’s the usual timeline:

What Happens When Pigment Looks Faded
Don’t stress if your eyeliner looks light or patchy during the healing process. Semi-permanent makeup develops in layers, and the colour you see in the first two weeks isn’t the final result. The top skin layer naturally exfoliates, making pigment seem to “disappear” before it resurfaces as the skin regenerates.

We always remind clients: healing eyeliner is a bit like baking a cake — it needs time to settle. At your touch-up appointment, we can perfect any areas that healed lighter, so patience really pays off.

Most clients love the classic black look, but cosmetic tattoo pigments give you options:

Pro tip: lighter and coloured shades fade faster, so most clients choose black for durability — but if you love a softer or playful look, we can customise.

Your initial session is only stage one. A 6–8 week touch-up is crucial because:

• The first layer acts as a base.
• The second appointment builds density, corrects patchiness, and refines the flick.
• We can make small changes if you decide you want a slightly thicker wing or a darker look.

For long-term maintenance, we recommend a colour boost every 2–3 years. This keeps your eyeliner crisp and prevents it from fading into a washed-out grey or brown.

On average, results last 2–5 years, depending on several factors:

• Skin type: oily skin breaks down pigment quickly.
• Sun exposure: Brisbane’s UV is notorious for speeding up fading.
• Pigment choice: semi-permanent pigments and lighter shades fade faster.
• Lifestyle: swimmers, gym lovers, and those using acid-based skincare will notice quicker fading.

We always say: results aren’t forever — but they are long-term. Think of it as the ultimate low-maintenance beauty hack.

With professional infection control and modern techniques, risks are minimal — but here’s what to expect:

Common and temporary:

• Mild swelling, redness, or sensitivity for 24–48 hours.
• Flaking and scabbing as the skin heals.
• Pigment looking darker before it lightens — this is completely normal.

Less common but possible:

• Uneven healing (usually corrected at touch-up).
• Allergic reactions to pigment.
• Pigment migration (extremely rare with skilled technique).

That’s why choosing an experienced cosmetic tattoo artist — and following aftercare — is non-negotiable.