Classic Eyeliner

Its appeal is that it flatters most eye shapes and dates slowly, which matters for something you will live with for years. Because the line is simple, the conversation is mostly about thickness and where it should end — a hair's width of difference at the outer corner changes how open the eye looks, so technicians usually draw it on and have you check it with your eyes open before starting.

A perfecting visit six to eight weeks later is standard. How long the line stays crisp depends on the salon, the pigment line, your skin type and sun exposure, and a good technician will tell you a range rather than a number. If you are unsure how much liner you want to commit to, starting thin leaves room to add later.

You lie with your eyes closed throughout. Topical numbing is applied and given time to work, then the technician holds the lid taut and lays the line in short, repeated passes, checking symmetry between the eyes as the work progresses. The feeling is usually described as buzzing pressure rather than pain. For a day or two the line looks thicker and darker than the final result, and the lids may be a little puffy.