You'll Never Guess the Exact Eyeliner Michael Jackson Used for Sweat-Proof Makeup
It's guaranteed smudge-proof, too!
by Kyla Villena
Published on
Michael Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest musicians of all time, if not the greatest. As has often been noted throughout history, his iconic music, productions, and dance moves were fueled by an unwavering pursuit of perfection. It turns out that his attention to detail extended to his stage makeup, too.
A netizen recently posted a close-up photo of Michael’s eyes on X, saying they “needed” to know what eyeliner he used since it never seemed to smudge—not even during intense stage performances. The post eventually reached the King of Pop’s longtime makeup artist, Karen Faye Heinze, who finally revealed the product behind the famously sweat-proof look.
Michael Jackson Used Sharpie for His Stage Makeup
Karen revealed that “during performance only,” she would use a Sharpie to define Michael’s eyes and eyebrows. She also shared that the singer had his eyeliner tattooed, but according to her, it “was done incorrectly.”
Unsurprisingly, pop culture followers were caught off guard by the idea of using a permanent marker on the face—especially around the delicate eye area. Karen defended the practice by pointing out that “doctors use Sharpie pens to mark people's bodies before surgeries.” She added, “Michael perspired a lot while performing. It had no negative effects.”
Fans later dug up photos of Michael seated by his vanity, where Sharpie markers could indeed be spotted on the table.
Is It Safe to Use Permanent Markers on Skin?
While Sharpie markers are generally considered non-toxic, their use on skin is considered relatively safe only when done briefly and infrequently. Even then, they are not entirely risk-free, as some permanent markers contain solvents that may damage the skin barrier and increase chemical absorption. At the end of the day, permanent markers were never formulated for cosmetic use or body art.
Using them around the eyes may be especially hazardous, as the area contains delicate, sensitive tissues that can become irritated. In some cases, this may lead to burning or itching sensations.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jeffy also warned against using Sharpie as makeup in an interview with Fox News, saying “the risk is not worth it.” She added, “I would just have concerns that some of these potential toxins would get absorbed to a level that might be concerning for overall health risks.”
Kyla Villena loves a good lip gloss and a trip to the art gallery. She is Preview's beauty girl, who doubles as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker.