FAQs

Permanent Makeup, also known as Permanent Cosmetics or Cosmetic Tattooing, and more recently Microblading is a process of implanting pigment, not ink into the dermis layer of the skin. It is a medically developed procedure to create a long lasting cosmetic effect. This is a cosmetic procedure that can add subtle enhancements or dramatic definition to your eyes, eyebrows, or lips. It is also a valuable procedure for correcting some facial irregularities or to further enhance facial rejuvenation and post-operative treatments.

You may have see the term “semi-permanent” used. This is most often the term required by the governing agencies in other countries since over time the implanted pigment does fade. Although it fades, it never goes away completely, unless you choose to actually have it removed. For this reason it is more commonly referred to as “permanent”. Anyone advertising that any type of makeup tattoo or microblading as “semi-permanent” has not had full proper training or they would know better! Beware!

Almost anyone! Perhaps you have allergies and watery eyes or you are active and sweat off your makeup. Or maybe you simply want to restore natural-looking color or need better feature symmetry (most of us do)! With vision, medical problems or shaky hands you may have a hard time just putting makeup on. Maybe you’re just tired of putting your makeup on everyday or you’re busy and want to save time from daily makeup application, You could have sparse hairs or no hair in eyebrows or lash line, or even hair that is there but is very light and needs enhancement.

People choose permanent makeup for a variety of reasons. Professionals enjoy the fact that permanent makeup saves them time every day. With permanent makeup you look beautiful the moment you get out of bed and you stay that way all day long. Busy women with active lifestyles enjoy makeup that doesn’t run when they workout, play golf or swim. Men can replace brows that have thinned out or hide scars from injury. Individuals who work in laboratories or sterile environments in which makeup is prohibited enjoy the look that permanent makeup provides. Imagine dancing all night long and never having to worry about your makeup!

As we age our facial features begin to fade. Our lips are not as defined, our eyebrows become thinner, and our eyelashes are not as full. Permanent makeup is an excellent way to enhance these beautiful facial features. Many clients tell us that they feel years younger after their permanent makeup procedures.

It is a specialized type of tattooing that not just anyone can do. It has some of the same qualities as traditional tattooing, yet it is very different. Only specialists in micro-pigmentation can perform this procedure on the face; tattoo artists are not trained to do this. We use only the techniques, tools and pigments that are specially designed for micro-pigmentation procedures making it safe, sterile and painless. Permanent makeup technicians also use effective topical anesthetics that are not allowed for use by tattoo artists. We also use instruments that are much more delicate in design which provide natural-looking results. Tattoo artists use inks intended only for use on the body, not the face. Inks, over time migrate which will cause makeup to look smeared and messy and inks last permanently which will look bad on the face with aging. More and more we are now seeing improperly trained or non trained people attempting to do these procedures. It takes a true artist first of all, then that artist needs to be properly trained and licensed!

Each and every client is provided highest level of service and care possible. Our procedures are only performed under sterile conditions. For everyone’s safety we use only sealed, completely sterile and disposable single use items. Nothing is ever re-used. This prevents cross contamination and assures your complete safety. To put you at ease, you will be shown your set up tray and sterile sealed needles before we begin. Strict sterilization guidelines are followed for every procedure in accordance with all OSHA and CDC standards, as well as the North Carolina Health Department. We work hard to ensure your maximum safety and comfort.

There are no long-term side effects. Short-term effects may include some redness, swelling and tenderness. There are no known allergic reactions to our pigments.

A Topical anesthetic is applied for all procedures to maximize comfort. Most patients report little to no discomfort. It is not uncommon for a client to fall asleep during the procedure. Everyones tolerance level for pain is different, though most clients agree that the procedures are much less painful than they expected!

Absolutely! Men lose eyebrow hair too. A strong brow is important to most men. It makes them feel more confident. Brows for men are kept masculine in shape and size, so don’t worry men – we won’t arch your brows or make you look like a woman! Other men simply want a scar on their brow hidden. A lot of men get the subtle eyeliner as well. Once healed, it only enhances the eyes by making the eyelashes seem fuller. It does not look like you’re wearing makeup or eye liner at all.

This is a question best answered once we see what needs to be done. We do some types of removals. In some situations we can help you to lighten your existing tattoo to make the correction work all the better. If we can’t help you, we will gladly refer you to someone who can.

Microblading is a misused term used in permanent cosmetics. It leads people to believe that a blade of some sort is used to do the brows. It should be noted we never use a blade of any kind to do your permanent makeup. In what is known as microblading, a manual handle rather than an electronic machine is used to hold the needles that the technician will use to tattoo on eyebrows.

A “microbladed” eyebrow quite simply means the permanent makeup eyebrow tattoo was done with a specific tool, that some people call a microblade. It is a tool that holds many types of needles (not blades) for different types of results, quite often that being the look of hair strokes. No one size needle is right for every type of skin. Your technician will decide what tools and needles are needed to obtain the best results for your procedure. Yes, we do sometimes use a hand tool when the skin type requires such, but please understand that using this tool is not always the best way to get beautiful brows. Only a few skin types will require this technique. Never, and I repeat NEVER go to someone who is only trained in microblading! There is so much more to doing brows than just “drawing them on”. There are only a small percentage of skin types that can benefit from the microblade tool being used for their eyebrows. Someone who only does this one technique, will try to convince everyone that they can get brows done this way. The truth is, most of the time beautiful hair stroke eyebrows need to be done with highly technical digital machines. A well educated, artist will have many ways to give you those beautiful hair strokes so you’ll be happy for many years to come!

I get asked to correct brows almost daily and many of these brows are done by people who recently took a 1 or 2 day class and now think they are qualified to call themselves “microblading certified”. These self proclaimed microbladers have not had the proper training or done an apprenticeship and many have never even worked on a live human! BEWARE! This is permanent on your face and can cost you thousands of dollars to get corrected, IF it can be corrected!

Pigment is implanted into the dermal layer of the skin and remains there, permanently. So yes, “microbladed” brows are permanent. But just like any other permanent hair stroked brow they do fade quicker than a solid brow. Quite simply, there is not as much color implanted with something that isn’t as solid. Since they do fade with time, you may choose to return to your technician to get a touch up through the years.

We are often asked to fix bad work done by unqualified technicians. While there are some cases that we can make look better, there are many that we will not touch. Please do your research when looking for your permanent cosmetic technician. Body tattoo artists are not specifically trained in doing makeup and are not a good choice. We have seen many bad and poorly done procedures done by technicians from our local area as well as all over. Make sure you see pictures of their work, not just stock photos found on many websites. Make sure they are licensed and fully certified. Certifications should be posted in the procedure room for you to easily see. This is your face! Do not trust just anyone to it!

Read more about our corrections here.

Please do not bring children with you. Adults can wait comfortably in our waiting room. No one is permitted in the procedure room except the client.

Yes, but timing is key. Botox and fillers in the surrounding area should be at least 8 weeks old before having any of our procedures done. You should not resume with either until 8 weeks after your follow up appointment with us.

You should stop using these products at least 4 weeks prior to your eyeliner procedure. The oils in these products tend to repel both anesthetics and pigments. This can cause your eyeliner to be more painful than it needs to be and cause less pigment retention. You can resume with use 4 weeks after your follow up appointment with us.

Appointments are required for both your consultation (if you choose to have one) and procedure. Our work is second to none, and our permanent cosmetics services are in high demand. It can be a few weeks out to get the first available appointment to a few months out if you are limited to a specific day of the week or time of day. You can also request to be put on standby if an opening becomes available due to another client rescheduling. Don’t make the mistake that others have made by calling place after place trying to hurry up and get an appointment with the first place that can get you in. This is your face!

We do have an easy payment option available! We will be glad to discuss this with you upon request. We accept most major credit cards for payment.

No. You will keep the eyebrow hair you have. Any excess eyebrow hair outside of the brow area will be groomed during your procedure.

We use only the highest grade and quality pigments and anesthetics from well known, reputable manufactures.  All our products are manufactured in the USA and have been used and tested many times over to ensure only the best results for every client.

For eyebrows the answer would be not usually. Some of our clients have gone back to work the same day. If you work in a dirty environment, it would not be a good idea. For eyeliner, you will probably want to take at least one day off. Your eyes can have some slight swelling, as if you’ve been crying for a couple of hours and can be quite tender for 24-48 hours. Many clients schedule their appointment on the last day of a work week to have the weekend to rest.

Several styles of eyeliner can be done. From the thinnest, which enhances your eyelashes to make them look fuller (also called a tight liner) to a medium which is just enough to look very natural to a thicker, more noticeable liner. We will do a slight wing upon request, but will not do a strong, winged liner. These heavier liners do not age well as your eyes begin to droop in later years. It is best to keep permanent eyeliner natural and draw on those wings with regular makeup.

We specialize in giving clients a truly natural look. We DO NOT do “Made Up” or dramatic. You can always add regular makeup for special events. Our clients’ safety and satisfaction is our top priority. We use federally approved superior pigments as coloring agents. Our micro-pigmentation instruments are patented, specially designed for safe and effective permanent makeup application. For instance, eyebrows are recreated with fine lines simulating feathered hair and contoured into a natural-looking arch.

Above all, we are committed to providing the best service, care and desired results to every client.

Gradual fading can be expected for all micro-pigmentation procedures. This varies among individuals and is dependent on the specific shade used in the procedure as well as other factors. Every skin type will hold pigment differently. Most colors last 1 to 2 years, although some may not fade for as long as 5 or more years, and others will require color boosts sooner or more frequently. Periodic color boosts are recommended to maintain the desired look.

You may have seen or even know of someone who had permanent makeup done years ago that is still going strong and hasn’t faded much at all. These older methods of permanent makeup used tattoo inks instead of pigments that is used today, or should be used anyway. I say “should be used” because there are still a few technicians out there using body inks on the face. There are many long term problems associated with using body inks on the face and this is considered both primitive and taboo in today’s permanent makeup industry. Only the highest quality pure pigments designed for use on the face are used in our studio.

You can take Benadryl 30 minutes before your appointment to help reduce the watering of your eyes if you’re having eyeliner done. It is an antihistamine that will help minimize tears during eyeliner procedures, and keep swelling to a minimum for all procedures. In some cases it may even help to relax you a bit! As always, please check with your physician if you are under medical care or have questions and before taking any medications.

Permanent makeup is great for many types of scars! Your eyebrow scar can often be totally hidden when we tattoo hair strokes over the scar! Not all scars can be worked on, but when they can it makes our clients very happy!

If you are having an eyeliner procedure done, do not wear contacts. Remember to bring your glasses. Most people are fine to drive themselves home following eyeliner procedure. If uncertain, it is recommended that you have a driver available or “on call” to drive you home after your procedure.

Swimming, hot tub or vigorous exercise should be avoided for two weeks. Initial healing time is around 7 days and complete around 30 days. Do not touch the area with your bare hands. Don’t pick any peeling or flaking skin! Keep the area dry!

Yes. Eyelashes should be removed no less than 7-10 days before your eyeliner procedure. There is risk of
infection if you have them on during eyeliner procedure. You can reapply them at the end of four weeks.

Use only the aftercare products we have given you. Do not use products recommended to you by anyone else! You will be given a complete list of after care instructions with your procedure.

Sunscreen is the best kept beauty secret! Not only will sunscreen prolong the life of your permanent makeup, but it does wonders for the skin! Sunscreen helps prevent premature aging, wrinkles, and most importantly skin cancer. Be sure to wear a sunscreen with a minimum of an SPF 15 for best results and reapply often, especially after swimming or extended hours outdoors. Hats and sunglasses also help minimize harmful UV rays. You can still have fun in the sun…just do it wisely.

Nice work is not cheap, and cheap work is not nice!

Ask yourself how much is your health and facial beauty worth to you? Many like yourself would agree that it is priceless. You should understand that permanent makeup is an invasive procedure that is permanent and on your face! Your health and facial beauty is far too important to pick an unskilled technician that isn’t qualified or certified.

Don’t let cost be a determining factor in your decision to choose a permanent makeup technician. You will discover the hard way that you usually “get what you pay for”. There are some people doing tattoos who think they can do the face the same as the body and this is absolutely not so! There are yet other people who have received awful training because they trained with unqualified trainers who teach only on paper or pads, not real people. Sadly, these uncaring trainers are producing techs whose work is sub par and at times even horrendous. One can not be trained to correctly make permanent marks on someones face in a short, quick training time! This is what you may get if you try to go the cheap route!

There are many expenses involved for the well trained permanent makeup technician that follows state and local regulations and is certified and qualified. A permanent makeup specialist that is trained, qualified, certified, and follows all state and city requirements and permits will need to charge accordingly for her per procedures.

We purchase only the best equipment, implements, supplies, pigments and anesthetics to ensure the best possible results. Click here to review current pricing. Remember nice work is not cheap and cheap work is not nice!