Abbie Wright
Permanent Eyeliner Instructor
Once you have made the decision to get Permanent Makeup, the next step is finding the right person to do the procedure. Here in Utah, we have a lot of places to choose from. So, how do we pick? The last thing you want to do is base your choice off of cheap prices and soonest availability. Why? Permanent Makeup is a delicate procedure. It requires precision and accuracy not only in the placement on the face but at proper depth in the skin. When done incorrectly, you could be facing years of looking in the mirror at something that, at the very least, makes you feel regretful. Mishaps with permanent makeup can lead to permanent scarring, misshapen and discolored- brows, lips or eyeliner that can be difficult to cover up or may require removal, which can be costly. Worse yet, you could get an infection that may compromise your health.
The decision to find the right artist for you should not be one taken lightly! Here are 7 factors to consider to help you make an informed decision.
1. Training and Experience
Proper training and experience may possibly be the most important factor in making your decision. The training your technician has received over the years can indicate how well they have mastered their craft. Here are a few questions you could ask:
How long have they been doing permanent Makeup?
How many times have they performed the procedure that you are interested in getting?
How many training courses have they taken? And where?
Here at NPCA, we hold training to a very high standard. If you are working with an artist who has trained with NPCA, rest assured you are in good hands.
2. Certifications
In Utah, the only required certification is one acquired through the health department. This certification ensures that the artist is following proper sanitation and disposal procedures and that they are using single use needles or use an autoclave. The health department will ensure that they have taken any required health-related trainings as well.
3. Portfolio
Thank goodness for Instagram for this one. Each artist has their own style and techniques they use when creating their work. Most Permanent Makeup Artists have an IG account or website displaying their work. Take a look! Make sure you like what you see. Would you be happy having your permanent makeup look that way? Ensure that you can find examples of their work not only immediately after, but healed work as well.
4. Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Ideally, you can find someone by word of mouth. This way, you can see their work in real life but sometimes that isn’t always the case. Thankfully, we have Google, Facebook, Yelp, and IG, where you can read reviews or posts by past clients, letting you know about their experience with that technician.
5. Proper Pigments
You want to make sure your technician is using high quality pigments. Why? Because higher quality pigments will not only last longer but will hold true to their color as they fade, decreasing the chance of them turning funky colors over time. How do you know if it’s a good quality pigment? Ask them questions like:
How long has this company been making permanent makeup pigments?
Where are the pigments made and manufactured?
How long have you (the technician) been using this pigment line? (Hopefully long enough that they have been able to see the pigments fade in their own clients.)
6. Communication Skills
This may sound silly, but you need to be able to feel like your technician understands your desired look. They should be able to tell you if the look you want is something that will work for you, and if not, be able to recommend a more fitting alternative.
7. Comfort Level
How do they make you feel? Do you feel confident in their ability to understand your desires (color, shape, and overall look)? Do you feel confident in their knowledge of permanent makeup? Do they understand your skin (color and texture) well enough to achieve your desired results? You need to feel confident in your technician’s ability to make you happy.
Picking the right permanent makeup artist should be done with careful consideration. This is a decision you will be living with for a long time. You want to rest assured that every time you look in the mirror, you love what you see and feel like you made the right decision.