Judith’s question: I’ve recently seen some posters in various nail shops/spas advertising permanent makeup. What exactly is permanent makeup? Is it a tattoo? Is it safe?
Sarah Bellum says:
I thought “permanent makeup” was just another one of those made up marketing terms that doesn’t really mean anything – like “world peace.” But it turns out permanent makeup really is pretty much…well, permanent. I was so intrigued by the idea that I told Lefty and Righty I’d write up something on the subject. So, here’s my list of what you should know about permanent make up:
1. Tattoo you
Permanent makeup (PM for short) really is a type of tattoo. But instead of a butterfly or a skull head, the tattoo artist draws on your make up. The process is also referred to as dermapigmentation, micropigmentation, and cosmetic tattooing.
2. Up with make up
Most common types of PM are eyebrow enhancement, eyelining, and adding color to face and fullness to lips. The process can also be used to improve the appearance of skin around the nipple after breast surgery.
3. Lovely lashes
PM can also be used as an alternative to mascara, to darken eyelashes. (Hey Left Brain, do ya think this stuff is better than Jan Marini??) Of course it has to be redone when lashes fall out.
4. Popularity contest
Popular reasons for getting PM include creating artificial eyebrows because of old age, disease (like alopecia), chemotherapy, to disguise skin imperfections. Some women get it just for convenience – imagine, never having to put on eyeliner or lip liner again! (Of course, also imagine never being able to change your make up again. Hmmm.)
5. Who should get PM
Women have trouble applying makeup, like those who are near-sighted or don’t have steady hands. Women on the go, or athletes. (Aren’t we all “on the go?”) Or, women who are allergic to make up (but not to tattoo dyes, see #6 below). Also count in women who are lazy.
6. Dangerous dyes
The safety of permanent makeup is not totally resolved. The FDA historically has not regulated tattoo inks but they’re keeping an eye on them as they become more popular. The main dangers associated with permanent make up (or any tattoo for that matter) include Infection, removal problems, allergic reactions, granulomas (nodules that can form around ink particles) and Keloid scar formation. Some sources say tattoos can cause problems during MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) procedures (a medical diagnostic test).
7. Techno colors
The FDA also points out that some of the dyes using in tattoo inks are not approved for skin contact at all. Some are industrial grade colors that are suitable for printers’ ink or automobile paint. That’s the bad news. The good news is your eyeliner can now match your new Kia.
8. I fought the law
The actual practice of tattooing is regulated by local jurisdictions, so your local tattoo parlor is completely safe. The popular conception of all tattoo artists as overweight, stringy-haired head bangers is only partially true.
9. Dedication
There’s actually an entire organization dedicated to this craft. They call themselves the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals and they even have their own acronym. (Yay SPCP!)
10. Permanent is pricey
The cost of a permanent makeup procedure averages between $400-$800. That’s a lot of tubes of eyeliner
(Don’t like what you read here? Don’t blame me, check out my sources here and here.)
What do you think, Brainiacs? Would you ever have makeup permanently applied to your face? Thanks for sharing with the rest of the Beauty Brains community!
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, I’m a SPCP registered technician and would be happy to answer any questions any of you may have. There’s loads more info on my site at: http://www.perfectmakeup.co.uk
Color me lazy …
I do not buy expensive make-up or other treatments, but I admit that I have had my eyebrows tattooed on. I have white-blonde eyebrows and was tired of darkening them every day. It was pricey, but, for me, money well-spent. My eyebrows are perfectly shaped and colored and natural-looking and effort free.
I have permanent eyeliner and lip color. While I have very sensitive skin, I have had no trouble with the pigments after the initial, expected healing process. I have also had MRIs of my shoulder (which is close to my face) and experienced no problem with the procedure.
I’m not exactly sure what you are referring to in #3? Is this tattooing or hair dye put on eyelashes? If the former, I don’t understand how you can use a needle to dye hair – any insight? If the latter, isn’t that quite dangerous and aren’t those chemicals not approved for use around the eye (see your answer to a question on September 23)?
Thanks!
My grandma had her eyebrows tattooed a long time ago.. it’s always looked weird to me..
another lady I know had her lips and eyes tattooed.. looked so scary without make up!!
I worked as a counter manager at a Chanel makeup counter. I saw a lot of faces. I noticed that tatooing is very popular with women in the Asian culture. not sure why, just thought that was interesting.
I can see the benfits of the procedure. However, many of the women I spoke with have had the pigment change from black to blue. It faded and instead of always having black liner, you always have blue liner.
disclaimer: that was just a few women and their experience. I am sure there are formulas that do not fade or change.
Well Sarah I’m near-sighted and do not have a very steady hand and at times have been called lazy, but I am having fun learning how to apply my eyeliner and I’m really getting good at it. And I don’t look trashy…that’s always a plus!
There was a point in my life before the Beauty Brains where I had actually considered permanent eyeliner and I am so glad that I am really a big chicken(explative)
This is a good post! Thanks.
I would be extremely wary of having these procedures done by anyone who was not a registered technician. Be wary of people at nail shops or spas if they are not certified in the art of permanent makeup.
I had my eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips done a couple of years ago by a woman who is a registered technician and a wonderful artist, too. She is very professional and works with local plastic surgeons to restore normalcy to post-cancer/surgery patients.
There is a bit of discomfort associated with the eyebrow and liner procedures, but she used a topical anesthetic that was helpful. THe lips are a more extensive procedure, and since they are more sensitive and take a longer time to complete, she had me go to a dentist to have local anesthetic injections first. I had a number of days of really swollen lips, but when they settled down I was really happy with the color. (Don’t think that you will be able to show up at work the next day, unless you go with a bag over your head! ;^)
You can always wear other colors over your permanent makeup so that is not a limitation.
Since I am a blonde with blue eyes, I chose to have darker blue/grey liner. I felt that black would be too stark, but I could put black liner over it if I wanted a more dramatic look.
The only problem I noted was that my eyebrow color disappeared. I was cautioned not to use products with alpha hydroxy acid on the eyebrow area. Even though I thought that I was avoiding the area, the fading occurred.
Overall I am happy with the liner and lips, and it is nice to get up in the morning looking good.
I knew someone who got their eyeliner tattoo’d on….it was kind of cool
I had my lips tatooed in a slighly-darker-than-natural “lip” color. I love it.
I honestly have too much fun playing with color and applying makeup that I would hate to be stuck with something permanently.
I’m an esthetician and I, my sister amd my mother have all had our eyebrows done. We all lack fullness in the amount of hair in our brows. Honestly, it was the BEST thing I’ve ever done. It looks so natural and people constantly tell me they love my brows, yet no on can tell they’ve been done. Granted – the woman we all went to is a professional and amazing.
I am currently studying Permanent Cosmetics, and my prograqm will be over 500 hours before I am done. I have hear all the nightmares, and it comes down to this. Do your research! Don’t just walk in and trust someone to tattoo on your face. Look at their portfolio, and ask lots of questions. Make sure their products are industry aplicable. As far as black brows turning blue… sometimes manufactures add blue to black to make it more jet. When it fades, it fades to blue. You don’t have to deal with this… just make sure the pigment they are using has been tested enough to see what it looks like years later. Never buy a brand new pigment that just hit the market, because we don’t know how that will fade. Permanent Cosmetics and Camoflague procedures often change people lives for the better. There are bad Permenant Cosmetic techs, just like there are people who suck at tattooing. That does not stop them from doing it. All that said… by all means look into it, but before going under the needle, do your research! It is your face, and finding a good tech is as important as finding a good doctor. Don’t shop for the cheepest price. Shop for the best tech, who has been trained for hundreds of hours, not someone who does hair and took a 2 day class. Hope this helps.
Permanent cosmetic was really cool and this can make you pretty all day long. But we have to admit that there are pros and cons to these cosmetic procedures.
i think PM is a good idea for some, just like any tattoo COULD be. but if you get a very thick line of eyeliner or an extream shade of lipliner, what happens when your face changes or you grow older? to see a senior citisen with emo-face liners… little scary. a very thin, very fine like however… who knows? could even end up looking natural :/
I am a cancer survivor, and lost most my natural brow. I was looking at permanent makeup and found this site. Good info!!
Anyone heard of semi-permanent tatoos? They claim no bluing as years go by because the fade instead. “Brownaissance” is what they called it. mmmm still thinking, any input from someone who knows firsthand? survivors?
I don’t have permanent make-up (and probably never will), but I bristle at the accusation some of the women are lazy. Sure, that might be the case for some. But there are undboutedly countless women for whom laziness isn’t the issue.
I recently heard this kind of remark on a very popular makeover show, so the derision apparently hasn’t died down, over the years.
I am a natural blonde. My eyebrows and lashes are practically invisible. Think of a woman with no facial hair…no eyebrows or eyelashes. There’s something “wrong” with that picture, right? You’re probably thinking more along the lines of chemotherapy or alopecia.
Eyebrows frame the face, and are expected. When they’re seemingly missing, the person’s face just doesn’t look right. (I remember being annoyed when, after explaining to a female acquaintance that I’d forgotten to apply eyebrow pencil over my blonde brows, she compared that to having plucked her own brows out, and electing to draw on brows entirely. …No. …not the same. I don’t have a choice.)(grrrrr)
This is how I look every morning, every shower, every workout session, most of the time in the pool, at night before bed, in bed, and anytime I don’t take the time to put on eyebrow liner, mascara, and even some lip colour. (My lips are pretty much flesh-coloured, too.)
I recently came across a web site for a respected permanent make-up business, and I noticed nearly all the before and after shots were of fair, usually blonde, women.
I think it’s really unfair…especially from brunettes…to accuse blonde women of being lazy for having permanent make-up done when, in fact, the desire for make-up is a function of society, where I have, on many occasions, been made to feel I look ill, or tired, or even scary, simply because I’m naturally so fair-skinned and fair-haired.
Case in point: This morning, I felt great after my workout and shower. I put on some comfy clothes, and prepared a nutritious breakfast. Then I realized a package would probably be arriving today.
(Yesterday’s parcel delivery was notable, in that I answered the door completely au naturale…facially, I mean.
I caught the delivery person kind of staring at me…inspecting my face a bit. …Just noticeably not engaging me, but more like staring. I felt embarrassed.)
So, today I though, ‘I’ll do a quick “layer” so I look “normal”, and don’t get stared at.’
I zipped back to my vanity, and put on eyebrows, mascara, and a quick coat of lip gloss. I look plain. Not gorgeous or sophisticated or sexy. Just…normal. I have eyebrows.
It all reminds me of a talk show, in an episode where several guests were invited to “go blonde”. The stylist/model who was the expert for that show said something that resonated with me. She said, “I find it funny that so many of you have mentioned wanting to go out and get tanned, now that you’re blonde. I’m a natural blonde, and I don’t tan. I burn. When I wake up, I look like an albino.”
I couldn’t agree more.
I have no judgement about people getting permanent make-up. It’s not for me, but I understand, particuarly when a fair-skinned person grows weary of being made to feel unacceptable in her natural skin.
i had my eyebrows done and I love it!!! That was 5 years ago and they still look great.
my lips were another story. this was painful and the color did not turn out even.
I really liked your opinion! I look forward to more insightful info.
I had my eyeliner tattooed on May 2008. At the time I loved the idea, had no problems healing, haven’t had any problems since…but now I wish I would have never done it. If there were an easy way to remove it without the chance of damaging my eyes, I would try to do it (although I am planning on getting both of my tattoos removed, I just don’t like them anymore).
This was interesting and informative. Many good points. I’d just like to re-iterate that if you get a conservative pm you can always change up your look by adding topical makeup. Check out my interesting videos on pm procedures on my website http://www.alwayspretty.com.
Never heard of the term before, so its opened my eyes.
Hi,
I was told, that there is a difference between permanent makeup and tattoos – permanent makeup is supposed to be tattooed less deeply in the skin than a regular tattoo, therefore it fades after 2-3 years. And also that the pigments used are “natural”. And also that the needles are thinner.
I don´t know if this is true, but I wouldn´t bet on it. What do you think?
It’s great to hear all the positive comments about PM. I have helped so many women to look naturally beautiful and “put-together”. Many breast cancer survivors have been thrilled to be able to look “normal” again. It’s a wonderful thing!
THE most important thing is going to a technician with experience, artistic ability, integrity and a great portfolio.
When I do a very dark liner or any time I do lips, I add a couple drops of orange which does not show but cancels out the blueing that might otherwise occur.
There is no such thing as PM for eyelashes. When you apply eyeliner tattoo it makes the lashes appear thicker and darker, but tattoo only works in skin, not hair.
Hi. I just left a comment but wanted to let you know that I live and work in Pennsylvania, but if anyone was interested in having me come to your location, you can call me and we can talk about the logistics. My work number is 610-282-1888 and you can check out my work at http://www.alwayspretty.com.
good info thx
Hi, I had my eyeliner done bue/black and quiet thick. Problem is the blue has seeped through the eyelid a long way and now I have a complete permanent blue eyeshadow look as well and it is very noticeable.
Will this fade with time as even when I try and cover it with foundation etc it is still noticeable