When choosing a permanent cosmetics or microblading artist, it's essential to make sure they are skilled, professional, and hygienic. Here are 8 things to look for:
1. Certification & Licensing
What to check: Ensure the artist is licensed and certified by a recognized body. Many regions require specific training or certifications in permanent makeup and microblading.
Why it matters: Certification shows that the artist has undergone proper training and understands skin anatomy, safety procedures, and sanitation practices.
2. Experience & Specialization
What to check: Look at the artist’s portfolio to see how many years they’ve been practicing and their level of expertise in the specific procedure you want.
Why it matters: An experienced artist is more likely to deliver consistent, high-quality results. Specializing in specific procedures, like brows, eyeliner, or lip blush, ensures they are skilled in the art form you want.
3. Before-and-After Portfolio
What to check: Request to see a portfolio of before-and-after photos of previous clients, especially those who have similar skin tones or preferences.
Why it matters: Real-life results will give you a better idea of the artist’s work. Pay attention to things like symmetry, color consistency, and how the shape fits the client's facial features.
4. Hygiene & Sanitation Practices
What to check: The artist should follow strict sanitation protocols—using disposable needles, sterilizing equipment, and maintaining a clean working environment.
Why it matters: Hygiene is critical to preventing infections. Ask how they disinfect tools and equipment and if they use single-use materials for each client.
5. Consultation & Communication
What to check: Look for an artist who takes the time to have a thorough consultation before the procedure, discussing your expectations, concerns, and desired outcome.
Why it matters: A good artist listens to your preferences and explains the process in detail. They should also be open to any questions and provide clear aftercare instructions.
6. Customer Reviews & Testimonials
What to check: Research online reviews and ask for testimonials from previous clients.
Why it matters: Reviews provide insight into the artist’s professionalism, customer service, and the quality of their work. Positive feedback from others can help you gauge the artist’s reputation.
7. Pain Management & Aftercare
What to check: Inquire about how the artist manages pain (e.g., numbing creams) and the aftercare process.
Why it matters: A skilled artist will ensure you’re as comfortable as possible during the procedure and will guide you in maintaining the results afterward to avoid infections or fading.
8. Realistic Expectations
What to check: Ensure the artist provides realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcome, healing time, and maintenance.
Why it matters: Permanent makeup and microblading aren’t “one-and-done” procedures. Expect touch-ups, and be sure the artist gives clear information about how long the results will last and how to maintain them.
If you follow these steps, you’ll have a much higher chance of getting the results you want! Is there a specific type of permanent makeup you're considering, like brows or eyeliner?
How do I take care of my new microbladed eyebrows?
Congratulations on your new microbladed brows! ✨ Proper aftercare is essential for good healing, color retention, and crisp results. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide you can follow.
First 7–10 Days (Healing Phase)
Day 1 (First 24 hours)
Gently blot brows every 1–2 hours with a clean, dry cotton pad to absorb lymph fluid.
Keep brows clean and dry.
Apply a very thin layer of aftercare ointment if your artist provided one (less is more).
Days 2–7
Clean brows once daily with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser (or as instructed by your artist).
Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Apply a rice-grain amount of aftercare ointment.
Expect itching, flaking, and scabbing — this is normal.
🚫 Do NOT:
Pick, scratch, or peel scabs
Use makeup on brows
Get brows soaking wet (no swimming, hot tubs, or long showers)
Sweat heavily or exercise intensely
Use skincare products on brows (retinol, acids, exfoliants)
Tan or expose to direct sun
What’s Normal During Healing
Brows may look too dark at first
Color may fade 30–50%
Patchiness is common
Hair strokes may disappear temporarily and reappear
Healing is a process, not instant perfection.
After 10–14 Days
Light flaking should be finished.
You may resume light activities.
Continue avoiding exfoliants, retinol, and chemical treatments on the brow area.
Long-Term Care (After Healing)
Always apply SPF 30+ to brows when in the sun
Avoid chemical peels, lasers, or microneedling over brows
Use gentle skincare around the area
Schedule your 6–8 week touch-up (very important!)
When to Contact Your Artist
Signs of infection (excessive redness, swelling, pus)
Uneven healing or major color loss
Questions about touch-ups or fading
Questions to Ask: What to Know During a Permanent Cosmetics Consultation
There are the questions you should be asking a technician during the consultation portion of your procedure, well before any needle come in contact with your skin.
The idea of being permanently pretty without the hassle of trying to put on makeup every, single, morning, sounds enticing.
This is why permanent cosmetics has caught on with the popular culture in the last decade or so.
It saves time, removes the self-consciousness of, “Does my make up look good today?”, and lets the person concentrate on other more important issues.
When a person goes into a procedure and/or consultation, it’s expected that the technician performing should know what’s best for you. Sadly, a lot of the time that isn’t true.
There are the questions you should be asking a technician during the consultation portion of your procedure, well before any needle come in contact with your skin.
What to ask:
Can your prospective permanent makeup artist simulate what your brows will look like?
Can she apply conventional makeup to give you the shape and color depth and tone that makes you a better you, not a different you?
Can she make them balanced, proportioned and symmetrical?
If the technician can design a prettier shaped eyeliner, lip shape or brows that give you the look your desiring with conventional makeup, more than likely, you will have a wonderful result and be happy with the permanent cosmetic.
This is the time to have all your questions answered. Keep in mind that it’s not in your best interest to let your technician tell you what she thinks what's best for you. Opinions are valid, but it’s your body and listen to your brain.
Communication is Key
Always communicate to them what you like and don't like and remember at the end of the day, all that matters is that you love.
Have they answered all those questions and you feel good about letting them tattoo your face?
Good! Because now you're excited and you’re going to love what you see.