Educating our clients and the general public about the safety of these practices is imperative, especially if the state isn’t ready to acknowledge permanent makeup and tattooing as a trade, then we need to do that for ourselves.

That means creating more awareness around what this services should look like— and what it should not. A few common practices I have observed that should raise red flags on an artist are:

1. Not wearing a face mask.
2. Covering clients with blankets and giving them pillows.
3. Doing procedures in breakrooms, at home or anywhere there is people eating and socializing.
4. Opening drawers and pigment bottles while working.
5. Re-using brow pencils, surgical markers, and tools.
6. Not covering the work area (beds/tables) with a protective barrier.​

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These common malpractices are just the tip of the iceburg of when it comes to important precautions that are not taught in schools or an online microblading training course. They are typically not intentional and a result of a lack of awareness and experience.
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Respect is everything when it comes to building relationships with colleagues. This may come across as old school— but as a new artist, it is integral to pay respects to the hard work that this industry was built on. Remember that the artists who you are learning from have gone through a lot to help build the career that they are helping you achieve today. The opportunities that experienced colleagues provide can opened doors in unexpected ways as there is truly years of learning with this skill, most of which can not be taught in school.

​From experience I have witnessed how paying respect to the lineage and understanding the progression of the industry has kept me humble, hard working and honest about my expectations when I was a beginner artist.

These are just a few ways that together we can create something amazing, not only for ourselves but for eachother. We can create something by coming together and complimenting where we each are in our careers.

What do you think? If you are a microblading artist, new or an OG— let us know your thoughts below!

I am so honored to have one of my dear client, Cate Alexis, on the blog today!

I first saw Cate in 2014 for a Microblading session and then saw her annually for touch-ups. We have laughed and cried (tears of joy, of course!) and created some gorgeous brows together. Cate has been one of my most loyal clients, making the drive all the way from the Detroit, Michigan area.

She’s nothing short of amazing, so be sure to check her out cute fashion feed on Instagram at @catealexis !

What was the best part of the process?

The very best part is two weeks after when you see your new amazing brows and love them! It is the best feeling!!! That makes it totally worth it!


What made you consider getting Microblading done in the first place?

Over-plucking like anyone who grew up late 90’s early 2000’s! Some areas just never grew back. After getting microblading even in my sparse areas I noticed new hair growing there! WIN.


Would you recommend it to your friends?

I most definitely would!


Has Microblading enhanced your confidence or life in any particular way?
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Alana made me love my brows again instead of being mad I had over plucked them my whole life! ​

What does your family think of them? Did anyone in your family freak out when you told them you were first going to get it done?

At first they thought I was crazy, but when they saw the results they totally understood!


How many times have you got them done?

2 full times and 2 touch ups.


Would you do it again?
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Yes I am totally overdue for another microblading session!

Cate, thank you again for sharing your Microblading experience! You can catch more of Cate’s amazing wardrobe on Instagram at @catealexis!

As a response to the recent headlines of a mother who experienced a horrible microblading procedure, Microblading Artist & Owner Tina Davies spoke out against the backlash, shedding light as to why these horror stories are actually happening.

Article written by: Tina Davies
​https://tinadavies.com/blogs/news/microblading-under-attack

"Microblading gone wrong is all over the media right now.

We’ve seen this trend getting worse, and with the increasing mainstream popularity of microblading, we’ve noticed horror stories are also becoming more and more frequent and even viral.

Last week was a particularly bad week for microblading. I think by now we’ve all heard the story…

A single mother goes to have a microblading procedure in the hopes of attaining fuller, perfected eyebrows, only to wake up the next day with horrifying results. Her skin actually became so irritated that it peeled right off her face, causing her both physical and emotional trauma that she is still reeling from. Her skin literally fell off her face.

This issue is so prominent, that the term “botched microblading” is the second suggested term on google when you type “botched m”

It’s going to get worse before it gets better.

If you are looking for a microblading procedure today the chances of getting a bad experience and being exposed to health risks are higher than finding a pro and getting a high quality treatment. The combination of artists accepting clients that are not good candidates and the extremely high volume of new artists entering the industry after getting only 2-3 day training courses with limited education is contributing to a dramatic upswing in microblading horror stories.

Now more than ever, clients should be hyper-vigilant when selecting a microblading artist.

If you are looking for a microblading procedure and you want to limit your exposure to health risks and increase the chances of a great outcome we’ve got you covered. The list below is a guide for how to find a high quality artist. This is not suggested best practices or nice to haves… this is the absolute bare minimum requirements. If anything is missing from the list (and you like your skin attached to your face) - DO NOT BOOK a procedure.

1. Book a consultation and site inspection

Instead of relying on Instagram or website reviews, take the time to pick up the phone and call the artist and book a consultation. This is particularly important if the artist is not a direct referral. The consultation will give the artist a chance to understand your needs, assess your skin condition and provide answers to your specific questions. Plus, you’ll be able to do a site inspection at the same time to view the working conditions. Look for an environment that is tidy, well-lit, pet-free, and sanitary. Most states and provinces also require a sink to be in each procedure room. An unsanitary environment is a huge red flag when someone is making incisions into your skin.

​2. ​Tools and equipment inspection
It is essential that all microblade needles the artist uses are sterilized. This is usually a basic requirement of the local governing body. Sterilization markings should be indicated on the packaging. No sterilization markings being a big red flag.

Make sure the artist mentions sterilization or educates all clients on their process for ensuring sterilized blades, needles and handles. You should also see a sharps container and watch that used tools be deposited into the sharps container. The SPCP advises that one-time use disposable microblade tools are the safest for both the artist and client and reduces the risk of cross-contamination in the work area. You should also watch that the artists uses a new tool for every microblading procedure and that she/he opens a new package. Unfortunately, a lot of artists re-use their handles and in some cases even re-use microblade needles.

3. Copy of training certificates Before booking an appointment or sitting in an artist’s chair, make sure they display their training certifications and any other permanent makeup/microblading courses they've taken, either in person or online. If you're unsure and don’t see this information displayed anywhere, ask the artist if you can see their credentials. Due to the recent surge in popularity of microblading and the lack of regulation for training, there are so many new artists out there who have not been properly trained, which highly increase the chances of client complications with the procedure. In addition to looking at the training certificate, it is also a good idea to see who provided the training and gauge the reputation of the trainer as many trainers have only 6 months of experience or less.

4. Blood-borne pathogen completion course You may need to do some digging and research for this one, but when someone is going to perform any type of microblading procedure like this, it’s important to do your research and ensure that your artist is well-educated. If the artist has completed this necessary course, they shouldn't have a problem presenting it to you.

5. Seeing Previous HEALED Work At the end of the day, even microblading artists who are certified and use sterile needles may still be new to microblading. Make sure to always do your research on the artist’s previous work and read any and all reviews on the experience, healed results, and interaction with the artist.

Remember this rule of thumb: “immediately after” pictures show art, “healed” pictures show skill.

6. Gloves You may think this one is obvious. Ensuring that an artist is wearing gloves throughout your procedure is a given. But it’s critical that those gloves that are touching the open wounds on your face haven't been contaminated by touching reusable objects in the procedure room such as lights, mirrors, phones, or worse yet - by another client. Microblading artists that are educated in the transmission of blood-borne pathogens understand and are acutely aware of not touching non-disposable items with contaminated gloves. The tiny cuts that are made on your eyebrows during a microblading procedure are very susceptible to infection. If an artist is seen not taking proper precautions, think twice before booking your appointment with them.

7. Disposable Environment Does the artist live in a disposable universe? Do they dispose of all microblades, handles, needles, gloves, and everything else that may be contaminated immediately after they no longer need them? Well-educated and professional artists will dispose of all needles INCLUDING handles to reduce the risk of transmitting disease or infection. Beware of artists that re-uses handles in order to save a few bucks. This is a widespread issue. Companies that sell handles and needles typically sell 25 needles for every handle.

8. Aftercare and Follow-up Appointment During your consultation, it is good to take note of what the artist’s typical protocol is for microblading aftercare, and follow-ups. Does the artist give you an ointment and send you on your way? Or do they take the time to sit down and explain aftercare, and why it’s important.


9. Do You Qualify for the Procedure We recently wrote an article called “Am I A Good Candidate for Microblading”. We wrote this article because not everyone is a good candidate for a microblading procedure. Reasons for this can vary depending on your skin type or medical conditions you may have, including medications or supplements you may be taking. Either way, this is something both clients and artists have a responsibility to research prior to any procedure so that they both understand that results may not be optimal. For more information on qualifying yourself or clients for a microblading procedure, please see our blog post here.

10. Business License, Annual Health Inspection Report, Insurance

As a client looking to have a procedure like this done, it’s your responsibility to do your research on artists in your area. If you have determined that the microblading artist and their space meets the standards listed above, there is no reason that a microblading procedure can’t be an amazing experience that adds convenience and self-confidence to your life. If you are diligent enough to ensure that artists are well trained, and are following best-practices, the chances of your procedure going smoothly and successfully will increase, leaving you with awesome results that you love! Caveat Emptor!"

More: https://tinadavies.com/blogs/news/microblading-under-attack

With microblading being such a hot trend, training courses are popping up all over the US and Canada. But, as most things in life, microblading is a Buyer Beware situation.

When microblading is done by an artist that has integrity, proper training, and experience, it is a very safe application with few potential side effects.

However, like any tattoo, it is a serious procedure and you want to have your bases covered.

Microblading is an art form that takes years of study through trial and error to perfect. Most trainings being offered right now are 1-3 days long. Practice models are not always offered, as these courses can even be taken online.

This leaves students to practice on their own terms without supervision in concern to blood borne pathogen awareness.

In the US there are very little FDA regulations on any type of tattooing. Anyone can attend these courses regardless of their background in the health or beauty industry.

It is a regular occurrence in the industry to see new artists stealing more established artist's photos to use on their website for marketing purposes. It's important to ask questions beyond what the eye can see. Questions such as:

How long have you been microblading?
How many clients have you worked on?
Do you have client references?
Have you ever made a mistake? How did you fix it?
Do you have access to someone who can help if there is a mistake you don't know how to fix?
Do you have Blood Borne Pathogen Training?
What is your clean-up procedure like?
Are your tools/pigments disposable?

The last thing any of us want is to feel intrusive, but again this procedure is a serious one. An artist that takes their work seriously will respect your concerns.

To be polite, be sure to ask questions like this before scheduling an appointment, not the day of.

Internationally, there is raised concern over heavy metal impact on the body from tattooing and permanent makeup. If you have an autoimmune condition or other health concerns, check out an article I recently published on the topic by clicking below:

My hopes are that this insight has been helpful for you while researching microblading. It is such a life enhancing service, when done correctly.

We are always wishing the best for you and your brows!

There's nothing like freshly done, microbladed brows.

You're feelin' them, you're feelin' you, now... to keep it that way for a while.

This isn't to say you shouldn't wear makeup on them. However, you're going to want to lighten up a bit on how hard you push with the pencils you use. Gentle is the key! Otherwise, it's kinda like getting a tan and then shaving your legs. The top layers of skin are delicate, so it's important to treat them that way.

​Face washes, makeup, lotions, sunscreens, you name it-- someone's stuck an acid in it. Be especially aware of retinols and salicylic acid.

​If the health of your skin relies on these acids, that's okay. Just be aware they can cause fading and try to minimize exposure by checking all of your facial product's active ingredients.

Recommendation:

Living Libations | Best Skin Ever

You don't need to be shy of the sunshine, just remember to protect your brows while your out there playing.

​The less natural brow hair you have, the more conscientious you will want to be about your exposure.

​To prevent premature fading, it is essential to either wear a brimmed hat or use a quality SPF directly on your brows when you are out in the sun.

And, there you have it!

Easy breezy, right?

Although it is natural for microblading to fade over time, with the right care you can really get the most out of your applications.

Cheers to to those long-lasting brows!

Society is finally coming around to accept tattoos as a cultural norm. The shift from  "that guy looks scary" to "that guy looks interesting" -- it's happening.

​Ah. It's the time we've all been waiting for.

Then insert: Heavy Metals.

Heard of 'em? They're totally ruining the fun.

I am a cosmetic tattoo artist by trade and I taught myself to be a tattooer over the years in between microblading eyebrows and eyeliner. I have an affinity for all things ink + needle, for its ability to create a transformation for someone on a physical and even emotional/spiritual level.

However, it has been my own run with autoimmune symptoms I have learned a few things about the presence of heavy metals in tattoo ink that have made me question if I will ever get tattooed again.

​Unfortunately guys, we're not talking about Black Sabbath.

​I have uncovered throughout my personal journey that there are major links between autoimmune conditions and tattoos, as many tattoo inks contain copious amounts of heavy metals which are unregulated by the FDA here in the US.

In fact, the heavy metal contents of many traditional inks in the US would be illegal in most regulated European countries.

When it comes to the actual tattooing process, these substances are implanted into the tissues of the skin where they can easily enter the bloodstream and settle into organs inside the body.

​Awareness that not all tattoo pigments & inks are created equal, is your best defense. This isn't an article to persuade anyone from getting tattoos or permanent makeup, but rather to show you that you have options-- especially if you are already dealing with a health issue.

​More than anything, it's not that a consumer should fear getting tattoos, but it is important they know what's in the ink/pigment thier artist is using and the potential effects.

When it comes to microblading and permanent makeup, the best in the industry is PhiBrows, as they have developed a synthetic alternative to heavy metals to achieve their colors.

As far as tattoo inks, it is hard pressed to come across a brand that is heavy metal free just yet. What you will find are companies going above and beyond to ensure lower levels of heavy metals and elimination of the most harmful ones. Trusted brands include:

Alla Prima Ink
Arcane Tattoo Inks
Bloodline & Skin Candy Tattoo Inks
Dynamic Tattoo Inks
Eternal Ink
Fantasia Tattoo Inks
Formula 51 Tattoo Ink
Intenze Tattoo Ink
Kuro Sumi Tattoo Ink
Mom’s Ink by Millennium Colors, Inc.
Panthera Black Tattoo Ink
Radiant Colors Tattoo Ink
Sacred Color Tattoo Inks
Starbrite Colors

The best news here is that you can help your body remove these toxic substances. The best course of action, if you already have tattoos or don't plan on stopping, is to incorporate this detox smoothie into your daily routine:

According to Anthony William, author of the New-York Times Best Seller "Medical Medium: Secrets To Mystery Illness & How To Finally Heal", this heavy metal smoothie is one of the best things we can all do, tattooed or not, for our health.

My hope is that you found the information presented here helpful. I don't believe in living in fear, but instead to be aware and empowered by our choices.

​Thank you for stopping by and reading!

Hi beauties!

Microblading is an ancient art form- perhaps one of the oldest artforms in history. However, it is very new to the western world. Because it is "fresh on the scene" here in the US, there is a lot of confusion surrounding microblading and permanent makeup in general.

I created this short video with the intention to provide a professional insight to those who are seeking to understand the process and most importantly- how to pick an artist that will suite their brow needs.

Thank you for watching!

via Style.Mic by Lauren Hard

After filling her brows in with pencil and shadow for years, Pamela Lacy was intrigued when she heard about "permanent makeup." A procedure that promised she wouldn't have to fill in her eyebrows ever again was damn appealing.
​
The procedure itself, however, sounded a little scary: microblading.

A growing trend? Tattooing your eyebrows has been around for several years, but is still a foreign concept for plenty of women, especially in the United States. Check Instagram for "before and after" photos of the procedure, and you'll see most of the photos appear to be from patients in Turkey or Germany with fewer American photos.

The conversation around permanent makeup has recently focused more on lips, as women try to get that Kylie Jenner-inspired pout. One Cosmopolitan Australia editor recently underwent the procedure, which actually lasts eight to 10 years, and she loved it.

"When I wake up in the morning, my face already feels 'done' but in a very natural way, and I save time applying liner and plumping lip gloss," she wrote.
But microblading seems to be picking up in interest here and in Canada, as skincare specialists all over Twittertout the "new" service to their followers. Some may point out that beauty standards — particularly something as trend-specific as "power brows" — are mutable. But as far as tattoos go, microblading might be one of the safer, least permanent bets.
​
"[It] hurt a little, but wasn't bad," Lacy told Mic, saying she returned to work right afterward with her brows looking fuller and darker. She was so happy with the results, which earned her complements from people who used to comment on how tired she looked, that she went back to have her eyes and lips permanently lined.
It was "transformational," she said, "help[ing] me to feel better inside and out."

In the world of permanent makeup, there are a few new tricks up the industry's sleeves. For one thing, no longer are we confined to a a machine to do the task. Hand tools give a much more personalized, fine line approach to the brows, creating a hair-like effect.

Techniques such as 'Embrowdery', 'SofTap', and 'Feather Touch' all utilize similar handtools to create magical results. At AURA, Alana Everett combines the most effective elements of each technique, to create a brow that you will love. We are mostly a fan of Feather Touch simply because we are most comfortable with the company that produces the needles & pigments: BioTouch.

Now, to get to the review!

​This is a review by Laura Butler at Up To My Eyes.

"We all have a go-to beauty product that injects life into us, or makes us feel confident when braving the outside world. For me, it’s about the eyebrows, and the feeling that a quick line of pencil or brush of shadow can give my face more definition and structure.

So, when I was asked to head along to Up To My Eyes in Greystones, Co Wicklow, and try out their new Embrowdery service, a semi-permanent treatment that involves drawing on of hairs to add to existing brows, it didn’t take long to consider. The salon is famous for its eyelash extensions and has now become the first in Ireland to introduce this new technique to native beauty fiends.

Up To My Eyes owner Elaine McParland learned the intricate art in Hong Kong. Taking two hours for a consultation and application, Embrowdery uses a nano technology to draw 3D hair strokes with a cloning needle into the epidermis of the skin. Now, that's enough of the technical side of things, here's exactly how it works.

So, after the lovely Emily drew on some seriously glam looking brows, the real business began. For those who are used to professional tweezing or threading – Embrowdery will be a doddle for you. In fact, you’ll hardly feel a thing. I’ll confess that for me - baby that I am – it was a tad sore.

After the first round, I was almost ready to give up on the whole thing, when I heard the mention of anesthetic - and I relaxed immediately. From there on, I settled back into the chair and enjoyed a full 60 minutes of peace and quiet while Elaine worked her magic.

When the finished product was shown to me in a mirror, I felt like I was looking at a new and improved version of myself. My brows had been completely shaped, sculpted and sexed-up. It was amazing.

Of course, like all good things, dedication and consistency is required. Something I didn’t realise about Embrowdery – more for my lack of research and sheer excitement rather than anything else – is that this is no once-off treatment. In order to maintain the colour, two or three top-up visits are required to ensure that it lasts.

But this also allows you to change your mind about shape or colour if you want to, which completely makes sense because it allows you to be bold and ask for ‘more, more, more’ the next time around (watch your back, Cara Delevingne!).

Following my second and final sessions, the results both improved and lasted longer. Of course, results are as important as the experience itself, so on that note, aftercare is a must. You’re required to apply a fragrant and soothing Vaseline-like gel every three hours for the first few days, to prevent the brows from drying out and eventually scabbing over.

There are no guarantees how long exactly the treatment lasts. For some it could be 12 months, for others 48. It all depends on your skin type. But eventually, it will wear away with exfoliation. It costs €380 inclusive of two follow-up visits.

In the meantime, I’m still feeling fabulous."