I am a Permanent Make Up & Microblading artist, AMA

[opalplumstead]

Whenever people find out this is what I do, they always have loads of questions for me. I absolutely love my job, and I am super passionate about it.

So I thought I would see if anyone on here wanted to be nosey!

Just wanted to say thanks for putting your story up about your life's path. I think that's amazing and congratulations for getting into such a lucrative career!

(The young woman who does my brows is absolutely minted from it!)

@Toomuchtooyoung01

I had my brows microbladed a few years ago at a supposedly high end salon in London and the pigment never took. I just had black eyebrows for a couple of weeks and even after 2 touch up appointments they never actually looked any different to prior to getting them done. It cost me £600 😳 When I complained I was told that sometimes skin just doesn’t take the pigment. Is this true???

😲😲 This is terrible

Firstly I think you should have got at last a partial refund. I personally have never had this happen, although I am aware that, while ver rare, it can happen. However unfortunately the more likely reason is that it was not done correctly, ie at the correct skin depth or a method may have been used that wasn't suitable for your skin type. Did you have hair stroke brows or powder brows? Or was it microblading?

Did you follow all aftercare advice? (I'm sure you did)

This is really interesting, I have terrible pale and fine eyebrows and finally took the plunge to get them microbladded earlier this year.

The first time I had the individual hair strokes, when I went for my touch up appointment she did a powder brow, the second looked better on me and I was really happy, this was in June, they're already extremely faded but better than what nature gave me, I intend to go back for a second touch up, she's does a really good job, you said it doesn't work for everyone, is it likely this isn't going to work for me or is it possible I'll need touch ups every 6 months?

@opalplumstead Thanks for your reply, I had them microbladed, and yes did follow all the aftercare advice (I didn’t even wash my hair for 2 weeks in an effort not to get them wet!!!!)

@lovingnewme

Just wanted to say thanks for putting your story up about your life's path. I think that's amazing and congratulations for getting into such a lucrative career!

(The young woman who does my brows is absolutely minted from it!)

Aw it's ok. I was worried after I posted it that it looked big headed 😳😳 but I guess I just wanted people reading to know that sometimes it's possible to turn your life around. I have been at rock bottom and would never have believed I'd be able to make something of my life

I'm not rich as I only qualified in April, and I've had to pay off debts and stuff and pay for my course and my room etc. And also I am having to pay £6000 out for private medical treatment next month (whole other story 😑) But fingers crossed I will continue to be busy and make money.

I have mine done every 6 months now. It looks fabulous. I’ve made my peace with the fact it doesn’t last much longer (well it might do but I prefer to keep them looking good all the time rather than sharp/fade cycle)

I REALLY struggle not to get them wet though. Either rain/sweat or in the shower.
I had the covers last time so I did try.

Anyway - what’s the deal with getting them wet? Why is it so important please?

Oh and yes I’m a sneezer too!

@PinkStink

I have mine done every 6 months now. It looks fabulous. I’ve made my peace with the fact it doesn’t last much longer (well it might do but I prefer to keep them looking good all the time rather than sharp/fade cycle)

I REALLY struggle not to get them wet though. Either rain/sweat or in the shower.
I had the covers last time so I did try.

Anyway - what’s the deal with getting them wet? Why is it so important please?

Oh and yes I’m a sneezer too!

Only just noticed someone else replied

Wow every six months is a lot ! Be careful as you can sometimes scar the area and damage the actual hair follicles

It shouldn't disappear this quickly.
Are you on thyroxin by any chance ? As this can make your body metabolise the pigment quicker

No not on thyroxin.

My hair/brows are very dark though.

I had my lips done 4 years ago. I’d already had them done a few years before which had faded. However, this was horrifically painful. She just kept going over and over them and my lips were huge and bright bright red. I couldn’t stand the outside air on my face for a week afterwards and had to stay off work as they were so swollen. GP said they were infected and gave me antibiotics. I never had the top up. They are still a very bright pink so I feel like I have to wear makeup all the time as it looks weird without it. Do you think the colour will ever go?

@PinkStink

No not on thyroxin.

My hair/brows are very dark though.

Ahh ok ! Could be just one of those things then. Microblading doesn't last quite as long as the machine method but it is surprising you only get six months (Although from what you've said I suppose at the point you get them done they're still visible just not as sharp and crisp and dark)

Also I didn't answer about getting them wet (or not) .
Soaking in water can loosens the pigment in the skin while they're healing and it lightens them. Once the pigment is locked in the skin after healing (so at least 14 days) it should be fine to do everything you'd usually do

Apart from use retinoids ! That can fade them dramatically too

What a lovely thread. I'm not a potential client but am enjoying reading the Q and A. Thanks for sharing, OP.

I had my eyeliner done with spmu about 3.5 years ago and want it done again but was wondering what you recommend for the best option currently? And what is the best numbing gel/whatever?

@SisterAgatha

I do apologise I missed your question ! Can't believe how many questions I've had

Yes essentially it is a tattoo. The process is very similar, however it doesn't go as deep into the epidermis as a standard/traditional body tattoo. So done correctly it fades and eventually disappears

Thanks for the answer. I definitely get mine wet too early.

Interesting.

And yes - they are ‘ok’ after 6 months but as I don’t wear make up at all I think it does it justice to keep them sharp.

@PinkStink

Thanks for the answer. I definitely get mine wet too early.

Interesting.

And yes - they are ‘ok’ after 6 months but as I don’t wear make up at all I think it does it justice to keep them sharp.

I have been having mine done annually for over 20 years now. I find the two best ways to avoid getting them wet is to avoid sweaty workouts for two weeks afterwards, and to use the handheld attachment in the shower as opposed to the overhead one. That way you can avoid your face.

Had mine done about 6 months ago. Best money I've spent in a while!

Mine were thick with lots of hair but really patchy with it. Dying them looked so false. They now look so full and natural.

On the few occasions I do wear make up I do some black brow liner strokes across them just to fit it in with the make up. It takes seconds.

So worth it for me.

Ps: thanks for sharing your story.

Opalplum your response has just made me well up a bit. Well done for finding a rewarding career that you love and going from the edge of being homeless to earning a great salary. You have done really well and are very inspiring.

Botox before or after micro blading? Obviously Botox changes your eyebrow shape and wears off. So which is better to have done first?

Are you based in the North West :)

I am in awe of you for finding a successful career that you love and earn so well from :)

I wanted to ask about lips - I have dark skin and awful dark patches on my lips that I am extremely self conscious about. I have been considering neutralisation for a while but would love your opinion on whether those with dark skin are high risk of suffering from hyperpigmentation? I have found a local practitioner with good reviews and seen lots of her work but I am not fully confident in case I make things worse

@HandfulOfFlowers thankyou. I do use the shower attachment but somehow I end up getting them wet.

Definitely should avoid sweaty workouts too. Again not something I'm good at.

Interesting about having it done for 20 years. I'd only heard of it about 5 years ago and thought it was a revolutionary idea!

@PinkStink I think it's been around for longer even than that, but has become much more popular as a mainstream treatment in recent years. I have full eyebrow reconstruction for alopecia, which used to be regarded as more of a "medical procedure" but now it is much easier to find people who can do it.

@GrandOld

Had mine done about 6 months ago. Best money I've spent in a while!

Mine were thick with lots of hair but really patchy with it. Dying them looked so false. They now look so full and natural.

On the few occasions I do wear make up I do some black brow liner strokes across them just to fit it in with the make up. It takes seconds.

So worth it for me.

Ps: thanks for sharing your story.

Aww I'm so glad you love your results.

And you're welcome - I wanted to tell my story as well

@Ukholidaysaregreat

Opalplum your response has just made me well up a bit. Well done for finding a rewarding career that you love and going from the edge of being homeless to earning a great salary. You have done really well and are very inspiring.

Thank you

I know I have been extremely fortunate. I will never ever forget the hardships I've experienced and it drives me to work so hard

Before I trained in this I did cleaning, that was my own business too. But even though I enjoyed it it was often extremely hard physically. It's funny how people react more positively to me now upon hearing that I do the job I do. When actually in some ways cleaning was much harder

[quote PinkStink]@HandfulOfFlowers thankyou. I do use the shower attachment but somehow I end up getting them wet.

Definitely should avoid sweaty workouts too. Again not something I'm good at.

Interesting about having it done for 20 years. I'd only heard of it about 5 years ago and thought it was a revolutionary idea![/quote]
Yes it's been a thing for quite a while ! In fact microblading comes from ancient Egyptian times