What Is Permanent Makeup and How Does It Work?

Permanent makeup — also known as PMU or cosmetic tattooing — is a modern beauty solution designed to enhance your natural features with long-lasting results. But despite its rising popularity, many people still wonder: What exactly is permanent makeup? And how does it work?

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

⸻

What Is Permanent Makeup?

Permanent makeup is a form of semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing that gently deposits pigment into the upper layer of the dermis, just beneath the skin’s surface. Unlike traditional tattoos, which use deeper ink placement and bolder pigments, PMU is designed to fade naturally over time — giving you soft, subtle enhancement rather than a permanent stamp.

It’s used to mimic the appearance of everyday makeup:

• Filled-in brows

• Defined lash lines

• Soft lip tint

• Even beauty marks or scar camouflage

  
  

⸻

What Areas Can Be Treated with PMU?

• Brows – Powder brows, hair stroke brows, or combo brows for shape, fullness, and balance

• Eyeliner – Lash line enhancement or subtle eyeliner for definition without daily makeup

• Lips – Soft lip blush for color correction or a natural tint

• Corrections – Fixing or fading old PMU or poorly placed pigment

⸻

How Does the Procedure Work?

1. Consultation:

Every appointment begins with a 1:1 consultation where client's goals, skin type, and natural features are assessed. This helps choose the right pigment, shape, and technique.

2. Pre-drawing and Mapping:

For brows and lips, I will draw the shape and map it to fit your facial structure. This is your preview and customization step.

3. Numbing:

A topical anesthetic is applied to ensure comfort throughout the procedure.

4. Pigment Implantation:

Using a sterile, single-use needle and a PMU machine, the pigment is gently deposited into the skin.

5. Healing & Touch-Up:

After the initial healing (7–14 days), a touch-up is scheduled in 6–8 weeks to perfect color and shape.

⸻

Is It Really “Permanent”?

Not exactly — PMU is semi-permanent, meaning it fades gradually over time. Most clients come back for a refresh every 12–24 months to maintain crispness and color. Fading is actually a good thing — it allows for adjustments as your face and style evolve.

⸻

Why People Love It

✔️ Saves time every morning

✔️ Waterproof, smudge-proof confidence

✔️ Customized to your features

✔️ Especially helpful for clients with hair loss, allergies to makeup, or vision/mobility issues

⸻

In short: Permanent makeup isn’t about changing how you look — it’s about revealing what’s already beautiful, and freeing you from the pressure of daily routines.