Fear and Suspicion of Permanent Cosmetics

Have you ever been late for something because of too much time spent in front of the mirror?  Guys, this could mean you…. waiting for someone else spending time in front of the mirror counts, too.   

If so, have you thought permanent makeup would just make your life so much easier -- and happier -- but have too many concerns about the risks involved with actually pursuing it yourself (or as the case may be, of being supportive of someone else pursuing it)?  

Believe me… I feel your pain.  I was actually one of the early fools who rushed in, back in the mid-90’s, and got treated to asymmetrical eyebrow abominations.  I literally put a band aid over one side because the pigment was applied so high it looked like one of Joan Crawford’s eyebrows had come back to haunt me. 

Finding the right technician is as much of a treasure hunt as looking for Ferragamos at a League of Jewish Woman’s rummage sale.  They are out there, but you have to invest some due diligence and have a little faith that you will strike gold after weeding out the standard tailings. 

Misapplied pigments, poor pigment quality, poorly selected pigment color, the use of actual ink for permanent cosmetic procedures rather than non-water soluble pigments, as well as a host of other mal-odious factors contribute to achieving undesirable results.   The truth is that a quick look at the technician’s ‘before and after’ gallery will give anyone considering this procedure an idea of the quality of product they can expect. 

A consultation with the technician will also provide valuable data to the person pursuing permanent makeup.  How well does the technician listen?  How well does the technician apply topical makeup during the consultation?  What are the technician’s qualifying attributes?  Because the industry has been prone to loose regulation, the responsibility falls upon you to use your head and follow your instincts. 

What I would strongly advise against is in blindly trusting that just because someone has an esthetician’s or cosmetology license, they are automatically qualified to apply permanent makeup.   Naturally, I don’t mean that these licenses disqualify someone from providing this service.  Rather, I’m suggesting that all too often permanent makeup is added to the cadre of beauty services available to any shop owner regardless of artistic sensibility in spite of the fact that it is an art form.  

Be wary of the template approach to beauty that is so very common.  If you decide to go ahead with a particular technician with hope as your only assurance, remember you will be living with this decision for many years.  

It’s worth the small time investment to really see the work that is out there being provided by permanent cosmetic professionals.  There are a few skilled technicians servicing the greater Seattle area with a web presence that I have found.  Helen Piatt works in Federal Way but also comes to South Seattle once a week.  Penny Rudy from the Chrysalis Clinic in Arlington makes a justified claim of being ‘simply the best in the Northwest’.  Penny is so good in fact, that I’ve chosen her as my instructor for continuing education in techniques and procedures.  This continued education is something that I feel is absolutely necessary for any technician to commit to. 

So, don’t fear permanent cosmetics!  As with many things, a little research before committing is necessary, but I have to say that life changing results can be achieved with the application of well implanted and well chosen pigments.  The investment of time investigating the options for any decision will give you the assurance to help you look good, feel great, and change YOUR world!