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!
