Ask your Artist! Microblading - where to start??
Let’s talk microblading! It’s the HOTTEST eyebrow service in the permanent makeup world and shows no sign of slowing down. So how do you find a good artist when you want to take the plunge? What should people ask a permanent makeup artist when researching who to go to? And what should the answer be to make your decision? Let’s look at one not-so-great question to learn what you SHOULD be asking.
How long have you been doing permanent makeup?
This is #1 question I am asked. Unfortunately, there are multiple ways for me to answer this question and none that should satisfy an inquiring client. Read below, and see if you like any of these answers.
First answer: I trained in 2003 and have worked in California, Colorado and now Nevada. By that answer it seems like I have been doing permanent makeup for over 15 years. And I haven’t!
Second answer: I have been open here in Las Vegas since Jan 2018. That answer makes it sound as if I have only been doing permanent makeup for a little over a year. Again, not true!
Third answer: I trained in 2003 and opened a business. About a year in my daughter developed an autoimmune disease so I shut my doors. I worked for a year at NaturaLook Institute as a student coordinator and was immersed everyday in permanent makeup but was not a practitioner. I did not reopen a permanent makeup business until 2016 in Denver, Colorado. That business was open for about a year then we moved to Nevada and I have been open here since Jan 2017. (and this is the truthful answer, btw) By this answer I have about 5 years experience spread over 16 years. Again, I wouldn’t be convinced I was the artist for me.
The problem with, how long have you been doing permanent makeup, is that the focus of the question is on a point that is totally irrelevant. And it makes sense that women should ask this, longevity equals skill, right? A mechanic with 20 years experience should know just about everything having to do with a car. Let’s work the numbers and see what you think when we’re done:
Suzy Q has been doing permanent makeup for 20 years. She is also an esthetician and offers facials, waxing and eyelash extensions. Permanent makeup is not her sole focus and she does 5 eyebrows a month. In a year, she will have microbladed (how embarrassing would it be to mess up my math lol??) 60 new eyebrows and 60 touch ups, assuming every client follows their instructions and comes back for their touch up, for a total of 120 complete eyebrow procedures.
Sally Sue, on the other hand, does nothing but permanent makeup. She microblades 15 new eyebrow clients every week. Multiply 15 x 52 weeks in a year, and little Miss Sally Sue is killin it with 780 new microblading procedures every year PLUS the touch ups, 780 new brows + 780 touch ups = 1,560 complete microbladed eyebrows every year. I want to be her!!
It would take Suzy 13 years to complete what Sally does in one.
Like all of our teachers and parents have told us, practice makes perfect and Sally is practicing all day everyday. Permanent makeup is her jam and if you talk to an artist who says they microblade 15 eyebrows per week, they are jammin too!
So what is the question you SHOULD be asking??
How many eyebrows do you do in a week?
The answer should impress you.
My answer: I tattoo and microblade 10-15 eyebrows per week. I am coming for you Sally Sue!!