YOUR PERMANENT MAKEUP RELATED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. What is permanent / semi-permanent makeup? Is there a difference between the two?
They’re both cosmetic tattooing. Generally, in Europe it’s called “semi-permanent”, but in the U.S. you’ll more often see “permanent.”
2. What is the difference between 3D/6D, hairstrokes, nanostrokes, microblading, powder brows? I’ve seen so many expressions used for it, and I’m completely lost on what to choose.
One thing to keep in mind: technicians often use fancy words for marketing. For example, they might say “3D” when there’s really no such dimension, or “6D” (how many dimensions do we have anyway?).
Here’s a rough breakdown of the main techniques:
Powder/Shaded Brows: Fully shaded brows that look like powder makeup once healed. More pigment layers = bolder and more defined; a lighter pass looks soft and powdery with some skin showing through. Personally, I like the lighter version—it leaves room for change and doesn’t look too bold.
Hairstroke Brows: Brows drawn hair by hair, usually with one color (done by machine or microblade).
Hairstroke 3D Brows: Hair strokes with more than one color (especially helpful for clients with no brow hair to create dimension).
Combo Brows: Hairstrokes with a soft wash of powder (usually in a lighter color) in the background. Great for filling patchy areas.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is pictures! If you like the technician’s healed work, trust their expertise. Whether they call it X, Y, or Z doesn’t matter—the work speaks for itself. Keep in mind, too, that not every technique works for every skin type.
3. Is it actually permanent? How is it different from a body tattoo?
Not exactly. Some pigments can last a very long time, but it’s not the same as a traditional tattoo. Even though pigments fade over time, we can’t guarantee they’ll completely disappear. For some clients, tiny pigment molecules may remain under the skin, leaving a faint tint for years—even without color refreshers.
4. How long does it last?
It depends. Roughly: hairstroke brows need a color refresher every 1–4 years, lips every 2–4 years. But everyone’s metabolism is different. Don’t book touch-ups too often if you don’t need them.
5. What does lasting time depend on?
A mix of metabolism, skin type, lifestyle, and climate. Example: a 20-year-old with oily skin who runs and plays tennis daily will likely need yearly touch-ups, while a 70-year-old with normal/dry skin who wears SPF and hats might still look good after 3 years.
Steroids, thyroid issues, and hormonal changes can also affect fading. Honestly, we’ll only know your timeline after the treatment. With organic pigments, brows may last longer, but color refreshers are still needed to prevent them from turning ashy/taupe over time.
6. Is it worth it? I’m not sure how I feel about paying so much for my brows.
That’s a personal decision. We all know what’s worth it to us—whether it’s lashes, nails, brows, or lips. Permanent makeup can save you time and give peace of mind (sweat, pool, humidity, no smudging).
One client told me she moved her alarm 20 minutes later after getting her brows done. Maybe that’ll be you too! I don’t try to convince people—I stay busy as it is—but I love working with clients who are sure this treatment is right for them.
7. Can you correct my lip shape with lip blushing?
It depends. Lip blushing mainly adds color—enhancing definition and a healthy look. I am trained in cleft lip correction and can extend just slightly outside the natural lip line (about 1/15 inch). But if your main goal is volume, fillers are the better option.
I want clients to understand: lip blushing won’t give a dramatic size increase. Bigger lips? See a good injector. Natural color and definition? Nice to meet you. 😍
8. Do you accept walk-ins?
No, I only work by appointment.
9. How far in advance do I need to book?
Depends on the season and cancellations. It could be anywhere from 2 days to 4 months, so please plan ahead.
10. Do you have weekend appointments? I’m traveling from another city.
Yes—at certain times of the year, I work Monday through Sunday. Please check the booking schedule, or email me at esthetic-lines@hotmail.com if you don’t see a time that works.
11. What is a first touch-up and do I need it?
A first touch-up is only needed if something small needs adjusting after your initial session. For example, hairstroke brows may heal with a couple of strokes missing, or maybe you started with a lighter shade and now want it darker.
That’s when we make corrections. Some clients heal perfectly and don’t need one, but those with no brow hair or sensitive skin should absolutely expect at least one touch-up.
12. Will it fade to a weird color?
Not if we choose wisely. Unless you insist on going darker against advice, your brows won’t turn blue/green/purple. I’ve used the same pigment brands for years and know their chemistry well.
Over time, brows may fade to peachy or taupe tones (similar to how hair dye fades). This isn’t “bad”—just the natural process—and it’s easy to adjust with a refresher.
For best results:
Avoid retinol in the brow area.
Always wear SPF.
Fair skin tones: keep in mind, very dark pigments will eventually turn ashy/grey/blue. For fair clients, jet black just isn’t realistic.
13. What if I need a color boost in 2–3 years? How much is it?
As long as you come for a refresher every 1–4 years, you’ll never pay full price again. Refreshers are 50–65% of a new appointment: currently $525–$675 ($525 if your last visit was <2 years ago, $675 if it was 3–4 years ago).
14. Do you offer training?
Yes! Call 239-200-0704 for training inquiries, or check our booking page for listed classes/apprenticeships.
15. Can I go to work/party/vacation right after?
Yes, but note: the color will look darker for a few days. Avoid sun exposure for 7 days (wear a hat if needed). Also avoid working out or sweating heavily for 5–7 days—sweat can blur the strokes before pigment sets. No ocean/pool water during the first week.
16. My wedding is coming up. Can you fit me in ASAP?
I get it! But I generally agree with the rule of not trying something new right before a wedding.
That said, I’ve worked on many brides 2–3 months before. Results can be beautiful, but keep in mind: bridal makeup is usually heavy, and many clients still add powder/pencil on top of their permanent brows for photos.
Try test photos beforehand to see how your brows look with your full wedding look (smokey eyes, bold lips, flash photography, etc.). Powder in the brows can help everything look seamless.
17. Will I still need brow makeup?
Hopefully not for everyday life! If you were used to very heavy brow makeup, you may still want a little extra. If your brows are very sparse, you might still choose to add some product for blending.
The goal is a natural result where you don’t need makeup daily—but some clients choose to add it occasionally.
18. Have you worked on darker skin tones?
Of course! I don’t have as many photos of Fitzpatrick 5–6 clients just because of Naples demographics, but yes, I work on all skin tones.
19. Do you work on pregnant or breastfeeding women?
I do not work on pregnant clients—it’s not safe, and possibly not legal. Breastfeeding is fine. (For the record: I’ve never had a client develop an infection, but we’re extra cautious with expecting moms.)
20. Can I have an allergic reaction to the pigment?
It’s rare, but possible—just like with anything else. In my entire career, I’ve only had one client experience a reaction, and it resolved quickly with treatment. That was also with a European pigment brand I no longer use in the U.S. (different regulations here).