How to Choose a Microblading Artist
Thinking about Microblading or any other form of permanent makeup and don’t know what to look for in an artist? Tons of my clients tell me when they started the process they didn’t know how to get informed or what to look for. There are many factors to consider such as quality, location, and price. But have you considered what their aftercare consists of? What tools and pigments they use? Do they autoclave or use sterile single use needles? There are so many questions to be asked but not everyone knows which to ask. Some clients come to me clueless of the procedure and others have done their research. Either way our priority is to SAFELY help you achieve your brow goals and inform you! We do not mind your questions and actually encourage them! The more you know about what you are getting done the better! If you are not ready to commit to an artist or facility it is wise to set up a consultation to know your options and get a good idea of what working with them will be like!
Some key questions to ask your artists are the following
1.) Did you receive training from a reputable program? Are you certified?
A certification is very important to ensure your artist actually received proper training. These courses not only teach how to microblade but they also teach color theory, proper skin care, technique, correction, and much more! Someone who is not certified might not be able to fully understand your skin and needs.
2.) Are you licensed?
This one is one of the most important questions you could possibly ask! Certification does not mean license! Most people get these two confused and think they are the same. A license through the state is absolutely necessary! A permanent makeup artist has the same license as a tattoo artist. In order to receive this license you must complete blood-borne and pathogen education as well as First-Aid. These two are renewed yearly to ensure your artist is up to date on infection control and much more! If your artist does not have a license, they are working illegally. Make sure to ask your artist for proof of licensing. Don’t want to ask? Every state has public records of tattoo artist licenses. Here are the links for the Tri-State area.
No matter where you live it is very important to know your city and state laws!
3.) Is your salon licensed?
In order for a salon to be licensed it must pass cleanliness and sanitation guidelines. To check if a facility is licensed follow the links above! Every state has different requirements but all require for the owner and all performing employees to have an artist license.
4.) Do you have unedited before and after photos?
Before and after photos are proof of quality work. Always ask for several examples to see if they do well with different skin tones, shape, hair growth direction, and symmetry. You do not want to go to someone who always gives cookie cutter brows to all their clients. Everyone is different and not a single set of brows suits every one! To make sure the photos belong to them check for watermarks and also do reverse google image search. If the image pops up in different websites not belonging to them chances are the work is stolen.
5.) What does your aftercare consist of?
An artist’s response to aftercare instructions says a lot about them! Make sure they give you all the information necessary to properly care for your new brows. You do not want to work with someone who does not care what happens to you as soon as you leave your appointment and has you do your own research and ointment purchasing. All good artists include aftercare kits and strict instructions to promote good healing and to decrease chances of infection. To learn about my aftercare click here.
Reusable after care bags
Reusable after care bags are provided to my clients with everything necessary to care for their new brows.
6.) Are your tools single use or do you autoclave?
Both single use and autoclaved tools are great! Just make sure your artist uses sanitary instruments that have not come in contact with someone else! If they use single use, they will most likely show you the microblading pen or shading needle in its’ sterile packaging. Autoclaved tools are reused and sanitized after each use. The actual needles are ALWAYS single use and disposed.
Disposable Microblading and Shading tools.
Each tool comes in an individual sterile package. Disposed after every use.
7.) How do you choose my shape?
Every artist has their own techniques to shape brows. We use calipers, rulers, mapping string, compass, and much more! Some artists opt for the easy route and only use a stencil. A stencil COULD work for someone but it will not work for everyone! Shaping can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour! This is a step that should never be rushed!
These are only a few of the questions you could ask your artist. Whether you are in the united states or halfway across the globe these questions will help you understand what to look out for. Always make sure you find someone you can trust and feel comfortable with.
Have any suggestions of other important questions to be asked? Please leave them in the comments!