I ran into a woman I know at the gym recently and told her she looked great. She mentioned she had gotten permanent makeup not long ago and recommended I consider it for myself.
I’ve thought it over since then. I can’t seem to get past the fact that, even when it’s referred to in a genteel voice as “micropigmentation,” it’s still tattooing and it’s still on your face. Yes, it sure would be nice to be able to skip part of my morning routine. But the thought of tattooing my skin, especially near the eyes, gives me the heebie jeebies.
I finally decided to investigate using my favorite no-holds-barred, real women, honest stories Web site: RealSelf.com. Here’s what I learned.
Pros of Permanent Make Up
On RealSelf, I found women who had had permanent makeup applied to their eyebrows, eyelash line and lips.
I discovered that many women who don’t have much in the way of eyebrows find permanent makeup to be a relief. There’s no need to draw them on with pencil any longer and worry about how you look in the morning when you first wake up with a new sweetheart.
Older women also seem to find permanent makeup a good option, whether they don’t see well enough close up to apply makeup easily or they just don’t want to wield the implements any longer. Women who are physically active are also fans of micropigmentation for obvious reasons. Swimmers, runners and those who enjoy camping are among the women who choose permanent makeup.
Cons of Permanent Make Up
The most obvious argument against permanent makeup is contained in its name: it’s permanent. Well, almost permanent. A few women who have not liked their new eyebrows have sought laser tattoo removal to banish the ink. Generally this process works, but one woman noted that it costs more than the permanent makeup and takes multiple sessions to complete.
Another thing about that name—permanent makeup actually does fade in time. I discovered a few stories by women who had a good first experience, but in going back for a touch up years later had unpleasant results. The fact that you’ll probably need more tattoo sessions down the road is something to keep in mind.
Of course, there are also the horror stories: infections, odd colors, crooked eyebrows, lopsided lips and more. Most of these seem to have happened to women who didn’t research their artist thoroughly or looked for a bargain price.
The writers on RealSelf offered some advice they came by through experience. Some cautioned against going to a tattooist who uses a laser gun and pre-shaped stencils. More than one woman reported awful results when these tools are used. Others suggested avoiding a provider who travels around to various towns offering services—apparently this is not unusual. Women seemed to have found these traveling tattooists to be potentially less accountable to their clients.
What Does It All Mean?
One thing you might notice about these pros and cons is that they’re not exactly apples to apples. Those who contribute to the “pro” side, giving micropigmentation a thumbs up, are women who had good reasons to seek permanent makeup AND who had a good result.
Reviewers who turned thumbs down on the procedure were invariably unhappy with the outcome. Cons, then, typically relate more to the artist chosen than anything else.
Conclusion? If you like the way you look in makeup but your lifestyle makes it difficult to maintain a fresh appearance—and you’re willing to research, research, research—permanent make up might make sense for you.
As for me, I think I will stick with the pens, pencils and brushes for now.