Permanent Cosmetics Philosophy . . .

Permanent Cosmetics is a form of art. But like art, there are very talented artist and there are some that just are not. Some people are naturally very creative with their hands and certain types of work come easily to them and there are others that struggle. I have found in all forms of art I do there are key elements that help ensure the type of perfection I seek.

I believe when performing a permanent procedure on someone's face, it is just too important not to be highly-trained and naturally skilled. The laws in Florida are simply a joke when it comes to the education requirements (or lack thereof) for becoming a permanent cosmetic artist. The only real requirement is to engage the supervision of a doctor. There are many doctors who will do anything "for the extra money". I think that it is important to be connected with a good doctor, don't get me wrong. But with only three or four days of training by Joe Schmo or whoever, there is no guarantee of quality and/or knowledge to be receiving this type of work. Many people out there will sell you one of their three or four day training certifications for around $2,000 or $3,000, which I believe is the biggest form of rip-off because that rip-off affects many people.

To train someone you need to keep them with you through many, many different procedures with all kinds of skin types, nationalities, ages and intentions. Women that are very old are quite different clients than younger ladies. Men wanting permanent cosmetics becomes a whole training in itself and it's very important to know exactly what you need to do. Gay men and straight men for permanent cosmetics, transgender men for pre- or post-op care. Cross-dressers love (and need) good brow design but, it takes a special talent to design a brow that goes "both ways". A cross-dresser with manly eyebrows is a horrid giveaway. A perfect cross-dresser's eyebrow still appears manly, but can easily become a female eyebrow with the proper application of makeup. I help anyone that needs my services, if they are as respectful of my profession as I am respectful of them (and thankful for their business).

There are some key elements (other than talent) that come into play concerning permanent cosmetics. One is the use of the highest quality sterile needles, quality colors, fabulous selection of those colors, a powerful, but almost silent tattoo machine (not a hand tool or a battery-operated pen machine – I don't believe in them and never will). I believe hand-stabbing is awful no matter what anyone tries to tell me. I believe you can't control or obtain perfectly straight lines, you will have difficulty in either putting the color too deep or too shallow, the process will take too long, it is more painful, and usually the "operator " has only taken a three-day course. I call it them "jailhouse tattoos". That is my belief. I have seen just too many lousy jobs from that form of permanent cosmetics. Some of the work I have seen would make it impossible for me to ever be able to pick up that tool again if I had done that job. This is just my opinion – I am sure that there are people out there that have the talent to do high quality work by hand, but ninety-nine times out of one hundred jobs I see are certainly not art. Maori tribal tattoos are an example of wondrous hand-engraving . . .

Hospital-standard sanitation education is also very important, pain-control and knowledge of pain-control must be incorporated correctly. These skills take time, and if a person is paying for quality work, then it is very important not to be hurried. Listen to exactly what the client expects and how they want the permanent cosmetics to look before beginning any procedure. I ask clients to come in with photos of what they would like, if at all possible. Sometimes clients can apply their own makeup and sometimes they don't know what would be the best for them. That is where years of training and dealing with people in the beauty business comes into play. I make sure to provide an after-care sheet, a business card and always give explicit verbal instructions. Plus, I remind clients to call with any question or concern, no matter how slight. An examplewould be of a client that used a cream face cleanser on her newly created permanent eyeliner. She would have looked at the after-care instruction sheet she would have known not to. There is acid in some face cleansers and you should never use them on an open wound. I have received late-night phonecalls from clients in tears because of what was done to them earlier in the day from other practitioner's work. Usually done for very cheap and by someone looking for a quick and easy dollar. There is a lot of that in Florida . . .

So, to repeat lots and lots of training – I can't say enough on this topic. I have spent well over $20,000 for my training through the years, but I would still pay every penny, and I am glad I have. I strive to produce the most beautiful work and am very proud of everything I have done. I take my time and I do it right. Once in a great while there might be a need for a touch-up, but there is never an extra charge. I create nipples for women (darker or lighter), camouflage scars and solve skin pigment problems. I love designing eyeliners, sometimes using three colors to elicit beautiful works of art, plus designer lips, lip liners and every style of brow you can imagine. There can be no guesswork. I will always show an example of my previous work for your approval . . .

So if you are tired of trying to putting on makeup at the crack of dawn or for whatever other reason, please call me (727) 398-4187 – you won't be disappointed . . .

Karen Marlise