Permanent Cosmetics Philosophy, Tampa

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 example would 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 phone calls 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 . . .

It is a must to numb the area that is going to be permanently tattooed for permanent make up. The product used first is topical anesthetic gel. It is applied on the area that is going to be tattooed. The product is put on for twenty minutes. The instruction are given to the client to relax keep eyes closed if permanent eye liner is going to be done. Keep mouth closed and no talking if the lips are going to be done. This gel is produced for permanent make up but, client needs to follow directions. I apply the product after the client has done a health history, instruction given and client is comfortable. I turn the lights low with soft music for relaxation and I stay near preparing to do the work. I wipe down all surfaces with hospital disinfectant bleach towels and put together my permanent cosmetic tattoo machine with sterile tube and sterile needle. The needle is sized according to what type of permanent cosmetics I am going to do.

I give instructions to my client for whatever reason I am within the sound of their voice and ask any question if needed. I can always rinse the numbing agent off the lips if client needs to speak to me and same with eyes just rinse thoroughly with saline and reapply if needed. I have been doing permanent cosmetics since 1993 and have done every form of permanent cosmetics. I am one of the beginners in the permanent cosmetic industry and still love what permanent cosmetics can do for a client. After the twenty minutes have passed I do a quick pass across the area I am going to work. This breaks the skin, adds color and makes it possible for me to re-apply numbing agent so it will go into the skin and hold up through the procedure without any pain. Without this method the numbing agent just doesn't hold up all enough to produce a perfect job. This works great and I am able to apply a lot of ink into t he skin without any pain and I end up with a perfect long lasting product =lips, liner, brows, blush, nipples, scar camouflage and even beauty marks.

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