Everything you want to know.

All treatments have a healing period, because they involve a needle and pigments — the skin has to heal and seal in the color, just like a body tattoo. Lips usually take about 5–7 days to scab and finish peeling, and brows and eyeliner are similar. Sometimes brows or eyeliner take 7–10 days.

You will look swollen and red for about 2–3 days, then the scabbing process occurs. Most people prefer to hide, wear a mask, work from home or wear big glasses for the first couple of days. How red or swollen you get depends on how sensitive your skin is, but it doesn’t last very long.

Soft Powder Brows and Velvet Lips. Soft Powder is the longer lasting, safer for skin and most evenly retaining of all brow tattoo techniques. Velvet Lips is the more saturated version of lip blushing, favored for its more noticeable color and longer lasting results.

Everyone responds to pain differently. Cosmetic tattoos are usually a little uncomfortable but widely tolerated — clients report around 3–5/10. I apply topical numbing, plus numbing on open skin throughout the process, to keep you comfortable. If you are extremely sensitive to pain, this may not be the right procedure for you.

Approximately 2–3 years, depending on your skin type, oiliness, sun exposure, exercise and exfoliation. Lip work typically lasts 3+ years. I recommend a touchup when you start noticing fading, or every year for optimal results.

To protect my time and business. I limit my days to 2 clients, and each appointment takes almost 3 hours. If someone cancels last minute, the deposit serves as the cancellation fee. If your financial situation is very tight, or the deposit would cause you stress, please do not book. My policies apply universally to everyone.

For a true medical emergency I request some proof or explanation — not to challenge you, but so I can reschedule you immediately without losing your deposit. Otherwise, only 24 hours notice is required to reschedule without penalty, so I can offer that 3-hour spot to someone else.

No-shows without an emergency or respectful explanation are not allowed to rebook. I am usually booked 3–4 months in advance and cannot “squeeze” people in last minute, because I take my time to ensure the best results.

5–10 minutes late is understandable. If you are more than 20 minutes late you will not be seen and your deposit will be lost, and you will need a new deposit for a future appointment. I work alone, so I must be strict — thank you to all compliant clients.

No. I am properly licensed, certified multiple times, work under NYS Department of Health guidelines, and use the highest quality inks, needles and machines. Cosmetic tattoos are a luxury, elective procedure — please respect artist pricing.

Guests may wait in the waiting area, but since the procedure takes 2–3 hours it’s best they spend that time elsewhere. Children are not allowed — needles are around and serious concentration is needed. Watching the procedure is available through my training and Look & Learn sessions.

Most cosmetic tattoos need a touchup to perfect spots that didn’t retain color as well, or to adjust the color slightly. There is always some unpredictability with skin. Be as vocal as possible about the look you want — I pre-draw and work with you to get there. Realistic expectations + my opinion = happy client.

Absolutely not. Microblading works in the shallow layer of the skin and is not ideal for oily, troublesome or textured skin, which fades faster. I am converting almost all of my former microblading clients to combo brows or soft powder brows.

Yes — for most people. Complications are extremely rare and usually come from not following aftercare or withholding medical information. New, disposable, unopened tools are used for every client and disposed of immediately after. Allergies to high quality inks are incredibly rare; if a reaction happens it is usually to the lidocaine numbing and is minor and temporary.

Skin is unpredictable — even with the perfect amount of ink, your skin may not fully retain it. A touchup perfects faded areas, allows minor adjustments to color or shape, and saturates the skin so results last longer and fade more evenly. Some brows heal beautifully and clients prefer to wait, so brow touchups are priced by how long you wait.

Be vocal and detailed. Bring photos of yourself with makeup you like, celebrities, other work you love, and the brow pencils or lipsticks you use. I take a long time designing the pre-draw to show you exactly what they will look like — any concerns must be voiced before tattooing.

• Those prone to keloids and hypertrophic scarring
• Persistent skin conditions on the treatment area (acne, scars, burns, rashes, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, veins in the brows)
• Unrealistic expectations of “perfect” results that never change
• Those extremely sensitive to pain
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Major or chronic medical conditions, recent major surgery, autoimmune or immune-compromising conditions (medical clearance from your physician required)

For at least 24 hours before, avoid blood thinners (aspirin, Advil/ibuprofen), caffeine, alcohol and multivitamins — especially vitamin E and fish oil. They cause more bleeding and make you more sensitive during the procedure. Come well rested and relaxed — it’s supposed to be exciting!

Yes — most people go right back to work. If you feel self-conscious, book on a Friday or during a holiday. The color may look intense on days 2–5, but don’t worry: it softens into the intended color after about a week, with around 30% fade.

Yes. Fading is gradual as the skin naturally dilutes the color, which is why touchups are recommended once fading becomes noticeable. “Permanent” makeup doesn’t last forever — it lasts long enough for the term to be widely used.

Yes. I am happy to correct and improve work done elsewhere. If a color would disrupt a good cover-up, I may refuse or recommend saline removal first. Cover-ups can take several sessions, and the exact desired result may not always be attainable — but brows can improve significantly.

See the complete Aftercare guide for lips, brows, eyeliner and tattoo removal.