FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please read the page in its entirety before booking your appointment to ensure you are a candidate for the services I offer and are fully prepared for your appointment. Getting the best results starts before you ever step foot in my studio, and something I take seriously as an artist!
WHAT IS COSMETIC TATTOOING?
Cosmetic tattooing, also known as permanent makeup or micro-pigmentation, involves applying pigments to the skin to enhance or define features such as eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips. This technique can create a more polished look that lasts for years, reducing the need for daily makeup application.
The process uses a tattoo machine or handheld tools to implant pigments into the upper layer of the skin. Results can vary from natural enhancements to more dramatic looks, depending on the client's preferences.
Overall, cosmetic tattooing is ideal for those looking to save time on their beauty routine or for individuals with specific needs, such as allergies to traditional makeup or medical conditions that affect makeup application.
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Here at Nakd Beauty, natural looking brows are my specialty!
I offer multiple different techniques to suit your natural brows and personal style, including nano brows, microblading, combination brows and powder brows. Not sure what style is best for you? Don’t worry! I talk with each client in depth at your appointment about your daily brow routine and goals, and will help decide the best fit. I encourage everyone to look through my Instagram and find some inspiration photos to bring with you!
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
The longevity of permanent makeup can vary based on several factors, including the technique used, skin type, lifestyle, and aftercare. While it does fade over time, it is still a tattoo and considered permanent. Periodic touch ups and Color Boosts are recommended (typically every 2-3+ years) to maintain the brows shape and vibrancy.
Please note that final results vary and cannot be guaranteed due to the nature of skin as it heals. A follow-up appointment is recommended after your initial session where we can assess your pigment retention and perfect your permanent makeup!
AM I A CANDIDATE?
Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic tattooing. The following list disqualifies you from being a candidate. With questions regarding your specific situation, please email nakdbeautyaz@gmail.com .
Receiving Botox/Dysport within 14 days of your scheduled appointment.
All injections must be done at least 2 weeks before or after an appointment. It takes 14 days for neurotoxins to fully “set”, and I am unable to work on your brows within that timeframe. Getting Botox or Disport within 2 weeks of your appointment will result in you being sent home.
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Cosmetic tattooing cannot be performed on anyone that is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Accutane
Clients must be off Accutane for a minimum of 12 months before receiving cosmetic tattooing.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions like rosacea, acne, sunburns, psoriasis and more may disqualify you from being a candidate. For specific questions, email Emily at nakdbeautyaz@gmail.com
Medications
Clients taking certain medications may not be candidates for these services. For specific questions, please email Emily at nakdbeautyaz@gmail.com
All clients must be at least 18 years old.
WHAT FACTORS WILL EFFECT MY RESULTS?
Oily Skin: Increased oil production can cause hair strokes to blur and fade very quickly, or not stick at all.
Sun Exposure: Increased exposure to the sun will cause premature fading. Ink SPF is sold in the studio and can help protect your brows from premature fading and UV damage.
Excessive Bleeding: Excessive bleeding during your procedure will greatly affect how your body retains pigment. Pinpoint bleeding throughout the procedure is normal, but excessive bleeding causes pigment to fade very quickly and heal ashy. While bleeding is not entirely in our control, it is important that you follow before care instructions to help minimize bleeding. This includes avoiding blood thinning medications and alcohol 24 hours before your procedure.
Improper Pre and Post Care: Not following the given pre and post care instructions will greatly diminish your healed results. Follow all instructions exactly for the best results! I can only control what happens inside my studio, so please come prepared beforehand and follow all instructions exactly afterwards for the best results.
DOES IT HURT?
Most clients report little to no pain throughout their procedure. While pain tolerance varies between clients, a topical Lidocaine is used throughout the procedure to make sure you’re comfortable. It may be hard to believe, but almost all of my clients fall asleep while I do their brows!
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY APPOINTMENT?
Preparing for your appointment is just as important for good healed results as post care. Failure to follow pre-care may result in you being sent home the day of your appointment, so please read the following carefully! You coming prepared to you appointment means better healed results and a better overall experience.
2 WEEKS BEFORE:
BOTOX: If you regularly get Botox or Dysport, it must be done at least 14 days prior to your appointment. It takes at least that long to settle in the skin. Receiving it withing 14 days of your appointment will result in being sent home and asked to reschedule.
WAXING/THREADING: I recommend coming to your appointment with your brows grown out, no need to have them cleaned up before! I prefer to see how they grow naturally, and will clean them up for you at your appointment. If you need to clean them up beforehand, please do so at least 2 weeks before your appointment. If you tint your brows, please do so at least 7 days prior.
RETIN-A: Please refrain from using any retin-a products in the brow area for 2 weeks leading up to your appointment.
24 HOURS BEFORE:
To minimize bleeding during the procedure, please avoid any alcohol. Blood thinning medications such as Ibuprofen and Advil should also be avoided unless prescribed by a doctor.
Map directions to the studio. I have a strict 10 minute late policy, so please plan to make sure you know how long the commute to the studio takes, and plan for traffic if appropriate.
DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT:
You may have caffeine in the morning as long as it doesn’t make you jittery or anxious.
Avoid exercise. Exercising increases blood flow and will cause excessive bleeding, leading to poor healed results.
Makeup: You are welcome to come to your appointment with or without makeup on. We will be taking lots of photos, so come however you are most comfortable. If you regularly fill in your brows, coming with at least your brows filled in helps me see your regular shape.
Bring your brow makeup. If you have a specific product you love, bring it along!
The studio can get chilly at times, so feel free to bring a jacket if you get cold.
RELAX! Feeling nervous is normal. We are going to work together to create your dream brows! Take a deep breath and get excited!
I’VE HAD MY BROWS DONE BEFORE BY ANOTHER ARTIST, WILL YOU DO THEM?
I require that anyone who has had their brows done previously by another artist to submit an Online Consultation Form (found on my Appointments page) prior to booking an appointment with me.
I typically only go over other artists work if it’s at least 85-90% faded, and all new clients to me are considered initial sessions.
I want to give my clients the very best, and help create their dream brows. If I don’t think we can achieve what you’re wanting with your existing work, I will give recommendations on how to help the ink fade more quickly or recommend a removal artist.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY APPOINTMENT?
Immediately after getting your brows done, you may experience minor redness or swelling around the treated area, which typically goes away within 24 hours. Over the next few hours, the pigment in the skin will oxidize, making the brows look darker and warmer (red) than they were initially. This is normal and expected. Pigment typically fades anywhere from 20-40% once fully healed.
Around day 3-4, you may notice light scabbing and flaking on the treated area. This is normal! Please refrain from picking at the brows. Doing so will result in loss of pigment in those areas and can cause scarring. Brows may appear spotty or patchy until the entire brow has finished healing. Once all the flaking is complete (usually around day 10), the brows will appear much lighter. The pigment will darken over the next 4-6 weeks and the pigment will return to the skin in it healed color.
At 4-6 weeks, your brows will be fully healed. Whatever pigment that does not return will be addressed at your touch up appointment. At this appointment, we will asses your retention, touch up the spots that didn’t stick, and can adjust the pigment color to give you perfect brows! Once the brows have healed from your touch up appointment, you will have beautiful, full brows for 12-36 months!
AFTERCARE
Following the given aftercare is crucial to obtain the best results! All clients are expected to follow the following instructions exactly to get the best healed results! All products needed for your aftercare will be provided to you at your appointment.
o Keep your new brows dry until ALL flaking has stopped. This means keeping them dry in the shower, and avoiding sweating, saunas, and steam for the next 10-14 days. No working out until all flaking has finished.
o Cleanse morning and night for 10 days with the provided cleanser.
o Apply a thin layer of aftercare balm to the brows 2-3x a day for 10 days.
o No makeup can go on or around the brows for 14 days. You may wear makeup around the brows, but leave at least one inch around them at all times to prevent infection.
o Avoid direct sun exposure for 2 weeks. Please plan vacations and outings accordingly to avoid as much sun as possible.
o Do not touch, pick, rub, or scratch the brows. Do not pick the scabs or flakes as they come off, this will remove the pigment and lead to patchiness and scarring.
o No anti-aging or acne products on the brows ever (anything with Retinol, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, etc.)
DO I NEED A TOUCH UP APPOINTMENT?
Most of the time, yes! The touch up is also called the perfecting session and is an opportunity for us to make any needed adjustments once your brows have fully healed after your Initial Session. Some clients decide to go darker or thicker (or both), others we touch up small areas that faded more. If everything heals well, you do not need to come back for a touch up! Less is always more when it comes to permanent makeup, so if there aren’t things that you are really wanting to change, it’s best to leave them be to get the best long term results.
Touch ups can be done anything starting at 6 weeks after your Initial Session up to 6 months after. Anything over 6 months is considered a Color Boost / Refresher appointment.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY ANNUAL REFRESHER?
After your initial session and touch-up are completed, most clients are able to go 2-3 years between refreshers! The longevity of your PMU will depend on your skin type, lifestyle, and how well you take care of them. Things like excessive sun exposure and some skin care products can shorten the life of your PMU and cause them to fade into unnatural colors. Be sure to follow the long-term aftercare instructions provided by Emily to keep your brows looking amazing for as long as possible!
Before booking an annual refresher, it’s important to let your brows fade at least 50-60%. Letting the previous ink fade allows us to keep that ink fresh in the skin! If the ink in your skin from previous appointments isn’t faded enough, adding more ink can cause the entire brow to look blotchy and uneven. Let them fade! If you’re ever unsure if you are ready for an annual refresher or not, email pictures to Emily and her team and we will let you know!
WILL PMU REPLACE MY MAKEUP?
While permanent makeup is amazing for defining the brow and enhancing a client’s features, it’s important to have realistic expectations about what it can and cannot do. Permanent makeup is a cosmetic tattoo, meaning it is going in your skin. Makeup sits on top of your skin. Therefore, some of things you can achieve with makeup will not look the same of give the same effect as a PMU tattoo. Because the tattoo we are creating is relatively permanent and is going in your skin, it’s very important where we place and shape the brow! Going too far away from where the hair naturally grows will look unnatural and won’t blend with the natural hair that you have.
Because the ink is being implanted under the skin, it’s also important to note that the healed results will always differ from fresh ones as the skin heals over it. Permanent makeup is not magic, and it’s important that we stay close to what your brows are naturally doing to maintain beautiful results. Here at Nakd Beauty, we strive for natural results that will look amazing for years to come.
DO I NEED A CONSULTATION BEFORE RECEIVING PERMANENT COSMETICS?
At this time, I do not offer in-person consult appointments. However, all new clients to me are required to fill out an appointment request form. In this form, you will attach photos of your natural brows and some inspiration pics. We’ll then go over your options together before booking!
If you are in need of correction work or have had your brows tattooed elsewhere, please email me current photos before booking.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Initial sessions take 2-3 hours.
Touch up appointments take 1-2 hours.
HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?
All booking is done online through my booking site.
A $50 nonrefundable deposit is taken upon booking, and the remaining balance is due at your appointment. This deposit may be transferred to a new date if you reschedule within 72 hours of your scheduled appointment.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
72 hours notice is required to make any changes to your appointment.
Any cancellations after that will result in a loss of your $50 deposit, and you will be charged 20% of your appointment (due before you can reschedule).
No-shows will result in a loss of your $50 deposit, and will be charged 50% off the appointment (due before you may reschedule).
All deposits are nonrefundable. If you reschedule at least 72 hours in advance, the deposit will be applied to the new appointment. Cancelling the appointment or rescheduling within 72 hours of your appointment results in losing your $50 deposit and being required to pay a new one for the next appointment!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
INITAL SESSIONS - $800
6-12 WEEK TOUCH UPS - $100
COLOR BOOST/REFRESHERS - $400
A $50 deposit is taken for each service at the time of booking, and goes towards the total cost of the service.
After the initial session and touch up, most clients at Nakd Beauty are able to go 2-3+ years between refresher appointments!
WHAT FORM OF PAYMENT IS ACCEPTED?
A nonrefundable $50 deposit is required for all appointment requests. The remaining balance is due at your appointment.
Payment at your appointment may be made using a debit or credit card, cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Tipping at Nakd Beauty is completely optional. It is always appreciated, but never expected!
*All clients are required to be 18+ years of age, with or without parents consent