Permanent Makeup Treatment Guide
Read our Permanent Makeup treatment guide and search for providers near you.
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What is Permanent Makeup?
Permanent makeup (PMU) uses specialized pigments tattooed into the skin to mimic makeup — brows, eyeliner, and lip color. Modern PMU techniques (microblading, powder brows, nano brows, lip blush) are semi-permanent, lasting 1 to 3 years.
A typical appointment takes 2 to 3 hours, including mapping, numbing, and the actual pigmentation. A 4 to 8 week touch-up is standard and almost always included in the initial price because pigment retention is never 100% on the first pass.
PMU results fade over 1 to 3 years depending on your skin type, skincare routine, and the technique used. Patients typically return for color refreshes every 1 to 2 years.
How much does Permanent Makeup cost?
PMU pricing nationally typically ranges from $400 to $1,200 depending on the service (brows, eyeliner, or lips) and the artist's experience. Most prices include a mandatory 4 to 8 week touch-up.
What to ask your provider
- What technique do you recommend for my skin type and goals (microblading vs powder vs combination)?
- Does your initial price include the 4 to 8 week touch-up?
- Can I see a full before-and-after portfolio of your own work, not a generic gallery?
- What pigments do you use? Are they cruelty-free and hypoallergenic?
- What is your licensing and training? How long have you been doing PMU specifically?
- What does aftercare look like, and what should I avoid for the first 10 days?