Guides · April 22, 2026 · 7 min read

How to Choose a Permanent Makeup Artist (Before You Trust Anyone With Your Face)

Permanent makeup is an investment in your face. Here are the questions I'd want my own sister to ask before booking with anyone — including me.

By Narmela Malekmohammadi

Permanent makeup lives on your face for years. That deserves more research than choosing by the lowest price or the nearest location. As an artist, I'd rather you ask hard questions of everyone — including me — than regret a rushed decision. Here's what actually matters.

Look at healed results, not just fresh work

Fresh PMU photographs beautifully — crisp lines, rich colour. But you'll live with the healed result. Ask any artist to show healed work at six months or a year. Strokes should remain defined, colour should be soft and true (not grey, not orange), and the shape should flatter the face it's on.

Ask about the design process

A skilled artist never tattoos a 'standard shape.' Your bone structure, muscle movement, and natural asymmetries should drive the design. At my studio, nothing touches skin until the client has approved a fully pre-drawn design in the mirror — and we take as long as that takes.

Hygiene is non-negotiable

Single-use sterile needles opened in front of you. Disposable barriers on equipment. A clean, dedicated treatment space. If you can't see and feel the hygiene standards, walk away — no result is worth the risk.

Certification and ongoing training

Ask where the artist trained and what they've studied since. Techniques, pigments, and safety standards evolve constantly; a serious artist never stops learning.

Trust how the consultation feels

The right artist listens more than they talk, answers every question without rushing, and never pressures you to book. You should leave a consultation feeling informed, not sold to. Your face deserves an artist who treats it as carefully as their own.

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