Benefits of Permanent Make-up
Permanent make-up, also known as cosmetic tattooing, is a specialised semi-invasive treatment that enhances natural features with long-lasting results. Because the process requires precision, artistry, and advanced technical skill, it is important to choose a qualified professional with extensive training and experience. A strong background in aesthetics, skin care, or medical practice, combined with ongoing education in the latest techniques, ensures both safety and quality outcomes.
When selecting a permanent make-up artist, consider their training hours, consistency of practice, and hygiene standards. Best practice includes single-use sterile needles, disposable gloves, and proper sanitisation throughout the procedure. An experienced technician should also perform treatments regularly to maintain accuracy and confidence in technique. In South Africa, the industry is not tightly regulated, which makes it even more essential to review qualifications, training hours, and a portfolio of healed results before proceeding.
Before any treatment begins, a full consultation is conducted, covering medical history, desired results, and treatment options. The shape and colour will be carefully designed and approved with the client before the procedure starts. Choosing a skilled, detail-oriented artist with a proven track record provides reassurance that your treatment will be carried out safely and to a high professional standard.
Microblading
The main difference lies in the resulting appearance: microblading creates a more natural, hair-like look using individual strokes, while powdered/ombre brows have a soft, filled-in, makeup-like finish that can be more defined or have a gradual gradient. Both are semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing techniques, but they differ in how the pigment is applied to achieve the final result.
- Technique: A hand-held tool with fine, tiny needles is used to manually create thin, hair-like strokes in the skin.
- Appearance: Mimics natural eyebrow hairs for a fluffy, realistic, and 3D-like effect.
- Best for: People who want a softer, more natural look and have brows with some existing hair to create a fuller appearance.
- Limitations: Cannot achieve extreme density or fullness because strokes can’t be layered or crossed without losing the realistic hair-stroke look. Not suitable for all skin types.
Powdered/Ombre Brows
- Technique: A machine is used to create a stippling or pixelated effect, depositing dots and dashes of pigment. This allows for layering and building up colour.
- Appearance: A soft, powdered look similar to using an eyebrow pencil or powder, with a softer front and a more defined tail. The “ombre” effect is a gradient from lighter to darker colour.
- Best for: Those who prefer a more defined, makeup-like look, have oily or mature skin (which often responds better to shading), or want a fuller appearance that can be more dense than micro-blading. Suitable for all skin types
- Limitations: Less natural-looking than micro-blading if a very subtle effect is desired
What they have in common
- Both are semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing methods that require a trained technician.
- Both have a healing period of several weeks, during which the color will change before settling into its final look.
- Both can last for 1 to 3 years, with annual touch-ups recommended to maintain color and shape.
Permanent Make Up Price List 2025
