Microblading truths
MICROBLADING TRUTHS
Microblading has taken the industry by storm with new artists entering everyday, learning and experimenting as they go.
I see so many of you eager to learn and improve, wanting to do your best for yourself and your clients, and trying so hard to be professional and run a business at the same time.
The journey of learning microblading is filled with failures and challenges: pigment not staying, poor retention, blotchy and uneven results, unexplainable healing, and the list goes on. I have experienced all of this before and failed over and over again and so has everyone else that is doing microblading. You are not alone.
Keep practicing and fine-tune your technique as you see your clients return. Note down all client details, products used and technique so you can look back, reflect upon those notes and make adjustments.
During the first year of Microblading, see your client three times, and not just two times. That way you can:
1.) provide better results with each visit
2.) provide excellent customer service
3.) critique your work after the second visit, thereby shortening your learning curve.
Don't assume that because the client hasn't complained after her touchup that every thing is "ok". You need to check your work if you want to improve. Just like your client is spending her money to get good results, you must spend time to earn her money. "Never be cheap in business"- this was the best business lesson my mom my ever taught me. The second best lesson was "check your work, and then check it again".
About technique- tattooing is about finding the sweet spot. The sweet spot is the area in your client's skin where the pigment will be trapped. 90% of retention problems are due to technique, not your pigment or your aftercare products. So if you're not seeing good results, you don't need to go out to go and buy new stuff. Focus on your stretch, pressure and angle of penetration. They need to be consistent to produce consistent results.
If you don't already have excellent spot lighting where you can see the sweet spot without shadows, stop what you're doing and go buy yourself a good headlamp right away.
Many people expect to take a class, start working and charging market rates right away, but this may not lead to success. Invest the time and energy into learning the skin, touching a variety of skin, working on models, working for free, seeing people repeatedly over and over again so you can adapt your approach on the skin and hone your craft.
Remember the story about the turtle versus the hare? You will win being the turtle, not the hare. Think long-term vs short-term and money and success will come to you. Not every little girl or boy dreams of being a permanent makeup artist when they grow up, but you've choosen this path, are up for the challenge, and that makes all of you so special. I'm proud to be your colleague and share this special bond.
