PMU stands for permanent makeup which is a form of tattooing designed to fade over time. This is also sometimes referred to as semi-permanent makeup (because it fades) or cosmetic tattooing.
For brows there are several options –
Microblading
(read to learn why don’t offer this technique)
This involves using a manual tool made up of a series of needles in a line to score the skin and implant pigment. This is designed to draw hair like strokes. The downside to this is that microblading is less suitable for oily or mature skin types and those who exercise or sweat a lot. It will also be less visible on thicker skin like all PMU but this can mean the “hair strokes” never look saturated enough. More regular top ups are needed which means more trauma for the skin over time essentially cutting over the same area year after year. This can cause scar tissue to build up especially if done incorrectly and the hair strokes often blur out to look like a block brow if not left to fade enough between sessions. This is why I no longer use this technique.
Machine brows
(my favourite)
As the name suggests this is done with a machine rather than manual tool. When imagining brows done with a machine a lot of people will think of the old blocky tattoo style brows that heal a blue/black but the modern version is very different.
A machine can be used to create hair like strokes or shading or a combination of the two, soft or bold depending on preference.
The style I offer is Ombre Brows which involves creating soft shading which is more defined on the tail and underside of the brow and softer and less saturated at the bulb and top of the brow. This creates a gradient which looks more natural than if the brow was coloured in with the same saturation all over.
In general, Ombre Brows need less top ups depending on skin type which is better for your skin, cheaper and less effort to maintain.
Lips can also be coloured with machine shading (also known as lip blush, lip tattoo, PMU lips).