Answer: What the lipline and blending is about is the tapping in of a lipline first. People ask for this when they want change to their lipline, e.g if the lip line has faded away or the mouth is slightly crooked or too thin etc. Then the shading or blending into the natural lip takes place to give it a more completed look. The lips are still bare if you like, but the vermillion line and shape is more pleasing. From there you can use your own lip colour on a day to day basis or leave them bare. So, women often ask for this when they require adjustment to their natural lipline. Lipline and blend are designed to how full, wide, high etc. you want them, ready for the  colour choice you will apply on a day to day basis.

The full lips procedure is all of the above and the complete mouth finished in the colour suited to you.

To answer the question about whether the lipline and full lips procedure look more natural. Both procedures look natural because the pigment is in the skin. The full lips though has the added benefit of looking finished. So, the full lip is all the above and the colour blended right to the edge of the wet area which means you can keep them bare, or  use clear or tinted gloss or balm as you might now.

Question:  How long does each procedure take?  

Answer:  Both procedures take approx. 2 hrs from being on the massage table to out the door (maybe a little longer depending on the initial discussion).

Question:  I’m still not sure about the colour – I still like the idea about a natural tone but more on the rosey side. May I decide when I see you?

Answer:   Yes of course! Bring in your normal makeup too and we will match as near as we can, taking into consideration though that we cannot and do not promise you the exact colour of your traditional makeup. This is because of many factors, the colour that is already in your lips and how the pigment colour will react with the unique  colour constitution of youskin.

Client’ comment:  I’ve never had cold sores or fever blisters.

Answer:  That’s fine, but if you have ever had cold sores in your life, that is, even when you were a teen, or fever blisters, through stress, let me know at least two weeks in advance, so we can prepare your lips for the procedure.  They are  common.

Question:  How long does the healing take? Can I go on my holiday after the first week of this micropigmentation? 

Answer:  The healing takes only a few days – that is the exfoliation of the outer colour on the skin sloughs off in that time. An ointment or similar is applied every day for a few weeks as they feel dry while the colour is settling in. Another procedure is done soon after the first. The new pigment in the lips changes at times and almost seems to hide for a short period and then comes true after about 3 months. That’s when the makeup feels and looks as if it has always been there. However, having said all that, you may go on your holiday and have little if any discomfort from your permanent makeup. As I said, they will feel extra dry for a time and a second procedure is usually essential for full lip colour saturation.

 Question:  So does this  mean I can be more casual about makeup while on holiday?

Answer:  That is what it means. Party time (beach party time?) means you can use a tinted or sparkling gloss or go all out with a lipstick. Full lips cosmetic tattoo changes colour as your skin changes temperature too, for example, if the body is warm it’ll be ‘fuller’ in colour than if it’s cold. Interesting isn’t it?

Question:  Do I have to use sun-block? 

Answer:  Permanent makeup needs your care and attention, right from the healing stage until years down the track. Like anything exposed to the elements without protection, fade takes place. Take care of your lips and your colour will serve you well.

 Happy holidaying! See you when you get back!

As a special treatment Janey offers free eyebrow shaping and wax at your August appointment.

Janey always offers friendly & free consultation to establish whether cosmetic tattoo is for you.

We chatted a little more about this and John suddenly said something like ”well, you know, if I didn’t have to shave everyday…I’d be pretty pleased about that”. This was a good analogy and for sure, it must be so tiresome to smooth gel or creme and then a razor over the face 365 days a year. Cosmetic Tattoo can allow you to be a little lazy, and in fact you can almost take you new found beauty for granted. 

Just a note too that the bold, defined brow is a beauty mainstay at present. I’ve had a few younger women mention Megan Fox’s eyebrows when explaining what they require. Personally I feel, you can’t go past a unique or classic style that flatters you, giving you character, expresssion and definition with custom blended pigments again, to suit you perfectly. You may wish a powdered soft effect, a beautiful 3D hair by hair finish, or a natural hairstroke placement. You may, without a doubt, want Megan Fox’s brows!

It’s all up to you, or a little help from me.

The following pre-care notes are valuable in helping with your decision to go ahead with semi-permanent tattoo as it is known in Australia.

First I’d like to say that  there are certain young people under 18yrs old out there who would like this specialized makeup, but unless there are special circumstances and you have your physician’s advice this is a no, no. For most other individuals, if you have a confident sense of self, are mentally and emotionally prepared, and really want this for you, then step right up!

Always prior to treatment, keep your skin free of skin medications. Skip Retin A, Glycolic Acid or other treatments prior to this work. Do your lazer treatments another time of the year, or just wait to have your cosmetic tattoo procedures done. Wait 48hrs before waxing, tinting lashes and brows, electrolysis or lash perming. Although I have eyelined a lovely client who is never without her eyelash extentions, I have asked her to come to her second appointment with bare eyelids, for maximum colour implantation close to the lashline.

Contact lenses are shelved for a couple of days or more  if possible…..bring along the specs for your first appointment. 

Need antibiotics prior to going off to the dentist? Chances are you may need them before these procedures too – have a word with your doctor please.

Are you regularly taking over the counter anesthetics such as Vitamin E, Niacin, St. John’s Wort, Ginko biloba? It is advised to halt those for 3 or 4 days as well, if you can.

It’s an idea to schedule your procedures after your menstral period, that’s if you’re prone to a little tetchiness – when you feel your best and are in good health that’s always the right time for colour implants.

An easy bruiser? Arnica tablets before eyeliner treatments are often swear-bys. Blood thinners are also not designed to make cosmetic tattooing easy. Again, talk to your doctor – it may be you are not  a suitable candidate. Asprin or Ibuprofen can promote bleeding, so choose Panadol or similar an hour before, if you feel you’d  like to. Remember though, we have a range of brilliant anesthetic creams and gels that are used regardless. We also easily arrange a lip blocks (a local anesthetic) which some of my clients love.  Alcohol? Save the celebrations until after your beauty treatments or least 48hrs prior to all procedures. Alcohol and any strong stimulants are hopelessly effective blood thinners

Medical conditions such as hepatitis, type1 diabetes, heart concerns, psoriasis or any blood borne communicable diseases – please advise, you may or may not be suitable for these treatments.

Wait until pregnancy and breast feeding are over. Believe me, the convenience is worth the waiting!

Cold sores, fever or sun blisters will surely be activated by trauma or stress to the skin if you are prone to outbreaks. There are ani-viral medications such as L-Lysine which are taken for 2 wks before treatment, a double dose on the day and the following 7days. Alternatively there is Zovirax ointment or Vectavir cream which again counteract or minimise the occurrence of the above. 

I will also endorse ‘Vital Greens’ to promote fabulous health before and after procedures like these, or in fact for every day regardless.  It’s just one of those products that I’ve seen the results from – astounding!

Cosmetic tattoo is very safe and allergic reactions are rare. If you do suffer allergies however, we are able to perform a simple patch test well prior to treatment.

As you read through the above, you’ll see some written is plain old common sense – but do take the time to be prepared.

See you soon!

We drove from London to Norfolk - the Nelson Country and the flattest land in England, to the Northern tip of Britain, stopping at a church built in Sunderland in 700 and visiting ancient walls and castles. It was gobsmacking even if you have visited England before.  From there we travelled to Penzance, the Pirate country with real (dressed up) pirates, taking in a good glimpse of South Wales on the way. In between were countless small and even tiny villages and townships that were exquisite and as individual  as the accents of the folk who lived there. 

The food? There was no such thing as plain old fish & chips. No, this is a nation that knows how to cook even the simpliest of fare. We sought out and sampled it all! Cornish pasties, pies and Yorkshire puddings and fruits in season. Those fish and chips still won the day! I noticed a common thread. The best produced goods came from where it was grown, harvested,  prepared and sold. For example there is nothing like the Balti pies from the North,  kippers from Craister,  Mead from Lindisfarne, and Devonshire Teas from, well ok, Devon.

Why, you may ask, am I going on about this? With all the clinics and salons, from Harley Street, London to the far North and St.Ives in the South, one thing was apparent. Wherever colour implant procedures were performed in an environment that specialized as such, the results were more thorough, artistic and pleasing. Cosmetic tattoo, takes years to master. Your semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo artist must love the work he or she does and will want to see the best results attained.  Apart from an ultra clean environment and excellent materials, do find a cosmetic tattoo artist who values you and therefore values the appeal of  the work as well.

Phone me regarding any queries,  photos, new techniques – or to arrange a chat over (Devonshire) tea.

until next time,

Janey

In recent weeks and over Easter, several ladies from overseas (if you call New Zealand overseas) and Interstate came into the clinic to have multiple colour inplant procedures done at one session. This is not at all unusual and it’s as if when the decision is made to have this semi-permanent makeup, it becomes all very exciting. One lady saw how the resulting top liner was taking shape and decided that her liquid liner she’d been using for years,  didn’t fit the elegance of the cosmetic work. It was either change the eyeliner makeup for the under-eyes to go with the  ‘mysteriously’  natural looking wide upper lines…or have the lowers cosmetically tattooed as well. After the  finishing touch was done on the lowers,  Grace walked out with hardly any swelling, and a pretty big smile.

Why do some people decide to make a holiday of it all? I feel that cosmetic tattoo is a decison that is very personal. Once made, it’s as though no-one is going to change the mind. The thrill of going away to an awesome place like the Gold Coast, lapping up the sun and sand (before the treatment that is) is fairly attractive!  After a few days, how great is it to emerge different, but the same! It’s quite fun to have others ask you, perhaps weeks or months later….”Is that cosmetic tattoo?”, or “I still haven’t  fiqured out why you look so good”. It’s even better when you emerge from the family swimming pool with all face makeup in tact.

Be mindful that lip procedures produce some skin trauma,  so if you are prone to cold sores, Herpes Simplex, fever blisters you may experience an outbreak sometime after the session.  Antiviral medication should be taken  well prior to an appointment.  Poor general health, heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure etc. could make you NOT a good candidate for Micropigmentation.

More on this important subject next time…….in the meantime,  we really are only a phone call or email away.  So until next time, stay well, calm and happy.  Talk again soon!

There is certainly a fast growing trend for males to keep up their appearance nowadays. It’s encouraging as well, as I see men who have had ‘harmony’ given back to their faces through shading and simulated hairs added appropriately. I explained that to the typical Australian male this might seem absurd,  but when you see how permanent makeup helps give back what nature and the rigors of life takes away, it lightens the heart.

 Often requests are made for repairs to eyebrows, enhancements to eyes, and added colour and line to lips. Always this is done ever so carefully, to bring through the most natural fullness and length to brows and perfect adjustment to the lips.

 Natural lash enhancement is especially effective, with specially selected colour placed between the lashes to give definiton to the eye. The colour is soft, again always natural, and the transformation awesome.

Oftentimes the girlfriend or wife of a client will approach me after having her own permanent makeup procedures. This usually follows with the other partner having a free consultation whereby I ascertain whether you are an  ideal candidate for tattoo. This is based on general health, medications taken and other factors,  and  of course whether you truely want the difference personally.  Natural vegetable pigments are used as they do not change color, however fade will as always take its course over the months and years. Protecting the good work from sun and abrasive activity to the skin is a factor, and as easy as slipping sunscreen over the face and neck as part of your daily routine.

So, whether through, age, injury, medical misadventure or the sheer awareness of what, even minimal permanent makeup can achieve, men are now enquiring, and requesting and having permanent makeup……and feeling so good.

Many ladies have taken advantage of Gentle Cosmetic Tattoo’s specials so far this year too. Some long time clients are coming back for complimentary colour through or above their present semi-permanent eyeliner. The technique allows for equally intense lines or soft smudges of semi-permanent colour to liven and refresh the eyes. Impish green, smokey greys, blues and browns, clear emerald, or ice blue are colours you may be able to imagine now. They are often imaginery colours that materialize from your ideas,  and created before you. You, the client are able to conduct where you wish this colour to go, and then little by little, with our professional expertise, and your approval…it’s done! Colour starting deliberate or ashy, as if smudged by an artist’s finger, and finished to a wisp at the eyelid fold –  or strong woody lines blending with earth greens that give great shape to your features.

Imagine waking up to all this without even a wave of a wand because you’ve done that already! Could you be nervous at the idea of colour on the lids, that stays? After enjoying lash enhancement or liner for a few months, one inevitably wants to explore more. Well, again it’s a time-saver……and what if you are wearing pinks or blues today and your cosmetic tattoo is in your signature ‘clear aqua’ or a ‘powdered stone’? Natural vegetable pigments create such a natural look that you may brush over with complimentary fuss whenever you like.

Consultations with Gentle Cosmetic Tattoo are always free without obligation. We understand ideas and pictures of beauty materialize best over talk and coffee.

Gentle Cosmetic Tattoo has often advised to allow plenty of time before special celebrations before embarking on a makeover. All for good reason, as a few days at least will make a fun day into a fabulous day or weekend. When every bit of flakiness has vanished you’ll feel, perhaps a little chuffed and maybe aware you are the belle of the ball, or at least tickled by your unsmudgable self-confidence.

Three special notes:

As a Christmas and New Year gift offer, mention this post and you will receive $100 off EACH procedure of your choice (does not include touch ups as a procedure) until the first week of February 2010.

Also, FREE until the first week of February – a BEAUTY SPOT created wherever you want it! No conditions asked of you on this offer!

To finish up on a different note – Please give a thought to abandoned or injured animals at this time of the year. This is the time when many vunerable hearts are left and wanting for new homes, and when country roads are traps for our extraordinary wildlife.

Donations or help is always much appreciated by Trish and Jai  http://www.wildcare.org.au. Jai incidently will remove and relocate the odd snake from your property

Safe travel, and all the best for 2010 from us at Gentle Cosmetic Tattoo.

Janey