The Evolution of Permanent Makeup

Evolution of PMU

Written by Alexandra Willsher

Did you know permanent makeup first surfaced in the nineties – as a necessity? 

Thin eyebrows were the trend back then, and women were desperate for a solution. Permanent Makeup, aka PMU, became the solution. The initial look was very basic — flat tattooed brows, almost “stamp-like”.

As time passed, and PMU equipment evolved and improved, so did the demand for other permanent makeup procedures. Brows remained popular, and lips and eyeliner procedures became the norm as well. 

Microblading came into the scene in 2014 and quickly became the ultimate natural and convenient beauty treatment loved by beauty bloggers, celebrities, and everyday beauties from all around the world.

Microblading is a technique of cosmetic tattooing, but the method involves manually depositing pigment into the second layer of the skin, the dermis. The technique is meant to create natural hair-like strokes in the skin, imitating like real eyebrow hairs. Initially quite a fad, artists quickly learned it wasn't suitable for all skin types, nor was it a skill that could be learned in 2 days.

At the moment the new must-have look for brows are bolder, yet natural. This is where the “Hybrid Brow" comes into play. Hybrid Brow is a mix of hair-like strokes and shading. 

“Combo Brow”, although similar to Hybrid Brow, involves machine strokes and shading and pigment is deposited slightly deeper.

Powder Brow”, also known as “Ombré Brows” involves 100 percent pigment shading using a tattoo machine.

The blending techniques really pushed the evolution of PMU and pushed all boundaries of creativity and artwork. 

PMU has become my passion! It means more to me than simply visits from clients and performing a service. Everyday I'm blessed to be part of the Monaco Team and have our clients put their trust in me to show my creative side and transform their looks. 

Allie Willsher