Unveiling the Intriguing Evolution of Permanent Makeup: A Comprehensive Guide

Mar 13, 20225 min read

Updated: Feb 14

The history of permanent makeup is quite fascinating. As a budding artist or technician, it's important to explore the origins of permanent makeup.

Many people typically link permanent makeup with traditional body art tattoos and those unnatural-looking eyebrow tattoos. This confusion partly arises from the journey permanent makeup has taken to evolve into its current form.

Interestingly, permanent makeup originated from traditional tattooing. It's also true that some early results of this distinctive technique were not ideal.

However, permanent makeup has significantly progressed since those early days.

Let's delve into how it evolved from an emerging technology into a transformative treatment.

How Permanent makeup evolved over the years

There are many misconceptions and disagreements about the history of permanent makeup. Mummies from the pre-historic eras have been found with well-preserved body tattoos. Experts suggest that people from ancient times used tattoos for decorative and religious purposes. While some people believe that they also used tattoos to beautify themselves, much like makeup, others are certain that cosmetic enhancement with tattoos is a recent innovation.

Sutherland Macdonald, a famous tattoo artist from 1902, reported that he could tattoo women’s cheeks to give them a pink complexion that would last throughout the year. It is also believed that permanent makeup may have been used as a cosmetic treatment in the 1930s. People of that time probably did not have the idea that they were getting a “tattoo”.

The Evolution of Permanent Makeup

Today, permanent makeup is seen as a beauty procedure that restores or enhances people’s features. If we delve into the evolution of permanent makeup, this concept may have started in the 1970s. During that time, this service was offered in tattoo studios. It was primarily used to restore the eyebrows of people with alopecia (a condition that causes the patient to lose their hair partially or entirely).

Permanent makeup started gaining popularity in the 1980s. This was when people witnessed the emergence of specialized salons and training programs for this niche.

In the early days of its popularity, permanent makeup did not look as subtle and natural as it does today. Nevertheless, the newness, convenience, and other benefits of this beauty treatment convinced people to try it. Many people got satisfactory results, after which the positive buzz about permanent makeup spread like wildfire.

In the 1980s and 1990s, permanent makeup artists used the same technique for all features. Whether they worked on the lips, eyebrows, or eyes, all features received a solid color application. One reason for this was that the pigments used for permanent makeup at that time were very much similar to the ink used for conventional tattooing, i.e., they were carbon-based.

While many people were happy with their permanent makeup results, some had to experience color fading, which ultimately resulted in an unnatural look.

Thankfully, advancements were made in the permanent makeup tools in the 1990s. In the early 90s, artists started using electrical rotary devices to efficiently implant permanent makeup into the skin. These devices came with disposable and sterilized parts. It took little time for the permanent cosmetic industry to adopt these tools. Even modern-day technicians use updated versions of these devices.

Modern Innovations in the Permanent Makeup Industry

Over the years, permanent makeup tools, techniques, and pigments have been innovated and customized to perform corrective and restorative work all over the body and enhance the natural beauty of people.

Technicians have come up with new techniques and devices to ensure permanent makeup results look as natural as possible. They adopted advanced techniques featuring gentle, hair-like strokes and custom-mixed pigments that don’t contain carbon. These minor adaptations ensure that the pigments don’t change to unnatural hues as they start fading.

Apart from this, permanent makeup artists and technicians started using thinner needles to ensure precision in their work. At the same time, they focused on performing permanent cosmetic procedures with the gentlest touch.

Today, permanent makeup is used to enhance facial features, including the eyes, eyebrows, and lips. The extent to which it alters the appearance depends on the design, color, and type of pigment injected into the skin.

Once the procedure is completed, the results may look too dark and bold. This happens because the pigment is still near the outermost layer of the skin. As the skin heals and the upper layers are replaced by new epidermal cells, the color starts fading and the client achieves the desired shade.

That being said, the latest techniques of permanent makeup don’t provide long-lasting results. People see it as a benefit because it allows them to adjust their appearance according to their latest style choices and preferences. This also makes it possible for permanent makeup artists to cater to the changes in the client’s facial features.

Although the procedures are still sometimes referred to as “cosmetic tattooing”, the permanent makeup practice has developed a distinct identity of its own with a unique set of techniques, manual tools, machines, pigments, and clientele.

What Does the Future Hold for the Permanent Makeup Industry?

Today, the popularity of permanent makeup procedures is soaring through the roof. More people are excited to try these beauty treatments to restore or enhance their facial features. These procedures allow them to live life more confidently.

Considering the gradual evolvement of tools

and changes in clients’ styles, we can’t say anything for sure about the future possibilities.

In recent times, specific techniques have grabbed people’s attention. One of these procedures is permanent makeup under-eye concealer. As the name suggests, it hides and camouflages dark circles and helps clients look refreshed.

Nowadays, people are also opting for permanent makeup for facial contouring. This procedure involves implanting darker and lighter pigments to add depth to and change the shape of the face.

While these treatments are not super popular yet, we can expect them to be widely available in the future. No matter what happens, one thing is clear: our imagination is the limit when it comes to permanent makeup. The history of permanent makeup is a testament to that.

Final Words

Have you ever tried a permanent makeup procedure?

Are you interested in building a career in this field?

Whether you’re a client or an aspiring artist, please reach out to our experts for proper guidance.

Tinted Liquid proudly offers top-tier microblading and permanent cosmetics at our two premier locations: Microblading Los Angeles and Microblading Newport Beach.

Introducing Tinted Liquid’s Elite Permanent Makeup Studios

Tinted Liquid proudly offers top-tier microblading and permanent makeup at our two premier locations: Microblading Los Angeles and Microblading Newport Beach. Renowned for precision, artistry, and natural-looking results, our expert artists enhance brows, lips, eyes, scalp and skin with customized techniques tailored to each client. Whether in the heart of LA or the luxury of Newport Beach, experience the highest standard in permanent beauty.