Where are you located, and what are your hours?

We are based in Cambridge, NZ. You can see our hours and address for the salon on Google / Facebook! Please remember Emma, our cosmetic tattooist is by appointment only.

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Can I book a consultation?​ 

Absolutely! Though most of your questions will likely be answered below, or at your first session. Also, I do require consults for those with prior tattoo (removal or cover ups) & those with contraindications. You can book direct online, or make contact to enquire. There is a $50 fee to cover my time, which is waived if you choose to book yourself in for brow tattoo.

 

What is cosmetic tattoo in a nutshell?

Cosmetic tattooing is where pigment (not ink!) is implanted into the epidermis (very top layer only) of the skin. It's designed to enhance your features and give a lovely hue of colour on the skin - depending on what you are after, this can be high opacity or very natural, there are no rules! It is semi-permanent because A/ it is implanted in the epidermis, meaning it will fade over time and you will be able to refresh your look and make changes along the way and B/ we use a mix of organic and inorganic pigments meaning the pigments chemical structure is entirely different than regular tattoo ink.

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Am I allowed to bring my friend or child to my appointment?​

Unfortunately I don't allow any guests (some exceptions but please ASK) in the salon for tattoo sessions. It is very important that I am able to completely focus without distractions as I a working with a tattoo machine/microblade on the face. Feel free to bring a support person to any other appointment type including any initial consult if required.

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How long is the appointment?​​

Your first session with me is between 1.5 & 3 hours which includes consultation, numbing, pre-draw and tattoo time. Your touch up / any additional sessions are between 45 & 120 minutes. Yearly colour boost appointments are usually 1-2hrs depending on how faded they are.

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Do you use numbing cream and does it hurt?​

I use two of the strongest & most effective numbing agents on the market. I source direct from the NZ based pharmaceutical company Optimus Health, where it is custom made for my clients. It is safe and effective on even the most sensitive skins. The first cream is used prior to mapping, for approx 15-20 minutes - most use this time to relax, have a nap, eat some chocolate or scroll facebook! I also use a second numbing liquid throughout the service, to provide maximum comfort for my client. Majority of clients don't feel a thing for brows until the skin begins to swell a touch toward the end - where it can be likened to being drawn on with a ballpoint pen. I have never had a client be unable to tolerate the process. 9/10 times my clients are shocked by how painless it is. Yes, I've had many clients fall asleep.  Lips is slightly more sensitive - but still not painful by any means. 

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How do I prepare for my appointment?

2 weeks prior please avoid prolonged sun exposure, taking fish oil, vitamin E, vitamin A/Retinol & evening primrose oil orally or topically on the area. Please also avoid facial peels, fake tan, brow growth oils, botox/injectables & laser in the area. All of these things can affect your healed results. 

48hrs prior please avoid pain killers & blood thinners. If getting lip tattoo, lip balm will be your best friend -  any dry skin / flaking will cause inconsistencies with pigment & patchiness.

72hrs prior please avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, energy drinks or pre workout.

*Majority of the above 3 instructions help to prevent any excess bleeding and/or bruising which causes extra discomfort throughout the appointment and can also affect long term results among other things.

On the day of your appointment I actually recommend drawing your brows in / lipstick applied as you usually would if that is part of your routine, this gives me an idea of what you like!

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How do I know my new cosmetic tattoo will suit me?

During your first appointment we go through a thorough consultation to discuss your vision, skin type, lifestyle, age and available techniques that would suit all of these factors - yes, I often switch people from their original chosen tattoo style (brows). We consider whether you wear makeup daily, how often you sweat and what your expectations are for your potential tattoo when choosing the perfect technique for you! After your consultation and after you have had the opportunity to express any worries or concerns you might have, we can then proceed to the pre-draw of your appointment. Using a makeup pencil & lines of symmetry mapping I spend from 20-40 minutes mapping and perfecting the ideal shape for your face based on your bone structure, natural brows or lips, age and vision. After I am completely happy and confident with the pre-draw you can then review the mapping to see if you love the shape, size, style etc. At. this point, if you are happy with the mapping we can go ahead and proceed with the tattoo. Every artist is different, but for me it is important that they are YOUR ideal brows/lips, not just my version of your 'perfect cosmetic tattoo'. With this in mind, it is also important to come in with an open mind as based on my professional opinion and experience, I may occasionally recommend a slightly different shape to what you may be used to having on your brows/lips to create more balance and symmetry. With all this in mind, at the end of the day they are your brows/lips and the final choice is yours to make - It is paramount that you to love them, not just me!

 

Can you guarantee my results?

Firstly, it is my job to make sure your expectations are managed - this said, every single client will have different results. These results vary based on things that are out of your control EG: skin colour, skin type, medications, health & lifestyle etc. Some skin types are more resistant to tattoo which results in more colour fade more quickly than others. At your touch-up session, I take into account your healed results which give me more an idea of your skin type. This gives me the ability to ensure I do my best to give you the best results on my end. My motto, 50% of the work is done by myself in salon, the other 50% is done by the client before and after the procedure - this means the overall results end up in your hands! There is no simple answer to this question, but I can say - you will be given all the tools for best results. 

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How do we choose a colour?

I will take into consideration your natural skin and hair colour, and your preference. If you’d like to bring in your favourite brow, lip or liner products please feel free, I also recommend apply makeup in the area as usual if you usually would on the day to give me an idea of what you like (NO mascara or lash product for liner gals!). Just like at the hairdressers, I usually mix between primary colours which means there is little point showing you as it is not a true reflection of result. 

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I'm pregnant or breastfeeding, can I still get my brows tattooed?​

Unfortunately you can't receive cosmetic tattooing if you are pregnant. However, if you are breastfeeding I am happy to tattoo at your request so long as you are aware of any risks. If you are breastfeeding it is advised you express & discard for 48hrs due to the anaesthetic. Breastfeeding as normal can be continued after the initial phase is complete.

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What are the things that might prevent me from getting tattooed?

Please book a consult if any of these apply to you. Most of the time, with Drs note etc i am happy to proceed.

-cold sores/herpes (really important to discus this with me when booking lips as the tattoo can cause a large flare up)

-autoimmune diseases

-under the age of 18 (parental consent required)

-pregnant

-prone to keloids

-on heavy daily blood thinners

-acne medicatIon (up to 6 months prior)

-have a transmittable blood disease such as HIV or hepatitis

-chemotherapy recently

-heart conditions

-allergies to cosmetic dyes/pigments

-allergies to anaesthetics

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How long does the healing process take?​

On average, 8-12 days for brows & liner & 3-7 for lips. However each person is different and if you notice you are taking a few more days than normal to heal it's crucial not to pick or pull at the flaking in an attempt to speed up the healing. Everyone's body heals differently and it's important to trust the process & continue aftercare as instructed. 

 

Why do I need a 2nd session?

The reason for a touch up is so we can perfect your tattoo and fix up any areas were pigment may have fallen out while you were caring for them. It’s our opportunity to see how your skin has healed, how much pigment it has retained and make adjustments to the shape, colour etc if need be. The reason we need to wait is so that the skin is fully healed. You will be given a recommended time frame for your touch up based on your skin type. In saying this, many clients feel they do not need a touch-up and this is absolutely fine. Yearly colour boosts are done on the same basis.

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How often do I need have my cosmetic tattoo refreshed?

Clients usually have their tattoo refreshed every 10-35 months. I will chat to you about what this timeframe is specific to you at your appointment.

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What does the aftercare look like in a nutshell?
BROWS:You must avoid water & sweating until the tattoo is entirely healed over.

On the day expect full, sharp brows & 6hrs of on the hour aftercare (takes 2 minutes!)

2-4 days after expect the brows to oxidise & darken. 3x daily aftercare (takes 2-4minutes)

5-7 days after expect the brows to begin flaking. 3x daily aftercare (takes 2-4minutes)

8-12 days after expect the brows to have finished flaking & appear very fair. 3x daily aftercare (takes 2-4minutes) until the brows are entirely healed over.

13+ days after expect the brows to slowly darken over the coming weeks.

28+ days after enjoy smudgeproof, waterproof, brows that save you 10+ minutes every single morning!!

*after final session

LIPS:You must avoid water & sweating until the tattoo is entirely healed over.

On the day you may experience redness and swelling to the treatment area. The colour of the pigment may appear extremely vivid and initially (darker again than 1st day on days 2-4), however during the first 5 days the colour will lose 50% plus of its intensity. Itching or bruising may occur.

1-3 days after expect the lips to oxidise & darken. Constant balming required until the lips are entirely healed over.

2-6 days after expect the lips to begin flaking.
4-8 days after expect the lips to have finished flaking & appear very fair. 

28+ days after enjoy smudgeproof, waterproof, lips that save you 10+ minutes every single morning!!

*after final session

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 Can I wear makeup during the healing phase?

Makeup directly on the area isn't recommended, but wearing makeup during the healing phase is completely fine on the rest of the face, just be careful & give yourself a little wiggle room as it can be difficult cleansing makeup off if it is too close to the area.

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Do I still need to get my brows waxed or tinted if I get them tattooed?​

Potentially, though usually less frequently. Your brow hairs will still grow as normal so if you grow hair at a standard rate it's recommended to have them waxed/tidied every 4-6 weeks to keep them looking fresh and to enjoy the full benefits of your beautiful shape! If you have naturally light hair I also would recommend a brow tint every now and then to give them a subtle colour boost or to help blend the hair into the tattoo if you have opted to have your tattoo darker than your natural brow hair. I offer both shapes & tints in studio under my 'brow basics'. Another option for those with naturally lighter brow hair is brow gel, which we sell in studio and am happy to colour match the right shade for you. 

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Does it last forever?​ 

Unfortunately not, your cosmetic tattoo will not last forever, and it usually fades from the skin almost completely within 3-6 years. I actually like this fact, as it gives us plenty of flexibility between colour boosts. If you decide to opt out of tattoo or want to change the style we can do that rather than being stuck with one set of brows/lips/liner for life! Styles are constantly changing, it wasn't so long ago that super thin brows were 'in'. 

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Do I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, a $99 deposit is required to confirm your appointment. This is transferrable if you need to reschedule (if the appropriate cancellation timeframe is given) but non-refundable. 

 

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, we offer Afterpay & Creditcard (surcharge applies). You will need to have an account already and please have this set up prior as this can take time that I don't often have between appointments. Unfortunately deposits can not be put through this way & must be paid in full directly.

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If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to reach out. 

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Emma x