Semi-Permanent Make-Up - the make-up of the future?

Have you heard of semi-permanent make-up? Maybe you have and you aren't really sure what it is. Very recently this whole new area of cosmetics was brought to my attention and I thought I should perhaps focus on it in more detail.

The term 'semi-permanent make-up', also known as micropigmentation, covers a range of cosmetic treatments that involve inserting small amounts of pigment (ink) into the dermal layer of the skin in order to enhance and add to [typically] female features. This state-of-the-art procedure, which is essentially tattooed on make-up, is being used increasingly by celebrities as a way to streamline their beauty rituals. Celebrities such as Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Lucy Meck, Louise Roe, Angelina Jolie and Amy Childs are among the widening variety of stars who are reportedly fans of the procedure.

The range of treatments typically includes eyebrow enhancement, eye liner and lip liner. Also there are semi-permanent cosmetic treatments for beauty marks, scar camouflage and areola  reconstruction. All these procedures use a technique which is far less invasive than traditional tattooing, hence the 'semi-permanent' tagline. It is general consensus that while people's skin differs widely, semi-permanent cosmetics can last anything from one to five years.  

There are very obvious benefits to having your make-up tattooed on: semi-permanent make-up has been dubbed the 'make-up you wake up in'. I for one cannot apply eyeliner to save my life, it's never even and it never looks as good as I hope! If my eyeliner was already permanently applied for me, this would no longer be such a chore. The same goes for the eyebrow treatments. Having perfectly shaped and defined eyebrows 24/7 sounds like a dream! If you have a signature look, or are looking to make your mornings a whole lot easier, semi-permanent make-up may actually be the answer for you.

If you are not naturally blessed with full lips but you love the Rosie Hungtington-Whitely look, you could enhance your lips with semi-permanent lip liner. I think the lips below still look incredibly natural.

However, there is a darker side to this new field. Many 'technicians' who claim to be qualified will offer highly discounted treatments to gain customers, but how do you know these people are credible? You are essentially getting a tattoo on your face, you need to ensure it's done correctly! Before you undertake any kind of cosmetic procedure, you should do lots of research into the practitioner and the treatment itself.

I'm excited to find out more about this newly emerging field of cosmetics, are you intrigued? Leave me a comment!

Look out for a post next week where I talk to semi-permanent make-up artist Sue Nightingale (www.suenightingale.co.uk) and learn more about these cutting-edge treatments.