We’re often asked questions from budding lip tattoo artists about which are the best permanent makeup cartridges and pigments to use for lips.

As with any PMU treatment, we would always suggest a beginner in lip treatments to speak to their trainer first. Always read the small print as your training course may already include some starter equipment like needle cartridges and pigments. Your trainer may also have a preferred brand they would like students to use, which compliments the PMU techniques they are teaching.

However, you are not obliged to stick to the brand or brands that your training academy recommends. Recommendations are always useful, but once you are qualified and confident in your skills, you are free to try other brands of needle cartridges and pigments to find out what works best for you and your clients.

In this blog, we’ll give you a run down on all the important factors to consider when trying out new PMU cartridges or pigments for your permanent lip treatments. We’ve also included some of our best sellers, which come highly recommended by Killer Beauty Sponsored Artists!



What Are the Best Needle Cartridges for Lips?

The needle cartridges you opt for will depend on the technique you use in your lip treatments and which part of the lip you are working on. For example, you’ll probably use a different configuration when creating the lip line compared to the needle you will use to shade the body of the lip.

For the lip border, most artists will use a round liner in a small diameter, depending on how fine they want the line to be. 1 round liners in 0.20 and 0.25mm are mega-popular for creating an ultra-crisp lip line and we have had some incredible feedback on the Stellar 2.0 cartridges for this stage of lip blushing – due to their enhanced stability and optimised pigment flow.



For shading the body of the lip, some artists will use shading needles such as round shaders, flat or curved magnum configurations. However, other artists still prefer to use round liners to shade the lips – in configurations such as 3 round liners and 5 round liners. Some would even prefer to use a 1rl for the whole treatment! It really does come down to personal preference, tried and tested methods, and what works for you.

We would always suggest trying a sample pack, like those available from Vertix and Stellar 2.0 cartridges, designed to be incredibly sharp and easy to use. Sample packs provide artists with the opportunity to try out multiple configurations and needle diameters on latex skins and then on clients.

Once you get a feel for which configuration and style you like best, you can go ahead and order those specific needle cartridges to use them more regularly!



What Do I Need to Look for in PMU Cartridges?

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right needle cartridges for you and your client, including the client’s skin type and the procedure being carried out.

Other features you need to look for are:

•             Sterile Blister Packaging

•             Safety Membrane

•             Stainless Steel Needles

•             Transparent Tip

•             Universal Connection (or whatever connection is compatible with your machine)

When choosing PMU needle cartridges, you may also have to decide between a long and short taper needle. The taper refers to the length of the ‘point’ of the needle and the shorter the taper, the faster the needle will implant pigment in the skin. However, short tapers do create a larger puncture in the skin and can inflict more trauma to the area.

Most PMU cartridges from reputable brands include medium to long tapers, which are less traumatic to the skin and can still effectively implant pigment across multiple passes. However, artists who prefer to complete a treatment in 1-2 passes might opt for a short taper needle.



What Needle Cartridges Are PMU Artists Loving?

Artists have been raving about the Stellar 2.0 for lip treatments – especially the 1rl 0.20 & 0.25 for creating the crisp lip border. The incredible sharpness and anti-wobbling feature reduces trauma to the skin, whilst the colour-coding system makes them easy to use and perfect for PMU artists of all levels, including beginners.

You can find these needle cartridges in a variety of configurations, including round liners, round shaders, and magnums, making them versatile and suitable for a range of treatments.



What Are the Best Pigments for Lips?

For beginners, we would always suggest investing in a pigment set with a range of colours that will provide a variety of options for warm, cool, and neutral-toned clients. Investing in a mixture of very neutral and more bold lip shades will mean you have enough choice to suit every client’s preference.

If you’re looking to build your kit, you could opt for the:

•             Perma Blend LUXE Embody and Enhance Sets that are designed specifically for lip treatments, including lip neutralisation and lip tattoo procedures. The sets have a range of colours allowing PMU artists to work on any skin tone. 

•             Evenflo True Lips Set from Perma Blend LUXE that has been designed to promote optimal healed results and provide even and gradual fading.

Some of our best-selling lip blush pigments include the Lust & Envy collections by Tina Davies Professional, in collaboration with Perma Blend. This set offers a mix of iron oxide and organic pigments and includes a diverse shade range.



What to Consider When Choosing Pigments?

We advise all artists to consider the below factors when selecting pigments:

•             Fully Tested and Approved

•             Pigment shades & modifying

•             Organic vs. Inorganic

A lot of lip pigments will have an organic or hybrid formula, which is designed to create a high colour pay off on the lips. However, bright colours like an organic red or wine shade are advised for use by experienced technicians only, due to intensity of the colour.

When working with organic pigments, artists tend to work lighter to avoid oversaturation of the lips. You may also wish to check if the pigment they are using contains titanium dioxide – as this is only recommended for highly-experienced artists too.

Understanding colour theory can also help you when considering pigment selection – from undertones to skin type to modifying and correcting.

Like with any treatment, when you try out new pigments, we would always suggest practicing on latex first to get a feel for the pigment and how it works with your techniques. At Killer Beauty, we even offer eyes and lips contour pads which allows you to try out new pigments on a more realistic lip shape.



Elevating Your Lip PMU Game

Choosing the right tools and pigments for your lip PMU treatments can make all the difference in achieving stunning, long-lasting results. Whether you're a beginner exploring your options or an experienced artist looking to fine-tune your techniques, having the best needle cartridges and pigments in your kit is essential.

At Killer Beauty, we pride ourselves on offering a carefully curated range of high-quality PMU supplies, tested and recommended by professionals worldwide. From the ultra-sharp Stellar 2.0 cartridges to the vibrant shades in the Perma Blend LUXE, Tina Davies lip pigments set and Evenflo pigment sets, we’ve got everything you need to create flawless lip blushing results for your clients.

Remember, investing in the right equipment not only ensures precision and durability but also enhances client comfort and safety, which ultimately leads to a growing, loyal clientele.

With the right tools and pigments, you can take your lip PMU artistry to the next level!