If you are part of the permanent makeup industry, you are probably aware of the recent shift within the space and the growing need for artists to understand the tools they use. We are seeing more and more artists becoming experts in their field and a huge part of this is understanding their products – specifically, pigments or inks.

In this blog we will explain all the reasons why you need to brush up on your pigment knowledge and educate yourself as much as possible on this topic. Things can very quickly go wrong when a working PMU artist doesn’t know understand the pigments they are implanting!



Why is pigmentology so important?

The pigments and inks that you are using will play a huge part in determining what the finished, healed result will look like on your client. Understanding what exactly is in your pigment is a must for pigment selection – to ensure you’re choosing the right pigment (neat or pigment mix) to suit your client.

You will need to consider the client’s undertones, colour theory and the colourants within the pigments. Another important thing to consider is, how will these pigments age over time? Is the client seeking a long-lasting result or do they want something softer and quicker fading? You should even consider how these pigments may react under laser if the client does opt for removal years down the line.

Gone are the days of letting your client choose the colour they think is the prettiest from your pigment collection. You are the expert as an artist, and you need to fully understand your pigments and be making those decisions – this will ensure you’re creating the best quality healed work that lasts and doesn’t fade to disastrous tones.

Below are all the ways in which you can become a pigment expert & take your PMU business to the next level!



Education and Initial Training is Crucial

It goes without saying that all PMU artists need to first complete an in-depth training course. There is plenty of choice out there for a budding PMU artist, but our advice would always be to research your training course. This includes reading testimonials of past students, taking a look at their work and more – we cover all of this in our blog post here.

You want to make sure that your training includes theory and live models – so that you are being provided with strong foundations for your ongoing PMU knowledge and education. If you are not being taught theory, you will struggle to carry out successful treatments once the course is completed. Our product experts are always on hand to answer questions but if you struggle with the basics, you need to refer back to your trainer and request additional support!



Always Be Learning

Once you are qualified, there is no reason you can’t continue to learn and become an expert in your field! This can include masterclasses or shadow days with established artists that you admire. In-person events can also provide huge educational value, as well as networking opportunities. Our Community Event includes access to 6 live demos, a guest speaker and interactive workshops – secure your ticket here.

Enrolling in online courses, as well as in-person training and events, is a key investment for your business. We would highly recommend the Perma U Science Behind the Ink Course for anyone looking to improve their pigment knowledge. Not only is this course taught by Brand Director and Perma Blend Founder Anne-Marie Rubino, but it is especially useful if you’re a fan of Perma Blend pigments and use these regularly on your clients.

Another must-have for any artist is the PMUni Colourant Manual, developed by leading PMU master and Killer Beauty X Perma Blend Sponsored Artist Jasmine Diebelius. This manual can become your bible for all things pigment scient, colour theory & more! Jasmine’s manual covers inorganic vs. organic compositions, different carrier agents, CI codes and swatch sheets. And best of all? It’s non-brand specific – so it includes a huge range of popular pigment brands within its pages!

Utilise Free Education

When you can, you should be investing in paid courses for quality education, but you can always utilise free resources alongside them! At Killer Beauty, we work with leading artists to provide you with as much education and support that we can – completely free and accessible on our various platforms.

You can check out our YouTube channel for tips and tricks, full tutorials, theory education and so much more – all at the click of a button. Our blog is also a great resource, with articles on Colour Theory and Organic vs. Inorganic pigments being a big hit with our customers.



Learn About the Pigments You are Purchasing

If you’re trying out a new collection or range, we’d always recommend a deep dive into the formulation – so you know exactly how these pigments will implant, heal and age on your clients.  More and more brands are including detailed colour charts within their pigment sets, to help artists have a clear understanding of the colours and formulations they are using.

Some stand out launches include the Sculpted Studios X Perma Blend sets designed for both lip tattooing and scalp micropigmentation: Embody & Enhance and Reclaim & Restore. Not only do these sets come with detailed charts, they have been developed by global industry leaders Carla Ricciardone and Stevey G, backed by years of research and testing. They are also complimented perfectly by the Sculpted Colour Theory course, which is also available online.

Follow Key Artists on Social Media

You may be pleasantly surprised at how much knowledge PMU masters are willing to share for free on their social platforms. Following artists who are at the top of their game & have a keen understanding or passion for pigmentology means your feed will constantly be filled with educational content and free tips and tricks.

This will also give you insight into what events or championships these artists are speaking or demonstrating at – so you can grab a ticket and learn from the artists you admire in person! Of course, we will always try and include as much educational value as we can on our social media channels, so don’t forget to give us a follow.



So, there you have it! The reasons why you need to understand your pigments and all the steps you can take to grow and improve your pigment knowledge, to become the best possible artist you can be. The industry and the science behind it is constantly evolving, so your PMU education journey is ongoing – just make sure you are as up to date as possible and making an investment in your knowledge!