Microblading is a form of permanent makeup (PMU). These cosmetic procedures are similar to tattoos. The difference is that they aren’t forever. They last between 2 and 10 years. They’re also much more sophisticated than regular body ink.
The demand for microblading has been huge in recent years, and it doesn’t seem to be decreasing, so it’s become a popular career option.
Here’s everything you need to know about whether microblading is a good career choice.
What Is Microblading?
Microblading is a cosmetic tattoo. It’s done on the brow with delicate blades. The pigments are applied to the surface layer of the skin. They fade over time because they’re made of substances that the body can break down.
This means that the brows need occasional touch-up appointments. The longevity of this type of PMU depends on skin quality, its oiliness, etc. With proper microblading aftercare, the average onset of fading is between 1.5 and 2 years.
Why Is Microblading So Popular?
Because it’s beautiful, long-lasting, and low-maintenance. Microbladed brows can be designed to suit your personal taste and everyday lifestyle. They’re tailored to your unique facial features.
This piece of PMU art stays in place while you swim, exercise, and otherwise live your best life. They also look admirably natural. The artist makes an individual stroke for each eyebrow hair, so you get a hyper realistic look.
As a career, microblading is popular because it’s creative, flexible, empowering, and pays well. It also offers a great amount of freedom to the artist. Best of all, you don’t need an expensive college degree for it.
@fleekink_ Brows done with love🫶🏼🤍 #fyp #microblading #viral #fypシ #switzerland #brows ♬ MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT - Elley Duhé
The Pros and Cons of a Microblading Career
One easy way to figure out is microblading a good career choice for you personally is to consider the good and bad sides that apply to your desired lifestyle. Here’s a short overview of some key good and bad sides of this career path.
The Pros
Working as a microblading artist boasts several good points. Let’s take a closer look at the five biggest pros of this career path.
No degree needed
You don’t need a 4-year-long formal education to join the permanent makeup industry. You do need many hours of practice to master your craft, but you can get started with microblading after just a few months of learning the trade.
Different workplace options
You can choose to join a team in a full-service beauty salon. Work alongside different aestheticians, massage therapists, other PMU professionals. If you prefer to fly solo, you can opt to start your own microblading business as an independent specialist.
Flexible hours
The average microblading treatment takes between two and four hours. You can schedule as many or as few as you’d like on any given day. The highly flexible timetable of a PMU artist lets you strike the ideal balance between work, family, and your social life.
Creative work
No client is the same as the next one. You’ll have plenty of chances to polish your creative skills in this career. You can also take inspiration from other artists in the PMU industry. Micropigmentation is a steadily growing field, so there’s always something new to learn.
Image source: Freepik
Empowering people through beauty
One of the greatest rewards of working as a PMU artist is the effect you have on people’s self-worth. Microblading treatments provide people with beautiful solutions for hair loss.
It can help alopecia patients and anyone else who suffers from thinning hair due to old age or even chemotherapy.
The Cons
There are a few potential downsides to pursuing a microblading career. Here’s an overview of the three key difficulties that an aspiring microblading artist might face.
Requires specialized training
You do need to complete one or more courses. Quality, credible PMU programs can get pricey. However, considering the profit you can make with proper microblading training, it’s an investment into your professional future with a relatively quick return on your investment.
Image source: Freepik
Takes time to learn
If you want to do PMU right, you need to invest several hundred hours of dedicated practice. If you spread it out over a few months or a year, it isn’t that bad. The point is that there isn’t a quick fix: microblading is an art.
Might be costly for solo artists
If you decide to launch an independent PMU salon, you have to account for the overhead costs:
- Studio rent
- Supplies
- Tools
- Marketing materials
- Advertising campaigns, etc.
Alternatively, you can set yourself up with an established business. For example, you can rent a chair at a local salon. In that case, you pay significantly lower costs.
Is Microblading a Good Career Choice in 2023?
Absolutely. The beauty industry is thriving, even more so after all the lockdowns. People love feeling beautiful and they want to invest in quality beauty treatments.
As a PMU artist who specializes in microblading, you can expect to have numerous and varied clients. Depending on how you set up your practice, you could be looking at a very lucrative and rewarding career path.
Does It Pay to Choose Microblading as a Career?
The short answer: yes, it does.
The longer answer: it depends on how much you want to earn and how you price your work.
In the US, microblading treatments can cost anywhere from $200 to $2000 per appointment. The price you can put on your work depends on a few factors:
- Your experience
- Your reputation
- The location of your practice
- Your total working hours
- Your clientele profile, etc.
For a more precise calculation you would need to know your days off, your booking rates, and the cost of business expenses in your specific area. The established average salary for a PMU artist in the US is around $60,000 – $70,000 per year.
How Do You Become a Microblading Artist?
Now that you know everything about being a microblading artist, let’s take a look at how to actually become one.
Getting Certified
First you need a microblading certification. Find a certified PMU academy and ask about their microblading training courses. There are online and live ones, and you don’t need any prior knowledge.
At the end of the course, you get a certificate of attendance. Then you need to practice the skill and take a test. If you successfully pass it, you get a certificate of completion. That counts as passing the course in its entirety.
This is how most academies work.
Image source: Freepik
Getting Licensed
Next, you need to get licensed. Make sure to do your research because specific microblading requirements vary by state. Most states have a relevant board or other institution you can contact for specific information.
State-issued licenses usually come with health requirements. You’ll probably have to learn about:
- Safety procedures
- Equipment sterilization
- Bloodborne diseases
- First-aid
After you’re certified and licensed, you’re good to start practicing on clients!
Getting Practical Experience
You need some practice before you can start your own microblading business. Try finding an apprenticeship. Some states even require it by law.
Apprenticeships are a great way to top off what you learned. You can pick up some tricks of trade from your supervising artist. The extra practice will boost your confidence and make it easier to start taking clients.
If you want to explore becoming a microblading artist in more detail, check out this in-depth guide.
In Conclusion
Microblading is a relevant career with a good forward perspective. It offers freedom and creativity, and makes a real impact on people’s lives. It does need some starting investment and lots of dedication. Still, the salary pays for the training quickly, and the more you practice, the better and more prestigious your makeup art will get.
And PMUHub will be here to provide you with useful resources every step of the way! Check out the business section on our blog.
Cover image source: Freepik
