The beauty industry is steadily leaning into long-term solutions. People want to achieve their best look with minimal hassle getting ready in the morning. That’s where permanent makeup comes in.
There are many types of PMU treatments, but microblading is easily one of the most popular. That makes it a great career choice for aspiring beauticians. If you think you’d like to learn how to microblade, we’ve got you covered.
PMUHub put together this comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about how to become a microblader. Read on for advice on how to get started, how to do microblading right, and how to turn it into a successful career.
How to Learn Microblading
As a first step to learn how to microblade, you need to find a PMU academy and see if they offer a microblading course.
It’s important to get the best education you can, because it’s your foundation as a microblading artist.
If you want, you can always take additional courses later. Use them to polish what you learned at your academy, add some new complementary skills, learn to use new equipment etc. But to get the most out of that bonus education, you have to have a strong initial base.
Take your time to find and compare a few microblading courses. Research each academy’s reputation among established artists. See what they say about the instructors, the equipment, the techniques being taught,etc.
You will need to choose whether you want to do an online or live microblading course. Both have their good and bad sides.
Live courses are great for beginner artists but might require some commuting and flexible scheduling on your part. Online courses are more time-efficient, but lack the chance to work on live models.
Decide:
- what you want to gain out of your course,
- how much money you’re willing to invest,
- and how much time you can spare.
Remember there’s no rule against taking both online and live courses.
In fact, most academies offer both, so you can get the best of both worlds: cover the basics with a flexible online course, then polish what you learn with a hands-on addition.
Image source: Instagram @master_ecaterinacioban
What Does a Microblading Course Look Like?
Both live and online courses will teach you the theory behind microblading,
With a microblading course, you learn everything from the ground up. Among other things, you’ll be taught:
- About the microblading tools
- How to use and sanitize equipment
- PMU color theory and all about PMU pigments
- All about microblading pre-care
- All about microblading aftercare
- How to work with different skin types,
- How to deal with clients, etc.
But you also need to learn the practical aspects – the technique itself.
Live courses include a couple of days of live practice on paper, latex, and usually a live model. Your instructor leads you through the process and helps you. Afterwards, you’ll probably get online modules to go back to and fortify your knowledge.
Many instructors will provide you with support during this process.
With online courses, you’ll get the props you need to practice by yourself, but you don’t get to work on a live model with the help of an experienced artist, which is a drawback.
Both versions will require you to take your time and really learn the material, plus do a bunch of practice.
Image source: Freepik
How Long Will It Take Me to Learn Microblading?
We won’t lie, it takes a while, but it’s entirely worth it. A microblading course at a certified, accredited academy usually takes a few months. After that, you may or may not have to complete a state-mandated microblading apprenticeship.
The catch is that you’re not completely done even after your course and apprenticeship are complete, because microblading is an art. Just like any other professional artist, you have to be prepared to invest many hours of dedicated practice.
Unlike many other professional artists, though, you can start making a profit as soon as you’re licensed to work. As you keep working, your knowledge and technique naturally keep improving. Any other extra practice you get, like bonus courses, is a pure perk.
Remember, the more experience you get, the more professional and trustworthy you are. The better your reputation, the more clients you get, and the more chances to improve. You set yourself up for perpetual improvement and growing success.
What Do I Do After I Learn How to Microblade?
Now that you know how to start microblading, let’s look at how to turn it into a viable career path. You’ll need to get certified, get licensed, build experience, and eventually start your own business.
How to Get Certified in Microblading
First of all, you need a certification. When you feel confident you’ve mastered the technique, you will probably need to take the final test.
Your PMU academy education accounts for how you get certified in microblading. Make sure your course will award you a certificate of completion, as opposed to only a certificate of attendance.
A certificate of attendance testifies that you attended all of your classes. It doesn’t mean you completed the course as a whole.
A certificate of completion testifies that you successfully passed a final test of knowledge and practical skill after all your classes are done.
Image source: Instagram @phibrows_by_ana
How to Get a Microblading License
Once you have your certificate, you can start working towards getting licensed. You might need some additional qualifications for that, depending on how strict microblading regulations are in your state.
Most places require you to complete some kind of health and safety training.
Microblading is a type of cosmetic tattoo, so it involves breaking the skin. You will have to learn about proper workspace hygiene and sterilizing your equipment. You might also need first-aid training.
Regulations for how to get a microblading license differ between states. Look into your local laws to make sure you have everything you need to apply.
Here’s a list of microblading licensing requirements:
Some places require you to have independent practical experience on top of PMU education and health and safety training. In other words, you might be required to complete an apprenticeship.
You might not like that idea, because apprenticeships are usually unpaid (or paid very little, in the form of apprenticeship fees and/or tips). However, they present a unique opportunity for double value.
First, you get to see microblading is done in real life, outside of an educational setting. You get to shadow an established artist and see how they refined their technique over the years. Then you can incorporate those tricks into your own practice.
Second, you look more professional and accomplished as a new microblader if you have an apprenticeship under your belt. It demonstrates to your potential clientele that you’re committed to improving your skills.
How to Start a Microblading Business
Once you get certified, get some practice, and get your license, it’s time to start thinking about how to start a microblading business as an independent artist.
Here’s a list of points to think about in advance:
The Space
To begin with, you can establish a minimal working space. Consider renting out a microblading chair in an established salon. Once you’re a bit more established and financially more secure, you can open a salon of your own.
The Equipment
You’ll need some microblading supplies and salon equipment to be able to work properly.
Invest in the following:
- A microblading bed/chair
- Quality salon lighting
- A range of pigments
- A stash of hygienic disposables
- Quality numbing cream
- A supply of aftercare products
- Pre-assembled aftercare kits
- A stash of PMU consent forms
You’ll discover your own favorite brands and lines over time. For starters, follow recommendations by other artists and your PMU academy instructors. Or PMUHub!
Image source: Freepik
The Clients
Finally, start gathering a clientele. Develop your brand and come up with a marketing strategy. Focus on building up a solid portfolio of before-and-after images.
Establish a presence on social media. Join groups for PMU artists in your area. They’ll help you keep up with the industry trends, and artists in general love sharing insights and advice with newcomers to the field.
Concentrate on developing a reputation for being caring, reliable, and dedicated. Winning trust is your most important long-term investment.
People like sharing experiences, so positive word-of-mouth will become a good channel for you to attract new clients to your budding microblading business.
Final Thoughts
Microblading is a strong career trajectory for anyone who wants to enter the PMU industry. If you want to learn how to microblade, you need to get certified at an accredited academy, get a license, and dedicate yourself to gaining practical experience.
It takes some time to get started, but you start turning a profit right out of training. The more you polish your skills, the better returns you get on your investment.
It’s okay to start with a basic workspace and supplies. Focus on learning from other artists and establishing a trustworthy reputation for yourself. Clients will recognize quality, spread the word, and grow your microblading business into a natural success.
For even more in-depth information, check out PMUHub’s guides on how to become a PMU artist and how to get your first microblading clients. Good luck!
Cover image source: Freepik
