I aim to make clients feel amazing by providing premium PMU treatments that boost confidence & give natural, long lasting results.
Using the best-in-industry products applied with precision & care, treatments are guided by an understanding of shapes, geometry, colours, shadow & light for optimum personalised results.
While the studio is still in its early days, I want every treatment to be top quality & delivered with care. Right now, I’m focused on creating stunning ombré & powder brows to give the best results.
That said, I’m always expanding my skills to bring you more options. Gorgeous hairstroke & combo brows coming soon!
Here I have tried to answer some of the most common questions I get asked about PMU. Feel free to reach out to me at hyperrealbeauty@icloud.com if you've a question not answered below.
This is a very popular treatment to improve the shape, colour and add definition to the eyebrows. The process involves implanting hypoallergenic, pharmaceutical-grade pigment into the upper dermis of the skin and is a form of tattooing. This can be done either with a specialist PMU machine containing a sterile needle/group of needles, or by microblading using a manual hand held tool to score the skin in preparation for receiving the pigment.
I prefer to use a machine as this lets me achieve beautiful fine pixels or mimic really precise and realistic hair strokes on the skin. It perforates the skin the same as a body tattoo but doesn't go as deep. I also prefer this method as it’s suited to a wider array of skin types than microblading and doesn’t create scar tissue in the skin.
PMU is really designed to complement your makeup routine, not completely replace it. It provides a natural, long-lasting enhancement to your features, like nicely shaped brows, defined eyes, or subtly tinted lips. These enhancements act as a polished foundation, saving you time and effort in your daily routine.
While PMU delivers a consistently beautiful look, it’s typically softer and more natural than traditional makeup. This allows you to personalise your style by adding regular makeup for a more dramatic or bold effect when desired, such as for special occasions.
It's best if you think of PMU as the ideal base that works for every day, giving you the freedom to enhance or elevate your look as you choose. It’s about enhancing your natural beauty while maintaining the flexibility to still express yourself through makeup.
Ombré is a permanent makeup technique that uses shading to create a soft, powdery effect. This gives a natural, filled-in look similar to wearing brow makeup, with a gradient that is darker at the tails and lighter towards the start of the brows.
The procedure usually takes around 3 hours. This includes pre-drawing, colour selection, tattooing and then explaining the aftercare. Each step is done carefully to ensure precision and comfort.
A touch-up appointment is generally done 5–8 weeks after your initial session has completely healed, and is used to perfect the shape and density of your brows.
After that, yearly touch-ups will help maintain the look. This timing can vary depending on personal preference and how well your brows retain pigment over the period (see next question!)
This is tricky to answer accurately as it can be different for everyone! Over time, the pigment fades because our bodies shed dead skin cells every month, however, there are a number of other factors that can affect the longevity of your PMU (e.g your skin type, lifestyle, your exposure to UV rays, and the aftercare you follow). One to two years ought to be typical with the type of pigments I use and my technique, however, it is possible that some clients may need to have them topped up sooner than this, yet for others it may even last 3 or so years. With periodic touch-ups, you can extend their appearance and keep them looking fresh.
The treatment is classed as ‘permanent’ because there is a chance some pigments could remain in your skin indefinitely. Each client is different and consequently the pigment could stay visible in the skin for varying amounts of time. For some it may have disappeared in two years completely but for others it could still be faintly visible after many years.
A colour boost is recommended roughly every 12-18 months to keep your brows looking their best.
I always try to work with the natural brow hair you have. I will only use an eyebrow razor to remove any hair that falls outwith the new shape chosen for, and agreed by you.
Yes, I have a variety of pigments from lightest blond to darkest brown, I might also mix different ratios of colours to get the right shade for you.
Absolutely not! Some clients do not want a bold ombré brow and just want a very subtle powdery effect, enhancing what they already have.
Be aware however, that your new brows may appear darker immediately after the procedure but be assured that they will fade after a few weeks. You will be given full details of the healing process and what you can expect.
Yes! Ombré brows work well for all skin types, including oily or combination skin, where microblading may not be as effective. The shading technique tends to hold better, especially for those with oilier skin.
No, I am currently using the brilliant Tina Davies Fade Collection, which are permanent make up pigments specifically designed for the face.
The difference between tattoo ink and pmu pigments are their molecule sizes; tattoo ink cannot leave the skin and so will change colour over time. In contrast, with the pmu pigments I use, the colour will fade but it will still stay stable as it fades.
It depends on the condition of the previous tattoo. If it’s very faded, I may be able to work over it. In some cases however, removal or lightening of the old tattoo may be necessary as your skin will not take any more pigment.
Feel free to send me some photos and we’ll assess your brows to determine the best approach.
Everyone's pain tolerance can be different. Most clients describe the sensation as mild to moderate discomfort. I’ll apply a numbing cream during the procedure if required to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible.
Although permanent make up is suitable for most, it may not be ideal for clients with certain medical conditions, allergies, or skin sensitivities. Pregnant or breastfeeding clients are generally advised to wait. You must be over 18 to be able to have a permanent make up procedure.
I can provide more information and a checklist to assist with this and then we can discuss any concerns before booking.
Pricing can vary depending on the type of treatment, the complexity of your desired look, and the time required to achieve the best results for you. Each client is unique, and I tailor treatments to suit your individual needs. To discuss your specific requirements, feel free to get in touch - I’m happy to help!
A few tips to prepare:
You will be given full details of how to prepare when you book your appointment.
You must follow the aftercare process to ensure the best results. In a nutshell, you’ll need to:
Again, you will be given full aftercare details when you book your appointment.
Initially, the brows will probably appear darker and bolder than expected, but this will soften by about 30–50% as they heal. You may experience some light flaking, which is normal. Full healing usually takes 4–6 weeks.
Prior to booking in your permanent make up procedure it is essential to first have a consultation. This ensures that I understand your wishes and can check that you are a good candidate for the procedure. It also gives you the opportunity to check that I'm the right PMU artist for you!
During a consultation, we discuss your desired eyebrow look, we'll review your medical history and I'll fully explain the various steps involved in the procedure and the healing process.
The consultation is offered free of charge.
Prior to the consultation taking place I may ask you to send me some photographs of your face (with no brow make up) so I can assess your brows and skin type and check suitability for the procedure. Please also let me know at this time if you have/had previous semi-permanent makeup done on your brows by another technician.
Please note that a patch test will be mandatory for all those who would like to go on to book an appointment. The test must be completed at least 48 hours prior to the initial treatment to ensure that you do not react to the pigments or numbing cream that I will use on you and that it will be safe to proceed with the appointment.
You can book an in-person consultation (including a patch test) to take place at my (temporary) studio. For now, this will be arranged by mutual agreement and the studio's availability. Alternatively, a consultation form and patch test can be sent to you via post free of charge. Please allow a few days for this. Online consultations may also be arranged over a platform that suits you best (eg FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom).
Duration: approximately 1 hour
This uses a specialist shading technique to create a beautiful, soft mist of colour across the brow, creating a powdery or ombré shadow behind your natural eyebrow hair. No caterpillars here!
It adds depth, definition, and results in a more made-up look. It tends to be most suitable for ladies who like to wear some brow make up.
Two appointments are required to achieve the final look, >3 hours each (price includes the 5-8 week top up). The colour will be bespoke blended to complement your skin tone and hair colour to achieve a natural look. When healed, you'll enjoy a permanent, defined but soft powdered look.
Note that the density of the brows will be built up over the two sessions (if needed). I always start lightly with the saturation on session 1, then make small adjustments in the following session after we see how this heals to then get your ideal result!
Duration: approximately 3 hours
The cost of this session is included within the initial appointment.
During this perfecting session I will assess the condition of your brows, discuss any tweaks you may wish to make to the design and then carefully add pigment where necessary to perfect any areas where the colour may not have taken after your first appointment. The session can also be used to make small adjustments to the shape and density of the shading.
This is usually the final session in the process that will give you a result that should last a further 12 to 36 months.
Duration: approximately 3 hours
Bookable for my previous clients only.
Although the permanent make up pigments used will give a long lasting result, returning for a top up refresh after a year or so will provide the sharpness we love, boost the colour and keep your brows looking tip top.
Suitable for those whose brows have faded by about 50% and are returning any time between 12 and 18 months since their last appointment with me.
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Bookable for my previous clients only.
Although the permanent make up pigments used will give a long lasting result, returning for a top up refresh will provide the sharpness we love, boost the colour and keep your brows looking tip top.
Suitable for those whose brows have faded by about 80% and are returning 18 months or longer since their last appointment with me.
Duration: approximately 3 hours
When I first discovered what was possible with modern permanent make up I was totally blown away and became desperate to learn this art form!
I'd always been pretty artistic but had veered away from attending art school, and chose the more 'sensible' path of doing a business degree at university. Fast forward 25 years later and I was working in the corporate world, feeling as if there might be something more meaningful out there for me that I hadn't yet discovered. When I learned the company I was working for was winding down, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and immersed myself into learning the world of permanent make up. It's always super daunting starting something new, especially as you get older, but I just had a feeling I had found my calling!
Encouraged by my friends and family, I went on to undertake my PMU training in 2024 and found myself fortunate enough to be part of an industry that is both wonderful and meaningful at the same time. At last, I've found my creative outlet!
This journey has taught me to be brave, to try new things and step outside my comfort zone. So here I am, doing something completely different that I love in my 50's and now an accredited pmu brow artist!
I believe that everyone - regardless of age - deserves to feel more confident, and that's why I'm committed to providing quality services and long(ish!) lasting results to all my clients at hyper|real beauty.
If you're looking for a trusted permanent make-up artist in Edinburgh who will always do her best for you, please check out my work and see if there's a fit!
The permanent make up techniques and the pigments I prefer to use may not suit everyone, so if you are at all unsure about whether it's right for you, get in touch to book your free, no obligation consultation and let's see shall we?!
Hope to chat soon.
Ali x
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