You've probably already heard of it. Maybe your best friend has even succumbed to it, or your Instagram feed is full of absolutely stunning "before/after" photos. Permanent makeup is a bit like the promise of an effortless, glamorous wake-up, a line of eyeliner that's always perfect, and eyebrows that stay on fleek from morning to night... even in the shower. Tempting, right? Yes, but be careful: behind the glitter, there are sometimes needles that prick a little too much.
Because here, we're not here to sell you a dream in a jar. Instead, we're offering you a chance to put permanent makeup under the microscope—without the smoke and mirrors. Ready? Let's go.
What exactly is permanent makeup?
Behind this somewhat magical name lies a technique similar to tattooing. Using microneedles, pigments are injected under the skin to redraw eyebrows, highlight the eyes, or plump up the lips. The result: no more struggling with your eyebrow pencil at 7 a.m.
But unlike a traditional tattoo, these pigments don't penetrate as deeply into the skin. They therefore fade over time (usually 1 to 3 years). The problem? They don't always disappear cleanly...
Beautiful promises… and real struggles
So yes, on paper, permanent makeup ticks all the boxes for the beauty addict in a hurry. It saves time, provides a "made-up-without-being-made-up" look, and lasts flawlessly... But the reality is sometimes much less flattering. And the drawbacks are very real.
1. An uncertain (and sometimes scary) outcome
Even in the hands of an experienced professional, the results can be... unexpected. The wrong shade of pigment, a line that's too thick, or an asymmetry, and your dream of perfect brows turns into an aesthetic nightmare. And spoiler alert: a little makeup remover won't fix that.
2. Let’s talk about pain
It's not just a pencil being swiped across your eyelid. It's a needle pricking your skin, over and over again. Even if a numbing cream is applied, some areas (like the lips or eyelids) remain particularly sensitive. So if you're the type to cry over a bikini wax, take a deep breath.
3. Risks of infection and allergies
Pigments are injected under your skin, and you can imagine that's not a trivial matter. Poor equipment hygiene or a lack of post-treatment care, and boom: infection, scabs, and inflammation. Not to mention allergic reactions to the pigments, which can occur... even months later.
4. Aging… not always very graceful
Your skin evolves. Your features change, your skin color can alter over time, and your permanent makeup stays the same. What was stylish at 30 can become bizarre at 45. And that "blurred" effect that appears after a few years? Not always very glamorous.
5. The hassle of tattoo removal
Think you can wipe it off like a failed lipstick? Bad news: removing permanent makeup is time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes painful. Lasers, multiple sessions, risk of scarring... In short, it's no easy feat.
But why is it still so popular?
Because social media loves before-and-afters. Because some influencers, well-made up and well-sponsored, never talk about botched touch-ups or lips that swell like angry baboon photos. And also because, let's be honest, the promise of waking up looking effortlessly pretty is a dream come true.
But in the real world, where your skin heals, ages, and reacts, permanent makeup is a serious decision. Not a spur-of-the-moment decision between glasses of rosé.
Alternatives to (really) consider
Before you rush off to lie down under a needle, consider the less permanent options:
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Microblading : less deep, more natural, but requires frequent touch-ups.
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Waterproof products : Today, there are pencils, eyebrow inks, and eyeliners that can withstand anything (even your tears watching a romantic comedy).
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Temporary dermopigmentation : a softer and more temporary version.
So, do you take the plunge or do you turn back?
Permanent makeup isn't the devil, we're not going to lie to you. It has changed the lives of some, especially those who have lost their eyebrows or eyelashes for medical reasons. But it remains an invasive technique, far from harmless, and certainly not without risks.
So if you want some advice from a friend: do your research, choose a real professional (with qualifications, unretouched photos and impeccable hygiene), and ask yourself if you're ready to live with it... or struggle to remove it.
Because what you put on your skin is also a form of freedom. And sometimes, letting your face breathe is still the most beautiful way to love yourself.
