FAQ
Everything you need to know before your appointment
Permanent Makeup is designed to enhance your natural features and simplify your everyday routine. At Bare, our goal is to create soft, natural-looking results that complement you- not overpower you.
Think of Permanent Makeup as low maintenance, not no maintenance. Your results will soften and fade over time, and occasional color boosts help keep them looking fresh.
Below you'll find answers to our most frequently asked questions, including how to prepare, what to expect at your appointment, healing, follow-ups, and more.
Before Your Appointment
How should I prepare for my permanent makeup appointment?
For the best possible results, arrive with healthy, calm skin in the treatment area. Avoid excessive sun exposure, tanning, and irritating skincare treatments before your appointment. Retinoids, exfoliating acids, chemical peels, lasers, injectables, and other treatments may require some spacing from your permanent makeup appointment.
If you use a prescription medication, have a medical condition, or are unsure whether a treatment could affect your appointment, please contact us before making any changes to medications or treatments.
Do I need to wax, tweeze, or shape me brows before my appointment?
No, there's no need to have your brows professionally shaped before your appointment. We'll carefully map and design your brows based on your natural features, facial structure, and desired result before beginning your procedure. Any stray hairs outside of the final design will be cleaned up at your appointment.
Can I have permanent makeup if I already have previous work?
Possibly. Previous permanent makeup needs to be evaluated before booking a new brow, eyeliner, or lip procedure. If the existing pigment is too dark, saturated, discolored, or the shape needs significant correction, removal or lightening may be recommended before new permanent makeup can be performed.
Please contact Bare at 479-200-6558 and and send clear, makeup-free photos of the area so we can determine the best next step before you book. NOTE: it is best to take a picture facing a window with natural daylight.
Can I get Botox, filler, a facial, peel, or laser treatment around my appointment?
Yes, but these treatments should be appropriately spaced from your permanent makeup appointment to allow the skin to settle and heal. Botox, filler, chemical peels, laser treatment, microneedling and other advanced skincare treatments performed too close to your appointment may affect your skin or your final results.
If you have an upcoming treatment or recently had one, please contact Bare before your appointment so we can make sure the timing is appropriate.
Your Appointment & Results
Does permanent makeup hurt?
Most clients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the process is. A topical anesthetic is used to help minimize discomfort, and we'll do our best to keep you comfortable throughout your appointment.
Everyone's sensitivity is different, so you may feel some pressure, scratching, or tenderness during the procedure, but permanent makeup is generally very manageable for most clients.
How long does my appointment take?
Appointment times vary depending on the service, but most permanent makeup appointments take approximately 2-3 hours. We allow plenty of time for consultation, custom color selection, and mapping and design before the procedure begins.
We never want the process to feel rushed. Your design will be reviewed with you before we begin so you feel comfortable and confident moving forward.
How long does permanent makeup last?
Permanent Makeup is designed to fade gradually over time. How long your results last depends on your skin type, lifestyle, sun exposure, skincare routine, the technique performed, the pigment used, and how your skin retains pigment.
Most clients enjoy their results for 2-4 years before considering a color boost. We generally recommend waiting until the pigment has faded by about 50% before a color boost/ refresh. This helps keep your permanent makeup looking soft and natural over time.
Will I need a follow-up appointment?
A follow-up appointment is recommended to evaluate your healed results and make any adjustments that may be needed. Permanent Makeup heals differently for everyone, and some areas may retain pigment more strongly than others.
Follow ups are scheduled separately and are recommended within 12 weeks of your initial appointment. Occasionally, more than one follow up may be needed to achieve the desired result.
Healing & Aftercare
What should I expect during the healing process?
Permanent Makeup will look darker and more defined immediately after your appointment. As the area heals, you may experience mild redness, tenderness, dryness, flaking, or light scabbing.
The color will soften significantly during healing and may even appear lighter or uneven at certain stages. This is normal. Allow the area to heal completely before judging the final result. Your true healed color will gradually settle in over the following weeks and even up to 12 weeks.
How long does permanent makeup take to heal?
The surface of the skin typically heals within about 7-14 days, although everyone heals at a different rate. During this time, the treated area may flake, soften in color, or temporarily appear lighter than expected.
The pigment continues to settle into the skin after the surface has healed, so we recommend allowing several weeks before evaluating your final color and results.
What should I avoid while my permanent makeup is healing?
During the initial healing period, avoid picking, scratching, or peeling the treated area. You'll also want to avoid excessive moisture, sweating, swimming, saunas, direct sun exposure, and skincare products or makeup that could irritate the area.
You'll receive specific aftercare instructions for your procedure. Following them carefully is an important part of achieving the best healed result.
When can I wear makeup again after permanent makeup?
Avoid applying makeup directly on or very close to the treated area while the skin is healing (generally 1-2 weeks). Once the area has finished flaking and the skin is fully closed and healed, you can gradually return to your normal makeup routine.
Healing times vary, so when in doubt, give your skin a little more time or contact Bare before applying products to the treated area.
Booking & Choosing Your Artist
How do I book an appointment?
Click the Book Now button to view our services, artists, availability, and pricing. A 30% deposit is required to reserve your appointment and will be applied to your service total. If you're unsure which brow which artist or service to choose, please reach out to us before booking- we're happy to help. When booking a brow appointment, simply select the technique that feels most in line with what you're looking for. Your artist will discuss the options with you and perform the brow technique you both decide is the best fit.
Why do services and pricing vary by artist?
Our artists offer different services and pricing based on their level of experience, years of practice, advanced training, and specialties. Every artist at Bare has been carefully selected and follows our studio's standards for safety, artistry, and client care. We encourage you to view each artist's portfolio and bio to find the best fit for your desired service, style, and budget.
Can I bring inspiration photos?
Yes! Inspiration photos are welcome and can help your artist understand the style, color, and overall look you prefer. Because every client's facial features, natural hair growth, skin, and anatomy are unique, photos will be used as inspiration while your artist creates a customized result for you.
Follow our work on Instagram: @barepigment |@barewithjenny |@aura.aestheticsbyabby | @beautybox.kko
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Candidacy & Special Considerations
Permanent Makeup should not be performed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you take blood-thinning medication, please contact us before booking so we can discuss your candidacy and any instructions. Clients currently undergoing chemotherapy must receive approval from their physician before any procedure can be performed. Please let us know about any other medical conditions or medications that could affect healing.
Can you work over existing permanent makeup?
In some cases, yes. Existing permanent makeup must be sufficiently faded, and the current shape and color must allow for new work. Please contact us before booking and send clear, makeup-free photos taken in natural lighting so an artist can evaluate the area. If the existing pigment is too dark, saturated, or outside the desired shape, removal or lightening may be recommended first. If unsure, you may also book a consult.
Follow-Ups & Studio Policies
Are follow-up appointments included in the service price?
Follow-up appointments are not included in the initial service price. Each follow-up appointment is $100. A follow-up is recommended within 12 weeks of your initial procedure, and some clients may need more than one depending on their skin, healing, and pigment retention.
When will I need a colorboost?
Most permanent makeup services need a colorboost every one to three years, depending on your skin, lifestyle, sun exposure, skincare routine, and pigment retention. For brows, we generally recommend waiting until the color has faded by approximately 50% ~often around the two-year mark~before scheduling a boost.
Why do you have a 48-hour cancellation policy?
Because each appointment reserves a significant amount of time with your artist, cancellations and rescheduling requests made less than 48 hours' notice leave an appointment that is difficult to fill. Permanent makeup is a service clients typically plan ahead for and schedule around work, play, and healing time, so the opening usually cannot be filled at the last minute. If less than 48 hours' notice is provided, your 30% booking deposit will be forfeited. If no deposit was collected, a fee equal to 30% of the scheduled service will be charged. This policy protects our artists' reserved time and allows us to serve clients waiting for appointments.
What is your refund policy?
All permanent makeup services are non-refundable once the procedure has been performed. Results can vary based on skin type, lifestyle, aftercare, and individual healing. Adjustments may be made at a follow-up appointment, and more than one follow-up may be occasionally needed to achieve the desired result. If you have any concerns during the healing process, please reach out to us.