The PMU Queen of Arkansas
Juggling the many aspects of life, from motherhood, to teacher, to artist, Ebony makes multi-tasking as a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry look effortless. A leader within our industry, Ebony has paved the way for herself from the ground up and is helping hundreds of artists do the same with her PMU institute, EK Professionals Permanent Cosmetics & Tattoo Institute. With family, God, and juice by her side, take tips from this inspirational woman as she gives professional and down-to earth realness of her day-to-day as a PMU pioneer.
Q&A
How and why did you get started within the PMU world?
I have always been in the beauty industry, mainly behind the chair doing hair, but I wanted to branch out and try something new. I had a PMU license that I never really used, so I decided to test the waters and take additional training. To no surprise, I loved it! I didn’t really like old school PMU and that’s how I was trained (No shade! It was trendy during that time, it’s just not my thing).
Tell us a little about your business and where you are located out of?
I am located in Little Rock, Arkansas. EK Professionals Permanent Cosmetics & Tattoo Institute is where I do my thing. We are a permanent cosmetics school and one of the only PMU school within our city, which I’m very proud of. I can confidently say, we produce the hottest PMU artists in the WORLD!
How do you handle your work-life balance when owning a business (being a mom, etc)?
I don’t...I just go with the flow. I know there will be times where one lacks and the other one doesn’t, so when the other one isn’t lacking, I make sure to give the other one a little bit more love. The balance of life is knowing there never will be balance, and that’s the balance.
Any advice for other PMU artists out there managing a business and family at the same time? Any advice for future PMU artists on how to start your own business?
What are some things you’d like to see more from in the PMU industry?
More diversity on high level platforms and more standardized fundamental training.
What are some tips and tricks you might have when using our pigments?
The shading solution, thin and thick, is a game changer. It allows you to create multiple finished forms in one color.
What is the Shading Solution?
Sometimes using a full pigment load to create stunning results just isn’t enough, or, it’s simply is too much, which is why a shading solution should be your best friend. There are multiple scenarios this solution could play a huge role in, but two of the most common are listed below:
- Scenario 1: Microblading & Microshading.
When it comes to microblading, sometimes strokes are just not enough. The healed results are often softer than the ones you’d get when using your modern-day tattoo machine. Some clients love this, but with current trends, you’ll more often run into clients that lean towards those striking and bold brows. This is where the shading solution comes in. To strengthen the end healed results, you can incorporate an added layer to your microblading strokes, by microshading with a lesser pigment load around the microblading strokes. To do this, go in with a full pigment load when microblading. Then afterwards, combine a percentage of your full pigment with the shading solution to dilute the pigment load and highlight the areas around those strokes. This will create a bolder look while not going overboard. We know....two steps too much, but why not go a bit further to make your client feel like the beauty queen she truly is?
- Scenario 2: Microshading, aka, the TOO bold scenario
Sometimes the pigment load is just a bit too strong. Clients are not satisfied and would rather hide their new brows than flaunt them. Solution? Trim the fat down a bit by diluting the pigment with our shading solution. Adjust to your clients' requests by diluting the pigment by percentage. What we mean is, if you’re going for a softer look, dilute the pigment by mixing 75% of the original pigment load with 25% of the shading solution. Adjust the percentages accordingly, keeping in mind percentages or ratios. Et Voila....there she goes flaunting that gorgeous work you created.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that the Shading Solution gives the ability to deposit the ink into the skin and adjust the saturation of the pigment.
Discover Perma Blend's Shading Solutions