Question 1

WELCOME TO BROW BOULEVARD!

Accepted Answer

I'm Bailey, owner & artist of Brow Boulevard! I'm a one-person business (yes, I do it all!) and I have been a PMU artist for 7 years. I specialize in natural and realistic eyebrows and I'm always keeping up to date with the industry and new trainings so I can give you my very best!

I require that you read through all these Frequently Asked Questions as there are important pieces to know before your appointment such as how to prepare for the appointment, what to expect and how you will be caring for them after the appointment. This will give you everything you need to know about the process.

Often times, I will be asked a lot of this in the appointment or someone will drink caffeine the day of and mention they weren't aware, so I ask that you do, Please, read over everything!

Additional information and to learn about the brow technique types on the 'Services & Pricing' Tab on my website.
Services & Pricing>

If you have additional questions, please reach out! 
browboulevard@gmail.com

Question 2

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED & HOW CAN I CONTACT YOU?

Accepted Answer

Brow Boulevard is located in 'The Suites' at
1055 Centerville Circle, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Suite 1 (I am the first studio on the left)
 
Contact:
BrowBoulevard@gmail.com
Please refrain from messaging on social media platforms about your appointment- I don't always receive or see the messages as it can be too hard to touch base on each platform with each person!

Question 3

I HAVE HAD MY BROWS TATTOOED BEFORE, CAN YOU FIX THEM OR TOUCH THEM UP?"

Accepted Answer

I typically only go over other artists work if it’s at least 85-90% faded, and all new clients to me are considered initial sessions.
I want to give my clients the very best, and help create their dream brows. If I don’t think we can achieve what you’re wanting with your existing work, I would refer you for a laser removal session.

All previous work done by another artist must be approved BEFORE booking! Please email current photos to browboulevard@gmail.com for review! Previous work will not be worked over and you will be sent home if not approved in advance.

Laser Removal is recommended if you've had your brows done previously. This will give you optimal results! Please refer to the 'Services & Pricing' page for additional details or to book you laser removal appointment.

Question 4

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR COSMETIC TATTOOING?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic tattooing. The following list disqualifies you from being a candidate. With questions regarding your specific situation, please email browboulevard@gmail.com

You are not a candidate at this time if any of the following apply to you:

Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Have had Neurotoxins injected near your brows or forehead within the last 14 days. All injections must be done at least 2 weeks before or after an appointment. It takes 14 days for neurotoxins to fully “set”, and I am unable to work on your brows within that timeframe. Getting Botox or Disport within 2 weeks of your appointment will result in you being sent home.
Have taken Accutane (Acne Medication) within the last 12 Months
Keloid scar history
Hemophilia or Trihotillomania. You can not have this done if you have a habit of picking, Picking will result in pigment loss and potential scarring.
Freshly tanned skin or sunburnt face
Take any medications that thin your blood
Currently take antibiotics
Rosacea. This is not an issue if it appears on other areas of your body.
Psoriasis on your face. This is not an issue if it appears on other areas of your body.
Currently undergoing chemo, radiation or any form of cancer treatment. You will want to wait 6 months to 1 year before coming in to brows.
Uncontrolled diabetes (You're okay if you have medication to regulate this)
Uncontrolled high blood pressure (You're okay if you have medication to regulate this)

Question 5

WILL PMU REPLACE MY MAKEUP?

Accepted Answer

While permanent makeup is amazing for defining the brow and enhancing a client’s features, it’s important to have realistic expectations about what it can and cannot do. Permanent makeup is a cosmetic tattoo, meaning it is going in your skin. Makeup sits on top of your skin. Therefore, some of things you can achieve with makeup will not look the same or give the same effect as a PMU tattoo.

Because the tattoo we are creating is relatively permanent and is going in your skin, it’s very important where we place and shape the brow! Going too far away from where the hair naturally grows will look unnatural and won’t blend with the natural hair that you have. 
Because the ink is being implanted under the skin, it’s also important to note that the healed results will always differ from fresh ones as the skin heals over it. Permanent makeup is not magic, and it’s important that we stay close to what your brows are naturally doing, to maintain beautiful results.
I strive for natural results that will look amazing for years to come.

Question 6

HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

Accepted Answer

All booking is done online through my booking site.
If you're looking out past 2 months and cannot find something that fits your schedule, please reach out so I can accommodate you! browboulevard@gmail.com

A $50 nonrefundable deposit is taken upon booking, and the remaining balance is due at your appointment. This deposit may be transferred to a new date if you reschedule within 72 hours of your scheduled appointment.

Question 7

WHAT FACTORS CAN EFFECT MY RESULTS?

Accepted Answer

Oily Skin: Increased oil production can cause hair strokes to blur and fade very quickly, or not stick at all. 
Sun Exposure: Increased exposure to the sun will cause premature fading. Ink SPF is sold in the studio and can help protect your brows from premature fading and UV damage. 
Excessive Bleeding:  Excessive bleeding during your procedure will greatly affect how your body retains pigment. Pinpoint bleeding throughout the procedure is normal, but excessive bleeding causes pigment to fade very quickly and heal ashy. While bleeding is not entirely in our control, it is important that you follow before care instructions to help minimize bleeding. This includes avoiding blood thinning medications and alcohol 24 hours before your procedure.
Improper Pre and Post Care: Not following the given pre and post care instructions will greatly diminish your healed results. Follow all instructions exactly for the best results! I can only control what happens inside my studio, so please come prepared beforehand and follow all instructions exactly afterwards for the best results.

Question 8

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY APPOINTMENT?

Accepted Answer

If you get your brows waxed or regularly tweeze, please wait until after your permanent makeup appointment to schedule them to be waxed/tweezed.

I talk with each client in depth at your appointment about your daily brow routine and goals, and will help decide the best fit. I encourage everyone to look through my Instagram or Facebook and find some inspiration photos to bring with you!

The day of your Initial Brow Session:
TIP: Some people like to bring headphones to listen to during the appointment as you will be in the chair for approx. two hours while I work on perfecting your brows
Please wear your brows how you normally would so I can see what your use to on a daily basis (This includes filling them in, or if you typically tint them.
Do not consume caffeine the day of. (This can cause bleeding. When blood comes to skin surface and it mixes with the pigment, the can create a reaction when they heal making them turn much cooler in color or gray.

2 days prior to your Initial or Touch Up brow appointment:
Do not take any medications that thin your blood 48 hour prior to your appointment. This includes Aspirin, Ibuprofen, fish oil. Tylenol is okay to take at any point.
Do not consume alcohol 48 hours before or after your appointment.

1 week prior to your Initial or Touch Up brow appointment:
If you typically tint your brows, you will want to do so 1 week prior. (I recommend Just For Men Beard Dye in the mens shaving aisle)
Please stop any Retin-A, Retinol or anti-aging products near your brows 1 week prior to your appointment. After having your brows done, always avoid these products on your pmu to prevent fading.

2 weeks prior to your Initial or Touch Up brow appointment:
No Botox, Fillers, or Facial treatments near your brows or forehead at least 2 weeks before and after your brow appointment
Avoid chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and facials

Question 9

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY APPOINTMENT?

Accepted Answer

The day of your appointment, your brows will feel stingy and may appear slightly red. No one else will notice this but you and will subside within hours.
The day following your procedure, your brows will appear much darker and bolder than they will be when healed. This is due to oxidation in the surface layer of your skin.
Your brows will appear much warmer in color during the after care stages and could last up to 10 days as the pigment neautralizes. This is completely normal if they look red or orange (they are counteracting so they do not turn funny colors over time) Let me reassure you, they will neutralize and soften.
Brows will fade after 10 days and can start to appear patchy or uneven (This gets fixed at touch up). They could even disappear entirely after they have peeled due to the epidermis being thicker, causing muting, hiding or diffusing of pigment of the pigment underneath then they will peak back through after a couple days. The pigment will then appear more clearly after about 4 weeks
Your brows will be assessed at touch up, the "perfecting session" where I make any adjustments after your Initial Session to ensure everything heals perfectly. Whether you want them darker or thicker or just need to touch up a few spots, this appointment is recommended! If you are happy with how your brows have healed, you do not need to book a touch up. I do recommend scheduling one when you book your Initial Session just so it's in the calendar, but if you decide you're happy with them we can always cancel it and your deposit will be refunded.

Question 10

WHAT WILL MY AFTER CARE BE?

Accepted Answer

Following the given aftercare is crucial to obtain the best results! All clients are expected to follow the following instructions exactly to get the best healed results!
All products needed for your aftercare will be provided to you at your appointment.

For 10 Days:

Morning & Night
Wash your hands, then use foaming soap provided to gently cleanse your brows. Do not scrub. This cleans the lymph fluid from your brows to prevent any scabbing. Rinse, Blot to Dry, and apply a thin-layer of balm provided with your finger 2-3x times per day.
Keep your new brows dry until ALL flaking has stopped. This means keeping them dry in the shower, and avoiding sweating, saunas, and steam for the next 10-14 days. No working out until all flaking has finished.
Limit showers to 5 minutes so you don't create too much steam. Tilt head back so you don't get your brows wet.
No makeup can go on or around the brows for 14 days. You may wear makeup around the brows, but leave at least one inch around them at all times to prevent infection.
No picking, itching, or touching your brows
Avoid sleeping on your brows for 10 days. Use a clean pillowcase and using a pillow under your knees at night will prevent you from rolling over.
No Botox or Facial for 2 weeks
No Chemical Peels or Microdermabrasion (Skin Pen) for 4 Weeks ( I recommend never doing this on your brows as it could cause pigment loss)
No Alcohol, Aspirin, or ibuprofen 48 hours after appointment. (Tylenol & Caffeine is okay.)

Question 11

HOW LONG WILL MY SEMI-PERMANENT COSMETICS LAST?

Accepted Answer

Your brows will last 2-4 years before needing a color boost. A touch up is needed when faded about 50% to keep them up. If no touch ups are done, they will fade away over time due to natural exfoliation.
Cosmetic tattooing is designed to fade over time, making it Semi-Permanent. Factors such as skin type, age, lifestyle, metabolism, medications, and pigment color affect the longevity of the tattoo.

Sun exposure and tanning beds can affect the rate at which these pigments are broken down.
To prevent fading, I recommend to wear SPF designed for tattoos (I like CannaSmack Ink Guard) Always avoid anti-aging& acne products on your brows like Retinoids, Retin-A, Glycolic Acid & Salicylic Acid. These products are designed to exfoliate and resurface your skin.

As touch ups are recommended after 2 years, I do not recommend touch ups before a year since your last treatment for the integrity of your skin. The longer you can wait before they are completly gone, the better (2-4 years)

Question 12

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?

Accepted Answer

Initial Session: 2 hrs
This includes consulting about your brows, mapping, choosing a color and the procedure itself.

6-12 Week Touch Up: 1 hr

Question 13

IS IT PAINFUL AND DO YOU NUMB?

Accepted Answer

Pain tolerance varies with each person. To most people, it feels like a cat scratch or plucking.
Numbing is applied after the first pass to lessen any discomort. The numbing works once skin is 'Broken'. Honestly- it's not bad!

Question 14

WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY FIRST TOUCH UP?

Accepted Answer

Scheduling your touch up between 6 and 12 weeks after your initial treatment will ensure lasting results for your beautiful new brows! They will become patchy and uneven after the initial treatment because new skin will heal over the layer of pigment, making the full results appear after the touch up. A $50 deposit is required to reserve your spot- this deposit is non transferable. In the event you would like to cancel it because you are happy with your brows, I'd be happy to refund your 6-12 week touch up deposit.
 
The schedule will only show the next 3 months. If your initial appointment is 2 months out, you will need to wait a couple weeks before visiting the website again to book your touch up. Booking your touch up in advance will ensure a date and time you are wanting in advance as they can be limited

Question 15

WHAT IS YOUR RESCHEDULING/CANCELLATION POLICY?

Accepted Answer

Deposits are required and nonrefundable. If you reschedule within 72 hours of making your appointment, the deposit will be applied to the new appointment. Cancelling the appointment or rescheduling after 72 hours of making your appointment results in forfeiting your $50 deposit and a new deposit is required for the next appointment.

Please reach out before 48 hours of your appointment if you cannot make it. This will allow me time to schedule someone else in so that I am not losing out on the time that you reserved for my services.

If you CANCEL or NO-SHOW the day of your appointment, you will be charged the 50% of the service booked. No-show clients will not be accepted for any future appointments.

Please arrive on time! Arriving more than 15 minutes after your scheduled appointment will result in a cancellation/no-show appointment and you will be charged the 50% of the service scheduled.

Please COME SOLO to your appointment. This includes children, significant others and friends. It can be distracting as I try to put my full attention into giving you the best brows!

Question 16

WHAT FORM OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

Accepted Answer

I accept CASH, CARDS & APPLE PAY only. 3% fee is added to all Card & Apple Pay Transactions. No fees for cash. I do not accept checks or venmo/zelle.
Example: 3% of $700 = $21 transaction fee

Question 17

DO I NEED A CONSULTATION BEFORE BOOKING MY APPOINTMENT?

Accepted Answer

At this time, I do not offer in-person consult appointments. In your brow appointment, a portion of the appointment is mapping & shaping your new brows.

I recommend if your wanting me to review your brows before booking, to please email photos of your brows to browboulevard@gmail.com. Please take your photos in good lighting, using your backside camera if possible, as the clarity is typically better than the front selfie camera.
Additionally, please attach inspiration photos from my Facebook or instagram so I can see the brows you're wanting to achieve!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS