Your questions, answered

Permanent makeup (PMU) is a cosmetic tattoo. Pigment is placed into the upper layers of the skin to enhance your brows, lips or eyes. It's much softer and more natural than a traditional tattoo, and it gradually fades over time, so the look can evolve with you.

Most clients enjoy their results for around 1 to 3 years. How long yours lasts depends on your skin type, your skincare, sun exposure and lifestyle. Oily skin, regular exfoliation, sunbeds and swimming can all make pigment fade faster.

A colour refresh every 12 to 24 months keeps everything looking fresh.

Yes, that's the aim. Erika designs every treatment around your face shape, features and colouring, and you'll agree the shape and shade together before any pigment goes in. Nothing starts until you're completely happy with the design.

It depends on your skin, your natural brows and the look you like:

• Microblading creates fine, hair-like strokes. Best for normal to dry skin and a very natural finish.
• Ombré powder brows give a soft, shaded makeup look and suit most skin types, including oily skin.
• Combination brows blend hair strokes at the front with soft shading through the tail.
• Soft ink brows give a gentle, filled-in look.

Not sure? Book a free brow consultation and Erika will recommend what will suit you and heal best on your skin.

• Sheer lip blush: a gentle wash of colour for a fresh, your-lips-but-better look.
• Ombré lip blush: more definition around the edge, like a softly blended lip liner.
• HD lip blush: fuller colour for a lipstick effect.

Lip blush can also help even out an uneven lip line and bring back colour that has faded with age, all without filler.

Yes. Send a photo of your bare lips in daylight using the free online colour match and Erika will recommend the shade and style that will suit your skin tone, with no obligation to book.

Consultations are free and always welcome. They're essential if you've had permanent makeup done by another artist, so Erika can check she can work with any pigment still in your skin.

A free patch test is needed at least 24 hours before tints, brow lamination, lash lifts and HD or Signature brows, and 48 hours before lash extensions. You'll need one if you're new to Erika or haven't had that treatment in the last 6 months. Erika will let you know if one is needed before your permanent makeup.

Permanent makeup may not be suitable if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• are under 18
• are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• have used Roaccutane (isotretinoin) in the last 6 months
• take blood-thinning medication
• have uncontrolled diabetes, a heart condition or a blood disorder
• have keloid scarring, or eczema, psoriasis or broken skin in the treatment area

You'll fill in a health form before your treatment. If you're unsure about anything, ask Erika before you book, and check with your GP if needed.

Yes, but lip treatments can trigger a cold sore, so it's important to plan ahead. Let Erika know when you book, and speak to your pharmacist or GP about an antiviral treatment to take around your appointment.

For the best results:

• avoid alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before
• avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and fish oil for 48 hours before, unless prescribed (never stop prescribed medication without speaking to your doctor)
• avoid sunbeds and sunburn on the area for 2 weeks before
• avoid Botox or filler in the area for 4 weeks before
• for brows, skip tinting, waxing and threading for a week before
• for lips, keep them well moisturised in the days before

Most clients are surprised by how comfortable it is. You may feel a light scratching or vibrating sensation, and lips tend to be a little more sensitive than brows. Erika works gently, checks in with you throughout and will pause whenever you need a break. Everyone is different, so if you're nervous, mention it at your consultation and Erika will talk you through it.

Allow around 2 to 3 hours for a first permanent makeup appointment. That includes your consultation, designing and mapping the shape, choosing your colour and the treatment itself. Review appointments are usually shorter.

Yes. You'll be able to drive and carry on with your day as normal.

Lips go through a few stages, which is completely normal:

• Days 1 to 3: colour looks bold and bright, with some swelling.
• Days 3 to 7: lips feel dry and start to flake.
• Weeks 2 to 3: colour can look pale or patchy as new skin forms over the pigment.
• Weeks 4 to 6: the true colour comes back through and settles.

Try not to judge your result until around 6 weeks.

Brows look darker and more defined for the first week. They then flake, and may look lighter or patchy in places for a week or two. The final, softer result shows at around 4 to 6 weeks.

Erika will give you a full aftercare guide. For about 10 days:

• don't pick, scratch or peel any flakes
• keep makeup and skincare products off the area
• avoid swimming, saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga and heavy sweating
• avoid the sun and sunbeds

Once healed, use SPF on the area to protect your colour.

Everyone's skin heals differently, and some pigment can fade or heal unevenly the first time. The review appointment is where Erika perfects the shape, fills any gaps and adjusts the colour if needed. It's an important part of getting a long-lasting result.

Most clients come back for a colour refresh every 12 to 24 months. Booking a refresh before your colour fades too much keeps it looking its best and is quicker than starting again.

You can book any treatment, consultation or patch test online, any time. Please read the terms and conditions when booking, including the cancellation policy.

Book online · Terms and conditions

Erika's studio is at The Lodge, Solby Wood, Benfleet, Essex SS7 2UD. Come through the gates and the studio is just on your right, the second door from the front, marked with a By Erika sign. See the map and directions.

Yes. Gift cards can be bought online and sent straight away, or collected in person from the studio as a printed card. They can be used towards any treatment. Buy a gift card.

Erika runs a one-to-one Advanced Lip Blush Masterclass for PMU artists who want to perfect their lip blush. It covers colour theory, products, aftercare and marketing, with two live models and a full demo.