Semi-Permanent Makeup9 min read
A Guide to Semi-Permanent Makeup
How semi-permanent makeup works, how long it lasts, why the top-up appointment matters, and the questions to ask before you commit.
Semi-permanent makeup places pigment into the upper layers of the skin to give definition that does not wash off. It is most often used on the brows, and the appeal is straightforward: less time in front of a mirror, and a shape that stays put through swimming, rain and a Kent winter.
It is also the treatment that most deserves a slow decision. Pigment fades over time, but it does not disappear overnight, and getting the shape and colour right at the start matters far more than getting it done quickly.
What semi-permanent means in practice
Pigment is placed more superficially than a traditional tattoo, which is why it softens and fades over time rather than staying indefinitely. How long it lasts varies with skin type, sun exposure, skincare and how your body breaks the pigment down.
Oily skin tends to fade faster and softer. Regular use of exfoliating acids or retinoids near the area will speed fading. Sun exposure without protection does the same. None of this is a problem provided you know it in advance and plan for a top-up rather than expecting it to hold indefinitely.
Choosing shape and colour
The shape is drawn on and agreed with you before any pigment is used, and it is worth taking your time at this stage. Brows should follow your own bone structure and existing growth rather than a shape you have seen on someone else.
Colour is chosen to work with your natural hair and skin tone, and is usually taken a little softer than people expect. Pigment looks considerably darker immediately afterwards and settles over the following weeks, so starting conservatively is the right instinct.
Patch testing and suitability
A patch test is required in advance to check for a reaction to the pigment. This is not something that can be done on the day of treatment, so plan for two appointments from the outset.
Semi-permanent makeup is not suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions, medications, skin conditions in the treatment area, pregnancy and breastfeeding may all mean it should be postponed or avoided. Discuss your full history at consultation, and speak to your GP if you are unsure.
A top-up appointment several weeks after the first is a normal part of the process rather than a sign something went wrong. Pigment settles unevenly as it heals, and the second session evens it out.
Semi-Permanent Makeup
Shape and colour are agreed at a patch test and consultation before the first appointment.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Powder brows | £190 |
| Ombré brows | £190 |
| Eyelash enhancement (eyeliner) | £120 |
| Lip blush4 to 6 week touch-up included | £190 |
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Advanced microblading | £250 |
| Hairstroke brows | £250 |
| Combo brows | £250 |
A patch test is required in advance and cannot be carried out on the day of treatment.
Semi-Permanent Makeup Touch-Ups
Priced by how long it has been since your last appointment, because the longer it is left the more work is involved.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| 6 months | £80 |
| 12 months | £120 |
| 18 months | £160 |
Why clients choose it
What semi-permanent makeup offers
01
Definition that stays put
Shape and colour hold through swimming, exercise and weather, which is the main reason most people consider it.
02
Shape agreed before pigment
The brow is drawn on and adjusted with you first, so you see and approve the shape before anything is permanent.
03
Colour kept deliberately soft
Tone is matched to your hair and skin and taken conservatively, since pigment can be built on but not easily taken away.
04
Patch tested in advance
A separate appointment beforehand checks how your skin responds to the pigment.
Your appointment
What to expect
A consultation covering your medical history, expectations, and whether the treatment is suitable for you.
A patch test at a separate, earlier appointment.
At the treatment itself, the shape is drawn on and agreed with you before anything else happens.
Pigment is applied in stages, with breaks and checks throughout. The area is usually numbed with a topical product.
A top-up appointment several weeks later to even out how the pigment has healed.
How to prepare
- Book and attend the patch test well ahead of the treatment date.
- Avoid retinoids and exfoliating acids near the area for at least a week beforehand.
- Do not have the area waxed or threaded in the days immediately before.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine on the day, and avoid sun exposure or sunbeds beforehand.
- Never book semi-permanent makeup close to a wedding or event. Allow at least six to eight weeks including the top-up.
Aftercare
- Follow the written aftercare exactly. Healing has more effect on the result than the treatment itself.
- Keep the area dry as instructed, and avoid swimming, saunas and steam.
- Do not pick or scratch as the area flakes, even though it will be tempting.
- Keep the area out of direct sun, and use sun protection once healed to slow fading.
- Expect the colour to look dark at first, then fade noticeably before settling. Judge the result only after the top-up.
Questions
Frequently asked
How long does semi-permanent makeup last?
It varies widely, commonly somewhere between one and three years before it has faded substantially, but skin type, sun exposure and skincare all change that. Oily skin and regular use of acids or retinoids near the area will shorten it.
Does it hurt?
A topical numbing product is normally used, and most people describe the sensation as scratching or pressure rather than sharp pain. Sensitivity varies, and it can feel more noticeable at certain points in your cycle.
Why do I need a top-up appointment?
Pigment heals unevenly, and some areas take more than others, so a second session several weeks later refines the shape and evens the colour. It is a standard part of the process, not a correction.
Can I have it done before a wedding?
Only with plenty of time. Allow at least six to eight weeks so the initial healing and the top-up are both complete and the colour has settled. Booking it close to the date is the most common regret we hear about.
Can it be removed if I don’t like it?
Removal is possible but it is a separate process, it is not guaranteed to be complete, and it can be lengthy. That asymmetry, easy to add and hard to undo, is exactly why we keep the initial shape and colour conservative.
Further reading
Related advice
Longer answers to the questions people ask us most about this treatment.
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