Frequently Asked Questions

Cosmetic tattooing — also known as semi-permanent makeup or micropigmentation — is the process of implanting cosmetic-grade pigment into the upper layers of the skin to create the look of makeup. Unlike traditional body tattoos which go deeper into the dermis, cosmetic tattooing sits closer to the surface, which is why results naturally fade over time.

Results typically last 1–3 years depending on your skin type, lifestyle, and how well you follow the aftercare routine. Oilier skin tends to fade faster, while drier skin holds pigment longer. This semi-permanent nature is actually a benefit — your look can be adjusted as trends evolve or your preferences change.

Most clients are pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the experience is! We apply a professional-grade topical numbing cream to the treatment area before every procedure and reapply during the session if needed. Most clients describe the sensation as mild pressure, light scratching, or slight tingling — not painful.

Pain tolerance varies from person to person. Lip tattooing can feel slightly more sensitive than brow or eyeliner treatments. If you are concerned about discomfort, let Tee know before the session begins — your comfort is always the priority.

Cosmetic tattooing is suitable for most adults over 18. It is particularly beneficial for people with sparse or thin brows, uneven features, busy lifestyles who want to reduce daily makeup time, or those who want to enhance their natural features.

However, treatment may not be suitable if you are:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Currently taking Accutane (isotretinoin) or blood-thinning medications
• Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
• Diagnosed with certain skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, rosacea in the treatment area)
• Prone to keloid scarring
• Diabetic (may require GP clearance)

We review your medical history thoroughly during your free consultation to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.

Absolutely — and we never proceed without your full approval. Every session begins with a detailed design consultation. Tee will draw or map the design directly on your face using removable tools so you can see exactly how it will look. We adjust the shape, thickness, and symmetry together until you are 100% happy.

Only after you give the green light does the actual tattooing begin. There is never any pressure to proceed if you are not completely satisfied with the design.

Appointment times include numbing, design consultation, the procedure itself, and aftercare briefing:

• Eyebrow Tattooing (Microblading/Hairstroke): approx. 2 hours
• Eyeliner Tattooing: approx. 1.5 hours
• Lip Tattooing: approx. 2 hours
• FREE Touch-Up Appointment: approx. 1 hour
• Free Consultation: approx. 30 minutes

We recommend not scheduling important events or meetings immediately after your appointment as there may be some initial redness or swelling.

Most clients achieve their desired result in 2 sessions — the initial appointment and the included FREE touch-up at 4–6 weeks. The touch-up is an important part of the process because:

• Pigment can fade unevenly during healing (this is completely normal)
• Fine strokes or delicate areas may need a small refresh
• It gives us the opportunity to fine-tune the colour, shape, and density

After the touch-up, results typically last 1–3 years, after which a maintenance top-up session is recommended to keep the look fresh.

Yes — when performed by a qualified, experienced artist using sterile equipment and quality pigments, cosmetic tattooing is very safe. At Tee Brows & Beauty, we follow strict hygiene protocols including:

• Single-use, sterile needles for every client — never reused
• Hospital-grade disinfection of all surfaces and tools
• Premium, skin-safe pigments that are cosmetic-grade and tested
• Full client health screening before every treatment
• Tee is fully certified, insured, and regularly updates her training

If you have any specific health concerns or allergies, please discuss them during your free consultation.

Microblading uses a manual hand tool with a fine blade to create hair-like strokes by depositing pigment just below the skin's surface. The strokes are very precise and natural-looking — mimicking real brow hairs. Best for normal to dry skin types.

Hairstroke tattooing (also called nano brows or machine hairstroke) achieves a very similar result but uses a digital machine with an ultra-fine needle. The strokes tend to be slightly finer and last longer, making it a better option for oily skin types where microblading can blur or fade faster.

During your consultation, Tee will assess your skin type and recommend the most suitable technique for your natural brow hair pattern and skin.

This is one of the most common reasons clients come to us — and it is absolutely something we can work with. Even with very minimal or no natural brow hair, we can create a full, natural-looking brow from scratch by drawing in individual hair strokes that follow the natural brow bone structure.

We take into account your face shape, bone structure, and your personal preference to design the most flattering brow shape for you. Many clients with alopecia or hair loss due to medical conditions have had beautiful results — we treat every client with the utmost care and sensitivity.

Not at all — this is the most common concern and one Tee takes very seriously. The hairstroke technique deposits pigment in individual, hair-like strokes that blend seamlessly with your natural brows. The result looks like real hair, not a solid filled-in shape.

The colour is also custom-mixed to match your natural hair colour and skin tone. Results look so natural that most people — including those who know you — will simply think you grew your brows out, not that you had a cosmetic procedure done.

For best results, please follow these guidelines in the 48–72 hours before your appointment:

✗  Do NOT drink alcohol
✗  Do NOT take aspirin, ibuprofen, or blood-thinning medications (unless prescribed — consult your GP)
✗  Do NOT use retinol, AHAs, BHAs, or exfoliants near the brow area
✗  Do NOT have botox injections near the brow area (wait at least 3 weeks)
✗  Do NOT wax, thread, or tint your brows immediately before (leave this to Tee)
✗  Do NOT come in with fake tan or heavy skincare in the brow area

✓  Come with your regular brow shape if you have one — it helps as a reference
✓  Drink plenty of water in the days leading up
✓  Eat a good meal before your appointment — low blood sugar can increase sensitivity

Yes — completely normal and expected! Fresh cosmetic tattoo pigment always appears darker and bolder immediately after the procedure. The colour will fade by 30–50% during the healing process, which takes approximately 4–6 weeks.

Here is the typical healing progression:

• Days 1–3: Brows look dark, bold, and slightly swollen. This is the most dramatic-looking phase.
• Days 3–7: Brows begin to flake and peel (do not pick!). They may look patchy.
• Days 7–14: A milky or cloudy layer forms over the brows — the colour appears to disappear. Don't panic — this is normal.
• Weeks 4–6: The true colour emerges. This is when you can accurately assess the result.
• Week 6: Touch-up appointment to perfect the final result.

Yes! Once fully healed (after 4–6 weeks), you can absolutely still use brow makeup if you wish to add extra definition. However, most clients find they no longer need or want to — the whole point is waking up with beautiful brows already done.

During the healing period (first 2 weeks), please avoid all makeup on the brow area to prevent infection and colour distortion.

Eyebrow tattooing typically lasts 1–2 years for microblading, and slightly longer for machine hairstroke. Factors that affect longevity include:

• Oily skin — fades faster (pigment doesn't retain as well)
• Sun exposure — UV breaks down pigment more quickly
• Skincare products — retinol and exfoliants accelerate fading
• Metabolism — some people simply process pigment faster than others

A maintenance top-up every 12–18 months is recommended to keep your brows looking their best. The pigment fades gracefully — never going dark, blue, or ashy like old-style tattoo inks.

We offer several eyeliner styles — all fully customised to complement your eye shape and personal aesthetic:

• Lash line enhancement: Pigment placed directly between the lashes to create the illusion of a fuller, thicker lash line. Very subtle and natural — great for a no-makeup makeup look.
• Classic liner: A defined line above the lash line for a polished, everyday look.
• Winged / Cat liner: A classic line with a small flick or wing at the outer corner.
• Smoky / Shadow liner: A softly blended effect that mimics a smudged or smoky eye without the daily effort.

Tee will help you choose the best style for your eye shape and the look you want to achieve during your consultation.

We can do upper lash line, lower lash line, or both — the choice is entirely yours. Upper lash line enhancement is the most popular choice as it creates the most dramatic impact with the most natural look.

Lower lash line tattooing is also available and can help define the eye further. We advise most clients to start with the upper line first to see how they like the healed result before adding the lower line, as less is often more in this area.

Yes, contact lens wearers can absolutely get eyeliner tattooing. However, you must remove your contact lenses before the procedure and should plan to wear glasses on the day of your appointment. Lenses should not be worn for at least 24–48 hours after treatment to avoid irritation while the eye area is healing.

Please bring your glasses to the appointment so you can see clearly and assess the design before we begin.

In the 48–72 hours before your eyeliner appointment:

✗  Do NOT wear contact lenses on the day (bring glasses)
✗  Do NOT have lash extensions applied within 1 week prior (they may need to be removed)
✗  Do NOT use retinol or active eye serums near the eye area
✗  Do NOT take blood thinners or alcohol
✗  Do NOT have eye botox or filler close to the appointment date

✓  Come with clean eyes — no eye makeup
✓  If you typically wear a certain liner style, bring a photo or wear it drawn on so Tee can see what you're going for
✓  Eat a good meal beforehand

Some mild swelling and redness is completely normal after eyeliner tattooing — the eye area is naturally sensitive. Most clients experience:

• Day 1: Swelling and redness, liner looks very dark and bold
• Days 2–3: Swelling reduces significantly, some light crusting may appear
• Days 4–7: Light flaking — do not rub or pick
• Week 2–4: Colour softens and settles into the skin

A cold compress (not ice directly on the skin) can help reduce swelling in the first few hours. We recommend not booking important events or photo sessions for at least 3–5 days after the procedure.

We recommend doing eyeliner tattooing before lash extensions, not at the same time. Here's why:

• Lash extensions can interfere with the tattooing process near the lash line
• The aftercare for eyeliner (keeping the area dry and clean) is difficult with extensions
• Extension adhesive chemicals may affect pigment colour during healing

Wait until your eyeliner is fully healed (4–6 weeks) before getting lash extensions applied. Once healed, extensions and permanent liner look stunning together!

Lip tattooing deposits cosmetic pigment into the lips to enhance their shape, define the border, add colour, and create the illusion of fuller, more symmetrical lips. There are two main approaches:

• Lip blush: A soft, sheer wash of colour across the entire lip — like a natural tinted balm look. Very popular for a fresh, everyday appearance.
• Full colour / Lip liner and fill: A more defined, opaque result that replicates a classic lip liner and lipstick look. Bolder and more dramatic.

Results are fully customised — we work with your natural lip shape and mix a pigment colour that complements your skin tone perfectly. The colour will appear significantly lighter once healed.

Lips are one of the more sensitive areas of the face because of the high concentration of nerve endings. However, we apply a strong topical numbing cream before and during the procedure, which significantly reduces discomfort.

Most clients describe the sensation as a mild vibration or tingling rather than sharp pain. The area around the lip border (vermillion border) can be slightly more sensitive. Overall, the majority of our lip clients are surprised at how manageable it is.

To help minimise discomfort: keep lips well hydrated in the days leading up, avoid caffeine on the day, and eat a good meal before your appointment.

Yes — this is one of the most powerful benefits of lip tattooing. Tee can work with your natural lip shape to improve symmetry, redefine a blurred or undefined border, add volume to a thinner upper lip, and create a more balanced overall appearance.

The design is mapped and drawn on first so you can see the correction before anything is committed. Small amounts of visual reshaping can make a dramatic difference, and we always aim for a result that looks naturally perfect — not overfilled or artificial.

Lips require a little extra preparation. Please follow this carefully:

1–2 weeks before:
✓  Moisturise your lips daily with a good lip balm — well-hydrated lips absorb pigment much better
✗  Avoid lip fillers (wait at least 4 weeks before or after)

48–72 hours before:
✗  No alcohol
✗  No blood-thinning medications
✗  No vitamin E supplements (thins the blood)
✗  No spicy food (can increase sensitivity)

If you have a history of cold sores (herpes simplex): You MUST take antiviral medication (e.g. Valtrex / Valaciclovir) starting 2–3 days before your appointment and continue for 3–5 days after. Please see your GP to get a prescription in advance. Failure to do this can trigger a severe cold sore outbreak that damages the tattoo result.

✓  Come with clean, makeup-free lips
✓  Bring inspo photos of lip colours and shapes you love

This is completely normal and one of the biggest surprises for first-time lip tattoo clients! Fresh pigment always looks much darker and more saturated immediately after the procedure. The lips are also slightly swollen which makes them look more pronounced.

Lip pigment typically fades by 40–60% during healing — significantly more than brow or eyeliner pigment. The final healed colour is much softer and more wearable than the initial result.

By the time your touch-up appointment comes around at 4–6 weeks, you will see the true healed colour and Tee can adjust the intensity if needed.

Yes, but timing is important. If you have lip filler, please ensure:

• You wait at least 4 weeks after a filler appointment before getting lip tattooing
• You wait at least 4 weeks after lip tattooing before getting filler injected
• Your lips have fully settled and any post-filler swelling has resolved

Getting lip tattooing after filler has fully settled is absolutely fine and can look stunning — the tattooing helps define and enhance the filler result. Please disclose your filler history during your consultation.

Lip tattooing generally lasts 1–3 years, with many clients averaging around 2 years before needing a refresh. Longevity is affected by:

• Skin type and turnover rate — lips regenerate skin faster than brow or eyeliner areas
• Sun exposure — UV accelerates fading, so SPF lip balm is important
• Eating and drinking habits — acidic foods and drinks can fade pigment faster
• Smoking — can cause the lip border to blur over time

A maintenance top-up every 12–18 months keeps the colour vibrant and the border crisp.

Your FREE first touch-up (valued at $100) is included with every first-time cosmetic tattoo treatment. This appointment takes place 4–6 weeks after your initial session — not before, as the skin needs this time to fully heal.

At the touch-up, Tee will assess how your skin has retained the pigment, fill in any areas that faded unevenly, refine the shape if needed, and ensure you are completely happy with the result. This is a normal and expected part of the cosmetic tattooing process — not an indication that something went wrong.

You can book your touch-up appointment at the end of your initial session, or contact us anytime after you've fully healed.

Yes, a booking deposit is required to secure your appointment. The deposit amount is deducted from your total treatment cost on the day. This helps us reserve your time slot and manage our schedule respectfully for all clients.

Please note: deposits are non-refundable if you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment or do not show up. We are happy to reschedule with at least 48 hours notice — life happens and we understand!

Yes — we believe quality cosmetic tattooing should be accessible, not a financial barrier. We offer flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your treatment. Please ask about payment plans during your free consultation or when booking and we'll find an arrangement that works for you.

We try to keep our books accessible — same-day and next-day appointments are often available. That said, popular time slots (weekday mornings and Saturdays) can fill up quickly, so we recommend booking 1–2 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date and time.

If you need an urgent appointment, please call or message us directly and we will do our best to accommodate you as soon as possible.

We kindly ask for a minimum of 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer the time slot to another client on the waiting list.

• 48+ hours notice: Full deposit transferred to your new booking date
• Less than 48 hours notice: Deposit is forfeited
• No show: Deposit is forfeited and a new deposit will be required to rebook

We are human too — if you have a genuine emergency, please just reach out and we will always try to work with you.