All About Colour Boosts: Keeping Your Permanent Makeup Fresh
Once you’ve invested in a cosmetic tattoo and completed your permanent makeup journey, including your top up appointment, it’s important to remember that maintenance is part of the process.
In this blog I’m going to cover everything you need to know about colour boosts, including what determines whether you’re ready for one, what happens if you leave it too long and some of the most common questions I hear from clients.
Let’s break it down.
My Tattoo is still visible, do I really need a colour boost?
This is one of the most common hesitations I hear from clients.
Many clients describe their enhancement as “still visible” but that isn’t the best indicator of whether a colour boost is due.
What I’m looking for is:
Faded colour.
Loss of definition.
Patchiness.
Whether the hair strokes are still visible.
And whether the colour needs tweaking due to the natural ageing process of the pigment.
These changes happen gradually over time, which can be difficult to notice when you are looking at yourself every day and your enhancement still feels like an improvement. If you want to keep your tattoo looking fresh and as natural as possible, I do recommend following the suggested guidelines for maintenance and checking in with me around that time to see whether a colour boost would be beneficial.
When do you recommend booking a colour boost and how much is it?
As a general guide, I recommend:
Ombre Brows: 2 Years
Investment: £225
Combination Brows: 18-24 Months
Investment: £275
Lip Blush: 18 Months
Investment: £225
(Colour boosts require a non-refundable booking fee of £50 to secure a booking.)
These are guidelines rather than strict rules. Every client is different and factors such as skin type, age, immune system, lifestyle, medications, skincare products, sun exposure and how well you look after your enhancement/s can all affect how quickly your tattoo fades.
Why Are Colour Boosts Necessary?
Permanent makeup is considered “permanent” because parts of the pigment may remain in the skin. However, the pigment is designed to gradually fade over time. Maintenance is part of the process and a colour boost is what keeps your tattoo looking natural and fresh for years to come.
How do I know when I’m due a colour boost?
You’ll usually be due a colour boost when your enhancement starts to look softer, lighter, or less defined than it did when it was freshly healed.
For brows, you may notice patchy areas, fading hair strokes, loss of shape, or that you’re reaching for the brow pencil more often.
For lip blush, you may notice the colour doesn’t seem as vibrant, the border of the lips is loosing its shape, or the colour is starting to become uneven or patchy.
If you’re unsure, send me clear photos of your enhancement via email or Whatsapp, and I’ll be happy to advise whether it’s time for a refresh or if you should wait a bit longer. (fill out the contact me form with your preferred method of contact and I’ll be in touch.
What Happens If I Leave It Too Long?
If your enhancement fades too much, it will require two treatments to restore the look. This would be charged as a fresh treatment. Regular colour boosts help you to avoid the cost and time of a full rework.
Can I Come too Soon for a Colour Boost?
Yes. The enhancement needs to have faded enough for it to be refreshed. If too much pigment is implanted into the skin, it can become oversaturated. It’s also important that the skin is not overworked. The skin needs adequate time to heal and recover between appointments. For this reason I do not offer colour boosts before 18 months, we want to keep the skin healthy so your results last.
What If I Want to Change the Shape or Colour?
A colour boost is designed to maintain your current enhancement, changing the colour or re-designing the shape would require more than one procedure and would be charged at full price.
How to Protect Your Investment:
To keep your permanent makeup looking its best and lasting as long as possible:
Follow Pre and aftercare Instructions: Proper care is essential for best results.
Protect from UV exposure: Always use a dedicated SPF on your enhancement rather than a moisturiser with SPF to slow down the fading process.
Avoid Harsh Products: Skincare containing acids, retinol, or exfoliants can break down pigment faster and change the colour.
Stay Consistent with Touch-Ups: Don’t wait too long between appointments to avoid extra costs.
READY TO BOOK YOUR COLOUR BOOST?
Please re-read the pre-treatment advice by tapping the button below, and let me know if there have been any changes to your health or medication/s since your last visit.