A tattoo is a form of body modification where a design is made by inserting ink, dyes and pigments.: Microblading

Confession time – I am terrible at girly things. Makeup, hair styling, dress up, general fluffery. I occasionally promise myself I will “Act like a real grown-up lady” and do All the Things and I go out and purchase a menagerie of products and objects to make me feel Goddess-like and then I swiftly lose interest. I am not a tom-boy per se, just a lazy louche who prefers her Pj’s and novels to late nights and parties – cest la vie. But this year is my Year of Saying Yes to just about everything including doing all the girl things.

Sure I pluck my eyebrows. Looking like a Wookie has its own charm but I strive to look somewhat pulled together. My brows have taken on a life of their own at the same time my eyesight has decided to take an extended holiday. The result? A patchwork approach to brow maintenance that has potentially frightening results. I bought one of those 10X mirrors so I could see what was really going on but the visage revealed to me was so shocking I had to steady myself on the furniture and pour myself a stiff drink – at 10 am. Fuck. That.

Then, my miraculous Witch friend and hairdresser said she got her eyebrows microbladed. (I know I know – why do I call her “My Witch Friend”? Because she sends me this kind of stuff on Instagram. And she is amazing.)

Marianella convinced me that microblading was the way to go so I booked an appointment with the incredibly talented Ashley Cali at www.calibrowsllc.com and now my Brow Game is so strong I feel like I could cut diamonds with my brow points -seriously. This quiet, professional, sweet little lady took over 2 hours to correct my haphazard brows. Her skills and technique are so precise and perfect I was seriously amazed. And she has an incredibly light hand – I think I dozed off a couple of times while she was tattooing me. I am saying yes to all kinds of things this year – obstacle courses, Tango lessons, Vampire Balls, Crossdressing Comic – Cons, and extravagant trips – all the things. And now thanks to the super talented Ashley Cali I have brows that are laser-like in their perfection. I am that Cake song

But enough about me – let’s hear from Ashley about why she loves her job and how to get the perfect brows. And seriously – if you live within a 100 miles of this charming artisan – go get your brow game on – you won’t be sorry!

Tattoo Tourist: How did you get into permanent cosmetics? What appealed to you about the industry?

Ashley: I have been involved in skincare working as an Aesthetician for close to 10 years until this last year I have worked for doctors with backgrounds in dermatology and plastic surgery

which are also constantly changing evolving industries focusing on improving one’s self-appearance, when I saw how natural micro blading looked, the people’s reactions toward the finished product,

and realizing this was something within my scope I knew I had to do it!

TT: What was your training like?

Ashley: I have put myself through a few different pieces of training, they consisted of classrooms and private apprenticeship programs. I am a lot more of a hands-on and a visual type of person so the idea of classroom lecturing wasn’t my style when learning this trade, I had to force myself to learn

and critique myself in the shadows of some very good teachers. I traveled to Salt Lake City, Miami, and Los Angeles for my training.

I also now will offer training through private apprenticeship and my students have all been very satisfied and are flourishing in their business and I am still in contact with all of them

talking regularly, bouncing ideas off of each other, helping each other with questions in this constantly growing industry.

TT: In traditional tattooing, the industry is constantly evolving with new inks, techniques, and equipment – is this also true for permanent cosmetics?

Ashley: This is very true, as well as new techniques and styles being introduced, I am constantly reviewing websites/blogs, checking out the newest products and seeing what works best for me.

In permanent makeup there is always new machines entering the market, I just recently bought a new machine that I love, much better than the one I started with.

TT: What is the biggest misconception clients have about permanent cosmetics?

Ashley: I have to make it very clear during my consultations that the word “permanent” does not mean they don’t have to ever do it again, no matter what you will need to do a touch up at some time. That being said, some eyeliner can go up to

5 years and still look good while some people may require a touch up at 1 year because just there skin and ink break down is different. The same with microblading, just because it can last 3+ years

doesn’t mean it will look great after that length of time, some clients may need their touch-ups within 1 year after their initial procedure.

TT: Can you give us a simple explanation on what microblading is – and what it isn’t re-tattoo technique, longevity, results etc.

Ashley: Microblading is a form of permanent cosmetics, each individual “hair like stroke” is made with a hand tool giving the most natural hair like appearance. It is only implanted in the epidermis layer of the skin

making the results not last as long but allowing the client the versatility to change the design as styles evolve.

TT: What is your favorite part of your job?

Ashley: My favorite part of my job is making people happy when they look at themselves in the mirror when I am finished. Their reactions make me feel like I made their day. “Wow those are my eyebrows!” or “my eyeliner, lips look awesome,” and “this is going to make

my life so much easier!” its a really good feeling. With a busy work schedule, being a wife, and a mother of 2, It truly makes my day seeing the reactions of my beautiful clients!

TT: What is the one thing you would like potential clients considering permanent makeup to know before they embark?

Ashley: Do your research, choose your artist wisely, make sure they have plenty of before and after pictures, that you are in love with their work, that they have great reviews, that it is being done in a permitted location up to proper health codes, and that your artist is licensed/insured.

Make sure your artist is following all bloodborne pathogens laws. I would make sure clients understand and realize this is something you will now need to keep up annually, to keep it looking fresh you will need to come in for touch-ups.

Here are a few examples of her magic – Thanking Ashley for making me feel like a queen – see you soon for more of your magic touch!