How to Choose a Permanent Makeup Artist in Connecticut

Permanent makeup places pigment into the skin, and the result stays with you. Choosing who does it is the most important decision you will make. Here is what to check before booking microblading, permanent eyeliner or lip blush in Connecticut.

Is permanent makeup regulated in Connecticut?

Connecticut law defines tattooing as “marking or coloring, in an indelible manner, the skin of any person by pricking in coloring matter or by producing scars.” Since July 1, 2014, no one may practice tattooing in the state unless they are 18 or older and hold a license or temporary permit from the Department of Public Health. The law makes exceptions for certain licensed medical professionals, such as physicians, and it restricts titles like “tattoo technician” and “tattoo artist” to license holders.

Local health directors may also inspect establishments where tattooing is practiced, on an annual basis, for sanitary conditions.

Permanent brows, eyeliner and lip blush are a form of cosmetic tattooing, so it is reasonable to ask any permanent makeup artist about their Connecticut license. You can also look a license up on the state’s eLicense lookup. This is general information, not legal advice; the Department of Public Health is the authority on licensing questions.

Credentials worth asking about

• State licensing. A current Connecticut license, as described above.
• Permanent cosmetics certification. Industry organizations such as the American Academy of Micropigmentation (AAM) and the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) offer certification and professional membership in permanent cosmetics.
• Continuing education. Techniques and pigments change. Ask what training the artist has completed recently.
• Specialty training. If you need correction or paramedical work, ask about experience and training in that area specifically.

Look at healed results, not just fresh photos

Color and sharpness on appointment day are not the healed result; permanent brows, for example, normally change as surface healing progresses and pigment settles. Ask to see healed work and before-and-after photos that clients have agreed to share, and remember that individual results vary.

Expect a real consultation

A good consultation is about planning, not selling. At Shihan, a permanent makeup consultation covers your desired result, facial features, skin, health and medication history, allergies, healing concerns, any previous pigment, reference photos and how much maintenance you are comfortable with. Nahid then explains which technique may fit, what cannot responsibly be covered or corrected, and what preparation and healing involve, without pressure to book pigment the same day.

Ask about medical history, consent and hygiene

Before treatment, you should be asked for a medical history and consent. The FDA warns that unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases, so it is fair to ask how needles and equipment are handled at any studio you are considering. If you have had reactions to pigments, tattoos or skin products before, say so.

Know who will perform your treatment

At some studios, the person you consult with is not the person who does the work. Ask who will perform your appointment and touch-ups. At Shihan, every consultation and treatment is performed personally by Nahid Farzinzad.

Red flags to watch for

• The artist cannot tell you about their license or training
• No medical history or consent before treatment
• Pressure to book pigment the same day
• Promises of guaranteed results, or claims that nothing will ever fade or change
• Only fresh, same-day photos and no healed work
• No questions about previous permanent makeup, removal or scars

Questions to ask before you book

1. Are you licensed in Connecticut to perform this service?
2. What permanent cosmetics certifications and recent training do you have?
3. Can I see healed results of this specific technique?
4. Which technique would you recommend for my skin, and why?
5. What happens if I have existing pigment from another artist?
6. Who will perform my appointment and any touch-ups?
7. What will I need to do before and after the appointment?
8. Where can I see current pricing and appointment lengths?

Permanent makeup in Avon, CT: about Shihan Beauty Clinic

Shihan Beauty Clinic is the private Avon studio of Nahid Farzinzad, who has more than 30 years in practice and a Master’s Degree in Cosmetology. Her credentials, listed with their records on the Credentials page, include:

• Connecticut licensing: tattoo technician, cosmetology and aesthetics credentials
• American Academy of Micropigmentation (AAM) board certification
• SPCP Approved Trainer, Subject-Matter Expert and Professional Member, plus Certified Permanent Cosmetic Professional and Certified Paramedical Tattoo Professional recognition

The studio is at 304 W Main St in Avon, convenient to Farmington, Simsbury, Canton, Burlington and West Hartford. Meet Nahid, explore permanent makeup in Avon, CT, or call (860) 678-0200.

Frequently asked questions

Important: This information is educational. Individual comfort, response, healing, longevity, and maintenance vary, and a medical concern belongs with an appropriately licensed health professional. Always follow the written instructions given for your appointment.