Somebody who practices fine arts, drawing, painting—these people usually acquire the skills to move into the permanent cosmetics field. For me, I don’t like to teach anybody who doesn’t already have an artistic ability or an arts background, so I require they submit a portfolio of their artwork.
Stephanie: Wow.
Valerie: Or, if they can show me that their art can translate into the permanent cosmetic world. That way, I can teach them how to tattoo. Essentially, when we have an artist drawing with a pencil, I’m just really removing the pencil and replacing it with a tattoo machine and showing them how to create the art that they already know how to do, using a different instrument.
I offer a very thorough curriculum, and I had my curriculum approved by the SPCP back in 2007 when I wanted to teach. I have a 100-hour program that focuses on all the essential parts that people would need to learn to get started. We call it “The Foundations of Permanent Makeup.”
Once they take a fundamental permanent cosmetics class, once they gain some experience, they can move on to advanced techniques, which we teach as well. Getting involved in this field takes a lot of commitment.
Stephanie: I am beginning to see that.
Valerie: It’s not something that’s learned easily. I think a lot of technicians who do really, really great work, have all these fabulous pictures online, and people may think to themselves, “Wow, I’d love to do that,” but you really have to have the artistic ability or you may struggle in this line of work. Proper training is key.
Stephanie: Once somebody’s gone through your course, have you ever hired them to work with you?
Valerie: I have, yes. If I have a stellar student who is doing exceptionally well and they just have a natural-born ability, they’re flowing through class, and they’re doing exceptional work. We actually work on live models in my class. You can get real feedback from the actual model.
We have opportunities for apprenticeship and growth, and they can even learn more when they come to work for me. I’m getting ready to open a second location; we’re growing quickly and are looking to open in Philadelphia. It’s a goal for 2016.
Stephanie: I wish you the best in achieving your goal, and thank you for this very informative discussion on the art of permanent cosmetics.
Valerie: Thanks so much, Stephanie. To learn more, visit Valerie’s website at www.Dermagrafix.net
