Pigment Questions

The best pigment for powder brows depends on the client's skin tone, desired healed result, and the technique being performed. Pat Shibley, manufacturer of Micro-Pigments, recommends pigment selection based on technique first, then customized to the individual client. In many cases, soft powder brow procedures are better suited to inorganic pigments, because they tend to heal with softer, more natural-looking results and offer excellent long-term colour stability. For hairstroke procedures, including microblading and machine hairstrokes, hybrid pigments are often preferred as they can provide greater definition and colour intensity while maintaining natural healed results.

Ultimately, no single pigment is right for every client. Understanding how different pigment types behave in the skin is key to achieving predictable, long-lasting healed results.

Browse inorganic pigments - Signature Collection

Browse hybrid pigments - Pixel & Stroke Collection or Microblade Creme Collection

PMU pigments can appear grey over time for several reasons, including implantation depth, skin undertones, sun exposure, saturation technique, and the pigment formulation itself. One of the most common causes is improper depth. When pigment is implanted too deeply, the healed colour can appear cooler or greyer than intended. Over-saturation of the skin or excessive passes through the same area can also influence how a pigment heals and ages over time.

Pigment formulation plays a significant role in long-term colour stability. Rather than relying on artists to manually mix warm modifiers or adjust colours to compensate for future colour changes, professionally balanced pigments are designed with the proper colour balance from the start. These pre-modified formulations help support more predictable healed results and reduce the risk of unwanted grey or ashy tones as the pigment ages.

Pat Shibley, manufacturer of Micro-Pigments, recommends working with professionally balanced, pre-modified pigments rather than relying on artists to add warmth or manually adjust colours to compensate for future colour changes. When balanced pigments are paired with proper depth and saturation, brows are more likely to heal true to colour and fade naturally over time rather than shifting towards grey or ashy tones.

Recommendations:

Best pre-modified microblading pigments: Microblade Creme' Collection

Best stable brow pigments: Signature Collection

Both organic and inorganic pigments have an important place in permanent makeup. The best choice depends on the procedure, technique, and desired healed result.

Organic pigments typically provide brighter, more vibrant colours and higher colour saturation, making them well suited for procedures such as lips and some eyeliner applications where stronger colour intensity is desired.

Inorganic pigments generally heal softer and more naturally in the skin, which is why they are often preferred for powder brow procedures. For hairstroke techniques, including microblading and machine hairstrokes, many artists choose hybrid pigments to achieve a balance between natural healed results and crisp stroke definition.

Pat Shibley recommends selecting pigments based on the technique being performed rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding the strengths of organic, inorganic, and hybrid pigments helps artists achieve more predictable healed results.

Recommendation

Gain a better understanding of pigments & how they behave in the skin - Color Through The Skin Online Course

The longevity of PMU pigments depends on the type of pigment used, the procedure performed, the client's skin, and the artist's technique.

Different pigment formulations fade at different rates. Inorganic pigments often soften and fade more gradually over time, while some organic pigments may retain their colour intensity longer. Factors such as skin type, sun exposure, skincare products, implantation depth, and saturation can also influence how long pigment remains visible in the skin.

Rather than focusing on a specific timeframe, artists should understand how different pigment types are designed to age and fade. Selecting the appropriate pigment for the procedure and desired healed result is one of the most important factors in achieving predictable long-term outcomes.

The Microblade Crème Collection was specifically developed for microblading procedures. Its creamy, non-drying consistency helps pigment stay on the blade longer while providing smooth implantation and predictable healed results. The shades are pre-balanced to reduce the need for colour modification and simplify pigment selection.

The Pixel & Stroke Collection can also be used for microblading and was designed to perform across both manual and machine techniques. With a versatile range of shades and a balanced formulation, it is well suited for microblading, machine hairstrokes, pixel shading, and combination brow procedures. Artists who offer multiple brow techniques often appreciate the flexibility of using a single pigment collection across different methods.

Not necessarily. Pat Shibley recommends focusing on selecting a properly balanced pigment rather than automatically adding warmth. Professionally formulated pigments are designed with colour balance in mind. Grey healed results are often related to depth, saturation, technique, or pigment selection rather than a lack of added warmth.

Hybrid pigments are often well suited to hairstroke techniques because they provide a balance of colour intensity and natural healed results.

Pat Shibley recommends hybrid pigments for many hairstroke procedures, including microblading and machine hairstrokes, as they can help create crisp stroke definition while maintaining a natural appearance after healing.

Recomendations

Pixel & Stroke Collection

Microblade Creme Collection