FAQs: PMU Training & Permanent Makeup Services 

We are located in Okotoks, Alberta. This offering is perfect for anyone looking for a Calgary microblading course. We are just a short drive away. A large portion of our programs is done online, so students from across Canada can easily register and attend in-person for only the two mandatory hands-on days.

We are a permanent makeup academy that offers microblading courses, PMU training, and more. If you're looking to learn microblading, powder brows, hybrid brows, or any other permanent makeup services, keep an eye on our upcoming courses. If you are looking for treatments or services rather than courses, we are owned and operated by two professional PMU artists who you can book services from.

Innovative Beauty Academy was founded by Ciara and Jennifer, two industry-leading PMU Specialists who both hold over 30 Masterclass Permanent Makeup Certifications. These hard-hitting experts have trained artists from all over North America. Innovative Beauty puts the success of their students above all else. They won't sleep until you know everything from your technical skills to how to market your new business. Your success story starts here.

A PMU artist is a Perminate Makeup Artist. These professionals specialize in the face, using electronic devices to deposit pigments under the skin for treatments such as eyebrow microblading, lip blushing, permanent eyeliner, and more.

Absolutely. This type of training is quite affordable in comparison to other professional certifications. You walk out completely qualified to book clients either independently or under an existing business. The training is condensed and packed with information, so you don't need to worry about juggling an extended program with your existing schedule.

To become a permanent makeup artist, you must become certified by a licensed institution like the Innovative Beauty Institute. You can take multiple courses to become certified in various specialties within the industry. For example, you may want to take a PMU course for eyeliner and lip blushing, among other things, as well as microblading courses. The more certifications you get, the more services you are able to provide.

We are currently offering a premium hybrid brow course which certifies you in microblading, machine shading, and hybrid brows. We are also offering a full premium PMU course which earns you certification in powdered ombre browns, traditional powder brows, soft edge seamless brows, combo brows, lip blush, and eyelash enhancement liner. Finally, we also have a refresher course to help students gain confidence by perfecting their existing stills. This course is customized to each student's needs.

To register for one of our courses, head to our upcoming course calendar and select the course you want to register for. Enter your information and complete the Enrolment Form. Next, send a deposit via e-transfer. Your spot will be held as soon as your deposit is received. If you need a payment plan or would like to chat about your options, we're more than happy to help you out.

While each course is unique, most consist of a minimum of five weeks with 12 months of ongoing mentorship. There are two in-class training days coupled with at least five weeks of self-study. The course materials become available to you as soon as you register, so the earlier you register, the more time you have.

Yes! Microblading is part of our Premium Hybrid Brow Course. But that's not it. This course will also earn you certification in Machine Shading and Hybrid Brows.

There will be zero refunds after the deposit is paid and online content has been released.

A client's first session should take about 2.5 to 3 hours. A new artist’s client can expect to be there even longer, and clients of experienced artists can expect a shorter appointment. This session will include shaping and styling for the client's approval. Next, the pigment colour selection. Once the client is excited about their direction, the actual microblading process will begin. Appointments to follow will take far less time as the preliminary consultation steps will have been completed.

Microblading: Microblading is a form of semi-permanent tattoo. Tiny pins that make up a blade deposit pigment under the skin to create hair-like strokes throughout the brow. From there, a machine is used to do a light dusting of colour throughout to create density. The hybrid brow is the most natural look. Powder: A powder brow is considered to be slightly bolder and more of a makeup look. It is more saturated and structured. The density gives off the illusion of a makeup-filled brow.

Microblading isn't known to be painful, though some clients note a bit of discomfort or sensation. The numbing cream helps a lot with pain, though some people do note that it causes a bit of dull pain. You can expect a strange sensation, a bit of pressure, and some discomfort. Though, anyone who's done waxing or got tattoos in the past shouldn't worry.

With a newer artist, microblading can range from about $350 to $650 or so. Typically the initial session is the most expensive, with touch-ups and annual colour boosts being more affordable. You can expect more experienced artists to charge higher.

While most pigments are made up primarily of iron oxide, many are still carbon-based. As a result, the longevity of permanent makeup can not in good conscience be given a definitive time frame. It will fade over time, requiring annual maintenance. We can not say if or when it will fade out completely. Annual maintenance is very similar to maintaining your hair colour. When you get a refresh, it brightens your brows ensuring you have beautiful brows year after year.

Why do my brows look red? The red tone is caused by irritation and inflammation of the skin, which can have lingering effects as a result of your service. My brows are scabbing. Is this normal? Yes, scabbing is absolutely normal. Permanent Makeup services cause your body to go into protection mode (think about when you scrape your knee, and your body goes into protection mode to begin the healing process; this is the same sort of reaction). It is also normal for your body not to scab. The results depend on your skin type and cycle and will contribute to the amount of scabbing if any at all. My scabs fell off, and my brows look red. Why? The redness is a result of inflammation and will pass as your body begins to heal fully. Why did my brows disappear? As the healing process continues, new skin forms over the wound. As the new skin forms, it may appear as though your brows have disappeared, but really the pigment just needs time to resurface. Your brows will re-appear as you further along into the healing process. Is it normal for my brows to heal at different times? Your brows are not the same before the process. In most cases, we need to do completely different things to each brow in order to achieve symmetry. As a result, you will notice that your brows may heal independently and at a different rate. For example, if one tail requires more work than the other, you may notice that the one tail requiring more work has significantly more inflammation and irritation in comparison to the other tail. Likewise, if one brow requires more work at the head than the other, you can expect that brow to have more inflammation and irritation than the other.

No alcohol 48 HOURS prior to your procedure. ​No caffeine the morning of your procedure. ​No Botox TWO WEEKS prior to your procedure. ​No fillers FOUR WEEKS prior to your procedure. ​Avoid sun and tanning ONE WEEK prior to your procedure. ​Do not take Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E or Advil/Ibuprofen 24 HOURS prior to your procedure. Discontinue Glycolics, Chemical Peels and Retin-A FOUR WEEKS prior to your procedure. Refrain from the use of any Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) products close to the eyebrow area TWO WEEKS PRIOR to and TWO WEEKS AFTER your procedure. Check your moisturizer, facewash BB or CC creams and makeup primers for anything that says acid. ​Discontinue use of Retinol products OR strong skin care products ONE WEEK prior to your procedure. No brow waxing or tinting ONE WEEK prior to your procedure. You must discontinue the use of any type of Accutane ONE YEAR prior to your procedure. No LATISSE (lash hair growing serum). Discontinue use at least THREE WEEKS prior to your appointment. Please note, you are more sensitive to PMU procedures during your menstrual cycle.

A person who is on Accutane or has taken it within the last year.​ A person who is pregnant or breastfeeding. A person who is affected by AIDS, HIV or Hepatitis. A person with a history of keloid scarring.

A 50% deposit is required to reserve your appointment for each service. This deposit is non-refundable if the cancellation occurs within 72 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. This applies to our apprentice. All services and deposits can be paid by credit or e-transfer. If using e-transfer, please send funds to ciara.halsted@hotmail.com. The balance of your service can be paid by credit, e-transfer, cash on or before the day of your appointment. Reschedule due to COVID: Appointments that are required to be rescheduled as a result of COVID-19 closures will be handled on a first come first serve basis. We are happy to reschedule your appointment at the earliest available opportunity. Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.

My lips are swollen, is this normal? Lips are very prone to swelling as the skin is so thin. Most people experience a lot of swelling after a lip blushing treatment, this is really common and you don't need to worry. Lip swelling will subside in the days following your treatment, typically really quickly. Why do my lips look really red? The red tone is caused by irritation and inflammation of the skin, which can have lingering effects as a result of your service. My lips are scabbing. Is this normal? Yes, scabbing is absolutely normal. Permanent Makeup services cause your body to go into protection mode (think about when you scrape your knee, and your body goes into protection mode to begin the healing process; this is the same sort of reaction). It is also normal for your body not to scab. The results depend on your skin type and cycle and will contribute to the amount of scabbing if any at all. My scabs fell off, and my lips look red. Why? The redness is a result of inflammation and will pass as your body begins to heal fully. Is it normal for my lips to heal at different times? Your lips are not the same before the process. In most cases, we need to do completely different things to each lip. As a result, you will notice that they may heal independently and at a different rate.

My eyes are swollen, is this normal? Eyes are very prone to swelling as the skin is so thin. Most people experience a lot of swelling after an eyelash enhancement treatment, this is really common and you don't need to worry. Swelling will subside in the days following your treatment, typically really quickly. Why do my eyelids look red? The red tone is caused by irritation and inflammation of the skin, which can have lingering effects as a result of your service. My lids are scabbing. Is this normal? Yes, scabbing is absolutely normal. Permanent Makeup services cause your body to go into protection mode (think about when you scrape your knee, and your body goes into protection mode to begin the healing process; this is the same sort of reaction). It is also normal for your body not to scab. The results depend on your skin type and cycle and will contribute to the amount of scabbing if any at all. My scabs fell off, and my lips look red. Why? The redness is a result of inflammation and will pass as your body begins to heal fully. Is it normal for my lids to heal at different times? Your lids are not the same before the process. In most cases, we need to do completely different things to each lip. As a result, you will notice that they may heal independently and at a different rate.