What a permanent makeup artist does
- Brows: microblading, powder brows, and combination brows
- Lips: lip blushing for soft, lasting color and definition
- Eyes: permanent eyeliner and lash line enhancement, which demand extra care near the eye
- Client care: consultations, health questionnaires and consent, aftercare, and follow-up visits
Appointments are long, precision matters, and much of an artist's reputation rests on how the work looks after it heals.
What California requires before you work on clients
Completing a course does not by itself allow anyone to perform permanent makeup professionally. Permanent makeup is "body art" under California's Safe Body Art Act, and in most of Los Angeles County the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health handles registration and permits. Confirm current requirements directly with your local health department.
- Bloodborne pathogens training from a county-approved provider, renewed every year
- Hepatitis B status documentation or the county's declination form
- Body art practitioner registration with your local health department; you must be 18 or older, and it renews every year
- A permitted facility: body art may only be performed in a facility with a body art health permit
Details and official sources are in California permanent makeup requirements.
Thinking about building your own PMU business?
Many permanent makeup artists eventually work independently: renting space in a permitted facility or opening their own. That means running a business as well as doing the work: setting services and prices, finding and caring for clients, keeping records, and covering costs such as rent, supplies, insurance, and marketing.
Mahsa's courses include business and client-consultation guidance alongside the technique, drawn from running her own studio in Tarzana. Ask her which business topics your course covers. Training builds skills; it does not guarantee clients, income, employment, or business success.
| Path | How it works | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Employee or commission artist | Work in an established studio | Steadier bookings and less overhead; less control and a share of revenue |
| Suite or chair rental | Rent space in a permitted facility and run your own book | More independence; you handle marketing, supplies, and rent |
| Studio owner | Open your own permitted facility | Most control; highest cost, permits, and responsibility |
Building a portfolio and a client base
Clients choose permanent makeup artists by their healed work. Photograph every procedure fresh and healed, in consistent light, with client permission, and never filter results. Most new artists grow through friends and family, genuine reviews on a Google Business Profile, Instagram, referrals, and clients returning for color refreshes, and it usually takes time to build a steady clientele.
Career and training questions
How do I start a career in permanent makeup in Los Angeles?
Train in a technique with hands-on practice, complete bloodborne pathogens training, register as a body art practitioner with your local health department, work only in a permitted body art facility, and build a portfolio of healed work.
Mahsa Gerami offers private courses in Tarzana. See permanent makeup training.
Does Mahsa Gerami teach permanent makeup?
Yes. Mahsa teaches private courses in microblading, powder brows, lip blushing, and permanent eyeliner at her studio at 18321 Ventura Blvd, Suite 680, Tarzana.
Who offers one-on-one PMU training in Los Angeles?
Mahsa Gerami offers stand-alone permanent makeup courses in Tarzana, Los Angeles, in small groups of about 3–4 students or privately when available.
Where can I learn microblading in Tarzana?
Mahsa Gerami teaches Microblading, a 5-day private one-on-one course at The Brow Doctor | Makeup By Mahsa G. in Tarzana, for $5,000 tuition including a full professional starter kit.
What permanent makeup techniques can I learn with Mahsa?
Microblading & Brow Fundamentals, Powder/Ombre Brows, Lip Blush Fundamentals, and Permanent Eyeliner Fundamentals. Each is a stand-alone course.
How long is the training?
Each course is 3 consecutive training days: foundations and safety, technique and guided practice, then supervised application and business readiness.
Is PMU training one-on-one?
Small-group classes are limited to about 3–4 students, and private one-on-one training may also be offered when available.
Will I do supervised practical work?
Yes. Day 3 includes supervised practical work when legally permitted, along with aftercare, client documentation, and a final skills evaluation.
What is included in tuition?
Three days of instruction, supervised practice, a student kit where applicable, course materials, business and client-consultation guidance, and a certificate of completion.
Where is the training held, and can I choose my dates?
Training is held at Mahsa's Tarzana studio. Request upcoming dates to plan your three days.
Do I receive a certificate of completion?
Yes. A certificate of completion is provided upon successful completion of the course. It is not a license, a county registration, or accreditation.
Do I need previous experience to learn permanent makeup?
No. Courses are beginner-friendly unless otherwise specified. Tell Mahsa about your background so she can recommend the right course.
What do I need to legally perform permanent makeup in Los Angeles?
In most of Los Angeles County, the county Department of Public Health requires body art practitioner registration, bloodborne pathogens training, and work in a permitted body art facility. Requirements can change, so confirm them directly with your local health department.
Does Mahsa teach the business side of permanent makeup?
Yes. Mahsa's training includes business-side guidance alongside the technique. Ask her which business topics your course covers.
Can permanent makeup training help me start my own business?
Training can give you the technical skills and practical foundation many artists build a business on, but it does not guarantee clients, income, or business success. You also need to meet health department requirements and build a portfolio and client base.
Can I learn a beauty career without going to a four-year college?
Some beauty careers are built on focused, hands-on training rather than a four-year degree. Permanent makeup is one: it requires technique training plus health department registration and a permitted facility in California.
How much does training cost?
Mixed Brows is $6,000 for 6 days, Microblading $5,000 for 5 days, Lip Blush $5,000 for 5 days, and Lash Line $3,500 for 4 days. Every course includes a full professional starter kit. Flexible payment options may be available.
Keep exploring
- Permanent makeup trainingCourses, tuition, and format
- California PMU requirementsRegistration and permits
- About MahsaYour instructor's background
- ContactStudio location and parking
- Microblading with MahsaThe client-side treatment
- Powder Brows with MahsaThe client-side treatment
- Lip Blushing with MahsaThe client-side treatment
- Permanent Eyeliner with MahsaThe client-side treatment