Full disclosure: I have written only one Yelp review and it was not a good one. But I am about to write the most glowing review I can for Megan of Brow Basics!
As you will read in this post: https://www.yelp.com/not_recommended_reviews/oakland-glow-studio-oakland-3, I had a very bad experience getting my brows microbladed by Katie at Oakland Glow Studio. I then met with a bunch of other studios to try to figure out how to remove them.
Megan of Brow Basics is an amazing talent, and has literally saved me. I came to her last summer with microbladed brows that looked like they had been drawn on with a black Sharpie. She has been taking me through the process of getting them off my face using a process called Pigment Lightening. Eventually, I will have her re-do my eyebrows altogether.
Unlike my experience with Oakland Glow Studio, my time with Megan has been a joy. She is kind and explains everything. She has an enormous amount of experience, and takes the art of microblading very seriously. She has really put in the work to learn the craft, and it shows.
I have learned two VERY IMPORTANT facts about the permanent makeup business that I want you all to know:
1.) To offer microblading services you do NOT NEED TO HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE. You read that right. You actually don't have to take ANY training classes. You only need a health-related certificate (a 2 hour online test) and to pay for a permit. If you pass the health department inspection, you get a permit. No actual Microblading or Permanent Makeup training required! NONE. So, there are A LOT of people out there with little to no experience. And a lot of people who are just not very good. And you have no recourse when they screw up.
2.) You are probably going to pick your practitioner by looking at their work on their website or on Instagram. Makes sense, right? Even if they have A LOT of posts, you might not end up with how it looks in those photos. In my case, I chose Katie from the work she posted on Instagram. And, my eyebrows looked good immediately after the service. It was ONLY in the weeks thereafter - as I healed - that something called "pigment migration" occured. And I ended up with a mess on my face! ASK TO SEE FINISHED WORK. HEALED WORK. Also, lots of Instagram posts doesn't mean much. It only means they have lots of time to post!
Be warned. Learn from my mistake. A very expensive mistake.
If you want to have any services done - whether it be microblading or permanent makeup - I wholly recommend Megan. You will enjoy your time with her in her beautiful, sun-lit studio. You will leave with the feeling you have made a brand new friend. read more