Being new to Fort Smith, I rely on Google when needing to find services. This is how I found…read moreLuminessence.
I saw Julie in the beginning of 2017 for 3D brows, permanent cosmetic. The initial appointment went fine, and I left with what I thought was a great result. I was happy to pay the $450.
Prior to taking the step and making my appointment, I had done extensive research online, and watched copious amounts of YouTube videos, and felt I had a good idea of what to expect. Everything from start to finish, the marking, drawing lines, colors, pain tolerance etc.
Within just a few days, after the excess ink had washed off and the skin started to heal, I became aware of the lack of actual symmetry, and what appeared as fading in the middle of the one brow.
I returned to my touch-up appointment 4 weeks after the initial appointment, and pointed out the areas of concern. Julie apologized, and ensured me that's what the follow-up appointment was for. So, I laid back down and endured another session. The pain is quite real, even with the topical applied.
Again, I left, thinking all was wonderful, only to again, a few days later, realizing nothing had been corrected. The 2nd session hadn't changed anything!
This is where I should add, that before EACH session, Julie had me draw how I wanted the brows. She gave me a brow pen. She didn't measure, draw lines, which is what I would expect from a professional. I found this highly odd, but again - one thinks you're in good hands, and dealing with a professional.
This time I let a bit more time pass. The tattooing is painful, and having undergone two sessions and still feeling horrible about the result, I wasn't exactly in a rush for a 3rd. I spoke with my husband about what to do. Does a customer even have recourse? The fact nothing had improved after the touch-up session, made me feel a 3rd time wouldn't change anything. The same fading was back, and the lack of symmetry did I was still having to "draw" my brows on every day, just as I had always done.
Just as I was about to make an appointment somewhere else, I decided to send Julie an email, explaining my dissatisfaction and disappointment, and to ask her if she would help cover my expense going somewhere else. She replied after about a month, and pleaded for me to come and have her try one more time. Not really wanting to spend another $400 somewhere else, I agreed.
But no .. 3rd session changed nothing. Again, Julie free-hands when she tattoos ... no lines, plus she site to the side of you, and not behind. I'm surprised the result wasn't even more horrid.
Needless to say, I was done. Just done! After 3 times, with brows that were now turning purple because of the substandard ink used, I gave up. It was time to go somewhere else, and actually get a face again.
I made an appointment with the highest ranked micro-blading tech in AR (Affinity), paid the $350 and have AMAZING brows now.
For the sake of professionalism, I wrote Julie an email the following day, letting her know what I had done, asking if she felt compelled to contribute to the new expense I had had, due to her lack of skills.
This is now 9 days ago, and I haven't heard back.
To anyone considering going here for permanent cosmetics - save your money!
6/21/2017 UPDATE - I resent my email to Julie, and she sent me the following answer back:
"Thank you for your feedback. I do hate that you were so unhappy with your brows. You and I have worked together at each visit to draw guides to reach your goals. I put strokes in each place you asked for them and you seemed pleased with that. You and I had also discussed another visit last time you were here. Instead of that next visit, you decided to go elsewhere for a different procedure. I am glad you are happy with your recent microblading procedure. Sadly, at this point, there is nothing more I can offer you. Again, thank you for your feedback"
