Permanent makeup · Waterville, ME
Waterville has 2 permanent makeup studios listed on PMUBook, averaging 5.00★ across 22 client reviews. 2 of the 2 studios accept online bookings.
The directory
Showing 2 of 2 artists
Emerald Aura - Beauty & Wellness, 295 Kennedy Memorial Dr, Waterville, ME, 04901
179 Main St Ste 413, Waterville, ME, 04901
By neighbourhood
SMD Esthetics is the permanent makeup studio listed in Waterville Main Street Historic District at 5.0★.
Safety & licensing
In Maine, permanent makeup is licensed at the state level as its own category. An artist must hold a state micropigmentation practitioner license from Maine DHHS, renewed every two years, and must be trained under a licensed practitioner. Maine names micropigmentation directly in its rules (10-144 CMR Chapter 211), which is stronger than states that only cover it under general tattoo language. No one under 18 may receive micropigmentation. Ask your artist to confirm their state license is current.
Source: Maine Department of Health and Human Services / Maine CDC (Health Inspection Program)
Prices vary by procedure and artist in Waterville. Each artist's profile lists their services and contact details, so you can confirm exact prices directly before booking. As a guide, most quoted prices cover a complete result - an initial session plus a touch-up - rather than a single visit, so check what each quote includes when you compare.
Brows are the core of permanent makeup in Waterville and everywhere else, chosen to define, fill, or reshape the brows with results suited to different skin types. You can explore every procedure offered locally in the sections above, each with the artists who provide it.
It depends on the procedure. Brow work - microblading, nano, powder, and combination brows - generally lasts one to three years; lip tattoo often lasts two to four years; eyeliner tattoo one to three years; and scalp micropigmentation several years with periodic top-ups. All permanent makeup is semi-permanent by design: the pigment sits in the upper skin and fades gradually, which lets your look stay current as styles and your face change over time. How long yours lasts depends most on your skin type (oilier skin fades faster), sun exposure, and skincare - exfoliating acids and retinoids speed fading, while daily SPF extends it. A maintenance touch-up every one to two years keeps color looking fresh.
Performed by a licensed, properly trained artist in a clean, regulated studio, permanent makeup is a well-established and low-risk cosmetic procedure. The key safety factors are single-use sterile needles, a hygienic dedicated workspace, and an artist who follows bloodborne-pathogen and local licensing requirements. A good artist reviews your medical history, may recommend a patch test if you have sensitive skin or known allergies, and gives clear aftercare to prevent infection while the skin heals. The main risks - infection, allergic reaction, or simply being unhappy with the shape or color - rise sharply with unlicensed or undertrained operators. That's exactly why checking credentials, hygiene standards, and healed portfolio work matters before you book, and why every Waterville artist here links to their profile and reviews.
Most clients describe permanent makeup as mild discomfort rather than pain - more pressure and light scratching than anything sharp. Artists apply a topical numbing cream before and often during the procedure, which keeps most people comfortable throughout. Sensitivity varies from person to person and by the area treated: lip tattoo and the lash line tend to feel more sensitive than brows, and many people are more sensitive around their menstrual cycle. A session usually takes one to two hours, much of it spent mapping and designing the shape rather than tattooing. If you're anxious about discomfort, raise it at your consultation - your artist can adjust the numbing and the pace to suit you.
A little preparation helps your result heal cleanly, whichever procedure you book. For 24-48 hours beforehand, avoid alcohol and caffeine and - with your doctor's okay - blood thinners such as aspirin and fish oil, as these increase bleeding and make numbing less effective. In the week before, pause retinoids and exfoliating acids near the area, and don't wax, tint, or have strong facials right beforehand. Don't schedule it just before a holiday or big event, since the area needs a couple of weeks to heal and settle. Bring inspiration photos, and tell your artist about any medications, allergies, skin conditions, or (for lip tattoo) a history of cold sores at the consultation, so they can plan safely.
Healing follows a predictable arc for most permanent makeup. The color looks boldest for the first few days, then the area lightly flakes and peels over roughly a week - do not pick it, as that pulls pigment out and risks patchiness. Next comes a brief stage where the color seems to fade or almost vanish ("ghosting"), which worries people but is normal; over the following two to four weeks the true, softer color blooms back as the deeper layers settle. Most procedures look their best by four to six weeks, which is when the touch-up is done. Throughout, keep the area clean and dry, avoid heavy sweating, swimming, saunas, and direct sun, and use only the aftercare your artist provides.
Yes - most brow and lip procedures are designed as a two-step result. The initial session establishes the shape and color, and a touch-up six to eight weeks later refines it once the skin has healed and you can see how the pigment settled. Almost every Waterville studio includes that first touch-up in the quoted price, so it isn't an extra cost - confirm when you book. After that, an occasional maintenance touch-up (typically every one to two years) keeps the result looking fresh; this is usually charged separately at a reduced rate. Skipping the first touch-up isn't recommended, as healed pigment often needs minor balancing for the most natural finish.
Yes. Because permanent makeup fades over time, small changes are often made at a touch-up or a future refresh. To change more - or to remove old, dark, or misshapen work - existing pigment can be lightened with saline or laser removal over several sessions, then re-worked once the skin recovers. This is specialist work: choose an artist experienced specifically in correction or removal, share clear photos at a consultation, and expect a realistic, staged plan rather than a one-visit fix. Removing or covering previous work usually costs more than a fresh result, so it's worth getting the first one right by choosing your artist carefully.
Start with healed portfolio work, not fresh results - healed photos show how an artist's pigment and shape actually settle after a few weeks, which is what you'll live with day to day. Check the artist is licensed and works in a clean, dedicated studio, and read recent reviews for consistency rather than relying on a single glowing comment. Look for a portfolio with results on skin tones and features similar to yours, then book a consultation to discuss shape, color, and your skin type before committing. Compare a few Waterville artists side by side on style, price, and availability. Every artist on this page has a profile with their portfolio, ratings, procedures, and contact details, so you can shortlist and book directly with no booking fee. Well-reviewed Waterville studios like Bryden Up My Day and SMD Esthetics are a natural place to start your shortlist.
Every artist on this page has a profile with their portfolio, reviews, services, and contact details, so you can compare Waterville artists and book directly - with no booking fee. Most recommend a short consultation first to agree the shape, color, and the right procedure for your skin before your appointment. Studios such as Bryden Up My Day take enquiries straight from their PMUBook profile.
Nearby
For artists
Claim your free listing to manage your profile, showcase your portfolio, and get found by clients searching nearby.
Claim your listing© 2026 Profile AI LLC
