In recent years, permanent makeup has become a full-fledged trend in the modern beauty industry. The ability to look well-groomed every day without a ton of cosmetics—what more could one dream of?
However, the secret to a natural and lasting result lies not only in the technician's technique but also in the correct choice of pigments. It is the pigments that determine how clean the shade will be after healing, how long it will last, and how harmoniously it will look with the client's skin type.
Pigments for permanent makeup: how to choose
After the European REACH 2022 regulation, which regulates the composition of dyes, came into force, permanent makeup technicians began to pay special attention to the quality and safety of the dyes used.
Today, the best pigments for permanent makeup are not just beautiful shades, but high-tech formulas adapted to the requirements of health, durability, and color stability. The answer to the question of which tattoo pigments are better depends on a multitude of factors, namely:
-
composition;
-
particle size;
-
color behavior in the skin;
-
application technique.
To create truly natural-looking brows, expressive lips, or the perfect contour, a technician must understand the compositions—organic, inorganic, mixed—and also understand how the specifics of each affect the final result.
It is the knowledge of these nuances that helps to select the ideal tone from a rich palette, predict how it will behave over time, and achieve the most natural effect that emphasizes the client's individuality.
Biotek pigments
The Italian brand Biotek — is one of the leaders in the permanent makeup industry. These pigments are produced at their own factory in Milan; the manufacturer guarantees strict quality control and full compliance with European REACH standards. Biotek actively collaborates with dermatologists, so their formulas are distinguished by safety and physiological compatibility with the skin.
The main advantage of Biotek is color purity and high resistance without fading. Even years later, the pigment does not shift into a gray or reddish undertone, but lightens evenly, maintaining its natural shade.
Biotek formulas are organic and mineral, often mixed, which allows the technician to regulate saturation and transparency depending on the technique:
-
powder shading;
-
hair stroke;
-
watercolor shading.
The texture is pleasant, picks up easily on the needle, and does not clog the cartridge, making work comfortable even at low machine speeds.
Biotek rightly belongs in the top pigments for permanent makeup and is considered one of the brands that creates the best pigments for permanent makeup in terms of durability and the naturalness of the result.
LIK pigments
The American brand LIK — is an example of a technological approach to pigmentology. Dyes are created taking into account skin biochemistry and regeneration specifics after the procedure. The formulas are hybrid, with an optimal balance of organic and inorganic components, thanks to which they lie perfectly and disperse evenly in the dermis.
LIK is known for its velvety texture and natural colors that adapt to the client's skin tone. They are especially valued in the "soft shading" technique—soft blending without harsh borders.
The pigments do not migrate and settle quickly, making them an excellent choice for sensitive skin.
The brand offers a wide palette for lips and brows, including nude, berry, and warm beige-pink tones. LIK is often mentioned when asking which tattoo pigments are best, as they allow the technician to accurately predict the healing result and maintain the natural transparency of the color. This makes them some of the best pigments for permanent makeup for lips—soft, long-lasting, and visually "expensive" in effect.
Sweet Lips pigments
The brand Sweet Lips was developed by a professional technician and launched in 2017 in Ukraine. The lineup includes pigments for lips, brows, and eyelids. Thanks to a vast palette, the question of how to choose a color for permanent makeup for lips and other prominent areas is generally no longer relevant, as there are no unsolvable tasks for Sweet Lips products.
Sweet Lips formulas are based on a mineral and hybrid base (organic + inorganic), which allows for stable color and a high percentage of dye retention after healing.
Brand features:
-
Certified in Ukraine and compliant with European safety standards.
-
More than 70% of the pigment remains in the skin after healing with correct technique.
-
Formulas are developed for predictable color behavior—which reduces the risk of "incorrect" undertones after healing.
-
The color palette for permanent lip makeup is constantly updated with new shades following trends and the wishes of clients/technicians.
Recommended for:
-
Technicians working with natural brow techniques ("Chic Brows" series)—the series contains shades specifically for brows, including color enhancers for brunettes (e.g., numbers 5 and 6).
-
Lip procedures where soft shading and an neat, non-aggressive color are important.
-
Clients with sensitive skin, as the brand emphasizes hypoallergenicity and safety.
If you are wondering how to choose a color for permanent lip makeup, pay attention specifically to Sweet Lips—they apply predictably, blend easily, and give lips a natural volume.
Perma Blend pigments
Perma Blend — is an American brand well-known to technicians around the world. The products are FDA and REACH certified, have a stable formula, and a high percentage of pure pigment, thanks to which the color remains saturated even after healing.
Perma Blend offers professionals one of the most extensive palettes on the market: from cool graphite to warm golden-brown shades for brows and from natural beige to bright berry for lips. Thanks to such variety, the technician can precisely select a tone for any appearance and technique.
The pigments are characterized by high concentration and result predictability: the technician sees on the skin almost the same color that will be obtained after healing.
It is not without reason that this particular brand is mentioned when looking for which pigment is better for tattooing—it provides dense, clean coverage, does not separate, and is suitable even for working on oily skin.
The Mineral pigments
The Mineral — is a new-generation brand based on mineralized pigments without synthetic dyes. This is a find for those looking for hypoallergenic, eco-friendly formulas. The particles undergo multi-stage purification, which excludes toxic impurities and ensures excellent compatibility with the skin.
The Mineral is ideal for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers, heals quickly, and provides a soft natural color. The shades are neutral, balanced—there is no excessive warmth or grayness.
These pigments are often chosen by technicians working in natural techniques and are included in the list of the best pigments for permanent brow makeup, as they allow for an ideally delicate, "clean" result without needing coverage or corrections.
Viva pigments
The brand Viva was created by technologists specifically for a stable result and saturated color. The formula is based on micro-dispersed pigments with good adhesion, so the color does not settle and does not spread.
The advantage of Viva is quick healing and high covering power. This makes them convenient for covering up old work, including gray or purple undertones. The palette features soft nude and rich wine tones for lips, as well as a wide choice of brown shades for brows.
Technicians note that Viva is the best pigment for permanent makeup if work speed, color predictability, and high coverage density are important.
Orex pigments
Orex — is another Ukrainian brand gaining popularity among technicians thanks to its stable consistency and color saturation. At its core are innovative pigment particles resistant to ultraviolet light and the metabolic processes of the skin.
The main advantage of Orex is versatility: they are suitable both for classic shading and for fine lines in the hair stroke technique. The colors do not shift into undesirable shades, do not fade, and do not change undertone upon healing.
Technicians working with Orex note that these pigments are some of the best pigments for permanent makeup, especially when working with different skin types and techniques where clean, controlled color rendering is required.
How to choose a pigment for tattooing?
Even the best pigments for permanent makeup will not ensure a natural and lasting effect if you do not consider the client's individual characteristics and technical nuances.
The first thing to pay attention to is the client's skin tone. Which pigment is better for tattooing in each specific case? For light skin, cooler and softer shades are suitable; for warm skin, rich, golden, and peach tones. It is important to remember: skin can change its undertone slightly over time, especially after tanning, so the chosen color should be neutral to changes.
Skin type is no less significant. Oily skin expels pigment faster, so denser and more saturated dyes are chosen for it, while dry skin requires soft and fluid pigments so they lie evenly and do not create spots.
The third aspect is the technique of performing permanent makeup. The pigment density and the method of its introduction depend on whether you are doing shading, hair stroke technique, powder brow, or microblading. For example, for the hair stroke technique, it is better to use micro-dispersed and translucent pigments so that the strokes look natural.
It is the combination of these factors with a correctly selected pigment that ensures ideal healing and color durability.
Besides the obvious choice of pigment, the result of the procedure is influenced by factors depending on the specialist's skill and the technical parameters of the equipment:
-
Skin density and structure. On thin and sensitive skin, the needle is guided particularly carefully to avoid irritation and achieve even pigment distribution. Denser and firmer skin, on the contrary, requires slightly more pressure and precise control so that the paint lies evenly and does not "sink" into the dermis.
-
Machine power. The force of the needle impact must correspond to the pigment type and its introduction depth. Insufficient power leads to uneven color laying, and excessive power can traumatize the skin and cause pigment spreading.
-
Technician's hand pressure. Too much pressure makes the stroke coarse and uneven, while too little reduces color saturation. An experienced technician feels the balance, adjusting to skin sensitivity and client reaction.
-
Needle frequency. This parameter directly affects shading density and color uniformity. With correctly chosen frequency, the pigment is distributed smoothly and homogeneously; with an unbalanced one, "gaps" or areas with different intensity appear.
-
Work speed. Too fast a technique does not allow the pigment to set, while excessively slow can lead to over-traumatization. The ideal pace ensures a clean, neat trace and even healing.
-
Skin tension. Correct tension ensures stable and even needle movement, especially in the hair stroke technique, where it is important that each line remains crisp and thin.
-
Number of needles in the module. A single needle is used for detailed, jewelry-like work, and a cluster (module of several needles) for faster filling of large areas. The choice depends on the technique and desired color intensity.
Pigment storage affects the result
The shelf life of a pigment is a critically important parameter. Even if the paint has not outwardly changed, its chemical structure may be compromised after the expiration date. Using an expired product can lead to an unpredictable result, shade change, and accelerated fading. The technician is responsible not only for aesthetics but also for the client's health.
Storage conditions also play a big role. Pigments must be placed in closed containers or cabinets protected from direct sunlight, dust, and moisture. There should be no unnecessary items on the workbench to avoid accidental contamination or the bottle falling.
It is important to prepare the pigment in the volume necessary for a specific procedure. If you need to add paint during work, you must change gloves and observe hygiene to avoid cross-contamination.
Monitor the condition of the bottles: caps should close tightly; there should be no cracks or chips. If the pigment has thickened or slightly dried out, there are special thinners and regenerators, however, they should be used only after training and manufacturer recommendations.