Elite Beauty Society’s Introduction to Microblading Certification

As a professional in the beauty biz you  probably know and it's no surprise at all that the hard-hitting trend of eyebrow-first-glamour isn’t slowing down.

While beauty fads have come and gone, the bushy-but-well-shaped, grown out, natural looking brow trend appears to be here to stay, and with it, comes all sorts of brow techniques that the most in-the-know cosmetologists are beefing up on.

One of those major trends? Microblading.

With the common mission in mind to achieve brows-on-fleek-status by today’s consumers (and honestly, you’re probably all about #eyebrowgoals, too), it makes sense that beauty biz professionals are looking to get certified in this latest technique. Doing so makes them in-demand, popular, and of course, brings in the business and bucks they’re likely looking for. It might seem that microblading is reserved for those beauticians who’ve been in the brow business for years.

Check out our guide below to give you a better idea of how to get going on your microblading certification and more!

What Exactly is Microblading?

We’re going to start this out by freaking you out a little – microblading is a form of a face tattoo.

Don’t panic. It’s not like a tattoo gun is hanging out right above your eyes and pigmenting your brows in a scary, buzzing way. Microblading is more of a form of tattooing with a manual, handheld tool that can be drawn in natural strokes to look just like natural hair in your eyebrows.

That’s a little better, right?

Microblading is technically a tattooing technique where a tool is used to tattoo small, natural-looking lines to someone’s eyebrows. The idea is that these light, hair-esque permanent lines will be implanted under the skin, although not quite as deep as a traditional tattoo. These brow lines that are tattooed on are supposed to mimic the look of brow makeup and fill-in brows, change the shape of brows, and give the look most people have been dying to get their whole lives.

There are several types of microblading --- including techniques like ombre, microshading, or microfeathering – but all in all, the idea is that through the use of tattoo tool (and with lots of training), you’re able to provide someone with the brow shape, consistency, color and more that they desire.

Consider microblading a form of eyebrow artistry – heck, you can even call it eyebrow architecture, if you want – where professionals use a precise hand-held tool (it sort of looks like a pen) with a sloped blade and about a dozen needles on the end to delicately scratch the surface of your skin to create soft-looking, featherlight, hair-like strokes.

The result? Natural, realistic, and envied eyebrows.

Secondly, there’s no service out there that’s quite as convenient or that provides people with the long-lasting and natural-looking brows they desire. We can’t name a single temporary dye-job, a pencil, a pigment, or a stencil that can do what microblading can do for the length of time it stays in place.

One microblading session is said to last about three years before a client needs to come in for touch-ups. That’s probably one of the biggest reasons people turn to this type of strategy – it’s long-lasting and incredibly convenient.

How to Become a Certified Microblading Professional  

If this article has got you Googling all the microbladed eyebrows– good.

You’ve probably seen all the gorgeous, natural-looking eyebrows on Instagram by now, and it’s likely that that’s enough to get you drooling over a certification and the prospect of offering microblading as a new service in your beauty biz.

The good news is that you can certainly obtain your own microblading certification and become the queen (or king) of microblading in your area.

Check out a few of our must-know microblading certification tips below to get a jump start on your new passion!

• Step-By-Step Process to Becoming a Certified Microblading Expert

The first thing you need to understand about microblading certifications is that the requirements to microblade are likely going to vary based on the state you live in. Ensure that you’ve checked in with your state’s requirements before you start the microblading certification process so that you know you haven’t missed any details necessary to obtain your certification.

We suggest looking for classes to enroll in from an accredited, respectable institution. Consider checking in with the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals or the American Academy of Micropigmentation for starters but know that there are so many options out there for training. You could even consider checking in with certified trainers to see if they offer private classes or apprenticeships for microbladers who are just starting out.

Try to enroll in classes that offer you as much training as possible (within your means, of course). While some states may require less training hours than others, we always recommend going with a training course that can help you become as experienced and professional as possible. You’ll also want to ensure that you’re not falling for any type of microblading scam – take note of how many classes you’ll be attending, how many hours you’ll be training, and consider where you’d be taking these classes.

Always check in with the certification boards to ensure the establishment you’re choosing is legitimate and professional.

The next step is simple, in theory – pass your courses! This will take require you to take and complete a Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Course that meets the OSHA’s BPS Standards. Know this will take time, some money, and effort. Of course, this will be stacked on top of the required number of hours of training courses you’ll have to take.

Now, you’ll need to sign up for your Certification test! Check for upcoming tests on the AAM or the SPCP websites. Be prepared to pay for the tests and study up! You’ll likely need your ID, the proof that you passed your microblading training, and potentially a membership ID number for the organization you might need to be certified with. The exam will likely consist of written, oral, and practical elements, so ensure that you’re prepared!

You can purchase study guides and sample tests from several organizations in order to ensure you’re ready to take your test!

Depending on your state, you’ll likely have to obtain a license from the Department of Health – this will either be a tattooing license, a permanent makeup license, or a cosmetology license depending on where you live. Ensure that you’re checking all the boxes off for your state’s requirements before you begin your microblading career.

Once you’ve taken your training courses and received your certifications, ensure that you keep a copy of your legitimate certificate with you at all times!

What Do You Need to be a Certified Microblading Expert (Besides Your Certification)?

Your certification is obviously the most important thing you need to get your hands on, but to be a successful, certified microblading expert, you’ll need a few other things, too.

• The Right Set-Up

For starters, you’ll need the right set-up. We don’t mean that you absolutely have to own your own studio or salon, just that you’ll need a well-lit, totally hygienic, and comfortable workspace so that your clients will feel comfortable and so that you can do your job as professionally as possible.

Ensure that you have the right type of lights and plenty of them in your studio space, a comfortable area for your client to relax and enjoy the service, and all of the right hygienic safeguards in place. Ensure your microblading space is in line with the Board of Health’s guidelines.

• Tools, Tools, Tools

Getting all the right tools is of epic importance. No matter how well you’ve been trained as a microblading expert, lack-luster tools are certainly going to hold you back. Finding the right numbing creams, the perfect brow shapers, the ideal wipes, comfortable gloves, and the right blades is going to matter significantly in your skill level.

Also remember that how you care for your tools is going to make a huge difference – not just in the longevity of your supplies, but in the sanitization and trustworthiness of your workspace. 

• Insurance

This should be obvious, but if you're going to be adding semi-permanent tattoos to your client's faces, you need to make sure you're completely covered. This is more of a procedure than your average cut and color, and it always pays to be prepared for the unexpected.

Even if you're the most skilled microblading profession in the world, your client could be allergic to the dye in the tattoo ink- and you (and your client) would have no way of knowing that! If your client were to have a reaction, your hand were to slip or any number of unforeseen accidents, you could be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars. Thankfully, Elite Beauty Society offers the most comprehensive coverage in the industry, at the lowest costs!

• The Right Mindset & Work Ethic

It’s important to realize that microblading isn’t for everyone. If you’re more of a big-picture artist and you prefer to work on projects that don’t require so much attention to detail, then microblading might not be for you!

If you choose to invest in microblading services, remember that it takes a good chunk of time, a lot of patience, and of course, a wildly-focused attention to the tiny details. Make sure you have the right work ethic and frame of mind before you provide this service to the public.