Send us Fan Mail

Chapter 1: The Red Wagon

I spent years believing I wasn't smart.

I thought smart people got good grades.

I thought smart people were in accelerated classes.

I thought smart people understood math and science.

That wasn't me.

Meanwhile, at twelve years old, I was pulling a little red wagon through my neighborhood collecting cans, building work ethic, resourcefulness, independence, and an entrepreneurial mindset long before I understood what any of those words meant.

Welcome to Chapter 1 of Tatter-a-fact: The Story Series.

For years, you've known me as a PMU artist, educator, mentor, and business owner. But very few people know the beginning.

The anxious kid.

The insecure kid.

The kid who struggled in school.

The kid who quietly believed she wasn't smart enough.

This new series is my attempt to tell the whole story—the good, the painful, the funny, the embarrassing, the beautiful, and everything in between.

In this first chapter, I take you back to my childhood in South Portland, Maine, the family that shaped me, the insecurities I carried, and the little red wagon that became one of the earliest signs of who I was becoming.

Because maybe success doesn't begin when the world notices you.

Maybe it begins much earlier.

Maybe the signs are already there.

And maybe you're not behind.

Maybe you're becoming.

In This Episode:

• Growing up in South Portland, Maine

• Childhood anxiety and learning to read the room

• Family, community, camping, and small-town memories

• The story behind "Relax, Peanut"

• The little red wagon that sparked independence

• Early signs of entrepreneurship

• Why I believed I wasn't smart

• Redefining intelligence, resilience, and success

• The lessons we only understand when we look back

If this story resonates with you, I hope you'll join me for future chapters as I share the experiences, failures, successes, insecurities, and defining moments that shaped who I became—and who I'm still becoming.

Maybe you're not behind. Maybe you're becoming.

Send us Fan Mail

Some conversations age well, and this is one of them. With everything happening in the PMU industry right now, we felt this discussion about clients, professionalism, bad reviews, refunds, boundaries, and business growth was more relevant than ever.

In this episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling speaks on the real side of being a permanent makeup artist, the parts of the PMU industry that people don’t always talk about openly.

From getting more PMU clients outside of social media, to handling difficult client situations, bad reviews, refunds, and unrealistic expectations, this episode is packed with honest advice and real-world experience for both new and established PMU artists.

Topics include:
• How to grow your PMU clientele through real human connection
• Why networking still matters in the beauty industry
• How to professionally respond to negative reviews
• PMU refunds and protecting your peace of mind
• Setting client boundaries during procedures
• Guests in the procedure room and phone etiquette
• Why professionalism and communication matter more than ever in PMU

Whether you offer microblading, powder brows, nano brows, lip blush, eyeliner tattooing, or saline tattoo removal, this conversation will resonate with artists navigating today’s permanent makeup industry.

Send us Fan Mail

Taxes… not exactly the most exciting topic, but one of the most important if you’re a PMU artist or business owner. 

In this throwback episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling breaks down the fundamentals of taxes, organization, and financial responsibility specifically for permanent makeup artists and small business owners. 

From quarterly tax payments to tracking your income and expenses, this episode walks through the habits that can help you avoid stress, stay compliant, and feel more confident running your business.

Because the reality is—many artists aren’t taught this side of the industry… and end up learning the hard way.

✨ In this episode, we cover:

• Why PMU artists should be paying quarterly taxes
• How to estimate what you owe using your previous year’s income
• The risks of waiting until the end of the year
• How to track your money in, money out, and net profit
• The importance of hiring a bookkeeper (or getting organized yourself)
• What counts as a write-off and how to save your receipts
• Why separating business and personal finances matters
• How to build better habits around money as a business owner

This episode is a reminder that building a successful PMU career isn’t just about your technique…
it’s about how you manage your business behind the scenes.

Because when you understand your numbers, everything changes.

📲 Follow us on Instagram for more PMU education, business tips, and behind-the-scenes content:
@GirlzInkStudio @TerynDarling

Send us Fan Mail

In this powerful throwback episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, we sit down with tax expert and entrepreneur Marc Rizzo to talk about something most permanent makeup artists avoid, but absolutely need to understand: finances.

From taxes and write-offs to investing, debt, and building long-term wealth, this conversation is packed with real, honest advice that can completely change the trajectory of your career, not just as a PMU artist, but as a business owner.

Mark shares how he went from having nothing to building financial freedom, and how the same principles can be applied to anyone willing to stay disciplined, get organized, and think long-term.

We also dive into common mistakes artists make—like not claiming income, poor bookkeeping habits, and waiting too long to get financially organized—and how those decisions can impact your future in ways you might not even realize yet.

This episode is your reminder that success isn’t just about making money… it’s about keeping it, growing it, and using it to build the life you want.

✨ In this episode, we discuss:

• Why PMU artists need to understand taxes and financial planning
• The truth about cash income and reporting earnings
• How to legally reduce your tax liability
• The importance of organization, receipts, and bookkeeping
• Roth IRA vs traditional IRA (and why it matters)
• How to build wealth through real estate and investing
• The mindset shift from “broke” to financially free

Whether you’re just starting out or already established in the industry, this episode will challenge how you think about money, and inspire you to take control of your future.

Because at the end of the day…
financial freedom isn’t luck, it’s strategy.

📲 Follow us on Instagram for more PMU education, business tips, and behind-the-scenes content:
@girlzinkstudio and @teryndarling

Send us Fan Mail

Why do so many permanent makeup artists still struggle with inconsistent healed results, even after investing in training?

In this episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling is joined by special guest Rose Prieto of @beautyandbrowlounge for an honest conversation about the PMU education gap that many artists don’t realize is holding them back.

Together, they break down why so many artists feel confused, underprepared, and inconsistent in their work — especially when it comes to skin assessment, pigment selection, healed results, needle knowledge, and making the right decisions during a procedure.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why healed PMU results can feel inconsistent
• The importance of proper skin assessment
• Pigment behavior vs pigment color
• Carbon black vs iron oxide pigments
• Why one-size-fits-all PMU doesn’t work
• How poor foundational education impacts artist confidence
• The connection between PMU fundamentals and long-term business growth

If you’re a PMU artist, cosmetic tattoo artist, brow artist, or student looking to improve your healed results and confidence, this episode is packed with valuable insight.

Connect with our guest:

Rose Prieto
Instagram: @beautyandbrowlounge

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with award-winning PMU artist and educator Brittany Wallins to talk about the controversy surrounding microblading in today’s permanent makeup industry.

They discuss how misinformation spreads online, why some techniques get unfairly criticized, and why education, skin analysis, and ethical decision-making matter far more than choosing one technique over another.

Topics include microblading, nano brows, powder brows, PMU training, pigment science, and how artists can stay adaptable as the industry evolves.

Whether you're a new PMU artist or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insight into technique selection, industry trends, and the importance of staying open-minded in permanent makeup.

Follow Brittany on Instagram: @beautybybcanada

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Tatter-a-f6act PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with Marielle Rebecca of BROWHAUS INK for an honest, no-fluff conversation about the realities of permanent makeup.

They break down client expectations vs PMU reality, pigment myths, technique fundamentals, filtered social media standards, and why there are no absolutes in PMU (except safety and ethics). This episode dives deep into organic vs inorganic pigments, fallout misconceptions, ethical touch-ups vs removal, and what artists need to focus on to build longevity in today’s changing PMU industry.

If you’re a PMU artist craving real education, honest perspective, and guidance beyond trends and hype — this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Topics include:
• Pigments & technique explained
• PMU myths vs reality
• Client expectations & brow blindness
• Fundamentals over trends
• Removal, correction & ethical decision-making
• Building a sustainable PMU career

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Teryn Darling is joined again by Alex Mechenici of Alex PMU Academy to unpack the truths the permanent makeup industry doesn’t always want to hear.

From trend-driven techniques and social media misinformation to pigment science, photo editing ethics, and long-term healed results, this episode challenges PMU artists to think critically, work responsibly, and return to strong fundamentals.

In this episode, we cover:

• The dangers of trend-based PMU techniques
• Why Instagram results don’t always reflect healed work
• Hair strokes, hyper-realism & techniques that don’t age well
• Pigment ingredients, color shifts & long-term outcomes
• Photo editing, filters & unrealistic client expectations
• Accountability, ethics & responsibility in PMU education
• Why fundamentals matter more than viral techniques

If you’re a permanent makeup artist navigating education overload, unrealistic expectations, and fast-changing trends, this episode will help you refocus on ethics, longevity, and excellence in PMU.

🎧 Be sure to listen to Part 1 before diving into this episode.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with internationally respected PMU educator Alex Mechenici for a powerful, science-driven conversation every permanent makeup artist needs to hear.

This episode goes beyond trends and social media brows and dives into pigment science, saline vs. laser removal, aged results, and critical thinking in PMU education. Together, Teryn and Alex unpack why certain pigments age beautifully, why others create removal nightmares, and why understanding the why behind your work matters more than ever.

What You’ll Learn:

• Saline removal vs. laser removal in PMU
• Iron oxides vs. organic pigments (and common misconceptions)
• Carbon black, titanium dioxide & yellow pigments explained
• Healed results vs. aged results—the true measure of skill
• Why PMU education must evolve with responsibility

Guest Spotlight:

Alex Mechenici is a globally recognized PMU educator, speaker, and researcher known for her uncompromising, science-first approach to permanent makeup and removal education. She teaches internationally, runs her PMU academy in the UK, and is widely respected for raising industry standards through critical thinking and ethical education.

📲 Follow Alex on Instagram: @alex.pmu.academy

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 dives deeper into industry correction, marketing myths, and the future of PMU education.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe.

Send us Fan Mail

In Episode #120 of Tatter-a-Fact, Girlz Ink founder Teryn Darling returns with Part 2 of a powerful, honest conversation on mindset, money, and navigating economic slowdowns in the permanent makeup industry.

If you’re a PMU artist feeling slower bookings, financial pressure, or self-doubt, this episode delivers real-world guidance—not toxic positivity, fear-based narratives, or Instagram fluff.

This is a deep dive into how experienced artists think, adapt, and build stability when the economy shifts.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why mindset directly affects your business decisions
• The difference between awareness and operating from fear
• How negativity spreads in PMU communities—and how to protect your headspace
• Why not every PMU artist is slow (and what that means for you)
• Manifestation explained realistically—vision + action
• What artists should focus on while business is slower
• Strengthening systems, policies, communication, and client experience
• Why mastering theory, skin, and craft outlasts trends

Real Talk on Money & Financial Stability

This episode also tackles money conversations most PMU artists avoid, including:

• Why money equals freedom, safety, and better decision-making
• The importance of separate personal and business emergency funds
• How to start building a financial cushion—even from zero
• Cutting expenses strategically without deprivation
• Why financial literacy is a career-long skill in PMU
• How financial stability allows you to say no to red-flag clients

This Episode Is For You If:

• You’re a PMU artist navigating a slow season
• You want long-term sustainability, not quick fixes
• You’re building confidence in business and finances
• You believe PMU is your calling and you’re committed to growth

Core Message

Slow seasons are temporary.
Mindset, preparation, and financial clarity determine who survives—and who thrives.

This episode is about using slower times as leverage, not letting fear define your future.

🎧 Listen now, take notes, and come back to this episode when you need clarity, grounding, and direction.