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PMU besties, get ready for one of the most educational + honest episodes yet! In this week’s Tatter-a-Fact, Teryn Darling and her wife + business partner Kat are diving deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in the permanent makeup world: pigment viscosity and retention problems. 

Whether you’re confused by why some PMU pigments are thick, struggling with healed results that aren’t lasting, or just need a little boost in your color theory + machine technique knowledge… this episode is for you!

What you’ll learn in this episode:
•  Why some PMU pigments (like Aqua + OMG) are thicker or thinner—and the real science behind it
•  How to easily thin out brow pigments without compromising healed-in results (hint: Soft FX 💧)
•  What pigment “viscosity” really means and why it matters for implantation
•  The difference between carbon black vs. iron oxide vs. hybrid pigments
•  Why yellow pigment molecules behave like mini sponges (yes, really!)
•  The real reason pigment retention can suck (spoiler: it’s not always the pigment)
•  The truth about shallow implantation + low saturation brow trends
•  What “ultra-micronization” means and how it affects pigment performance
•  Why switching from carbon-based to inorganic pigment lines requires a learning curve

Whether you're using Aqua Pigments, Loaded, Velvet, OMG, or another PMU pigment line, this episode gives you the behind-the-scenes formulation wisdom you didn't know you needed.

Perfect for:
•  New permanent makeup artists trying to improve retention
•  Experienced artists transitioning away from carbon-based brow pigments
•  Artists struggling with pigment thickness, needle flow, or healed-in color
•  Anyone who loves Teryn’s PMU nerd-out moments 🧠✨

Girlz, Ink 2025

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

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In Episode #102 of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling is back with Kat for a deep dive into your most frequently asked questions in permanent makeup! From aftercare best practices to pigment choices for Fitzpatrick 5 and 6 clients, this episode is jam-packed with real talk, expert advice, and proven techniques from a PMU veteran.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

✅ PMU Aftercare Tips: What aftercare ointments Teryn uses (and avoids) for brows, eyeliner, lips, and areolas
✅ Best Numbing Creams & Anesthetics: What to use now that Face & Body is gone and why we love Microcaine and TAG 45
✅ Pigments for Fitz 5 & 6: The safest pigments for darker skin tones, why carbon black can be risky, and choosing organic vs. inorganic pigments
✅ Eyeliner Removal with Li-FT®: Can you safely remove bad eyeliner tattoos? Yes and here’s how!
✅ Blotting for Retention: Why blotting is the #1 aftercare step that artists and clients MUST understand
✅ Product Rants, Industry Realness & Giving Grace: A candid talk about pigment bashing, PMU machines, and giving artists and brands the grace they deserve

Whether you’re a beginner permanent makeup artist or an advanced PMU pro, this episode brings clarity to some of the most confusing (and controversial!) topics in the industry.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
• Li-FT® Saline Removal Course
• Loaded Pigments for Brows
• AfterInked Ointments
• Microcaine Anesthetic

👇 Drop a comment with YOUR burning PMU question we might feature it in a future episode!

📧 Have a name idea for this Q&A series? Email your suggestions to [email protected] for a chance to win a PMU goody bag filled with pigments, needles, and more! 🎁

Girlz, Ink 2025

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast with Teryn Darling, founder of Girlz Ink and industry-renowned pigment expert.

In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—ingredients in permanent makeup pigments: titanium dioxide. Is it safe? Does it really cause chalky results? How does it behave in the skin over time? Teryn breaks it all down with honesty, clarity, and 20+ years of PMU expertise.

👉 Whether you're a beginner or advanced PMU artist, this episode is a must-watch if you’re using brow, lip, or scar camouflage pigments.

📌 Topics covered:

- What is titanium dioxide and why is it used in PMU pigments
- Pros and cons: coverage, opacity, longevity & fading
- How titanium behaves differently in light vs. dark skin tones
- Aging effects, chalky lips, and ashy brows—what causes them?
- Removal challenges with saline vs. laser
- The critical role of pigment quality and particle size
- Tips for tattooing with titanium-based pigments on different skin types

💡 BONUS: Teryn shares how advanced pigment manufacturers like LI Pigments customize titanium particle shapes for optimal performance in brows, lips, and paramedical tattooing!

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

In this throwback episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with her long-time tax advisor and friend, Mark Rizzo—a tax pro who actually loves taxes (yes, really!). They dive deep into real-world money advice every permanent makeup artist should hear—from understanding LLCs and S Corps, to claiming your cash income properly, to investing smart and building wealth while doing what you love.

Mark shares the wild tax history of tip earners in Las Vegas, breaks down how artists can avoid audits, and reveals the two things every entrepreneur should have by the time they retire. If you’ve ever stressed over taxes, struggled to stay organized with receipts, or wondered how to set up your business structure the right way—this is your episode.

✅ Topics covered:
- Why PMU artists NEED to claim cash income
- LLC vs S Corp: What’s best for solo artists?
- How to pay less tax legally
- Quarterly tax payments simplified
- How to retire early (even if you start small)
- The Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA debate
- Tips to stay organized + audit-ready
- Investing advice for creatives who hate finance

🎧 Listen now and take control of your money—because real freedom starts with financial clarity.

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

🎉 We made it! The 100th episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast is here, and this one is extra special. Join us as we take a deep dive into the challenges, setbacks, and hard lessons we’ve faced—and how we’ve come out stronger on the other side. If you're feeling stuck in your permanent makeup business (or life), this episode is for you.

💬 "Nothing stays shitty forever."* That’s the theme of today’s episode, where we get real about struggles in business, the PMU industry, and life in general. We’re breaking down:

✅ The ups and downs of entrepreneurship
✅ How to pivot when business slows down
✅ Overcoming self-doubt and fear of change
✅ Real-life success stories of turning struggles into wins
✅ Marketing strategies that WORK (beyond social media)

Whether you’re just starting out or feeling the effects of the economy, this episode will give you actionable insights and motivation to push forward.

🖥️ PMU Online Courses → girlzinktraining.com

📲 FOLLOW US FOR MORE PMU TIPS & CONTENT:
Instagram: @tatgirlzink, @tatterafactpodcast, @girlzinkstudio

Girlz, Ink 2025

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

Are you diluting your PMU pigments? If not, you might be missing out on one of the most powerful techniques for achieving soft, powdery, and customized healed results in permanent makeup!

In this episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling dives deep into the science of pigment dilution—how it works, why it works, and when to use it for brows, eyeliner, lips, and more.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How pigment dilution can improve healed results in PMU
✅ The history of dilution in tattooing & how Teryn introduced it to PMU
✅ The science behind pigment opacity, light dispersion, and healed color results
✅ When you should (and shouldn’t) dilute your pigments
✅ How dilution impacts pigment longevity in the skin

🚀 Want to master pigment dilution? Start experimenting today and discover how much control, versatility, and precision it brings to your PMU work!

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

💄 Struggling with lip tattooing? You're not alone! In this episode of Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, I sit down with Kerry Welstead, a true expert in lip tattooing, to share insights on achieving stunning, long-lasting results with less trauma.

🎙️ WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
✔️ The biggest mistake PMU artists make when tattooing lips
✔️ How to boost pigment retention on the first session
✔️ Why Magnum needles are a total game-changer
✔️ The trick to reducing trauma & swelling during lip procedures
✔️ Are thin brows & lip liner making a comeback?

🚨 WANT TO TAKE YOUR LIP TATTOOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
We’ve got an exclusive discount just for our podcast listeners! 🎁 Stick around until the end to find out how to save on Kerry’s online lip course!

🎓 Ready to refine your skills?
👉 Learn from Kerry at girlzinktraining.com

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

In this episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with Zoe Braun, a PMU artist with a background in finance and engineering, to talk about how she overcame introversion, fear, and neurodiversity to build a successful career in permanent makeup. 🎙️✨

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ From Finance to PMU – How Zoe transitioned from the corporate world to permanent makeup
✔️ Introversion & Overcoming Social Anxiety – How she stepped out of her comfort zone to grow her business
✔️ The Power of Neurodiversity – How ADHD & a structured mindset helped her excel in PMU
✔️ How Engineering & Finance Skills Apply to PMU – The surprising connections between numbers, symmetry & PMU
✔️ The Importance of Networking & Conferences – Why stepping into social spaces (even when it's uncomfortable) is worth it
✔️ Why Rest & Avoiding Burnout Matters – The role of self-care in business success

🔥 If you’ve ever felt too introverted, too anxious, or unsure about stepping out of your comfort zone in PMU, this episode is for you! Zoe’s journey proves that your unique traits can be your biggest superpower—if you learn how to use them to your advantage.

👀 Watch now and discover how to embrace growth, overcome fear, and build a thriving PMU business!

🛑 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, & SUBSCRIBE for more insights on PMU success, business strategies, and personal growth.

🎧 Listen on the go! Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms.

💬 Have you ever struggled with self-doubt in your PMU journey? Drop a comment below! 👇👇👇

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

In this episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with Olivia to dive deep into a topic that affects every business owner, entrepreneur, and artist—Emotional Intelligence (EQ). 🎙️✨

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ What is EQ (Emotional Quotient) and why it matters in your personal and professional life
✔️ How low EQ traits can negatively impact your business, team, and relationships
✔️ Recognizing toxic traits in employees, business partners, and clients
✔️ The importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation in leadership
✔️ How entrepreneurs and PMU artists can protect their businesses from negative energy
✔️ Personal experiences and lessons learned in hiring, firing, and setting boundaries

🔥 Whether you're a permanent makeup artist, studio owner, or business leader, understanding emotional intelligence is crucial for success. Teryn shares her personal experiences with hiring individuals with low EQ, the red flags to watch for, and how to cultivate a team that fosters growth, positivity, and high performance.

👀 Watch now and gain valuable insights to protect your business and peace of mind!

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

Back by popular demand! 🌟 Our second "Best Of" compilation episode brings you more standout moments from our incredible guests. Dive deeper into the world of permanent makeup as top PMU artists and industry leaders share their expertise, personal stories, and actionable advice to elevate your skills and business.

📌 Highlights in this episode include:

- The Science Behind Pigments: Dispelling myths and mastering pigment selection for flawless results.
- Advanced Needle Techniques: Choosing the right configurations for brows, lips, and eyeliner based on skin types.
- Breaking Barriers in Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP): How women are reshaping this male-dominated industry and exploring density work.
- Mastering Corrections and Emergency Removals: Techniques to address oversaturation and misaligned work.
- Client Education and Expectations: Guiding clients through their PMU journey for realistic, beautiful results.

Featuring conversations with Shelly Kaplan, Britt Wagner, Alice Kingdom, Katie Schofield and the Scalp Sistas (Jess & Kerry), this episode is packed with more insights, tips, and inspiration to keep you ahead in the PMU industry.

💡 Whether you’re an experienced PMU artist or a newcomer, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped to tackle your next challenge.

🔗 Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes and exclusive PMU content on the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast!

Girlz, Ink 2025

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV