FAQ’s, Services & Policies
At Port City Brows, every detail matters — from the preparation to the final healed results.
This page is designed to help you understand each service, what to expect, and how to prepare for your appointment.
Please take a few minutes to read through these FAQs BEFORE booking. Being informed ensures you’re a great candidate and helps us achieve the most flawless, lasting results possible.
Pricing & Policies
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We want every visit to be smooth and enjoyable! Here’s what you need to know:
Changes & Cancellations: Please give at least 48 hours’ notice. Late cancellations or no-shows may result in loss of your deposit and/or a small service fee.
Deposits: Your deposit secures your spot and is non-refundable. It can be transferred once if you reschedule 48+ hours in advance, but is not transferable to another person.
Pre-Care & Previous PMU: Following pre-care instructions is important for the best results. Any previous permanent makeup must be approved before your appointment. If we are unable to proceed, your deposit may be forfeited and a service fee may apply.
Late Arrivals: Arriving more than 15 minutes late may require rescheduling and could incur a fee, to keep our schedule fair for all clients.
Satisfaction: Your happiness is my priority! If you’re not completely satisfied, email portcitybrows@gmail.com, and I’ll work with you to make it right. Refunds are not offered.
Age Requirement: Clients must be 18+.
Client Info: Port City Brows may occasionally adjust appointment times or pricing. You must have a booked appointment to secure current rates. Any changes will be communicated via email.
Your comfort, safety, and satisfaction are our top priorities. Thank you for your trust and cooperation!
For questions, call or text us at 910.408.2133.
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At Port City Brows, each service is carefully tailored to enhance your natural beauty and deliver long-lasting, effortless results. A $50 deposit secures your appointment and applies toward your total balance. Deposits are non-refundable.
Initial Sessions: (Touch-up not included)
Brows: $650
Lip Blush: $650
Lash Line Enhancement: $400
6-Week Touch-Up:
$100
Recommended within 6-12 weeks after your initial session to perfect and refine your results.
Color Refresh / Maintenance:
Brows
1–2 Years: $375
2–3 Years: $450
3+ Years: $525
Lip Blush
1–2 Years: $375
2–3 Years: $450
3+ Years: $525
Lash Line Enhancement
1–2 Years: $250
2–3 Years: $300
3+ Years: $350
*Any additional touchups after the 6 week touchup or annual touch up is $100.
SERVICES
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At Port City Brows, each service is customized to your skin type, lifestyle, and desired look. During your appointment, we’ll consult together to determine the best technique for you.
Nano Brows
Created with a machine and ultra-fine needle to mimic natural hair strokes. This method gives a soft, realistic look and is suitable for all skin types.
Powder Brows
A soft-shaded look that replicates the effect of makeup, ranging from a subtle tint to a defined, bold finish. Suitable for all skin types.
Combo Brows
A blend of nano strokes in the front and powder shading throughout the rest of the brow — the perfect balance of natural and defined.
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Lip Blush enhances your natural lip color and shape for a soft, youthful tint. We’ll create a custom color and shape that complements your skin tone and personal style.
Most clients notice slightly fuller-looking lips (around 1–2mm) and often find they rely less on fillers.
We can achieve a sheer wash of color or a fuller, more defined finish — including ombré styles for extra contour and depth.
For clients with deeper pigmentation, neutralization may be recommended to brighten dark tones before adding the target shade. This process can take multiple sessions (2–4) depending on your goals, which we’ll discuss during your consultation.
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Lash Line Enhancement defines the eyes by filling in between the lashes, giving the appearance of a thicker, fuller lash line — similar to a soft “tightline” effect.
Using a fine needle and precision technique, pigment is placed delicately along the upper lash line only, enhancing your natural eye shape without harsh lines.
We’ll select the best shade (black or brown-black) to complement your features for a timeless, effortless look.
What to expect immediately after your appointment
Immediately after getting your brows, lips, or lash line done, you may experience minor redness or swelling around the treated area, which typically goes away within 24 hours. Over the next few hours, the pigment in the skin will oxidize, making the pigment look darker and warmer (red) than they were initially. This is normal and expected. Pigment typically fades anywhere from 30-60% once fully healed.
Around day 3-4, you may notice light scabbing and flaking on the treated area. This is normal! Please refrain from picking at the flaks. Doing so will result in loss of pigment in those areas and can cause scarring. Brows/Lips may appear spotty or patchy until the entire area has finished healing. Once all the flaking is complete (usually around day 10), the brows/lips will appear much lighter. The pigment will darken over the next 4-6 weeks and the pigment will return to the skin in it’s healed color.
At 6 weeks, your brows/lips will be fully healed. Whatever pigment that does not return will be addressed at your touch up appointment. At this appointment, we will asses your retention, touch up the spots that didn’t stick, and can adjust the pigment color to give you perfect brows/lips! Once the treated area has healed from your touch up appointment, you will have beautiful, full brows/lips for 12-36 months!
What factors can effect your results:
* Oily Skin: Increased oil production can cause hair strokes to blur and fade very quickly, or not stick at all. If you have really oily skin and/or large pores, you are a better candidate for a Powder Brow.
* Sun Exposure: Increased exposure to the sun will cause premature fading. I recommend all my clients purchase Cannasmack Ink Guard to protect their healed brows from the sun. You can purchase this at the studio!
* Smoking: Smoking negatively impacts your cosmetic tattoo causing the pigments to fade faster and deprives the skin of oxygen during the healing process, leading to a less vibrate or even appearance. Smoking can also affect the entire process including anesthetics/pain, wound healing, and lip discoloration.
* Excessive Bleeding: Excessive bleeding during your procedure will greatly affect how your body retains pigment. Pinpoint bleeding throughout the procedure is normal, but excessive bleeding causes pigment to fade very quickly and heal ashy. While bleeding is not entirely in our control, it is important that you follow before care instructions to help minimize bleeding. This includes avoiding blood thinning medications and alcohol 24 hours before your procedure.
* Improper Pre and Post Care: Not following the given pre and post care instructions will greatly diminish your healed results. Follow all instructions exactly for the best results! I can only control what happens inside my studio, so please come prepared beforehand and follow all instructions exactly afterwards for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
DO I NEED A CONSULTATION?
An in person consultation is only necessary if you have a previous cosmetic tattoo from another artist in the area that you wish to book an appointment for.
If you would like a consultation anyway, I am happy to set up a phone/video call to go over any questions you may have.
I do a consult at your initial appointment before getting started to talk about expectations & goals and determine the best option for you.
Port City Brows does not do corrections/coverups from another artist at this time. If you have a previous cosmetic tattoo and you think it is 90% faded away, you must email/text clear photos for approval before booking!
COVERUPS & CORRECTIONS?
I do not take new clients with previous work (from another artist) at this time.
Anyone who has had their brows/lips/liner done previously by another artist, must email photos to see if we will be able to work over the existing pigment.
I typically only go over other artists work if it’s at least 90%+ faded, and all new clients to us are considered initial sessions. No matter how long ago or how faded you think the pigment is, please email photos for approval before booking.
I want to give our clients the very best, and help create their dream brows!
If I don’t think we can achieve what you’re wanting with your existing work, I recommend 1-3+ sessions of laser removal before doing your brows. The best & fastest removal option is Laser.
I highly recommend VivaLux Med Spa in Jacksonville, NC or Pure Cosmetics in Wilmington, NC.
Laser removal is usually $100-$150/session depending on how much ink is in your skin. If you choose to do laser removal, please contact one of the Med Spas for more information.
HOW LONG DOES A COSMETIC TATTOO LAST?
A cosmetic tattoo is designed to fade over time, but is still considered a tattoo. Factors such as skin type, lifestyle, age, metabolism, medications, and pigment color affect the longevity of the tattoo. The sun and some kinds of lighting (tanning beds) can affect the rate at which these pigments are broken down.
Following the given aftercare instructions is critical to getting your best healed results, and touch-up your cosmetic tattoo every 12-36+ months (as needed). Touch-ups are normal and expected for permanent cosmetics. Picking the proper service for your skin type and following the proper aftercare will lead to beautiful results for years to come!
*Please note that final results vary and CANNOT be guaranteed due to the nature of skin as it heals. A touch up appointment is recommended 6-12 weeks after your initial session where we can assess your pigment retention and perfect your cosmetic tattoo!This is a frequently asked question?
HOW LONG ARE THE APPOINTMENTS?
Initial sessions are scheduled for 3.5 hours - Touch up appointments are scheduled for 1.5 hours - Color boost appointments are scheduled for 2.5 hours.
Keep in mind, during the mapping and tattooing you will be lying completely flat on your back.
DO I NEED A TOUCH UP?
Yes! A cosmetic tattoo is a two-step process, and a touch up is strongly recommended to get the best results. Also known as the “perfecting session”, a touch up is ideally done 6-12 weeks after your initial session, and is where we assess your retention, perfect the shape and color, and add more dimension.
Touch ups are very important and add to the overall results and longevity of your cosmetic tattoo. On occasion, a 3rd touch up can be needed to achieve desired results.
WILL A COSMETIC TATTOO REPLACE MY MAKEUP?
While cosmetic tattoos are amazing for defining the lips & eyes or shaping the brows, when enhancing a client’s natural features, it’s important to have realistic expectations about what it can and cannot do. Permanent makeup is a cosmetic tattoo, meaning it is going in your skin. Makeup sits on top of your skin. Therefore, some of things you can achieve with makeup will not look the same of give the same effect as a PMU tattoo. Because the tattoo we are creating is relatively permanent and is going in your skin, it’s very important where we place and shape the brow! Going too far away from where the hair naturally grows will look unnatural and won’t blend with the natural hair that you have.
Because the ink is being implanted under the skin, it’s also important to note that the healed results will always differ from fresh ones as the skin heals over it. Permanent makeup/cosmetic tattoo is not magic, and it’s important that we stay close to what your brows are naturally doing to maintain beautiful results.
I strive for natural results that will look amazing for years to come! Remember a cosmetic tattoo is LOW maintenance, not NO maintenance!
DOES IT HURT?
Most clients report little to no pain throughout their procedure. While pain tolerance varies between clients, a topical Lidocaine/Epinephrine cream is used throughout the procedure to make sure you’re comfortable.
WHAT IS THE AFTERCARE?
Following the given aftercare is crucial to obtain the best results! All clients are expected to follow the instructions exactly to get the best healed results! All products needed for your aftercare will be provided to you at your initial appointment & will last you for the touch up as well.
If you need another aftercare kit, you can purchase one at your touch up for $10.
*Please refer to our “aftercare” page for more detailed instructions.