Permanent Makeup in Los Angeles
MUA Salon's permanent makeup studio at 8336 West 3rd Street offers microblading, nano brows, lip blush, eyeliner pigmentation, scalp micropigmentation, freckle enhancement, and the BLD Signature Trio — performed by trained PMU artists in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles. Microblading starts at $750; nano brows and lip blush at $750; the four-hour BLD Trio at $1,500.
What is permanent makeup?
Permanent makeup, also known as cosmetic tattooing or micropigmentation, is the practice of depositing semi-permanent pigment into the upper layer of the skin to enhance facial features. Unlike traditional body tattoos, PMU pigments are formulated to fade slowly over 1–5 years, so the look stays current with age and trend. At MUA Salon, every PMU appointment includes a one-on-one consultation, custom color match, hand-mapped shape design, the procedure itself, and a 6-week perfecting touch-up.
We are one of the few full-service salons in Los Angeles with a dedicated PMU program. The studio sits on West 3rd Street between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, in the Beverly Grove neighborhood. Most clients come in for brow work first — microblading or nano brows — then return for lip blush or eyeliner once they see what well-done permanent makeup actually looks like.
For category-wide pricing in context, see our full service menu. For aftercare expectations and policy specifics on PMU deposits, see policies.
Microblading
Microblading at MUA Salon costs $750 and takes about 2.5 hours. A trained PMU artist uses a hand tool with a fine blade to deposit pigment into the upper skin layer in hair-stroke patterns, mapped to the natural arch and density of your existing brows.
Who it's for
Sparse, over-tweezed, or naturally light brows. Microblading reads most convincingly on normal-to-dry skin. Clients with very oily skin, large pores, or mature skin often get cleaner, longer-lasting results from nano brows instead.
Healing timeline
Days 1–3 brows look bold. Days 4–10 light scabbing and pigment shedding — color appears to fade up to 50%. Weeks 2–6 the true healed color emerges. We book your perfecting touch-up at week 6.
- Price
- $750 (includes 6-week perfecting touch-up)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Healing
- 7–14 days surface heal · 6 weeks full settle
- Lasts
- 12–18 months before refresh
- Numbing
- Topical, before and during
- Deposit
- $150 non-refundable
Nano Brows
Nano brows at MUA Salon cost $750 and take about 2.5 hours. A digital machine with a single ultra-fine needle stipples pigment into the skin in hair-fine strokes — more precise, more predictable, and longer-lasting than microblading, with less trauma to the skin.
Who it's for
Anyone — but especially clients with oily, combination, or mature skin where microblading strokes can blur. Nano is also our preferred technique for covering up old microblading or small scars.
Healing timeline
Healing is gentler than microblading: minimal scabbing, less peeling, and a shorter "ghost phase" at week 2. The 6-week touch-up perfects color and any light spots. Most clients return for refresh every 18–36 months.
- Price
- $750 (includes 6-week perfecting touch-up)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Healing
- 5–10 days surface heal · 6 weeks full settle
- Lasts
- 18–36 months before refresh
- Best for
- All skin types, including oily and mature
- Deposit
- $250 non-refundable
Lip Blush
Lip blush — also called lip pigmentation — at MUA Salon costs $750 and takes about 2.5 hours. We deposit pigment into the lip tissue to even tone, soften the border, and add a wash of color that looks like you've been biting your lip — never like lipstick.
Who it's for
Clients who want fuller-looking, more defined lips without filler; anyone with uneven pigment, a fading lip line, or a pale undertone they'd like to warm up. We can also neutralize blue or violet undertones with a corrective color.
Healing timeline
Lips look bold for 24–48 hours, then peel days 3–7. By day 10 the color often looks too light — this is expected. Pigment "blooms" back over weeks 2–6. Pre-treat any cold sore history with prescription medication.
- Price
- $750 (includes 6-week perfecting touch-up)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Healing
- 7–10 days surface heal · 6 weeks full settle
- Lasts
- 2–5 years
- Pre-care
- Cold-sore prophylaxis if applicable
- Deposit
- $250 non-refundable
Eyeliner Pigmentation
Eyeliner pigmentation at MUA Salon costs $750 and takes about 2.5 hours. We offer two depths — a soft lash-line enhancement (sometimes called "dipliner") that just darkens the lash root for a denser look, and a fuller eyeliner that mimics a precise pencil line.
Who it's for
Clients who wear eyeliner daily, anyone with thin or sparse lashes, or anyone whose vision or steady-hand makes liquid liner difficult. The lash-line enhancement is the most natural-looking entry point.
Healing timeline
Eyes may feel slightly puffy for 24 hours. Surface heal is 5–7 days. We advise sleeping on your back with a clean pillowcase the first week, no eye makeup for 10 days, and no contacts for 48 hours.
- Price
- $750 (includes 6-week perfecting touch-up)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Healing
- 5–7 days surface heal · 6 weeks full settle
- Lasts
- 3–5 years
- Variants
- Lash-line enhancement (dipliner) or full liner
- Deposit
- $150 non-refundable
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
Scalp micropigmentation at MUA Salon costs Contact for pricing for a full scalp program, delivered across 2–3 sessions of about 2.5 hours each. SMP deposits thousands of tiny pigment "dots" into the scalp to mimic the look of dense, closely-cropped hair follicles.
Who it's for
Clients with thinning hair, receding hairlines, scarring from a hair transplant, alopecia, or a fully shaved head looking to fake density. SMP works on every skin tone and every hair color — pigments are matched to your existing hair shade.
Healing & longevity
Each session heals in 5–7 days. Sessions are spaced 2–4 weeks apart to build up density gradually. The final result lasts 4–6 years before color refresh. Daily SPF on the scalp dramatically extends fade time.
- Price
- $3,000 (full program, 2–3 sessions)
- Duration per session
- 2.5 hours
- Healing per session
- 5–7 days surface · 4 weeks settle
- Lasts
- 4–6 years before refresh
- Aftercare must
- Daily SPF on scalp
- Deposit
- $500 non-refundable
Freckle Enhancement
Freckle enhancement at MUA Salon costs Contact for pricing and takes about 2 hours. We deposit scattered, fine pigment dots across the bridge of the nose and upper cheeks for a sun-kissed, naturally-freckled look.
Who it's for
Anyone who loves the look of natural freckles but doesn't have them — or wants to extend a sparse freckle pattern. We can match warm, cool, or neutral undertones to your skin.
Healing & longevity
Freckles look dark for 5–7 days, then soften by 50%. Pigment fades naturally over 1–3 years — by design, freckles are the most "ephemeral" PMU service we offer.
- Price
- $200
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Healing
- 5–7 days surface heal
- Lasts
- 1–3 years
- Style
- Sparse, scattered, naturally varied
- Deposit
- $100 non-refundable
The BLD Signature Trio
The BLD Signature Trio at MUA Salon costs Contact for pricing and takes about 4 hours. It combines a brow treatment (microblading or nano), a lip blush, and a fine lash-line eyeliner — finished as one cohesive look, by one artist, in a single session. The Trio is our flagship and the reason most first-time PMU clients find us.
Why book it as a trio? Color, shape, and saturation are calibrated together. Brows that match your lip blush undertone read more polished than brows and lips designed in separate appointments. Healing also runs in parallel — one heal cycle, one perfecting touch-up at week 6.
- Price
- $1,500 (saves over booking the three separately)
- Duration
- ~4 hours, single session
- Includes
- Brows (microblading or nano), lip blush, lash-line liner
- Touch-up
- One 6-week perfecting session, included
- Deposit
- $500 non-refundable
Microblading vs. Nano Brows vs. Strong Brows
The three brow techniques at MUA Salon achieve different finishes. Microblading reads as the most natural at first but fades fastest. Nano brows are the most predictable across skin types. Strong brows give a powdered, makeup-on look that photographs beautifully.
| Technique | Microblading | Nano Brows | Strong Brows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Hand tool, fine blade | Digital machine, single needle | Digital machine, soft shading |
| Finish | Crisp hair strokes | Hair-fine, ultra-natural | Soft-powder, makeup-look |
| Best skin type | Normal to dry | All skin types | All, especially oily |
| Lasts | 12–18 months | 18–36 months | 2–3 years |
| Healing | Light scabs, 7–14 days | Minimal, 5–10 days | Light flaking, 5–10 days |
| Price | $750 | $750 | $750 |
How long does permanent makeup last?
Permanent makeup at MUA Salon is designed as semi-permanent — it lasts long enough to be worth the investment, but fades naturally so the look stays current. Average longevity by service: microblading 12–18 months, nano brows 18–36 months, lip blush 2–5 years, eyeliner 3–5 years, scalp micropigmentation 4–6 years, freckles 1–3 years.
What slows fade: SPF on the area daily, skipping retinol and exfoliating acids directly on the pigment, gentle cleanser, no chlorinated pools the first 30 days. What speeds fade: oily skin, sun exposure, smoking, frequent sweat, and active skincare like glycolic acid or retinoids in the treatment zone.
Does permanent makeup hurt?
Most clients describe brow procedures at MUA Salon as a 2–3 out of 10 on the discomfort scale. Topical numbing cream is applied before and reapplied during the appointment. Lip blush rates 4–5 out of 10; eyeliner 3–4. We pause anytime you need a break.
We use a two-stage anesthetic: a primary numbing cream applied for 20 minutes before any pigment work, then a secondary numbing gel that activates only on broken skin. Together these keep the procedure comfortable from the first stroke to the final pass.
10-day aftercare guide
Aftercare is what separates a beautifully healed result from a patchy one. Following these steps for 10 days protects pigment retention and color clarity.
Days 1–3
- Blot the area with clean tissue if it weeps lymph fluid.
- No water on the area.
- Sleep on your back if possible; use a clean pillowcase.
- Apply a thin layer of the aftercare balm we provide, twice daily.
Days 4–7
- Light scabbing or flaking — do not pick.
- Skip the gym, sauna, steam room, and pool.
- No makeup directly on the area.
- Continue gentle cleansing with the provided wash, twice daily.
Days 8–14
- Most flaking is done; color may look light — this is normal.
- Resume makeup around (not on) the area.
- Begin SPF on the treatment zone every day.
- Avoid retinol, glycolic acid, or vitamin C directly on the area.
Weeks 2–6
- True color emerges by week 4.
- Book your perfecting touch-up at week 6.
- Daily SPF and gentle skincare keep results crisp.
- Avoid chlorinated pools and saltwater for the first 30 days.
Frequently asked, permanent makeup edition
How long does microblading last at MUA Salon?
Microblading at MUA Salon lasts 12 to 18 months before a color refresh is recommended. Skin type, sun exposure, and aftercare adherence affect longevity. Oilier skin tends to fade microblading faster.
What's the difference between microblading and nano brows?
Microblading is hand-tooled with a small blade that creates fine cuts in the upper skin layer to deposit pigment. Nano brows use a single-needle digital machine to deposit ultra-fine pigment dots that mimic hair strokes. Nano lasts longer (18–36 months), heals more predictably, and works on a wider range of skin types — including oily and mature skin.
How long does lip blush last?
Lip blush at MUA Salon lasts 2 to 5 years. The full result settles after a 6–8 week heal-and-touch-up cycle. Sun protection and lip balm extend longevity.
Does permanent makeup hurt?
Most clients describe brow procedures as a 2–3 out of 10 on the discomfort scale. Topical numbing cream is applied before and during the appointment. Lip blush and eyeliner are slightly more sensitive. We pause anytime you ask.
Who isn't a good candidate for permanent makeup?
We do not perform permanent makeup on clients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, on blood thinners, recovering from chemotherapy, with active skin conditions in the treatment area, with diabetes that's not well controlled, or with keloid scarring tendencies. A health screening is part of every consultation.
How long is the healing process?
Initial healing is 7–14 days (light scabbing and color fading). Full pigment settles by week 6, when we book the perfecting touch-up. Avoid sweat, sun, makeup, and water on the area for the first 10 days.
Is a touch-up included in the price?
The 6–8 week perfecting touch-up is included in your initial price. Color-boost touch-ups beyond that point are billed separately at a reduced rate.
Do I need to do anything before my appointment?
Avoid alcohol and caffeine 24 hours before. Do not take ibuprofen, aspirin, or fish oil for 48 hours (these thin the blood). For lip blush, treat any cold sores in advance and bring lip balm. Arrive with the area clean and makeup-free.
Can I get permanent makeup if I've had it before elsewhere?
Yes — send photos before booking. Existing pigment may need to fade or be removed before fresh work. Heavy-saturated old microblading sometimes requires saline lightening first.
How do I book a permanent makeup consultation?
Call (323) 775-3637 or email hello@muasalon.com. A non-refundable deposit secures your appointment. We'll review your health history, color match, and shape map before we begin.
More general questions? See the full FAQ page or read our policies.
Ready to map your shape?
Free 20-minute consultation by phone before you book.