A letter from Pui · Lead Artist, N&Beauty
How to Choose a Permanent Makeup Artist in Bangkok
Hi — I'm Pui, the artist behind N&Beauty here in Bangkok. Before you let anyone put a needle near your face, I'd like to share a few honest things with you — not as a salon owner, but as someone who has been the client, too.
Chat on WhatsAppStart with safety — always ask about the needle
I'll begin with the thing that matters more than price, more than a pretty portfolio, more than a beautiful studio: safety. Permanent makeup means someone is putting a needle into your skin, again and again, for an hour or two. So please, ask them to open a brand-new needle in front of you before they begin.
A studio that truly cares will do this happily — I do it for every single client. If someone hesitates to show you the sealed pack coming open, please treat that as a warning, not a small detail. Ask about their sterilization and their aftercare, too. Checking this is your right, and honestly, it's the same anywhere in the world, not only here in Bangkok.
- Ask to see the needle opened fresh, right in front of you
- Ask how they sterilize, and what aftercare they give you
- A calm, specific answer is a good sign — vague reassurance is not
About price — the honest version
Here in Bangkok you'll find everything, from budget shops at a couple of thousand baht to high-end studios that celebrities visit. I've been to both ends myself, as a paying client, so let me be honest with you.
The very cheapest places aren't where I'd personally start. Often there's simply less experience overall — and especially less experience working on foreign faces, which can be quite different to design for. But a high price doesn't automatically mean safe, either. In my own experience, I once had a treatment at a high-end studio, and a month later I needed laser removal to correct it.
So please don't let a high price reassure you all by itself. This is exactly why the small checks I'm describing matter more than the price tier.
Ask whether the artist knows the experience first-hand
One thing I'd gently suggest asking is whether the artist has had permanent makeup done themselves, or how well they understand the pain and the healing process first-hand. It's just one useful reference — someone who has sat in the client's chair often understands what you're going through in a way that really helps.
I've had mine done, and I'm always happy to talk about my own experience of it. When you ask about this in a consultation, notice not just the answer, but how openly they talk about it.
A quick, honest note on what permanent makeup actually is
Permanent makeup is a type of cosmetic tattoo — the goal is a soft, makeup-like result, and it differs from a regular body tattoo in the technique, the pigments, the finish, and the way it's meant to fade. I think it helps to understand that clearly before you decide.
Because the pigment sits in a shallower layer of skin than a body tattoo, it usually softens over about two years. How quickly it fades varies a lot from person to person — your skin type, the technique, the colour, sun exposure and lifestyle all matter, and I can't promise it will disappear completely. It also isn't quick or easy to change or remove once it's done, so please treat it as a real, semi-permanent commitment and choose carefully.
Personally, I love that it fades gently, because every couple of years you can adjust the shape or colour to suit how you've changed. It also gives you a kinder way to think about cost. Instead of 'is this expensive?', try asking yourself: 'is this an amount I'd feel good about paying roughly once every two years?'
Choose someone who feels right for you
Skill and safety come first — but they aren't everything. In your consultation, notice whether the artist truly seems to be thinking about your face and what you want, or whether they mostly want to close the sale.
You'll see this person again for touch-ups over the next couple of years, so it's a little like choosing someone you'll be in a small relationship with. Trust how that conversation feels, as much as you trust any photo.
Questions
A few questions I'm often asked
Not at all — it's a completely reasonable safety question, and any studio that takes hygiene seriously will be glad you asked. A confident, immediate 'yes, of course' is actually a good sign in itself.
No. A higher price can reflect experience and good materials, but it doesn't replace checking their sterilization and the artist's own confidence in their work. Very cheap pricing carries its own risk, mainly limited experience with foreign faces.
Permanent makeup is actually a type of cosmetic tattoo. The difference from a regular body tattoo is in the technique, pigments and finish — it's designed to look like soft makeup and to fade gradually over about two years (though this varies from person to person, and it won't necessarily disappear completely). It also isn't quick or easy to remove, so it's worth choosing carefully.
Ask how they handle needles and hygiene — specifically whether they'll open a fresh, sealed needle in front of you — and ask about the pigments they use. You can also ask whether the artist has experienced permanent makeup themselves. Those answers tell you more than any portfolio.
One last thing, from my heart. Once it's done, you'll live with your permanent makeup for about two years — so I never, ever want you to regret it. My own artmake changed my life; it was such a beautiful experience that when I hear someone was left with regret, it genuinely makes me sad. I'm not writing this so you'll choose me. I'm writing it so that you can choose well, for yourself, with your own eyes open. I love beauty, and I believe anyone who wants to feel more like themselves is a friend of mine. Whatever you decide, I truly hope you find a good match. — Pui, N&Beauty
About the author
Pui — Lead Artist at N&Beauty
Pui is a PhiBrows-certified permanent makeup artist and the lead artist at N&Beauty in Asoke, Bangkok. She has completed 5,000+ procedures since 2022, and personally answers client questions on WhatsApp and LINE.
Talk to Pui
Have a question first?
If you'd like to talk anything through first — no pressure at all — I'm always happy to answer your questions on WhatsApp.