I have been performing permanent makeup, medical and body tattooing for over 20 years. In those years I grew my company Girlz Ink into a industry global brand. Not only did I have to develop my skills as a cosmetic tattoo artist in order to accomplish that, I had to develop my skills as an entrepreneur and business women. I wasn't rich, didn't come from a family with money and I barely graduated high school. I think I've done pretty good and love talking business. In this podcast we will be talking Everything Permanent Makeup, Business, Entrepreneurship, and Self-Realization. The conversations will be smart and sharp. They will be interesting, honest and real. I like digging deep and getting to know people, how, why and why not.
Send us a textWelcome 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.
Send us a textIn 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
Send us a textAre 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
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Send us a textIn 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.
Send us a textIn 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).
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Send us a textJoin Teryn Darling as she answers a new artist's burning questions about creating understated, low-saturation brows that last—and explores whether annual touch-ups risk damaging the skin. This in-depth discussion is perfect for PMU artists of all levels who want to refine their skills and protect their clients' skin integrity.
Send us a textJoin Teryn Darling and her wife Kat as they dive deep into the evolving world of permanent makeup (PMU) in this engaging episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast. Together, they explore:The Importance of Refreshing Your Brand: Learn when and why to update your logo, colors, website, and more to stay relevant and attract clients.Evolving PMU Trends: From the rise of ombré brows to the shift from organics back to iron oxides, discover how the industry has transformed over the past five years.Insights on Burnout and Pivots: Hear their personal journey of stepping away from studio life to focus on products, education, and refreshing the Girls Ink brand.Building Inclusivity in Portfolios: Why showcasing diverse skin types and techniques is critical for growth.Whether you're a new artist or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring stories to elevate your PMU career.
Send us a textIn this episode of Tatter-a-Fact, I tackle one of the most heated debates in the PMU industry: carbon black vs. iron oxide pigments. Drawing from over 24 years of experience, I break down the differences between these two pigment types, the misconceptions surrounding them, and how to strategically choose which one to use based on your client's skin type. I also dive into the importance of considering factors like saturation levels, needle choices, and skin variables. Whether you're a seasoned artist or new to the industry, this episode will help you make informed decisions when it comes to pigments.
Send us a textIn this episode of Tatter-a-Fact, I share invaluable insights from my 24 years in the permanent makeup (PMU) industry. From my recent experiences at international PMU conferences to the importance of understanding skin and pigments, I dive deep into how proper skin assessment, pigment choices, and mastering healed results are key to PMU success. I also discuss my journey of launching the OMG Brow Pigments and the lessons I've learned along the way. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical tips and motivational advice to help you thrive in your PMU career.
Send us a textIn this episode of Tatter-a-Fact, I will dive deep into the current state of the PMU industry, addressing the slowdown many artists are facing and the misconceptions surrounding bad microblading and saline removal. Inspired by a recent online post, I will share my insights on why the industry is struggling, how poor training plays a role, and why both saline removal and laser removal are essential tools for PMU artists. I also emphasizes the importance of versatility in offering services beyond brows, like eyeliner, and the impact of emergency removal in the industry. Whether you're a seasoned PMU artist or just starting, this episode offers valuable lessons and strategies to navigate these challenging times.
Send us a textIn this insightful episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling dives deep into the world of pigments, focusing specifically on the color yellow and its critical role in brow formulation. Teryn discusses the three types of yellow pigments—neutral, warm, and cool—and their importance in achieving stable, long-lasting results. She also explains why pigment shades can sometimes vary between batches and how pigment manufacturers like Li Pigments ensure consistency and safety through rigorous testing. Whether you're curious about the science behind pigments or looking for tips on creating perfect brows, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge for every PMU artist. Plus, hear the latest updates on the highly anticipated OMG Brow Pigments!
Send us a textIn this episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, I'm excited to introduce you to the OMG Brow Pigments, a project that's been two years in the making. I'll walk you through the journey of creating these four incredible pigments, designed for quick implantation, optimal saturation, and uniform fading—without any risk of red or gray tones. I'll share what went into crafting this hybrid line and why I believe these pigments are set to shake up the PMU industry. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!
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If you had the choice between $100,000 or a full day (and get a tape recording of all the conversations) with anyone you admire, what would you choose? Tell us why in the review section! If you chose a full day with someone you admire, who would you choose?
SMP is a male dominated industry but joining me, all the way from the UK, are two women who are disrupting the world of SMP: The Scalp Sistas! We talk all things scalp from how to get into SMP, to how SMP ages, to who enjoys SMP, to these new gadgets that replace the need to actually learn the craft. We even address the ever present elephant in the room, being a woman who does SMP. Curious about scalp micropigmentation? Come on, grab a snack, and let's get real about the world of SMP.
In this episode of Tatter-a-fact® PMU Podcast, I'm joined remotely by our newest Li Pigments distributor Alice Kingdom all the way from the UK. Meet Alice, a dynamic PMU artist with a rich history in the beauty industry since 2015! She conquered her initial fear of working around delicate eyes to become a skilled eyeliner specialist. In our conversation, Alice highlights her return to Li Pigments and how she doesn't feel like she's pushing a rock up a hill to get the healed results she's after! She also shares her insights into navigating EU regulations, demonstrating her commitment to staying compliant in this evolving industry. Plus, we touch on her new role as a distributor for Li Pigments! Join us for an insightful discussion about Li with Alice!ℹ️ Find more about Alice
In this episode of Tatter-a-fact® PMU Podcast I'm joined by Girlz Ink artist Sofia Tellez! Sofia does AHH-MAZING brow work that has left us in awe. She recently started learning eyeliner and offers her insight of what she wishes she knew or thought of before her first liner. We talk about artist expression in the young generation, the importance of being able to offer removal (even for your own work!) and the 3 biggest challenges of eyeliner. This is not an episode you want to miss!Interested in learning Li-FT®? Want Sofia to train you? Email training@girlzink.com for more information!
On this episode of Tatter-a-fact® PMU Podcast, explore the world of conferences with Melissa Palacios, co-owner and creator of the Vegas PMU Conference. We delve into their worth, financial risks, and speaker selection. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind great speakers and the intriguing phenomenon of repeated speaker lists. Plus, get excited for the Vegas PMU Conference where Teryn Darling will share a LIVE high-saturation eyeliner demo!Use code TERYN for $100 OFF Bronze or Platinum and $200 OFF VIP!
Did you know only about 1% of the world can be classified with warm skin? On this Tatter-a-fact episode, discover the secrets and understand warm undertones, the significance of modifiers, and the role of overtone in creating stunning results. Is it better to add too much warmth and have it heal too warm? Or is it better to not add enough warmth and have them heal a little ashy? Let us know why in the YouTube comments!I also talk about a Facebook question that brought a lot of heat and offer my insight and wealth of color theory knowledge to the table to explain the situation.The key to perfecting your craft is not in mastering one thing but in mastering your foundations. Understanding color theory and having the knowledge to correctly advise your clients is of utmost importance. I am in the works of consolidating and expanding my online color theory course into a reference book and checklists to assist you in target color selection, color corrections, and more. Stay tuned for the latest updates!Join me as I explore Warm Skin Tones, modifiers, and the importance of color theory education!
In this episode of Tatter-a-fact® PMU Podcast I am joined by Las Vegas local artist, mentor and speaker Britt Wagner, who you may know as Ink by Britt! We delve into the topic of apprentices: getting, vetting and teaching apprentices, AND accepting when they're ready to spread their wings and open their own studio. It can be a bittersweet moment, but it's sweet nonetheless!Britt and I tackle lip procedures in different ways. How? Our needle choices. Plus, we touch on the importance of respecting the differences when comparing ourselves to other artists.What we do is hard. Being a good PMU artist is even harder. We're tattooing faces for a living, so we also talk the importance of a well-rounded apprenticeship to get the future artist ready. Join us as we discuss the challenges of having apprentices, the hardest procedure for us to learn, and the first question we ask when looking for an apprentice!
In this episode of Tatter-a-fact® PMU Podcast I pick up where I left off with the Client Experience; this time: Nightmare Clients and Clear Policies! It can be hard to listen to your gut as a young artist, so listen closely as I share my experiences on trusting your instincts to avoid problem clients. I explain the importance of transparent pricing, helping you navigate the complexities of procedure costs, touch-ups, and policies, ensuring clarity and fairness for both you and your clients. What we do can be extremely stressful even with the most wonderful client; in this episode I touch on the cruciality of and how to avoid the nightmare client. We enter a journey with every client we take on so it's significant to be able to identify client red flags and manage constant complainers. Join me as I discuss the challenges of addressing late clients, establishing policies, and how to correctly provide a refund. I'll also share insights on how to respond to bad reviews, turning them into opportunities for growth and building a stellar reputation!This episode will pick up right where we left off and will be an informative companion episode to #53.
In this episode of Tatter-a-fact® PMU Podcast I talk about filming eyeliner procedure videos during what my team and I have called "Hell Week," and the crucial elements of the client experience. From their initial contact to the final outcome, I uncover the significance of virtual secretaries in streamlining bookings, deposits, and consultations. I guide you through each stage, emphasizing attire, authenticity, and building genuine connections with your clients to foster life-long artist-client relationships. Finally, I dive into a thought-provoking discussion on whether the client is always right, exploring the dynamics of client satisfaction and the balance between expertise, artist preferences, and our own mental health.This is a topic I am extremely passionate about, so get ready for this episode: part 1 of 2! Grab your notebook, a snack, and tune in for an insightful episode as we unravel the intricacies of client interactions.
In this exciting episode of the Tatter-a-fact® PMU Podcast I welcome Ren Taylor, one of my exceptionally talented permanent makeup artists at the Girlz Ink Studio. Ren joins me to discuss the often awkward and challenging transition from being a student to becoming an independent contractor. Drawing from her own experiences, she offers inspiring and invaluable insights as well as practical advice that will resonate with aspiring artists navigating their own professional paths.As an expert in ombre brows, Ren's passion for this technique shines through on each client's face. She shares her love for creating seamless and stunning ombre brows, enlightening listeners about the intricacies of the process and offering insider tips that can elevate their own artistry.Ren also sheds light on the significance of being a trainer in the PMU community, emphasizing that it should be regarded as a true honor! Her belief in the importance of passing on knowledge and empowering others reflects a shift where artistry takes center stage, and technicians are encouraged to step aside, allowing creativity and expertise to flourish.Join us on this captivating episode as Ren Taylor engages us with her expertise, stories, and passion. Prepare to be inspired as we explore the artistry behind PMU, the beauty of ombre brows, and the transformative power of being a trainer in the industry. It's time to embrace the resurgence of artistry and embark on a journey of professional growth and fulfillment.