Chicago nurse discovers her gift for permanent makeup tattooing

Svetlana Schluter, a registered nurse and permanent makeup practitioner, said she never sought out tattooing.

But when she began, she found she had a gift.

“It’s one of those things. Some people are born to play piano. Some people are born to play golf. It’s just talent I guess,” Schluter said.

“I’m born to do eyebrows and makeup and know how to tweak it to change the person’s face for the better,” she added.

Schluter owns Chicago Permanent Makeup by R.N., 4001 W. Devon Ave, Suite 320-A. Schluter says she has been practicing permanent makeup for the past six or seven years. A friend interested in makeup tattooing got Schluter started.

“She just basically showed me how to do it and it became a hobby for me,” Schluter said.

“I would help her sometimes. ... Little by little I started doing more and more. ... Slowly it became a full-time job,” she added.

The procedure is basic, like getting a regular tattoo, Schluter said, though there are some technical differences between body tattoos and makeup tattoos.

The first difference is that for permanent makeup, artists should use pigment thicker than ink, Schluter said. 

“Facial skin is very thin,” Schluter said.

“When facial tattoos started they used ink for permanent makeup. ... It migrates under the skin and after awhile it starts looking like a bruise,” she added.

But pigment will fade, Schluter said.

On average, clients will have to return for a touchup every two to three years, she added.

Schluter uses a machine specifically made for applying make-up tattoos when she applies eyeliner and lipliner, she said.

For eyebrows, Schluter tattoos by hand with a hand-tool that has a row of nine connected needles, she said.

Tattooing by hand takes longer, Schluter said, but the method helps achieve softer, multidimensional looking eyebrows, because the pigment doesn’t go into the skin uniformly.

“The tattoo machine its harsh. ... It make eyebrows look really dark, almost like a ... permanent marker. ... It looks like a solid line,” Schluter said.

Choosing who will apply your permanent makeup is the biggest thing to consider, Schluter said.

“Make sure you completely trust the person,” Schluter said,

“Make sure that you go to somebody who will ask you questions about your health. ... If somebody will take you and does not ask any questions about your health ... that’s a bad sign. That’s a sign of somebody who probably won’t care about the outcome,” she added.

Schluter notes other risks to consider including allergic reactions. Some pigments contain metal, so there are MRI risks as well.

“Do the research, educate yourself, learn everything you can about permanent makeup before you make a move,” Schluter said.

You can view Schluter's portfolio, read client testimonials and get the details on the services Schluter offers on her website