We understand that getting a cosmetic tattoo or any beauty treatment can be a big decision, and you probably have a lot of questions. At Chroma Aesthetics, we believe in providing you with all the information you need to feel comfortable, confident, and excited about your experience. Our FAQ page is designed to answer your most pressing questions—from the basics of cosmetic tattooing to what to expect before, during, and after your appointment.
Whether you’re wondering about how to prepare, the healing process, or the techniques we use, our FAQs cover it all. We want you to feel empowered by knowledge every step of the way. If there's anything else you need, we're always here to help—just reach out!
Cosmetic Tattooing
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located, and what are your hours?
We’re based at 7 Robinson Street, Cambridge, NZ. Please note, we work strictly by appointment only.
Can I book a consultation?
Absolutely! Most of your questions will likely be answered here or during your initial session, so a separate consultation may not always be necessary. If you have questions about style but are confident about moving forward, we’ll guide you through all the details during your first appointment. Please note that consultations are required for clients with existing tattoos in the area (for removal or cover-ups) or those with any contraindications. You can book directly online or reach out for more information. A $50 fee applies for the consultation, but this is waived if you decide to proceed with a cosmetic tattooing appointment.
What is cosmetic tattoo in a nutshell?
Cosmetic tattooing involves implanting pigment (not ink!) into the very top layer of the skin (epidermis). This process is designed to enhance your features, adding either a natural or bold hue based on your preferences and our professional guidance. Unlike traditional tattoos, cosmetic tattooing is semi-permanent because:
A) The pigment is placed in the epidermis, which means it will gradually fade over time, giving you the opportunity to refresh and adjust your look as needed.
B) We use a range of organic and inorganic pigments, each with a unique chemical structure—some more permanent than others. We'll discuss which type of pigment will best suit your needs during your initial appointment.
Am I allowed to bring my friend or child to my appointment?
Unfortunately, guests are not allowed during tattoo sessions (with some exceptions—please ask!). This is to ensure Emma can focus fully while tattooing. However, feel free to bring a support person to consultations or non-tattoo appointments if needed.
How long is the appointment?
Your first session takes 1-3 hours, including consultation, numbing, pre-drawing, and tattooing. Touch-up sessions range from 45 minutes +, and yearly color boost appointments usually take 1-2 hours, depending on fading and work required / changes needed.
Do you use numbing cream, and does it hurt?
Yes, we use two of the strongest and most effective numbing agents, sourced from a New Zealand-based pharmaceutical company. The first cream is applied (if required) before mapping, allowing about 15-20 minutes for it to take effect, a second numbing liquid is used during the service. Most clients find the process comfortable, with many even falling asleep! Brows are generally painless, with mild sensitivity toward the end. Lip tattoos are slightly more sensitive, but still manageable. Liner is often painless, some report a tickling sensation some more severe than others.
How do I prepare for my appointment?
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2 weeks prior: Avoid prolonged sun exposure, fish oil, vitamin E, vitamin A/retinol, and evening primrose oil. Also avoid facial peels, fake tans, brow growth oils, Botox, injectables, or laser treatments in the area.
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48 hours prior: Avoid painkillers and blood thinners. For lip tattoos, use lip balm regularly & consider using a lip scrub.
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72 hours prior: Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, energy drinks, or pre-workout supplements.
These steps help minimize bleeding, bruising, and discomfort, ensuring the best results. On the day of your appointment, if you typically use makeup on your brows or lips, feel free to apply it as usual. We also love inspo photos! This helps Emma understand your preferences.
How do I know my new cosmetic tattoo will suit me?
During your first appointment, we conduct a thorough consultation to discuss your vision, skin type, lifestyle, age, and the techniques that best suit your needs. We take into account how often you wear makeup, your activity level, and your expectations. Using a makeup pencil, symmetry mapping, and careful attention to your bone structure and natural features, we ensure your brows, liner or lips are tailored specifically to you. Emma always works to match your vision while providing her professional recommendations to enhance balance and symmetry. Ultimately, it’s about creating a look you love.
Can you guarantee my results?
Results vary between clients due to factors like skin type, medications, and lifestyle. During the touch-up session, Emma will assess your healed results to fine-tune the work. The final outcome is a combination of the work done in the salon and the care you provide before and after your procedure—it's a 50/50 partnership. You’ll receive all the tools and information needed to achieve the best possible results.
How do we choose a color?
Emma will consider your natural skin and hair color as well as your preferences. If you have favorite brow, lip, or liner products, feel free to bring them along. On the day, apply your usual makeup if you wish to help give a clear idea of your style. Just like with hairdressing, Emma often mixes colors to create the perfect shade for you.
I'm pregnant or breastfeeding. Can I still get my brows tattooed?
If you're pregnant, we can't proceed with a cosmetic tattoo. If you're breastfeeding, we can proceed at your request; just be aware of any potential risks. We advise expressing and discarding breast milk for 48 hours post-treatment due to the anesthetic.
What might prevent me from getting tattooed?
You may need a consultation if any of the following apply:
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Cold sores/herpes (especially for lip tattoos, as this often cause flare-ups)
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Autoimmune diseases
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Under 18 (parental consent required)
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Pregnant
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Prone to keloids
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Using heavy blood thinners
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Acne medication (up to 6 months prior)
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Bloodborne diseases (e.g., HIV or hepatitis)
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Recent chemotherapy
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Heart conditions
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Allergies to dyes/pigments or anesthetics
How long does the healing process take?
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Brows & liner: 8-12 days on average.
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Lips: 3-7 days on average.
It's crucial to allow your body to heal naturally, even if healing takes a bit longer.
Why do I need a second session?
The touch-up session allows us to perfect your tattoo and address areas where pigment may have faded. It’s an opportunity to adjust the shape, color, or any other element as needed. Not all clients require a touch-up, but it's available if desired.
How often do I need to refresh my cosmetic tattoo?
Most clients refresh their tattoos every 12-35 months. We'll discuss your specific timeline during your appointment.
What does aftercare look like in a nutshell?
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Brows/Liner: Avoid water and sweating until fully healed. Expect darkening and flaking in the first week, followed by a lightened appearance. After about 28 days, your brows/liner will blossom into their true colour.
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Lips: Avoid water and sweating, with constant lip balm use until fully healed. Expect flaking and softening of colour within the first 4-8 days, After about 28 days, you lips will have gradually blossomed into their true tone.
Can I wear makeup during the healing phase?
Makeup on the treated area isn’t recommended, but wearing makeup on other areas of your face is fine. Be gentle when removing it to avoid affecting the healing area.
Do I still need my brows waxed or tinted after getting them tattooed?
Brow hair will continue to grow normally, so waxing or tidying every 4-6 weeks is recommended. If you have lighter brow hair, you may still want occasional tinting to match your tattoo. Alternatively, brow gel can help blend lighter brow hair with the tattoo. We offer brow shaping and tinting in the studio for your convenience.
Does it last forever?
No, your cosmetic tattoo will not last forever—it usually fades almost completely within 4-8 years. We love this flexibility, as it allows for adjustments over time, whether in color, style, or even deciding to opt out of a tattoo altogether.
Do I have to pay a deposit?
Yes, a $99 deposit is required to confirm your appointment. This deposit is transferable if you need to reschedule (provided you give sufficient notice) but non-refundable.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, we offer Afterpay and Credit Card payments (a surcharge applies). You need to have an account set up before your appointment, as the setup can be time-consuming. Deposits must be paid in full and cannot be processed through Afterpay
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If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Lash & Brow
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located, and what are your hours?
We’re based at 7 Robinson Street, Cambridge, NZ. Please note, we work strictly by appointment only.
Can I book a consultation?
Not for basic lash and brow services. For new clients, we always have a quick consultation before starting to ensure your treatment is fully customized to suit your needs and preferences.
What is the difference between Brow Shape & Tint / Hybrid Brow Shape & Tint?
Brow Shape & Tint involves shaping your brows through waxing, tweezing, & trimming, followed by applying a standard tint to add color to your brow hairs. This treatment enhances your natural brows by giving them a more defined shape and subtle color that typically lasts up to 3-4 weeks with a very faint skin staining effect for a day or two.
Hybrid Brow Shape & Tint includes the same shaping process but uses a dye instead of a regular tint, this dye penetrates the hairs. Imagine the difference between a permanent and demi-permanent hair dye. This hybrid dye provides longer-lasting color that stains both the brow hair and the skin beneath, giving a fuller, more filled-in look. The results typically last 5-10 days on the skin and 6-8 weeks on the brow hairs, making it perfect for those who want a more dramatic and long-lasting effect. It also has a much better grab on stubborn grey hairs.
Am I allowed to bring my friend or child to my appointment?
While we believe that solo appointments provide the most relaxing experience and highly recommend them, we understand that sometimes you may need to bring a friend, and that's completely fine. As for children, it depends on the situation—generally, we’re okay with it as long as they aren't disrupting other clients, but please ask ahead of time!
How long is each appointment?
Appointment times are listed in our online booking system and vary. We run a tight schedule, so please avoid arriving more than 5 minutes early or late. Arriving outside of your appointment time can disrupt the flow of our space, reduce the peaceful atmosphere, and cause delays for other clients, which isn’t fair to them.
What hair removal techniques do you use?
We use depilatory wax and tweezing because it allows for precise definition and a clean, polished look. We do not offer threading. Depilatory wax is gentle and good for most skins, removes multiple hairs at once, including fine hairs, resulting in smooth skin and a well-defined brow shape. Tweezing to finish provides that extra precision for finer adjustments and removal of hairs on the thicker side.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that life happens, and sometimes plans change. Here’s our cancellation policy:
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Free Cancellation: You can cancel your appointment free of charge up to 48 hours before your scheduled time.
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Deposits: Deposits are non-refundable, but they are transferable if you need to reschedule with proper notice.
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Rescheduling: If you need to reschedule within the 48-hour window, we may permit it under special circumstances. Please reach out as soon as possible.
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Last-Minute Cancellations & No-Shows: For cancellations made less than 12 hours in advance, or in case of a no-show, a 50% fee of the service cost will be charged.
Thank you for understanding and respecting our time and that of other clients.
Can you guarantee my results?
No, we cannot guarantee specific results for lash and brow services, as many factors influence the outcome. Individual lifestyle, age, skin type, and environmental conditions can all affect how well your results hold up. While we always strive to provide the best possible outcome and use high-quality products, each person's unique biology means results will naturally vary.
That said, in the rare instance that you are unhappy with your treatment, we will always take the time to self-reflect and work with you to ensure your satisfaction within the parameters of what we guaranteed in terms of service quality. Your happiness is important to us, and we are committed to doing our best to address any concerns.
What is a Lash Lift and What are the Benefits of Boo Lashes Pure Care Solution?
A lash lift is a treatment that enhances your natural lashes by lifting and curling them, providing a beautiful, eye-opening effect without extensions. At Chroma Aesthetics, we use Boo Lashes Pure Care Solution for our lash lifts, which is an advanced, gentle product specially designed to protect the health of your lashes.
The Boo Lashes Pure Care Solution is cysteamine-free, making it one of the mildest and high-end options available. This means it causes minimal stress to your lashes, maintaining their natural integrity while providing the desired lift. Unlike other chemicals often used in lash lifts, the Pure Care Solution is scientifically proven to have the lowest cytotoxicity, meaning it’s much gentler on the hair and less likely to cause irritation or damage.
The formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harsh chemicals like ammonia and parabens. This not only ensures a safer application but also makes it suitable for clients with more sensitive skin or eyes. Additionally, it includes nourishing ingredients to keep your lashes conditioned and healthy throughout the treatment, reducing the risk of over-processing and ensuring they look naturally beautiful and feel flexible even after the treatment
Overall, this solution helps achieve a fuller, longer-lasting lash lift without compromising lash health, making it an ideal choice for those seeking beautiful, enhanced lashes in a safe, gentle way.
A lash lift typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks, depending on your natural lash growth cycle and aftercare routine (we provide the first week's aftercare). The effects gradually wear off as your lashes grow out and shed naturally. For some clients, the lift may last slightly longer or shorter depending on individual factors like lifestyle, skin type, and how well the lashes are cared for post-treatment. To maintain the best results, you may want to book a lash lift every couple of months and a lash tint to maintain monthly.
What is Brow Lamination and What are the Benefits of Boo Lashes Pure Care Solution?
Brow Lamination is a treatment that helps achieve fuller, more defined brows by realigning the direction of the brow hairs. Essentially, it "lifts" the brow hairs to create a fuller, more voluminous look. This treatment is ideal for clients looking to smooth out unruly brows, fill in gaps, or achieve that trendy fluffy brow effect. Daily styling with a brow gel to set the hairs in place is recommended. The results usually last 4-6 weeks, depending on aftercare and individual hair growth cycles.
Boo Lashes Pure Care Solution is a product we use for both lash lifts and brow laminations, and it comes with several benefits:
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Gentle Formula: Boo Lashes Pure Care Solution is cysteamine-free, meaning it contains one of the mildest raw perming chemicals available. This makes it less likely to cause irritation or damage to brow hairs compared to more aggressive products.
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Low Cytotoxicity: The solution is scientifically proven to have the lowest cytotoxicity among similar products, ensuring that your brow hairs remain healthy throughout the treatment process. It’s designed to work effectively without causing unnecessary stress or weakening the hair shaft.
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Vegan and Free from Harsh Chemicals: This product is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harsh chemicals such as ammonia and parabens, making it a safer option, particularly for sensitive skin. The gentle nature of this formula allows us to provide beautiful results while protecting the overall health of your brows.
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Long-Lasting Results: The Pure Care formula helps to keep your brows in shape for a longer period while maintaining the natural strength and flexibility of the hair. It also includes moisturizing properties that ensure the hairs stay nourished during and after the procedure.
By using Boo Lashes Pure Care Solution, we can ensure that brow lamination provides the desired definition and fullness while keeping the health of your natural brow hairs a priority.
I'm pregnant or breastfeeding - which services can i have?
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Brow Shape & Tint /Hybrid Brow Shape & Tint / Lash Tint : Totally safe! Please let us know about your pregnancy so we can ensure that all products used are appropriate for your sensitive skin.
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Lash Lift: Lash lifts can be offered to pregnant or breastfeeding women using the Boo Lashes Pure Care Solution, which is cysteamine-free, vegan, and free from harsh chemicals like ammonia and parabens. Its gentle nature makes it a safe choice during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
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Brow Lamination: Not recommended as the solutions we use make direct contact with the skin which can be sensitive due to hormonal changes.
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Lash Extensions: Lash extensions are generally safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Hormonal changes can sometimes increase sensitivity to the adhesive.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, we offer Afterpay and Credit Card payments (a surcharge & afterpay T/C's apply). You need to have an account set up before your appointment, as the setup can be time-consuming. Deposits must be paid in full and cannot be processed through Afterpay
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If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.