Soy Ambar Studio

You’ve found your microblading or nanobrows artist, you love your refreshed brows, and you’re ready for your next touch-up. But as you navigate the booking process, a question might pop into your head: “How much should I really be paying as a returning client?” And from the artist’s perspective, this question is even more loaded: “Is it fair to increase prices on my loyal clients who’ve always received a discounted rate? And what happens when a client expects a full 3-hour session for a fraction of the cost?”

This is a common discussion in the permanent makeup (PMU) world, and it touches on the delicate balance between client loyalty, artist value, and business sustainability. Let’s break down what’s fair for everyone involved.

Understanding the “Discounted Rate” for Returning Clients

First, let’s clarify why returning clients typically pay less than a brand new client.

• Initial Investment: The “new client” price covers the extensive initial consultation, the detailed mapping, the creation of a completely new brow shape, and the first full pigment implantation. This is the artist’s most time-consuming and artistically intensive work.
• Touch-Up Purpose: A touch-up, or “color boost,” is generally for refreshing faded pigment, adjusting minor shape changes, and ensuring the brows remain vibrant. The groundwork (mapping, initial design) is already done.
• Loyalty Reward: Many artists offer a discounted rate for returning clients as a thank you for their continued business and trust. It’s a way to acknowledge and value their loyalty.

Is It Fair to Increase Prices for Returning Clients? (Even if They Were Already Discounted?)

This is where it gets tricky for both parties.

From the Artist’s Perspective: Why Price Adjustments Happen

• Rising Costs: The cost of high-quality pigments, sterile needles, numbing agents, studio rent, insurance, and ongoing advanced training (which truly benefits you!) all increase over time. Artists need to adjust prices to cover these rising operational expenses.
• Increased Skill & Demand: As an artist gains more experience, refines their techniques, earns awards, and becomes more in-demand, their expertise becomes more valuable. Their “worth” naturally increases.
• Inflation: Simply put, the cost of living and doing business goes up.
• Ensuring Business Sustainability: If an artist doesn’t adjust prices, they risk burning out, cutting corners (which you don’t want!), or even closing their business. Fair pricing ensures they can continue to provide top-tier service.

Recommendation for Artists: Yes, it is absolutely fair to increase prices, even for returning clients who previously received a discounted rate. Transparency is key. Announce price changes well in advance (e.g., 2-3 months), clearly state the new rates, and perhaps offer a small “grace period” for existing bookings. Frame it as necessary for maintaining the quality of service and continuing education.

Should the Touch-Up Be the Same Price as the First Appointment?

Absolutely not. (Unless its been 4 years)

• It’s a Different Service: As mentioned, the initial appointment is a full creation. A touch-up is a refresh. The amount of time, product, and intricate mapping required for a touch-up is significantly less than for the initial procedure.
• The Industry Standard: The vast majority of reputable PMU artists have a tiered pricing structure: initial appointment (highest), followed by a 6-12 week perfecting touch-up (often included or low-cost), and then annual/biennial color boosts (at a discounted, but fair, rate).

If a touch-up was the same price as the initial appointment, it would likely mean the initial appointment was drastically underpriced, or the artist isn’t valuing their time correctly for the touch-up.

“Expecting a Full 3-Hour Session for $150 – That Should Be an Hour or Less!” – The Client’s Side

This statement reveals a common misconception about touch-ups.

• Time vs. Value: While a touch-up might not take the entire 3 hours of an initial session (which includes mapping, numbing time, multiple passes, and detailed aftercare instructions), it is rarely “an hour or less.”
  • Consultation & Assessment (15-30 mins): Checking healed results, discussing retention, and understanding any new concerns.
  • Mapping/Redesign (15-45 mins): Even for a refresh, the artist needs to re-map to ensure symmetry and address any fading, especially if the client wants subtle adjustments.
  • Numbing Time (20-30 mins): Essential for comfort.
  • Pigment Application (30-60 mins): Carefully implanting pigment to refresh color and redefine strokes/shading.
  • Post-Care & Photos (10-15 mins): Reviewing aftercare, taking photos, booking next appointment.
• The Artist’s Expertise: You’re not just paying for time; you’re paying for the artist’s years of training, their awarded skill, their sterile environment, and their high-quality products. That expertise ensures your $150 touch-up looks flawless and lasts.

Recommendation for Clients: Understand that a touch-up is a professional service that requires skill, time, and premium products. While it’s cheaper than the initial session, it’s still a significant procedure. Trust that your artist is pricing fairly based on the true value of their time and skill, not just the minutes the needle is on your skin.

Are You Taking Advantage of the Artist?

If you’re expecting a full, comprehensive service for a rock-bottom, outdated price, or you’re consistently cancelling/rescheduling last minute, then yes, inadvertently, you might be.

• Respecting Policies: A key part of being a good client is respecting the artist’s cancellation, rescheduling, and pricing policies. These policies allow the artist to run a sustainable business and continue offering high-quality services.
• Valuing Their Time & Skill: Recognize that your artist’s time is their livelihood. Their skill set is specialized and highly valued.

The Win-Win Scenario: Transparency and Mutual Respect

The best relationship between a client and a PMU artist is built on transparency and mutual respect.

• Artists: Clearly communicate your pricing structure, explain why touch-ups are priced differently, and give ample notice for price increases.
• Clients: Read your consent forms, understand the value of a touch-up, respect booking policies, and appreciate that fair pricing allows your artist to continue honing their craft and providing you with amazing results for years to come.

Ultimately, you’re both aiming for the same goal: beautiful, long-lasting brows that enhance your confidence. By understanding the dynamics of touch-up pricing, you can ensure a fair, respectful, and continuously beautiful partnership with your trusted PMU artist!

Interested in becoming a new client? ~Ambar