Aqua® & Velvet®: How to Choose the Best Li Pigments Formula for Your PMU Technique
When it comes to permanent makeup, your pigment formula matters. The results you deliver how they heal, how long they last, and how they age all start with choosing the right pigment line.
Li Pigments offers two powerhouse formulas that artists trust worldwide: Aqua® Pigments and Velvet® Pigments. Both are iron oxide-based, pre-modified, and backed by decades of results. But they’re formulated very differently and understanding those differences is the key to picking the perfect one for your unique style and technique.
Let’s break it down.
Aqua® Pigments: The Versatile OG for Machine Artists
The Aqua® line has been a go-to for over 23 years and for good reason. These pigments are:
🩷 Designed for machine work (though they can be used with hand tools)
🩷 Thinner in consistency thanks to recent formula upgrades
🩷 Pre-modified and ready to use on all skin types
🩷 Fast-absorbing, with beautiful healed and aged results
Whether you're doing powder brows, ombré brows, or combo brows, Aqua® is your ride or die. These pigments are highly concentrated, giving you rich color saturation and long-lasting results. They’re not too thick or thin just a smooth, balanced flow that works beautifully with a variety of techniques and needles.
💡 Pro Tip: You can extend the open time of Aqua® pigments with Soft FX, our go-to dilution solution for modifying consistency without compromising pigment strength.
Want to explore Aqua’s full color lineup? Shop Aqua Pigments here.
Velvet® Pigments: Made for Manual Method Mastery
If you’re a manual method artist or microblader, you’ll love the control and grip of Velvet® Pigments. This formula:
🩷 Is thicker than Aqua due to higher glycerin content
🩷 Stays wet longer, giving you more work time for detailed strokes
🩷 Is best suited for hand tools, not machines
🩷 Can be used for soak techniques and masks
Velvet pigments hug your blade and stay where you put them so you’re not chasing pigment. But heads up: we don’t recommend using Velvet in a machine unless you’ve thinned it with Soft FX. And even then, Aqua may still be your better option due to its smoother, thinner consistency.
🎯 Bottom Line: If you’re all about crisp hairstrokes and detailed manual work, Velvet has your back.
Ready to check out Velvet’s gorgeous brow shades? Shop Velvet Pigments here.
Aqua vs. Velvet: Which Pigment Formula Should You Use?
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Aqua® Pigments | Velvet® Pigments |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Machine work (shading, combo, etc.) | Manual method (microblading, hand tool) |
| Consistency | Thin to medium | Thick and creamy |
| Workability Time | Medium (can be extended with Soft FX) | Long (stays wet longer) |
| Modifiability | Easy to thin or adjust with Soft FX | Can be thinned but best used thick |
| Versatility | Great for combo artists | Best for manual-only artists |
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💬 Have Questions?
Not sure which formula fits your technique best? Our Artist Support team is here for you. Reach out to us at:
📞 (702) 809-8237
📧 [email protected]
We’re artists too and we’re here to help you level up.
FAQ: Aqua® vs. Velvet® Pigments
Q: Can I use Aqua pigments for microblading?
A: You can, but Velvet is the better choice for manual methods due to its thicker consistency and longer open time.
Q: Can I use Velvet pigments in a machine?
A: Not recommended. Velvet is too thick for most machines, but can be thinned with Soft FX. Still, we’d point you to Aqua for machine work.
Q: Are both Aqua and Velvet safe for all skin types?
A: Yes! Both lines are pre-modified, iron oxide-based, and formulated for all Fitzpatricks.
Q: What’s the main difference between Aqua and Velvet?
A: Consistency and technique compatibility. Aqua is thinner and better for machine work. Velvet is thicker and best for manual methods.