PMU Fundamentals Start with the Right Tools in Your Studio

Kathryn Boehme

Sep 4, 2025

In permanent makeup, fundamentals aren’t just for beginners, they’re for lifers. From your very first procedure to your thousandth, the way your work heals and lasts will always come back to one thing: your foundation.

That foundation is built on four pillars: skin, pigments, needles, and machines. And while your knowledge guides your choices, your tools make them possible. At Girlz Ink Store, we stock professional-grade pigments, needles, and machines so you can execute your fundamentals with confidence.

👉 Want to dive deeper? Explore Fundamental Courses at Girlz Ink Academy to pair your tools with education.

1. Skin Knowledge: Reading the Canvas

Every decision starts with the skin in your chair. Mature skin, oily skin, thin or compromised skin—all behave differently. For example:

Oily skin often resists pigment, requiring larger shaders or mags for better saturation.
Thin, dry skin may respond better to smaller configurations and lighter pressure.
Undertones and overtones determine whether your pigment will heal warm, cool, or neutral.

👉 Quick-reference support: Keep the Beyond The Epidermis™ The Holy Grail of PMU Color Theory & Corrections at your station to make smarter pigment choices on the spot.

2. Pigment Science: More Than Pretty Bottles

We’ve all been tempted to pick colors that look nice in the bottle, but healed results are where pigment knowledge counts.

Organics vs. Inorganics: Organics give vibrancy but fade differently. Inorganics are softer, often longer-lasting, and safer for high saturation work.
Black Carbon: Too much carbon can lead to long-term gray tones. Certain skin types should never be tattooed with high-carbon pigments.
Modifiers: Pure orange, yellow, or red can prevent unwanted heals. Choosing the right modifier comes down to understanding undertones.

👉 Explore balanced pigment lines like Aqua, Velvet, OMG, and Monica Ivani pigments for predictable healed tones.

3. Needles: Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Signature trainings often teach only one or two needles (like a single or 3RL). But when skin resists, you need options.

Singles: Great for detail work, but too many passes can traumatize resistant skin.
Shaders: A 5 or 8 shader can implant pigment efficiently on oily skin without overworking.
Mags: Perfect for high saturation lips or brows, reducing trauma by spreading work across more needles.

👉 Stock up on professional PMU needles and learn how to use them with our Needle & The Prick Course .

4. Machines & Movements: Control is Everything

Your machine’s stroke, torque, and speed dictate how pigment is implanted. Combine that with your hand movements and pressure, and you either create a masterpiece, or overworked skin.

Faster hand speed with slower stroke = poor saturation.
Too much pressure = blowouts or migration.
The right machine + right movement = predictable heals every time.

👉 Browse PMU machines tested by pros. Pair them with the Machine & Movements Course .

🎙 Watch the Podcast

Hear Teryn Darling break it down in the Tatter-a-Fact Podcast: fundamentals, why they matter, and how to master them.

Takeaway:

Fundamentals don’t just live in theory, they live in your tools. The right pigments, needles, and machines allow you to bring your education to life. Pair professional supplies with education, and you’ll deliver results your clients rave about.

👉 Shop Girlz Ink Store today and reinforce your artistry with Girlz Ink Academy courses .