Blading By Laura

Laura Smith opened The Wild Arch Studio in 2022. Her path into permanent makeup began in hairdressing, and her interest in microblading led her to specialize in cosmetic tattooing.

New clients usually book microblading, a two-part service priced at $600. Combo brows, which add machine or manual shading behind the microblading after the hair strokes are done, are $650, and ombre or powder brows, which use a tattoo machine for a soft shaded finish, are also $650. Nano brows are $700 and are done with a machine for a look similar to microblading. For brows, the studio notes that six week touch-ups are generally booked 6 to 10 weeks after the first session, and annual touch-ups for previous clients, at $350, are scheduled once brows have faded about 30 to 40 percent. Lip blushing is a two-part session at $550 that defines the lips and adds soft color, with a $150 touch-up to refine shape and add pigment. Fineline tattoos start at $100 and use a small number of needles for thin lines and details; these are requested through a form linked from the studio's Instagram page.

New clients and annual touch-ups can be booked on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the online booking site. Questions and scheduling help are available by text at 916-622-3307. Payment is accepted by cash, check, Venmo and card, with a fee added to Venmo and card payments. A 50% fee applies to no-shows and to cancellations made within 48 hours of the appointment. Prices may change without notice.

Before a brow or lip appointment, clients are asked to avoid brow tinting or waxing for 72 hours, skip alcohol for 24 hours and caffeine for 12 hours, and avoid certain blood-thinning medications and vitamins for 72 hours. Aftercare includes keeping brows dry until healed, which usually takes about 10 days, and applying the provided healing balm. Detailed prep and aftercare instructions for lip blushing, brows and fineline tattoos are posted on the studio's Prep Instructions and Aftercare page.

Permanent makeup is performed with a focus on learning, and Laura Smith takes new courses regularly to pick up new techniques and procedures.