“Can I really build a successful career in semi-permanent makeup?”
The simple answer is yes. Semi-permanent makeup (SPMU) is a skill-based profession with genuine earning potential, offering flexibility, independence and long-term career growth. Unlike many roles within the beauty industry, your income is not limited by hourly pay. Instead, it is determined by your level of training, confidence and the quality of results you deliver.
As a qualified PMU artist, you are offering a specialist treatment. Clients are investing in expertise, precision and long-lasting results, which is why treatments command higher fees than many traditional beauty services.
To give a realistic example, let’s look at potential earnings based on charging £300 per treatment, which is a typical fee for professionally delivered semi-permanent makeup services in the UK.
3 clients per week – approximately £31,000 per year
4 clients per week – approximately £62,000 per year
6 clients per week – approximately £93,000 per year
8 clients per week – approximately £124,000 per year
15 clients per week – approximately £216,000 per year
These figures demonstrate that you do not need to work excessive hours to generate a strong income. Many artists build profitable businesses while maintaining a healthy work–life balance.
Semi-permanent makeup sits within an advanced area of the beauty industry. Treatments such as microblading, powder brows and lip blush require technical knowledge, attention to detail and a thorough understanding of skin, pigment and healing.
Clients choose their artist carefully because results last for one to three years. This level of trust means they are willing to pay for quality and experience. As your reputation grows, so does your ability to command professional pricing and maintain a fully booked diary.
Success in PMU is not about luck or following trends. It comes from proper education, structured practice and ongoing development.
At Ashley Aquilina Training Academy, we emphasise:
Strong technical foundations
Safe and correct working methods
Understanding different skin types
Building confidence through guided practice
Creating natural, consistent results
Artists who invest in high-quality training are far more likely to build sustainable businesses, attract repeat clients and feel confident in their pricing.
One of the reasons many people choose to train in semi-permanent makeup is the freedom it provides. As a qualified PMU artist, you can:
Work self-employed or within a clinic
Choose your working days and hours
Scale your business at your own pace
Increase your income as your experience grows
Combine creativity with a professional career
Whether you wish to work part-time alongside another role or build a full-time business, PMU allows you to design a career that suits your lifestyle.
The most important step towards a successful PMU career is choosing training that prepares you properly. Learning correct techniques from the outset builds both confidence and credibility, which clients recognise immediately.
When you focus on mastering the skill, the financial rewards follow naturally.
If you are ready to develop a professional skill, gain confidence and build a career with real earning potential, our semi-permanent makeup training courses provide the knowledge and support you need to succeed.
A career in PMU is not simply about performing treatments. It is about building trust, delivering results and creating a future you control.
Interested in training with us?
Get in touch to learn more about our UK-based courses and start your journey into the world of semi-permanent makeup.
