Build a 6-Figure Skillset: Learn Ombré Brows

Training for ombré brows (and permanent makeup in general) is expensive. In just a year, I’ve spent more than $13k learning this craft, and that number continues to rise because you never stop learning. You will invest in this craft. My first training was $3,500 (cash!), not including a flight from D.C. to Chicago, the hotel, Ubers, and food. It adds up!

I’m offering this shadow program to help you decide if a larger investment in ombre brow training is right for you. Because here’s the truth: It’s going to take a LOT of work to get good in this field. It will take hours and hours of training, practice, working on clients, marketing, and refining your work. Don’t let the cute Instagram reels fool you—this is HARD work.

You get to watch me work and look at my tools and setup before you spend the big bucks. Most trainers don’t offer this option.

Sessions are $400. A $100 card deposit is required to secure your slot, and it will be deducted from your final balance when you show up for the session. The balance can be paid via card, cash, or Afterpay in the studio.

All deposits and fees for shadowing are nonrefundable and non-transferable. If you decide to complete a full training with me when my classes open, you’ll receive a discount!

Great question. In a short amount of time and with no previous beauty experience, I’ve had great success as an ombré brow artist. 

In July 2021, I left my career in corporate communications on a whim before I even went to my first training. (Not recommended, but I just couldn’t take it anymore!) After blowing up my life in the middle of the pandemic, I had no choice but to open this business and GET GOOD FAST. I wasn’t going back to all-day Zoom calls, corporate politics, and crying myself to sleep.

Within 3 months of studying the craft and taking multiple trainings, I began producing work that defied my experience level. I was doing brows full-time and was consistently booked at least a month out. I began to see an average 30 clients each month. I reached $10k per month in bookings within 6 months. 

Long story short, I have been incredibly blessed when it comes to making a major career transition to brows. My investment has paid off and then a lot more. 

Make no mistake—I had to literally live and breathe brows to get where I am now. It got really scary before it took off (What happens when your 6-month emergency fund looks more like 2 days??) I even took two interviews because I was so afraid of hitting rock bottom after investing so much. But I had the smallest ounce of faith to keep going—and a whole lot of discipline. 

Butterbrow became what I envisioned and is still only growing. I know what it takes to build both a skill and a business with no previous experience, and I feel confident that I can offer great insight to others who want to transform their own lives.

When you come into the studio, you’ll watch me work on a real client. Sessions take an average 3.5 hours (15 minutes for check-in, 2.5 hours for the service, and 30 mins for the Q&A). Here’s the agenda:

- Client consultation

- Brow mapping

- Shading

- Final result & aftercare instructions

- 30-min artist/shadower Q&A

You’ll get a look at my workspace and all the tools and supplies I use. You will not, however, be working on the client, working on practice skin, or learning in-depth theory. 

To an extent. I will share on a high level what to expect in this business and the steps you should take to get started in general. The goal is for you to watch what I’m doing and decide if you might like to do it, too. You’re welcome to take notes and record short videos!

I will only touch on the basics of technique, color theory, and other related topics, since there’s sooo much to learn. Multiple formal trainings are best for a deep dive.

Yes, you will receive a small kit to help to start practicing drawing eyebrows.

Because this is a shadow experience and not formal training, you will not receive a certificate.

You’re still welcome to book a session! I highly recommend exposing yourself to all sorts of techniques, then deciding what works best for you. Sometimes watching another artist work can lead to “aha!” moments for your own technique.

You may be shadowing me along with one other prospective artist, though that is not guaranteed. Please note that you should not come to a shadow session if you’re sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick. Masks are required.

Not at all. I was an English major who became an internal communications specialist—writing/editing, project management, and some graphic design for government agencies & a huge law firm. I left my career for more freedom, flexibility, and limitless income potential. I had no background in beauty other than being a hair model in the early 2000s. But I love learning, so I jumped in.

You don’t need to be traditionally artistic, though it helps. Here’s what you need:

• A good eye for flattering brow shapes (you can learn this!)

• The ability to follow a specific pattern/technique

• Reasonably steady hands

• Lots of patience & grit when things get tough

• Desire to run the admin side of the business (or the money to pay someone!)

Nooo. You don’t want to work on your own clients until you’ve taken a full in-person training that covers sanitation, health contraindications, the skin, color theory, needles, the shading technique, and more. Ideally, the course would also allow you to work on a model under the instructor’s supervision. Also ideally, you’d take a few online courses for even more theory before your first live service.

Always remember: You’re working on someone’s face and with someone’s body. Yes, there’s money in permanent makeup. But this is serious business. I strongly advise you not to go the self-taught route and risk botching someone’s brows.

If you enjoy the session, that’s great! That means you’re ready to dig into a full training. If you’d like to train with me, I can add you to my waitlist and let you know when I have course dates available. Otherwise, feel free to find the artist whose work and vibe speaks to you. 

If you’re hungry for a change in your life, I’m excited to meet you! Please click the button below to schedule a shadow session. If you have questions, please text me at (301) 857-7445 or email Nina@butterbrow.com.