Currently on maternity leave - available by appointment only. Contact me here

Cosmetic tattooing can dramatically enhance your features and boost confidence. At Jess Brown Artistry this is our focus and passion.

Meet Jess

Established in Jan 2019, Jess Brown Artistry ( formerly known as Brows & Co ) is owned and operated by myself, Jess Brown. I absolutely love my job, I'm a creative person and I feel it's a form of art, it really doesn't feel like work at all. 

Having around ten years experience as a beauty therapist, this passion led me to my career as a Cosmetic Tattoo Artist back in September 2017, which is when I completed my fundamental training. Upskilling is very important to me and over time I have completed various advanced trainings with many amazing artists from NZ and abroad.

As someone who has had their brows, eyeliner and lips tattooed, I cannot recommend it highly enough, it truly changes your life as I’m sure many of my clients would agree. Not to mention it saves you a tonne of time. Seeing my clients gain confidence is so rewarding.

When I’m not tattooing I’ll be spending time with loved ones and my fur babes, getting out in nature, reading, and enjoying country life on our lifestyle block in Otorohanga, where there are endless amounts of jobs!

I will always stay true to my values when working with clients. I want you to feel safe, listened to, well informed and educated and consider me approachable and honest. I aim to ensure your experience with me is a good one and hope I can look after you for many years to come! Recently I moved my business home to accomodate becoming a Mum, it's a beautiful, peaceful space that I'm sure you'll love as much as I do.

Jess Brown Artistry offers the following brow, lip & eyeliner services;

  • Lip Tint & Lipstick Tattoo

  • Powder Brows 

  • Ombre Brows

  • Combinations Brows

  • Eyelash Enhancements & Visible Eyeliner

  • Areola/Nipple Tattoo

  • Tattoo Removal (Saline)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Image of cosmetic tattooed lips. By Jess Brown Artistry. Waikato, New Zealand.
Image of cosmetic tattooed eyebrows. By Jess Brown Artistry. Waikato, New Zealand.
Image of cosmetic tattooed eyeliner. By Jess Brown Artistry. Waikato, New Zealand.

Should I book for a consultation first?

If you have previous work that needs refreshing or covering up, I’d recommend coming for a seperate consultation. In some cases I will suggest removal first. If you are unsure about having any of my treatments done, or you don’t know which option is for you, you're also welcome to come for a seperate consultation, here we can check if you're eligible, discuss options, colours, shape, pre care and aftercare. A thorough consultation is included in all first sessions for new clients.

What is cosmetic tattooing/semi permanent makeup?

Cosmetic tattooing is where pigment is implanted into the skin. It's designed to enhance your features while still keeping natural, if that's the look you desire. The reason it is semi permanent as it's not implanted as deep as a regular tattoo, meaning it will fade over time and you will be able to refresh your look and make changes along the way.

Do you have payment plans?

Yes, I offer Laybuy and Afterpay. You will need to have an account with your chosen one. Laybuy allows you to pay weekly for 6 weeks, and Afterpay allows you to do fortnightly payments over 8 weeks. 

Do I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, you will be required to pay a deposit of $100 for all services. This is deducted from either the first or second appointment depending on what you have done. You will be required to pay this within 48 hours over internet banking to secure your place if you are booking via me, or if booking online it will be straight away via PayPal. This deposit is only non refundable if the cancellation policy isn’t followed.

Does it hurt?

I numb the area I’m working on topically before the treatment and also during if necessary. This ensures minimal discomfort, although each individual has a different pain tolerance. It is usually not felt much at all until near to the end where it may feel a little bit warm and slightly tender. Most clients are surprised at how little they feel and would say that tweezing eyebrows feels worse.

Is there any downtime?

This depends on which area you are having tattooed, as they all heal at different rates. Initially after your treatment you can expect the tattoo to look darker/bolder than what it will heal to. It will usually fade anywhere from 30/50%. It is best not to schedule before any major event for this reason and that you will experience slight flaking as the superficial skin sheds. There may be some slight swelling also, again depending on the treatment. Any swelling will subside between 2-72 hours. If you are having top and bottom eyeliner, this can cause more swelling and it's advised to sleep more upright for the first 48 hours. Possibly some slight bruising is you bruise easily and slight tenderness which will only last up to 24 hours. Arnica, Panadol or any pain relief can be taken as well as antihistamines. Healing time for brows is 7-10 days, eyeliner 5-7 days and lips 3-5 days.

How long is my appointment?

Again this will vary between services. First session for eyebrows I allow 2 hours, your touch up will be 1.5 hours, and usually the same with yearly refreshes. Lips take slightly longer, I’d allow 2.5 hours for your first session. Eyeliner could be between 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the chosen look.

How do we choose a colour?

Jess will take into consideration your natural skin and hair colour, and your preference. If you’d like to bring in your fave products please feel free (eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, lipstick depending on which service you are having).

Why do I need a touch up in 6-8 weeks?

The reason for a touch up is so we can perfect your brows, lips or eyeliner. It’s our opportunity to see how your skin has healed, how much pigment it has retained and make adjustments to the shape, colour etc if need be. The reason we need to wait is so that the skin is fully healed. You will be given a recommended time frame for your touch up based on your skin type. This does not include regular clients coming for their yearly refreshes as it is often just one session.

Do you touch up other artists work/do cover ups?

A prior consultation is recommended if this is the case. Sometimes it easy to cover over old work if its faded enough and the shape can be covered. If there are lingering unwanted tones e.g warm orangey tones or cool grey tones and they are not going to cover well, you may be recommended to have removal. My work can only be as good as my canvas and each artist has different techniques and products that they use so it’s not always straightforward.

Whats the difference between Microblading and Powder/Ombre brows?

Microblading is done with a handheld ‘blade’ its actually a cluster of tiny needles which come in all sizes, we create hair like strokes following your natural hair pattern, while implanting pigment. This technique is not suitable for all skins and isn’t ideal as a long term solution. It is said to be the most natural, although does require a relatively even brow base to blend in with. My advice is it can be safely done 1-2 times before you will need to switch to a powder or ombre brow. This technique is done with a digital tattoo machine, which is a lot more gentle on the skin and can be customised to whichever look you prefer, soft and natural or more solid and bold. This will be a good long term option and generally lasts longer than microblading.

What is a Lip Tint Tattoo?

A lip tint tattoo is a soft wash of colour in a similar tone to your natural lips but with a little more POP! All you have to do is add a little gloss and go. The lip tint tattoo technique doesn’t have a lip liner effect, the whole colour blends seamlessly across the whole lip and is not solid, more of a lip stain effect. We can choose a colour brighter than your lip tone, or please feel free to bring your favourite lip product as a guide. A lipstick effect tattoo can also be achieved. This is more solid in colour and is a less natural look.

How long before I need a refresh?

This varies between individuals and your chosen service. If you are active, have an oily skin type or spend a lot of time out doors, you may require more regular touch ups. Protecting your tattoo from UVA/UVB rays will stop it from fading faster. Usually for brows a year minimum, but can be between 18-24 months. It can depend on the colour and intensity chosen also, E.g a very subtle lip tint tattoo may require yearly touch ups but lips can be anywhere from 1-4 years. Eyeliner is longest lasting as the skin doesn’t shed the same in this area, anywhere from 2-5 years or longer. The idea is that you don’t let your tattoo fade so much that you need to go through the process of two sessions. We need a base there to build the pigment again, ideally it will have faded by no more than 50%.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?

In the event you would like to reschedule or cancel your appointment, you can do so by giving me a call, or contact me via email or facebook, any time up to 72 hours before your scheduled appointment. If you do not give the required notice, you will forfeit your deposit. If appropriate notice is given your deposit will be held for another booking or refunded. Please respect these appointments are long and can be hard to fill at short notice.

What are the contra-indications?

  • Under the age of 18 (need parental consent)

  • Accutane/any acne medication (Must have stopped taking this 6 months before your tattoo)

  • Undergoing chemotherapy or have done recently 

  • Skin cancers

  • Diabetes (Will require a doctors note)

  • Heart conditions/medications

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding. We can not tattoo you if you are pregnant. If you are breastfeeding it is advised you express as you would with alcohol, due to the anaesthetic 

  • Botox/dysport. Must be done at least 2 weeks prior or two weeks after your tattoo

  • Allergies to cosmetics/hair dyes, latex 

  • Allergies to lidocaine/tetracaine/prilocaine/benzocaine/epinephrine (topical anaesthetics)

  • Sunburn or fresh tan

  • False tan in the area

  • Cold sores (lip tattoo)

  • Lash or Brow growth serums (need to stop using at least 3 weeks prior)

Please contact me if you have any questions about these. Upon booking you will be required to fill out a medical history form which will give me more information.

Is there anything I need to do before my appointment?

You will be sent pre care information via email when you book your appointment.

Things to avoid 2 weeks prior:

  • Prolonged sun exposure

  • Taking fish oil, Vitamin E, Evening Primrose 

  • Using retinol/Vitamin A based products

  • Facial peels, laser

  • Botox/injectables

Things to avoid 24 hours prior:

  • Caffeine, alcohol

  • Panadol and similar pain relief if possible

Keep skin well hydrated and in good condition. It is harder to implant pigment into dry skin and lips and will effect the healed result. You do not need to get your eyebrows shaped before you come in for a brow tattoo, its helpful for me to see your natural brow and I can give them a tidy while you are with me.

Customer Reviews

"Jess has done my brows and lips and couldn't recommend anyone better. I totally love how my brows and lips turned out. Jess listened to everything I wanted. She is a perfectionist in her work and I couldn't have asked for a better result. Thank you so much Jess, you are a star." Sue

"Love your work Jess! Jess is very gentle and easy going. If you have any angst before arrive it soon disappears once in her company. I highly recommend her services!" Rangiawatea

"Absolutely hands down the best! Love my powder brows. Made me feel so comfortable and relaxed. A lovely person inside and out! Given me so much more confidence! See you soon for my lips. Had so many compliments! Recommend to all. Thank you." Tracey

"Jess is absolutely amazing. Love my brows. She was super helpful with any questions I had and really listened to what I wanted to achieve with the look of my brows. Highly recommend her!" Zoe