Karen Betts is internationally renowned for quality and standards in permanent cosmetics, founded the Nouveau Contour Training Academy in the UK and has appeared regularly on television shows across the pond such as 10 Years Younger, Extreme Makeover UK and Big Brother to name a few. She is the permanent cosmetics consultant for both the BBC and Sky TV as well as being the practitioner of choice for a host of celebrities. Karen is a visionary with amazing talent and is an influential contributor to the beauty industry.
Shannon: Can you explain permanent cosmetics to our readers?
Karen Betts: It's an advanced form of tattooing but uses different equipment and special pigments. Officially, it's permanent but the colors will fade so we recommend retouches after 18 months to 2 years. Longevity depends on many factors like skin type and exposure to UV rays.
Shannon: What prompted you to go into this field?
Karen Betts: I had a tattooist working for me and was impressed by his work and I also had a hair salon and did hairpieces for clients with Alopecia so figured this was a way I could help them whilst persuing a new career.
Shannon: Many of the enhancements you offer seem to be geared more towards those with medical issues than those who do it strictly for vanity purposes, was this a conscious decision?
Karen Betts: It's the way the industry has developed really. Eyebrows are by far the most common treatment and my clients have a lack of brows for various reasons, from over plucking in the seventies, having Alopecia or hair loss as a result of chemotherapy for instance. Medical enhancements such as nipple and areola treatments are amazing as they change the lives of people who have been through suffering and anguish.
Shannon: I love watching 10 Years Younger here in the states not only because of what the transformation does to the person outwardly but inwardly as well. Do you find that your patients are prepared for the emotional aspect of having permanent cosmetics enhancements?
Karen: Many have already gone through absolute hell already and can deal with the additional trauma quite easily. It is still a very rewarding feeling when your work is revealed to them and their appearance, be it a reconstructed breast or a new set of eyebrows which properly frames the face is an absolute joy to them. It really makes the stress and responsibility of undertaking this kind of work worthwhile.
Shannon: You founded the Nouveau Contour Training Academy—can you tell us a little more about it and your vision for it?
Karen: When I first learned to do permanent cosmetics, it was a relatively new industry in the UK and the techniques and training were way behind the USA (with certain exceptions) so I saved all my money up and flew to the States to train. When I returned to the UK with my new found knowledge, I realized that there was a massive gap in the market in the UK and Europe for good quality equipment and training. I quickly picked up new skills and developed my techniques. Nouveau Contour in Holland had just released a new state of the art permanent cosmetics machine and I opted to distribute this in the UK as well as design a new, all encompassing training course which completely transformed the industry and raised the standards of treatments and training across Europe and our course is now taught in the states, where I originally learned.
Shannon: What are some of the benefits to permanent cosmetics? Is there a downside?
Karen: The benefits are immeasurable. People with no brows can have them, people with no nipples can have them. Busy ladies can have permanent cosmetics which can save them hours in their hectic schedules and the other medical treatments such as scar relaxation and vitiligo pigmentation are really coming into their own. Downsides are that we do need to refer to it as permanent as there is no absolute guarantee that it will not last forever but it does fade which is a shame for the clients. If it were not to fade then it is highly likely that it would turn blue or purple in the skin, similar to a normal tattoo.
Shannon: You really have accomplished so much as educator, artist and one who sets the standard for permanent cosmetics in the UK, are there any goals you are still looking to achieve or are tackling right now?
Karen: I have recently developed another training centre in Milton Keynes (Just North of London) to make it more accessible to run courses and accommodate the growing number of people wanting to train in permanent cosmetics. Personally my goal has always been the same – to continue to enhance my services. I strive for perfection in everything I do, I will continue to develop my processes and offer a consistently high service to my clients.
Whether you are in the UK or not, you can keep up with the latest in permanent cosmetics via Karen Betts Beauty Blog or learn more about Karen on her website.
Posted by Shannon Nelson on May 16, 2008 7:13 AM
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