Meet Kelly Karpeles | Paramedical Permanent Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Karpeles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
In my industry permanent makeup, most people are unaware that unlike regular tattooing, permanent makeup (PMU) is a two part process that takes a total of 6 weeks to heal between appointments. With traditional tattooing the ink is deposited 6 layer deep into the skin and is permanent. With pmu the ink is deposited only 2 layers under the skin and the reasoning for this is so that as the client ages and styles change the pmu can fade and be updated.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The start of 2020 was a hard year and when COVID hit, like many Americans I lost my job as a bartender, in a career I had been in for over a decade. Knowing I couldn’t sit at home, I started researching new career options and decided I wanted to learn how to micro blade eyebrows. I started calling different schools in Arizona and California looking for the best program for me. After a few weeks of research I came across a state accredited program at a trade school in Chandler. This school offered a wonderful all around program where I would learn paramedical permanent makeup. Throughout the course I learned how to perform permanent makeup with a machine. I learned makeup techniques like powdered eyebrows, lip blushing and eyeliner. The paramedical side taught me scar camouflage, areola restoration, scalp micro pigmentation, and saline tattoo removal. I am so thankful that I was able to learn all these skills in my initial school training. I am most proud of being able to offer the paramedical services to mastectomy patients, burn patients and tattoo removal for sex trafficking victims that have been branded with unwanted tattoos. it makes me happy knowing I can help others with these skill.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Phoenix and the entire state of Arizona, so much to explore. I would take my best friend to some of my favorite places. We would start with a day in wine country tasting yummy local wines and walking around cottonwood. We would continue over to Sedona for a spiritual spa day and dinner under the red rocks. I would return to Phoenix for a day at the botanical gardens and end with dinner and dancing in old town Scottsdale. The following day we would enjoy a pool day at the Phoenician enjoying the beautiful views of camelback. I would finish the trip with a day walking around Roosevelt row and downtown Phoenix trying different restaurants and bars.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family. They always support and encourage me to succeed.

Website: www.inkrediblepermanentmakeup.com

Instagram: @INKredible_pmu

Facebook: INKredible Permanent Makeup