Meet Lauren burns | Pmu/nano artist

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

Hi Lauren, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Light switch mentality….

I often joke I’m similar to a light switch. On or off… Either all in or all out. I’ve always been this way….

Off the top of my head, there are a few things I did in my life that I was very “light switch” about….

In 9th grade, I wanted to be a cheerleader SO bad…. I had no idea how I’d accomplish this goal, but I knew my toe-touches and flexibility had to be spot on. Every day after school I’d stretch for 30 minutes, and practice toe touches for an hour or more. That year, I made the team and had the BEST toe touches of everyone. Light switch.

I got a job dealing poker. My family owned the casino, and I didn’t want other dealers to think the ONLY reason I got the job was because of my family. I practiced “pitching” cards and running a fast game EVERY FREE SECOND I had. I was one of the best dealers in the house. Light switch.

My husband and I moved to a neighborhood that played cornhole frequently. Everyone would play and have a great time. This was the first time I’d ever seen this game, but I knew one thing. I wanted to be the best and beat everyone, including the men. I had a 2-3-month-old at the time, so I’d wake up before the baby, pull out my boards and bags, and practice my ass off. I was the neighborhood reigning champ and took down all my opponents. Light switch.

One year I bumped into my best friend and a mutual girlfriend at our local target. I asked the mutual girlfriend what she was doing for work, as she had just had a baby as well, and she told me “ I’m microblading”. I had an “aha” moment and KNEW that was what I wanted to do with my life. I researched the best academy, practiced my ass off, went through 200 or more fake skins before I ever touched a real client, and while my work wasn’t near what it is now, I started “pretty good” because of all my hard work and training……

I went through what many new PMU artists struggle with, not feeling like your first training was “enough”. I was absolutely disappointed. I suddenly felt self-doubt, discouraged, disappointment, and frustration. Yet, I was still motivated and knew one thing, I still wanted to be the best.
Light switch.

I tackled nano the same way. I knew going in it was going to be a challenge, and man was I right. I practiced the way I was taught by my masters for a VERY LONG TIME, only to never be fully happy with retention. I switched things up and did a completely DIFFERENT movement than I was taught. I practiced for MONTHS before ever taking clients. I studied other artists’ work I was inspired by. I’d work 10 hours, then pull out fake skin and practice my technique. I brought (and still bring) my sketchbook/iPad everywhere with me to practice my brow patterns. I tried different machines, different needles, different pigments, different hand speeds, and practiced on every non-living thing I could. I closed my eyes while working to FEEL my machine and vibration. I practiced stuff that was my LEAST favorite and worked on areas I was weak at. I was on a mission to be the best. Light switch.

This is the work you need to put in to accomplish any of your goals. This is the work you need to put in to be great at nano. Nano has absolutely been the hardest PMU technique I’ve learned, but also the MOST REWARDING. Some days will be easier, some days will be harder. Nano has brought me more clients, more success, more PMU friendships, AND made my other PMU work (lips liner ombré, etc) EASIER. Anything is easier than nano!

When you take my online nano course, or ANY course for that matter, put in the hard work. Become a light switch. Get tunnel vision and let nothing stop you from your goals. This isn’t going to happen overnight, but it WILL happen over time.

My course has been set up to help you succeed. There’s a ton of information so YOU can make decisions that help you along your nano journey. The homework is set up specifically to keep you on the right track, so be sure to follow the steps properly. I know it seems way more fun to jump on fake skin and practice a nano brow start to finish, but without the proper fundamentals, this may do more harm than good.

The FIRST STEP in brow work is a proper brow shape. Practice a proper brow shape on paper then move to real faces. This will NEVER change and it’s also why my nano course has a lot of curriculum from my online brow mapping course. If the brow shape isn’t flattering, who cares how well the stroke is executed. After the brow shape, you need to master the brow pattern on paper first. When you’re working on a real client, and your nerves have the best of you, having your brow pattern burned into your brain is what you’re going to lean on…..

Then move to the proper holding of your machine and hand movements. Record yourself!!!!! This is truly one of the best ways to see your mistakes. Then, you MUST do the “find your happy speed” chapter. If you don’t know what speed creates different types of strokes and saturation, you’ll never be able to accomplish the look you are trying to achieve. Move to short hairs, then long hairs, then curved hairs, and so on….. learn your brow pattern upside down, right side up, and from the side of your client! Follow the curriculum…. Light switch

These are all tools you’ll need when doing nano….

When I decided to jump into the PMU industry, I had no idea where it would take me. I had no idea that struggles and success could be polar opposites. I had no idea how HARD some days would be. If you would have told me at the beginning of my PMU career that eventually I’d be teaching and mentoring artists, I’d have “employees”, I’d have clients fly in from all over the US, I put out 2 successful online courses in one year with very little help from others, or that I’d build out a nano training academy, I may have been paralyzed with fear. Many times it’s just taking that first step, which leads to the next step…

Take the time, put in the hard work, practice your ass off. Walk, don’t run, and become a light switch. Join PMU groups and let them become your sounding board because I KNOW you’re not alone in your struggles. I wish for everyone to have amazing success in this industry because it’s absolutely one of the most rewarding things in my life. It brings me much joy to work with clients, grow my business, inspire other artists, and train students. I feel like this is what I was made to do….

Lauren Taylor, your fellow light switch 🤍

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
How did I get where I’m at now? Light switch mentality, and my “alter ego”

“Good luck”

I don’t believe in luck. I believe in…..

hard work+hard work+execution=success

I believe that you need to create an alter ego of yourself and become laser focused. Your alter ego needs to be exactly who you want to be in your successful future. I believe your brain holds you back from ultimate success. Your brain is designed to keep you safe, keep you out of danger, and keep you on a “normal steady path”. Remaining on a “normal path” is not what needs to happen for success. You MUST do things that push you out of your comfort zone. That push you to your successful “alter ego”.

In the beginning of my career my alter ego was the “brow queen”. Before I would perform a service on my client, I would go in the bathroom and wash my hands under warm water (my hands get cold when I am nervous). I would sit there and rub my hands vigorously together to warm them up. While doing so, I would look in the mirror and tell myself….. “ you are the brow queen. You are going to kill this brow session!” Slowly, and with hard work, I believed it more and more. The more I “saw my future“, the more I ”envisioned life as a successful permanent make up artist”, and the more I relied on my alter ego and light switch mentality to get me there, I eventually got there! Now, I am always booked out six months, charge a good amount more than local artists in my area, train other PMU artists, have 2 successful online courses, a training academy, clients AND students fly in from all over the US to see me, and most importantly, absolutely love my life and this career.

So while I want to say “good luck“ to you all, it’s not about luck. It’s about hard work, determination, your alter ego, light switch mentality, and believing in yourself! I know you can do this!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My idea of “fun” is a quite time with my family and close friends, away from the hustle and bustle. Work is ever busy, and relaxing next to a beach, or snuggled up in a cozy cabin with snow falling outside is the best way to enjoy life.

While it’s hard, I try to take it slow, and enjoy the little moments. The ones money can’t buy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My single mom for instilling solid work ethic into her kids. Watching her raise 2 kids, go to work, put herself though school, and do most of the hard work herself!

My dad for ALWAYS telling me I can do anything I put my mind to

My husband who not only supports my dreams, but has pushed me to be better, work harder, and gave up his career to work on mine dream. My husband who does a lot of work behind the scenes that he’ll never get credit for, and is completely fine with that.

Website: https://laurentaylor.ink/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurentaylor_ink?r=nametag

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurentaylor.ink/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2AGpbzBPDQQCnjzc27wR9Q

Other: Google Lauren Taylor Permanent Makeup 13418 186th Ave Ct E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391 (253) 275-8626 https://goo.gl/maps/BcAXQ5qPnkQg93tt8