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In this episode of Tatter-a-Fact, Teryn Darling sits down with Carla Ricciardone of Sculpted Studios, global PMU educator, color-theory expert, and pioneer of dark lip neutralization for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about what truly matters in Permanent Makeup today.

Together they break down the science behind pigments, color theory, needle choice, and machine movements, while opening up about artist growth, education integrity, and creating healed results that speak louder than hype.

🎓 What You’ll Learn

• The science of dark lip neutralization — undertones, melanin response, and healed color
• Pigment chemistry: the real difference between iron oxides, organics, and hybrids
• How carriers, needles, and voltage impact implantation and retention
• Best practices for eyeliner tattooing and working on mature or sensitive skin
• How to rise above toxicity and build a grounded, professional PMU career

💡 Guest Spotlight – Carla Ricciardone, Sculpted Studios

Carla is an international PMU educator known for her science-driven teaching style and transparent approach to color theory and melanin-rich lips. Her focus on data, healed results, and ethical education has made her one of the industry’s most trusted voices.
Follow her on Instagram → @sculptedstudios

Explore all courses and products at GirlzInkTraining.com
and GirlzInk.com

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Intro & why honesty matters in PMU
05:42 – Teaching with facts over trends
12:30 – Toxic Facebook groups & finding community
23:10 – Pigment science & color theory explained
34:00 – Dark Lip Neutralization: what every artist should know
53:25 – Pigment carriers and healed results
1:07:00 – Iron Oxides vs Organics vs Hybrids
1:14:45 – Integrity in PMU education
1:29:10 – Needles, machines & hand pressure
1:35:20 – Eyeliner tattoo tips
1:46:00 – Working on mature skin
1:58:00 – Drama-free growth & artist mindset
2:06:00 – Closing thoughts & Girlz Ink updates

Subscribe to Tatter-a-Fact for more real, educational, and empowering conversations designed to help you grow as a PMU artist.
Follow us on Instagram → @girlzinkstudio
| @tatgirlzink

At Girlz Ink, we stand for education, ethics, and healed results that last.

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

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In TAF #116, Teryn breaks down one of the BIGGEST struggles in Permanent Makeup: oily skin — and why it affects stretch, grip, pigment implantation, numbing absorption, and ultimately… your healed results.

For 25 years, artists have been told to “just blot more,” “stretch harder,” or “work faster.” But none of that fixes the REAL issue: surface oil AND subsurface oil working against you during every procedure.

In this episode, Teryn reveals the science behind oily skin and explains how it sabotages brows and eyeliner results — even for highly skilled artists. She also shares the 2.5-year journey behind creating D’Oil™, the industry’s first solution formulated specifically for PMU artists to control oily skin safely, effectively, and professionally.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why oily skin causes patchy healed brows & uneven saturation
• The difference between surface oil vs. subsurface oil
• How oil dilutes pigment the second it enters the skin
• Why numbing doesn’t absorb well on oily clients
• How slippage affects stretch, depth, and needle control
• Why this issue does NOT mean you’re inexperienced
• The formulation & testing behind D’Oil™
• How D’Oil™ improves mapping, pigment implantation, numbing, and healed results

About D’Oil™ — OMG’s New PMU Innovation:

The first-ever PMU solution designed to:
✔ Remove surface + subsurface oil
✔ Improve pigment implantation
✔ Improve numbing absorption
✔ Reduce glove slippage
✔ Maintain hydrated, pliable skin
✔ Support better healed results
✔ Work in under 2 minutes
✔ Safe for brows + eyeliner (pH 6)

No oil. No slip. No problem.

Black Friday Sale

• D’Oil™ Intro Price: $16.50
Shop: GirlzInk.com

Stay Connected

Instagram: @girlzinkstudio | @teryndarling
Newsletter: Free PMU education & updates at GirlzInk.com

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV

Send us a text

In this episode, Teryn Darling sits down with industry veteran Robin Hays Velez, a PMU artist with over 32 years of experience, to talk about what it really takes to last in permanent makeup. From pigments and needle choices to burnout, ethics, and regulators… nothing is off the table.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s true, what’s hype, and what actually matters for long-term success in PMU, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn

• Pigment science: The real differences between iron oxide and organic/carbon pigments and when to use which.
• Eyeliner tattooing: Why Robin sometimes refuses carbon and how she works safely on mature or crepey lids.
• Needle mastery: Liners vs shaders, diameters, tapers and why one needle can’t do it all.
• Saturation levels: How to achieve low, medium, or high saturation results without over-traumatizing the skin.
• Industry ethics & longevity: Setting boundaries, avoiding burnout, and staying educated through the noise of social media.

🎓 Girlz Ink Online Academy:

• The Needle & The Prick
• Beyond the Epidermis: Color Theory
• Machine & Movements
• Li-FT® Saline Removal

🛍️ Shop PMU Supplies: www.girlzink.com

❤️ About Tatter-a-Fact®

Host: Teryn Darling — PMU artist, educator, and founder of Girlz Ink
Guest: Robin Hays Velez — 32 years in PMU, advocate for education, ethics & client care

The Tatter-a-Fact® PMU Podcast brings you real talk, proven techniques, and non-biased education for permanent makeup artists at every level.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music
and follow @GirlzInkStudio + @TatterAFactPodcast + @TatGirlzInk for more PMU education, inspiration & truth.

🎸 Composition and guitars - Russ Letizia
🥁 Drums and studio engineering - Mike Zerbe
🎼 Recorded at The Compound in Las Vegas, NV