I’ve tried a lot of things when it comes to beauty.
Some of it worked. Some of it didn’t. And some of it, if I’m being honest, was just too much—too much upkeep, too much time, too much effort for something that didn’t necessarily last.
So what I’m always looking for now is something different. Something that feels natural, that fits into real life, and that actually makes things easier instead of more complicated.
That’s why I wanted to have Johana Hedman on the show.
Johana specializes in permanent makeup, but not in the way most people think of it. When people hear “permanent makeup,” they still picture the old version—harsh lines, overly filled brows, something that looks obvious the second you walk into a room.
That’s not what this is.
What Johana does is subtle. It’s refined. It’s the kind of enhancement where you look at someone and think, “She looks really good,” but you can’t immediately point to why.
We started with brows, because that’s usually where people begin.
There are different techniques—microblading, powder brows, nano strokes—but the goal, at least in Johana’s approach, is always the same: keep it natural. Build slowly. Do less, and add later if you need to.
That philosophy really stuck with me.
Because I think a lot of beauty mistakes come from doing too much too fast. You go all in, and then you’re stuck with something that doesn’t age well or doesn’t look like you anymore. What I liked about her approach is that it leaves room. You can always add. You can’t always take away.
We also talked about something called eye enhancement, which I think a lot of people haven’t heard of.
It’s not eyeliner in the traditional sense. It’s a very subtle pigment placed between the lashes, so your eyes look more defined and your lashes look fuller—but it doesn’t look like you’re wearing makeup. You wake up, and your eyes just look better.
That, to me, is the appeal of all of this. It’s not about getting ready—it’s about already being ready.
And then we got into lips, which I’m personally very interested in right now.
As we get older, something shifts. The pigment fades, the edges soften, and even if you still have the same lip structure, it can look like your lips are disappearing. I’ve noticed it myself. You look in the mirror without lipstick, and something just feels… less defined.
Johana explained that lip enhancement isn’t about adding volume—it’s about restoring what’s already there. Bringing back color. Re-defining the shape. Making your lips look like your lips again, just a little fresher.
For someone like me, who doesn’t want fillers but still wants something, that’s a very appealing option.
But what I think makes this conversation more meaningful is that it didn’t stop at aesthetics.
We talked about scar camouflage, and that’s where this work becomes something deeper.
There’s a difference between a scar you chose—something from a cosmetic procedure—and a scar that came from something you didn’t choose. Surgery. Injury. Illness. Those scars can carry a different kind of weight. They can be a constant reminder of something you went through.
Johana explained how pigment can be used to blend those scars into the surrounding skin. Not necessarily to erase them completely, but to soften them. To make them less visible, less defining.
And in some cases, that can make a real difference in how someone feels about themselves.
That’s when you realize this isn’t just about looking better. It’s about feeling more like yourself again.
We also got into something that I think is really important—and honestly, not talked about enough—which is how to choose the right person to do this kind of work.
Because here’s the reality: this industry is not always well-regulated. Someone can take a short course and call themselves certified. That doesn’t mean they have the experience or the judgment to work on your face.
Johana was very clear about that. Look for board certification. Look at real results. Look at their work. And honestly, look at them. Do you trust their aesthetic? Do they look like someone whose work you would want on your own face?
I thought that was such a simple but powerful point.
And then there’s the part I respect the most—knowing when to say no.
Johana talked about turning clients away when what they’re asking for isn’t going to look right long term. Whether it’s going too far outside the natural lip line or creating a shape that won’t age well, she won’t do it.
That’s not always easy in a business where people are paying you for a service. But that’s the difference between someone who is just doing a job and someone who is actually protecting their client.
So when you step back and look at all of this, what is permanent makeup really about?
For me, it comes down to simplicity.
It’s about waking up and feeling like you already look like yourself on your best day. It’s about not having to think so much about getting ready. It’s about small, thoughtful enhancements that make a big difference without announcing themselves.
And if that’s something you’re looking for—something natural, low-maintenance, and intentional—then this might be one of the few things that actually delivers on that promise.
Watch the full Segment A conversation on Party’s Over, and if you’ve ever been curious about permanent makeup, this is the place to start.
And as always, if you know someone who’s been thinking about this, send it to them.
Because the right information makes all the difference.