Erik Berntsen

It’s already taken me way too long to write this review, because I should have written it 5 months ago when I realized that I will never again be without brows by Erik Berntsen.
I agonized over the decision to get feather stroke brow tattooing, and did a lot of research before finally booking my appointment with Erik in December 2015. It was reading positive reviews here that finally convinced me to try it. Fast forward to now, May 2016, and I am SO HAPPY with the work Erik did on my formerly thin, pale little brows. Now I wake up every morning with perfectly done arches that add much-​needed definition to my face.
My touch-​up appointment was in January, and they still look great — I haven’t noticed any signs of fading yet. But when I do, I will definitely be visiting Erik again. If you’re thinking about getting your brows done, definitely go see Erik! He does beautiful work!

This is an update on my experience with Erik Berntsen.
I want to start off this review by telling anyone looking to get their eyebrows tattooed to look no further. Erik Berntsen is your guy.
I came in for my initial appointment about two months ago after struggling with sparse brows for most of my life. When Erik was done with them, they looked full and even and just beautiful. When I came in for my touch up appointment 6 weeks later, I again came out looking like a hundred bucks.
However, about a few weeks after my touch up I noticed my brows were fading quite a bit… To the point where I could see a large portion of my skin beneath the tattoo. I contacted Erik about my concern and immediately called me and scheduled another touch up. No fuss, no muss, no policy bs.
When I came in Erik got right to work without any questions. When he was finished my eyebrows looked the best they ever had. It’s been a few days and they’re already healing much better (if that’s possible) than the other two times.
Thank you so much Erik for helping me achieve perfect eyebrows and for just being an amazing artist and person in general.

Review update 11/​26/​2015
So, so happy that I had my eyebrows and eyeliner done by Erik Bernstein! It’s been over a year and a half and I’m still receiving compliments on his work! Just the other day a friend (from a mom/​toddler playgroup) was suprised that my eyeliner was tattooed… she thought I always lined my eyelids «perfectly straight,» honestly that was the best compliment!!! I have noticed some fading; my eyebrows and eyelids are not as dark as they used to be, but that is really me being critical (it is not noticeable to others, it’s just natural fading that I was told to expect). As soon as baby #2 is born I will definetly be making another appointment for a touch up… can’t wait!!!

I trust Erik with my makeup more than I trust myself! He did my brows and liner and it has made such a huge difference in my confidence. Eyebrows really make a face and the liner was an added bonus for sure. It just makes it super easy to always feel ready to go. He is incredibly sweet and easy to talk to. He understands face shape and will make sure you are completely happy with the results. My face doesn’t hold color that well so I have to get touch ups about once a year or so and every time it seems like the shape gets even better. I get lots of compliments all the time for my brows and perfectly symmetrical winged liner. I drive down from Seattle to my appointments because I won’t go to anyone else.

So amazing!!! I’ve struggled with trich my whole life so I’ve never had a full set of brows because I’m always picking at them and I would have to draw them on every day and worry when going swimming or other activities that they wouldn’t be there afterwards. This has been such an amazing confidence boost for me and I couldn’t have asked for a better result! He did an absolutely perfect job. I am very very happy

He is amazing. I had him do my eyebrows and eyeliner (top lid only. in the lashes with a small flick at the corners).
I have trichotillomania so it’s always been difficult for me to function normally without feeling self conscious. He has change my life! I can do anything now, most importantly swim underwater, without worry. It’s also made getting ready in the morning so quick!
The eyebrows hurt a little, the eyeliner hurt a lot. Completely worth it though.
He listened to what I wanted, let me draw on my own brows to get the shape I was comfortable with with before tattooing and touched them up a few times weeks later to get them just right.
I feel confident and so fortunate to have such perfect brows and more defined eyes. Thanks Erik!!!

Was nervous to have permanent makeup… Didn’t want to look fake or be too obvious. I really just wanted to have a natural but enhanced look. He did a great job explaining things and really listening to my concerns. I LOVE my eyebrows & eye liner. I get compliments all the time on my eyebrows and nobody ever believes that they are tattooed. I HIGHLY Recommend Erik!

Eric is exceptional!!! He REALLY knows his stuff. He thinks very carefully about the procedure you’re seeking and talks it through with you. He’s totally realistic about what you can expect and an absolute PRO with the tattoo equipment. No mistakes. Precision work. And totally, totally realistic. I would endorse him 100% without hesitation.

Over the span of about 20 years, I have had permanent eye liner applied from three different cosmetic tattoo artists. Although, I’ve been happy with the results from all of them, Erik truly is the best. He is professional and really knows how to make your eye liner look great.

I interviewed 3 local permanent makeup artists and after talking with Erik I was excited to take the plunge. Erik really listened to what I wanted and did a beautiful job! I love waking up with full, beautiful brows and not having to worry about coming out of the pool, beach or lake and having to reapply my make-​up. People have stopped me on the street to ask me how I shape my brows so perfectly. Now everyone can know my secret. Thank you Erik, my experience was wonderful and painless!

Getting my eyebrows done by Erik has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! Before, my eyebrows were sparse and caused a great deal of self consciousness. Now, I can swim, workout, play in the rain… Wake up in the morning with beautiful brows like most people, and not have to worry about whether or not my eyebrow makeup has worn off. My brows are natural looking and I’ve already received so many compliments!

Thank you Erik! I had my brows done today with Erik and I could not be happier. I have thought about having this done for a while, but so nervous I wouldn’t like the result. I heard about Erik from a client and decided to set up a consultation, after meeting him and discussing my wants I felt confident with his abilities. I scheduled a appointment. Today was the day, Erik took his time looking through photos with me. After we decided the look I wanted he took the time to draw and perfect my brows before we got started. I am so pleased beyond words with the outcome! My brows are exactly the way I want. Thank You!

I wanted to enhance my eyebrows with a very natural look… tattooing was a huge concern for me, as I didn’t believe this could be achieved with ink. Well, I am now a believer; thanks to Erik. So much so, that I am now in the process of getting my eyeliner done and I am hopeful I will have the same result, a beautifully lined, «smudged» look with a natural brown shade.
Erik takes great pride and is passionate about his work. He wants to please his customers and «get it right». I highly recommend Erik for the individual that seeks quality and will understand what they are trying to accomplish.
Thanks so much, Erik! — Renee

After researching permanent make up I stumbled upon Erik, and I’m so glad I did! After filling in my sparse brown brows everyday, I decided it was worth it to get them done, I just wanted to be sure I didn’t look like the horror stories I saw online, trust me, you get what you pay for. Erik was so professional, and the price was totally worth it. He was patient and took the time to go over everything and answer any questions. He then asked how I would like my brows done and we went over a few colors and then he drew them on perfectly, combining my opinion and his, he created a better look than I Had even imagined. I will admit it wasn’t painless, but definitely tolerable and he uses a topical cream before starting. After we were done he went through after care and any other questions I had and we we up a follow up appt for after they healed in case I decided I wanted them darker or they just needed a little more. Omg, when they did heal they were amazing. I work with people all day and I get compliments everyday on how great of eyebrows I have and perfectly they fit my face. One of the girls at work asked if I fill them in because they always look perfect, I said no and before I could explain she’s like I didn’t think so, you’re so lucky to have naturally great eyebrows! Haha! No one can tell, which I love. Erik just enhanced my natural eyebrows. If you’re considering permanent make up with Erik, go for it. It is so worth it. Thank you Erik:)

I had a terrible experience getting a lipliner tattoo from Erik. I had emphasized that I wanted it to be a light, natural-​looking shade. He got frustrated when he couldn’t mix the color quite right, and ended up applying an unmixed reddish purple. It was hideously dark, and crooked, he had missed my own natural lip line. He assured me the color would fade, but it never did! It looked like a purple/​black magic marker had been crookedly applied to my lips. I wanted to die, I was so upset. He said he could fix it by tattooing flesh tone over it, but I no longer trusted him and I ended up getting in laser-​removed at Thrive. It took a year, much pain, and over $ 1000 to remove his mistake. I do not trust him. I highly doubt he has been doing this practice for very long. I would never recommend him to anyone.

I went to Erik for my permanent eyeliner and I love it. He was very professional and personable. The eyeliner turned out great and I’m so glad I did it. I have to say that it hurt more than I expected, but nothing that can’t be tolerated, and it didn’t take that long.
The first time I went in, my eyes took a few days to heal. He told me the second day after the application would be the worst, and it was. My eyes were sore and puffy. But by the following day, I was fine and totally back to normal within a week. I went in last week for my retouch, and it was quicker, much less painful, and the healing was quicker.
Apparently this last 5 – 8 years or so, and at this point I’d say that I’d be do it again when that time comes. Just a nice thing to have on those days that I don’t want to wear makeup, or just a bit less time in the morning on work days.

History, I NEEDed to do something to fix my brows. I use to have very bushy brows, took them for granted and got tired of waxing every 2 weeks. I was getting my forehead hair lasered and casually asked the tech to zap a few spots on my eye brows. She warned me it was a bad idea b/​c the laser isn’t for detailed work. I kept nugging her to do it anyway.
Well…you know the saying be careful what you ask for. My eye brows came out very short on one side and spotty on the other (missing hair were hair should be).
I tired everything from a miracle eye brow growing gel (which didn’t work by the way) to a super expensive eye brow pencil (found out I can’t draw brows).
I went online and Googled around for suggestions.
Present, I came across Permenant Makeup. There were mix reviews. Basically you had to find the right technician (or shall I say artist) for the best results. I started Googling again to search for my Michelangelo, prepared to pay what ever the cost.
I came across nail salons that offered the service on the cheap. I thought about it for 2 seconds, NO WAY was I going to let a nail tech. (someone not even CPCP certified) do something as important as the frame to my face.
I kept looking and came across Studio One. I read his bio, search engined the hell out of his name and read all the reviews twice. I came across 1 review that was very negative, almost too negative, like a competitor kind of review. They basically said his bad reviews got deleted yet theirs managed to remain… huh. I read too many great views of his work to let this 1 reviewer deter me.
I made my consultation apppointment. First impression: soft spoken, family man that’s professional. The studio room was very clean. We locked eyes, I came at him with my list of questions/​fears. He answered them all without flinching. The man’s website list his services and prices… I should have known from that he had nothing to hide. My next step, I made the appointment (he books 3 weeks out).
Day of appointment: I was nervous and it showed. I came 45 mins. early «just in case» (not sure what the Just In Case was) and checked in. He came out to greet me after 20 mins with 5 pages I needed to read, initial and sign. Just the basic medical and arbritration forms from any business that does this type of work (still makes you even more nervous).
Cut to the chase: Came in talked about what I wanted (natural brows b/​c I’m a minimalist), showed some sample pics off my phone, went into color options and then he drew with a brow pencil what he would be doing. I had total control.
He explained the little tool he’d be using to microderm the brow area so that the topical numbing cream could take effect quickly. I won’t ly, that part was a bit painful. But then it was relax, lay back and let him work his magic.
The tatooing process wasn’t that bad & it was over quickly. You know what they say «alittle pain for lots of gain».
I just got the proceedure done today so I’ll update with pictures (that I know everyone wants to see) in a few weeks when the ink isn’t so dark. What’s nice is he does touch-​ups in 6 – 8 weeks (included in his price). So if my brows need a little tweeking he can take care of it then. So far I really like the results and wish I had done this before the whole laser fiasco.

Erik is awesome! I had him do my eyebrows, and he did a beautiful job. He truly is an artist. We reviewed colors – he made the perfect choice for my tone and coloring. The lines are perfect – just beautiful. And he is incredibly nice – just a wonderful person. I am so happy I did this – took years off me! – and he was the right person to go to. He is just the best!

I’ve been yearning for a touch of cosmetic tattoo work but a bit put off by the thought of a tattoo machine by my eyes. Then there was a half price voucher on Living Social and I had to buy.
I had eyeliner done and I am so impressed with the work Erik does. It’s a bit nerve wracking but he uses a petite machine and a bit of lidocaine topically so it was not terribly painful.
Erik does two sessions, for the one initial cost-​the first few days my eyeliner was so dark I was afraid I’d made a mistake but after about 5 days it faded a bit and is great. and I want to have it made darker. You have to wait 6 weeks for your second session, just like any tattoo.
I came back a few weeks later to have my pale eyebrows done and I totally love the shape and color he did. I hope they don’t fade too much-​and I won’t have to wear eyebrow color again.
Erik has a gentle hand, is easy to talk to and excellent credentials. He runs specials available at his website. I encourage any woman who wants to have permanent eye makeup, lip work or even a beauty mark done to check out Erik Bernsten for her work.

Had my eyebrows done by Erik. I was very pleased. I had them done by another person a couple years before and was not happy with the results and was a little nervous about getting my brows done again but am happy I did. Erik listens to what you want and is very professional and friendly. My brows look great and will save me a lot of time in the morning now that I don’t need to draw them on. Will be back for sure!