Cosmetic Tattoo Fundamentals: Beginner PMU Course in Brows, Lips & Eyelash Enhancement
Course Overview
The Cosmetic Tattoo Fundamentals Course is Artisan Training Academy’s flagship beginner cosmetic tattoo course — a five-day intensive on Queensland’s Gold Coast that teaches the foundations of cosmetic tattooing across three treatment areas: brows, lips, and eyelash enhancement. Open to absolute beginners and those with limited tattooing experience, this is the most popular entry point at Artisan and one of the most comprehensive beginner programs available in Australia.
Over five hands-on days you’ll learn ombré brows, combination brows, full lip tattoo, and eyelash enhancement, alongside the underlying knowledge every cosmetic tattoo artist needs — skin anatomy, contraindications, colour theory, brow design and golden-ratio mapping, PMU device and needle selection, anaesthetic protocols, and aftercare. The course combines pre-training online theory modules with five days of one-on-one, face-to-face training in the Artisan clinic, supported by up to eight live model treatments.
This is a non-accredited training course. The accredited infection prevention unit HLTINF005 Maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments is included free with every enrolment and is the only nationally recognised component. Graduates seeking a nationally recognised qualification in cosmetic tattooing typically progress to the Diploma of Cosmetic Tattooing (SHB50321) as their next step.
Want a variant focused only on brows and lips (replacing eyelash enhancement with nano brows)? Explore the Brow and Lip Fundamentals Course.
At Artisan, our approach to cosmetic tattooing is to enhance natural beauty and to empower confidence. It’s important for our clients to feel comfortable in their skin, with cosmetic tattoos that align with their own sense of beauty and style. This also means that it’s important for aspiring artists to learn how to work with different design requirements and tailor their techniques to suit each client’s unique features and preferences. By harnessing this skill, artists can create results that not only enhance natural beauty but also build lasting trust and satisfaction with their clients.
We offer Cosmetic Tattoo Training to students from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and beyond, welcoming learners from across Queensland and all over Australia. Whether you’re based locally or travelling from further afield, our training is designed to provide you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in the cosmetic tattooing industry.
Key Outcome
Graduates leave with practical experience across four cosmetic tattoo techniques (ombré brow, combination brow, full lip tattoo, eyelash enhancement), a working knowledge of brow design and golden-ratio mapping, and the accredited HLTINF005 infection prevention unit — the foundation for offering cosmetic tattoo services in most Australian states and territories.
Course Facts at a Glance
- Duration: 5 days, intensive, one-on-one
- Delivery: Pre-training online theory + 5 days in-person at Gold Coast (Worongary, QLD)
- Accreditation: Non-accredited training course (HLTINF005 included is accredited)
- Audience: Beginners and career changers — also suits those with limited tattoo experience
- Practical: Up to 8 live model treatments across the five days
- Total cost: $5,990 (includes student kit + Mast PMU machine + HLTINF005)
Entry Requirements
To enrol in this course, students must complete one of the following units:
- HLTINF005 Maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments
- SHBBINF002 Maintain infection control
These units are essential for ensuring the safety, hygiene and infection prevention of all treatments involving skin penetration, and are a legislative requirement for most states and territories in Australia offering skin penetration services. In fact, most local councils require these units as part of your licensing requirements.
If you have not completed either of these units, please inform us upon your enrolment. We are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 46085), so we offer the HLTINF005 free with any enrolment into our cosmetic tattoo courses and will facilitate this during your training.
Explore all our Cosmetic Tattoo Courses at Artisan Training Academy.
Skills You’ll Learn
This beginner cosmetic tattoo course covers the full breadth of skills required to deliver brow, lip and eyelash enhancement tattoo services. Each skill area is explored in depth in the curriculum below and reinforced through hands-on practice on synthetic skins and live models. Students wanting to specialise further after Fundamentals typically progress to the Diploma of Cosmetic Tattooing SHB50321 as their next step.
- Anatomy, skin and industry regulations — how the skin’s structure affects pigment retention, plus state, territory and council compliance.
- Client consultation, contraindications and consent — running a thorough pre-treatment consultation and identifying when treatment must be postponed.
- Colour theory and pigment selection — choosing pigments that complement skin colour and undertone, and correcting old cosmetic tattoos.
- Brow design and golden-ratio mapping — Artisan’s nine-step mapping method for symmetrical, age-appropriate brows.
- PMU devices, needles and anaesthetics — Mast PMU machine operation, needle configurations across single (nano) through five-needle clusters, and safe anaesthetic use.
- The four treatment areas — ombré brow, combination brow, full lip tattoo, and eyelash enhancement, each with step-by-step procedure.
- Aftercare and follow-up — precise aftercare advice, healing, six-week touch-up appointments and service area management.
Curriculum
The course content is structured around seven pedagogical modules that follow a student’s natural learning journey from theoretical foundations through to delivering live cosmetic tattoo procedures across all four treatment areas. Each module combines theory with hands-on practice across the five-day intensive.
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Module 1: Foundations — Anatomy, Skin & Industry Regulations
- The “living canvas” — skin layers (stratum corneum, lucidum, granulosum, spinosum, basale), epidermis and dermis function, blood and nerve supply.
- Facial muscles and how they affect symmetry and pigment placement, especially in mature clients.
- The ageing process, wound healing and scar formation as they relate to pigment retention.
- Skin types, skin colour (Fitzpatrick types I–VI) and skin undertones — how each affects technique and pigment choice.
- State, territory and local council regulations for cosmetic tattoo and skin penetration services across Australia.
- Work Health and Safety, needle-stick injury prevention, and safe disposal of sharps.
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Module 2: Client Consultation, Contraindications & Consent
- Performing a thorough in-depth consultation to understand client needs, lifestyle and aesthetic goals.
- Identifying contraindications — including pregnancy, autoimmune conditions, recent active skincare, blood thinners, and skin conditions affecting the treatment area.
- Managing client expectations through honest pre-treatment conversation.
- Before-and-after photography — lighting, angles and consistent setup for healed result tracking.
- The informed consent process and documentation requirements.
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Module 3: Colour Theory & Pigment Selection
- The colour wheel and how complementary colours neutralise unwanted tones.
- Matching pigment to natural hair colour, lip colour, skin colour and undertone — for results that look intentional, not “stuck on”.
- Common colour corrections for old brow tattoos — neutralising pink/salmon, blue/grey, green and violet tones.
- Pigment chemistry, longevity and the difference between cool, neutral and warm bases across brow, lip and eye work.
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Module 4: Brow Design & Golden-Ratio Mapping
- Artisan’s nine-step brow mapping method using calipers and mapping string.
- The four vertical reference lines — centre/symmetry line, front of brow, tail length, arch position.
- The three horizontal reference lines — base of brow head, top of brow head, arch height.
- Connecting the dots — top line and bottom line of the brow for a balanced, aesthetic shape.
- Adapting design to age, bone structure and facial symmetry — including the “thicker fronts, gradual taper” rule and avoiding common pitfalls.
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Module 5: PMU Devices, Needles & Anaesthetics
- Mast PMU machine operation, voltage and stroke length.
- Needle knowledge across single-needle (nano — 0.18mm, 0.20mm, 0.25mm) through three-, four- and five-needle cluster configurations.
- Which needle to choose for which technique — single nano for fine work, clusters for ombré shading and lip blend.
- Rules and regulations regarding topical anaesthetic use in cosmetic tattooing.
- Best practices for client comfort and safety during procedures.
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Module 6: The Four Treatment Areas — Brow, Lip & Eyelash Enhancement Techniques
- Ombré Brow — soft, powdery gradient using a pendulum or pointillism technique; working from tail to front; saturation and softness control.
- Combination Brow — hairstrokes through the front and body of the brow blended with ombré shading through the body and tail.
- Full Lip Tattoo — lipline and blend; first pass on lipline with slow etching technique, second pass for an even line, then blend passes using two-way or circular shading for even saturation top and bottom.
- Eyelash Enhancement — lash-line definition that frames the eye and creates the illusion of fuller lashes without committing to a full eyeliner; suitable for clients who want subtle eye definition.
- Pre-treatment procedure — preparing the client, test patches, mapping verification.
- Performing the treatment — saturation depth, healing depth, avoiding ashy or too-dark results.
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Module 7: Aftercare, Follow-up & Service Area Management
- Precise aftercare advice tailored to each treatment area (brow, lip, eyelash enhancement).
- Healing timeline and what to expect at the colour-pulled stage versus the settled stage.
- Six-week touch-up appointment — when to book, what to assess, how to adjust.
- Follow-up scheduling, marketing the touch-up at the time of initial treatment.
- Cleaning the service area between clients to infection prevention standards.
Carlye Pymble
Lead Trainer & Founder, Artisan Training Academy
20+ years in cosmetic tattooing and beauty therapy. Nationally recognised assessor for SHB50321 Diploma of Cosmetic Tattooing and SHB30121 Certificate III in Beauty Services. She delivers all of Artisan’s Fundamentals training personally, one-on-one, in the same Gold Coast clinic where she sees clients every week.
Delivery, Location, Inclusions & Certification
At Artisan Training Academy, we are committed to providing high-quality education and training. Our Registered Training Organisation (RTO 46085) status ensures that our courses meet the highest standards of excellence. Our trainers, including Carlye, are experienced professionals who currently work in the cosmetic tattoo and beauty industry, bringing a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to the classroom. They are dedicated to providing personalised instruction and support to ensure the success of each training experience.
How the course is delivered
The course combines pre-training online theory with five days of in-person, one-on-one practical training.
Theory: Comprehensive online modules cover the fundamental theoretical aspects of cosmetic tattooing — anatomy, skin, colour theory, contraindications, consultation, regulations and procedure overviews. These modules are designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge before you arrive, which is then reinforced during the five-day in-person training. Your trainer will run a refresher session to ensure all concepts are clear and you can apply your learning across every client interaction.
Practice: Hands-on training is conducted on synthetic skins and live models. Practising on different mediums helps you develop the dexterity and confidence required to perform procedures on real clients. Artisan Training Academy supplies the majority of live models through our working clinic. Students may also bring suitable friends or family across the course — particularly if they would like additional practice opportunities or want to track healed results over time. We aim for up to eight live model treatments across the five days.
Course inclusions
The student kit provided is carefully curated to include all the essential tools and materials you will need throughout the course and in your future practice:
- Mast PMU machine
- Needles — 3 Point Cartridges
- Needles — 1 Point Cartridges
- Flexi curved colour wheel
- Pigments x4 (premium top-of-the-range)
- Brow calipers, brow pencil and brow ruler
- Lip pencil and lip wands
- Practice mats, micro-applicators, mascara wands
- Pigment rings and pigment cups
- Hard-copy Cosmetic Tattoo Training Manual & Business Set-Up Guide
- Design Workbook
- Up to eight live model treatments across the five days
- The accredited HLTINF005 Maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments unit, free with enrolment
- Ongoing student support and mentoring
- 20% off all products from the Artisan online shop
Prerequisites
Completion of HLTINF005 or SHBBINF002 is required for enrolment. If you don’t already hold one of these units, HLTINF005 is included free with your course fee and we’ll facilitate it during your training.
Certification
On successful completion you will receive a Certificate of Attainment from Artisan Training Academy for the Cosmetic Tattoo Fundamentals Course (non-accredited training), plus a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for HLTINF005 Maintain infection prevention for skin penetration treatments.
Training location
Training is delivered in-person at Artisan Training Academy, 1/86 Quambone Street, Worongary, Gold Coast QLD 4213. Students travel in from Brisbane, regional Queensland and interstate — the five-day intensive can be completed in one week or spread across up to five weeks to accommodate work commitments and travel.
Looking to take the next step into accredited training? Explore the Diploma of Cosmetic Tattooing SHB50321 as your natural progression from Fundamentals.
Course FAQs
Is the Cosmetic Tattoo Fundamentals Course accredited?
Do I need prior tattoo or beauty experience?
How long is the course and how is it delivered?
How will my progress be checked?
What’s included in the $5,990 course fee?
Where is the training delivered and what payment options are available?
Fees, Payment Options & Enrolment
Course fee
- Total Cost: $5,990 (includes student kit and Mast PMU machine)
- Deposit: a $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your enrolment
- Balance: the remaining balance is due 7 days prior to your scheduled training dates
Click on the Pay Deposit Button at the top of this page to get started faster, or call the Artisan team on 0422 624 966 to chat through any questions before enrolling.
Payment Plans Through TLC
- Flexible repayments up to 84 months
- $40 per week is based on a 60-month plan
- No deposit required
- You can pay it off early with no exit fees
- Lowest rates for Education
- Efficient application and approval process
Just a quick tip with the finance — if you are changing careers and currently unemployed, the maximum TLC will lend is $5,000. Not a worry though; have a chat with one of our friendly team to see how we can help.
You can apply online by following this link: Apply online with TLC.
Our students are loving this option, as it’s super easy and stress-free, getting them on the path to achieving their career goals sooner.
Course Dates
Cosmetic Tattoo Fundamentals — five-day intensive. Ombré Brows, Combination Brows, Full Lip Tattoo and Eyelash Enhancement, delivered one-on-one in a supportive setting.
The five training days run Monday to Thursday plus Saturday in the same week (Fridays are reserved for Diploma students). We’re flexible with scheduling — students can complete the course in one week or spread it across up to five weeks. If different dates are needed, let us know and we will work with you.
Available intake weeks:
- Monday 6th July – Saturday 11th July 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 20th July – Saturday 25th July 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 3rd August – Saturday 8th August 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 17th August – Saturday 22nd August 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 31st August – Saturday 5th September 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 14th September – Saturday 19th September 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 28th September – Saturday 3rd October 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 12th October – Saturday 17th October 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 26th October – Saturday 31st October 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 9th November – Saturday 14th November 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 23rd November – Saturday 28th November 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
- Monday 7th December – Saturday 12th December 2026 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu + Sat)
View all course intakes on the Academic Calendar.