Hey there's it's Ms Amber Red—fresh from the studio, coffee in hand, and ready to talk numbers. If you’re a permanent makeup (PMU) artist who’s ever second-guessed your pricing (or worse—undercut yourself), you’re in the right place. I’ve been there: building my brand, balancing cost, value and time, and learning that the right price can be a game-changer for profit and growth.

So let’s dive into how to price permanent makeup services for profit & growth, the real-life strategies I use in my studio, and how you can adjust your pricing to attract better clients and build a business you’re proud of.

Why Pricing Matters More Than You Think

Pricing isn’t just about covering your session time—it sends a message.

• It tells your client what your work is worth.

• It influences who books you.

• It impacts how your business grows (or stays stuck).

The Psychological Price Tag

When you charge too little, clients may undervalue your work. I once offered a “special” brow nano session at a discount. Yeah—the bookings poured in. But most of those bookings turned into time-consuming clients who asked for extra tweaks, didn’t show for touch-ups, and never referred. Moral? Too low a price attracted the wrong clients.

The Growth Trap of “Undercharging”

Early on I charged $350 for brows (which seemed fair in my city at the time). Two years later, I realized I was basically working full days for what I now know I could charge for one premium appointment. My growth stalled because I didn’t reinvest, I didn’t scale, and I didn’t respect my time. The price you set in your early days will either push you up or keep you stuck.

The Core Pricing Formula

Here’s how you should think about your service price:
Your Cost + Your Time Value + Your Desired Profit + Market Positioning = Your Service Price

Breakdown of Components

• Your Cost: Supplies, pigment, needles, rent, utilities, marketing—they all add up. Don’t ignore them.

• Your Time Value: How much is your hour worth? If you want $100/hr as your base, and a brows session takes 2hrs, start at $200 just for your time.

• Desired Profit: This is the “growth margin” — how much extra you plan to make to reinvest, save, or expand.

• Market Positioning: Are you the budget studio or the luxury destination? The latter can charge more—and clients expect more.

Real-Life Example

Let’s say:

• Supplies & overhead = $50

• Session takes 2.5 hrs, your time value = $125 (at $50/hr)

• Desired profit margin = $75
  So your bare minimum price = $50 + $125 + $75 = $250.
  If you decide you’re a luxury PMU studio, you might multiply by 1.5 or 2 for brand value and exclusivity, leading to ~$375-$500.

Build Tiers & Packages

One flat price doesn’t serve every client. Consider offering tiered packages.

Example of Tiered Pricing

• Standard Brows – mapping, nano/hair-stroke, first touch-up included — $350

• Deluxe Brows – deeper shading, two touch-ups included, premium pigment — $500

• Correction/Revision Brows – previous work fix, special pigment, extended session — $750+

This gives your clients options, helps you upsell, and keeps your value ladder moving.

Touch-Up & Maintenance Pricing

Don’t forget: Your initial session is only part of the story. Offer clear refresh and maintenance pricing. E.g., “Color boost (12-18 mo) $150” or “Annual refresh $250”. This builds recurring income.

How to Raise Your Prices Without Losing Clients

Raising prices can be scary—but if you’ve delivered consistent results and value, you’re justified.

Step 1: Communicate Value

Share healed photos, client testimonials, your advanced training. Let your clients see the difference. I post before/after of a lip blush I did for a busy mom who used to spend 20 mins on lip liner every morning. Now? 2 minutes in the car—bam, done.

Step 2: Announce Gracefully

Send an email/newsletter: “Starting July 1, our brow pricing will increase to $450. If you book by June 30, lock in the current rate.” Many clients respect honesty and buy in.

Step 3: Add Value, Don’t Just Raise Cost

Rather than hike the number, change the deliverable—add a premium pigment, include a branded after-care kit, or extend the session time. This keeps clients feeling like they’re getting more.

Don’t Underestimate Your Niche & Location

Your pricing should reflect your target client and your location. A PMU studio in Las Vegas or LA vs small-town Midwest will have different benchmarks. According to sources, many brow services run $400–$600 depending on region.

Real-Life Story

In Vegas, I noticed many clients were vacationing and willing to invest in premium “always ready” brows. I shifted from $300 to $450 within a year—and most regular clients upgraded without complaint once I showed value.

Using Psychology & Marketing to Support Pricing

Pricing can be strengthened by clever marketing tactics.

Anchoring

Display a higher “standard” price crossed out and a “special introductory price”. Anchoring makes your regular price feel like a deal.

Scarcity & Exclusivity

Limit your premium brow slots each month (“Only 4 deluxe brow packages per month”). It creates urgency and underscores value.

Social Proof

Share client reviews, healed results, and stories like: “One client told me she saved 8 hours a month by eliminating her makeup routine.” These stories support the premium pricing.

Tracking Profit & Growth Metrics

It’s not enough to increase your price—you must track results and growth.

Key Metrics to Monitor

• Average ticket price (all services)

• Number of sessions per month

• Cost of supplies & overhead per job

• Refresh & maintenance bookings

• Client referral rate

Example

Month 1: 30 sessions at avg $350 = $10,500
Month 2: Raised price to $450, get 26 sessions = $11,700
Even with 4 fewer sessions, your income went up. Track across 6–12 months to confirm trend.

When to Consider Dropping or Raising Prices

When to Raise

• You’re fully booked, waitlist growing

• You’ve added new skills, advanced pigments, or premium service

• You’ve increased overhead (rent, training, product cost)

When to Drop or Offer a Tiered Discount

• You’re new and building your portfolio

• Off-peak seasons or slow months (consider “mid-week special” but limited)

• Introducing a new service you’re less familiar with

Final Thoughts: Price for Freedom & Growth

Pricing isn’t just about “what’s fair” or “what everyone else charges.” It’s about what you bring to the table, the value you deliver, and the future you’re building. When you price your services for profit and growth, you’re not just making money—you’re creating freedom: more time, less burnout, better clients, and a brand that stands for premium results.

So take a moment today:

• Re-calculate your cost + time + profit.

• Review your current pricing.

• Decide one concrete price increase or new tier you’ll launch this month.

Your business—and your future self—will thank you. 🌟

Disclaimer: The figures, pricing structures, and examples provided in this article are for educational and illustrative purposes only. They are not reflective of the actual pricing, policies, or financial practices of Inspired by Ms Amber Red. All readers are encouraged to evaluate their own business expenses, market conditions, and professional experience before setting service prices. Inspired by Ms Amber Red is not responsible for any business decisions made as a result of the information provided in this blog.