PMU Makeup Competition Rules and Regulations
Read through the rules and regulations that guide our Permanent Makeup Competition
Brow and Lips Competition Rules
How to Enter
- REGISTRATION FORM: Submit a completed registration entry form with photos and video of selected models for the category in which they choose to enter by the required deadline, March 1, 2025.
- Photo ID: current copy of BBP Certification, required certification/license required by your local governing body to legally perform permanent makeup. Examples include: An esthetician license, permanent makeup certification, and/or body artist license are required to complete registration and final entry.
- ORIGINALITY: Entrants represent and warrant that their submissions are truthful, are the original works of such entrants, have not been copied from others, and it does not violate the rights of any other person or entity.
- CATEGORIES: Participants may enter more than one category; they must, however, pay a separate registration fee for each additional entry.
- INTERVIEWS: All Finalists will be interviewed at the Live Show at the Westin – Atlanta /Buckhead on March 6-9 , 2025 by our panel of judges
Eligibility and Rules
- DEADLINE: All entries must be submitted by February 1, 2025.
- LICENSING: Participants must be licensed or certified in their state or country of residence and that license or certification must be valid and not expired.
- LAWS: Participants must abide by the laws governing the state or country in which they practice.
- TRAVEL: Participant is responsible for all travel and or expenses incurred while participating in “The Skin Games”
- MEDIA: Participant agrees that TSG may use any information submitted (including likeness and image) for its marketing purposes.
- PROPERTY RIGHTS: Participants further agree that all treatment protocols and photos are the final property of TSG, participants further agree to extend publishing rights to the TSG et al.
Photo Requirements:
- FORMAT: Photos must be in JPG or PNG format.
- RAW PHOTOS: Photos must be original and unedited. **Edited photos may result in disqualification.
- MAKEUP: NO concealer/makeup, NO editing of skin conditions, i.e acne/redness. Please submit RAW photos only.
- PHOTOS: It is a requirement to take photos before and after each session and the healed results.
- LIGHTING: Same lighting/angles/room **A ring light is strongly recommended.
Photos must be taken following the protocol listed below:
- Photo #1: Before Full Frontal Face Photo. This needs to be a great clarity photo with the model sitting upright with the correct lighting.
- Photo #2: Immediately After the Treatment:
*Eyebrows: Up-close photo, moving the client’s hair for eyebrows to judge the blending and overall technique.
*Lips: Up-close photo, removing any glide or gloss to judge the blending and overall technique. This needs to be a great clarity photo with the model sitting upright with the correct lighting. - Photo #3: Healed 4-6 weeks After the INITIAL Treatment:
*Eyebrows: Up-close photo, moving the client’s hair for eyebrows to judge the blending and overall technique.
*Lips: Up close photo, removing any glide or gloss to judge the blending and overall technique. This needs to be a great clarity photo with the model sitting upright with the correct lighting.
Before and After Photos
- PHOTOS: Participant must submit 3 photos. (See below)
- TIMESTAMP: Photos must have Time Stamp
Each photo must have a time stamp. (Smartphone users can download, Time Stamp, from the appstore/playstore. It is user friendly and free to use.)
Participants must have full rights to photos submitted.
Video Submissions
Participants must submit 1 video.
This video must be less than 3 minutes in length and uploaded to the Video Upload page on The Skin Games website.
The following video diary of their model’s treatment and progress include the following:
What Fitzpatrick scale you will be tattooing.
What colors you will be using and what needle sizes.
Video of you tattooing latex or model. Speed up this footage to fit within the 3-minute time limit while still preserving your technique.
Video of completed latex or model. Please record straight onto the latex or model and then from side to side very slowly.
Model Rules
- SWITCHING MODELS: Participants cannot switch models during the competition timeframe, however, the participant can adjust treatment protocols to achieve desired results.
- AGE: Participant models must be at least 18 years of age or a signed release form from a guardian.
- TRAVEL: Participants and Models are responsible for all expenses incurred while participating in “The Skin Games”
- LIABILITY: Model further agrees to hold harmless TSG et al, its sponsors, vendors, and/or contractors.
- MEDIA: Models agree that TSG may use any information submitted (including likeness and image) for its marketing purposes.
- COMPENSATION: Models understand that NO monetary compensation will be given for participation in “The Skin Games”
- JUDGEMENTS ARE FINAL: Participant agrees that all results of the judges are final.
- DISCLOSURE: Participant agrees to disclose all home care products used throughout the competition time frame.
Judge scoring will be based on the following criteria:
- Quality of results achieved
- Participants will be judged on explanations on how to approach the model’s skin type, tone, and condition.
- Participants ability to explain treatment protocols
- Participants knowledge of permanent makeup pigment, technique and how to achieve the results they desire
- Documentation of results achieved
- Adequacy of photos and videos
- Adherence to contest rules
- Sanitizing & BBP guidelines
Scoring information is confidential and proprietary and will not be released. The decisions of the judges are final.
Winners will be announced at the Live Show to be held TBD.
Areola Competition Rules
Video and Photo Submission Rules
- Participants must submit 1 video.
- This video must be less than three minutes in length and uploaded to the Video Upload page on The Skin Games website.
The following video diary of their model’s treatment and progress include the following:
- What Fitzpatrick scale you will be tattooing.
- What colors you will be using and what needle sizes.
- Video of you tattooing latex. This will need to be sped up to meet the 3 minute window and to also protect your technique.
- Video of completed latex. Please record straight onto the latex and then from side to side very slowly.
- A still photo of your latex.
- TIMESTAMP: Photos must have Time Stamp
- Each photo must have a time stamp. (Smartphone users can download, Time Stamp, from the appstore/playstore. It is user friendly and free to use.)
Working on Latex Skin in Permanent Makeup (PMU)
1. Technique and Skill
- Precision: Are your strokes clean, sharp, and symmetrical on the latex?
- Methodology: Are you practicing the correct techniques for procedures like microblading, ombré, or shading?
- Consistency: Are strokes or pigment applications even across the surface?
2. Hygiene and Workspace Cleanliness
- Sanitation: Are you using disposable tools or properly cleaning reusable items after practice?
- Clean Setup: Is your workspace tidy, organized, and free of clutter?
- Material Handling: Are you practicing safe disposal of gloves, pigments, and used materials?
3. Artistry and Design
- Customization Practice: Are you experimenting with different shapes, colors, and styles to suit hypothetical client scenarios?
- Symmetry: Do the designs appear balanced and aesthetically pleasing?
- Aesthetic Refinement: Is the overall result polished and professional-looking?
4. Professionalism and Workflow
- Efficiency: Are you working at a steady pace while maintaining accuracy?
- Confidence Building: Are you practicing with focus and purpose, developing muscle memory and control?
- Demeanor: Are you simulating a calm and professional attitude, as if with a real client?
5. Pigment Selection and Application
- Color Choice: Are you practicing selecting pigments suitable for a range of skin tones and styles?
- Blending: Is the pigment applied evenly without blotches or streaks?
6. Evaluation of Final Results
- Precision and Quality: Does the final design meet high standards for symmetry, clarity, and overall appearance?
- Comparison: Are you reviewing your work critically and comparing it to your goals or industry benchmarks?
7. Creativity and Growth
- Innovation: Are you testing new techniques or styles to expand your skills?
- Trend Awareness: Are you practicing designs that reflect current PMU trends while developing your unique approach?
Judge scoring will be based on the following criteria:
- Optical illusion:
Will be judged on how much protrusion you can create to the nipple mound and Montgomery glands. - Texture: Areola should have a lot of texture, wether it be created using shading techniques or the stacking of colors. The outer parameter of the areola should be extremely soft and airy. Uneven edges are acceptable due to its enhanced realism effect.
- Color Contrast: The amount of contrast between colors is crucial to the final outcome. Not enough contrast will result in very little depth and realism, too much contrast can make the areola and nipple appear to be dirty.
- Use of a light source: Properly identifying where your light source is coming from and using that light to enhance your optical illusion of protrusion.
- Nipple to areola ratio: Proportions need to realistic. Too large of an areola will age the pt. Too small of an areola or nipple can make the pt appear more masculine.
- Trauma caused/saturation: Overworking an areola will be calculated by how much saturation you have in your areola and nipple. We will be inspecting both sides of the practice skin.
- Use of shadows: Proper placement of shadows in direct relation to where your light source is originating from.
- Creativity: Attention to minor details, sense of own style all combine to achieve creativity. Think outside the box!
- Details: Montgomery glands, constriction wrinkles, creases, ducts etc.
- Realism: How real does your nipple and areola appear upon first look!