Atlanta based cosmetic tattoo artist Feleshia Sams is helping clients feel comfortable in their skin through her expertise. shared with Urban Magazine the contribution she’s bringing to her clients happiness.
What should people understand about your cosmetic tattooing business?
Cosmetic tattooing is very similar to traditional tattooing however, we use permanent makeup machines that aren’t quite as robust as traditional tattooing machines. It’s gentler and can be used for facial applications as well, such as eyeliner, lips, eyebrows, etc. It focuses more on using pigment in the skin that eventually will fade away. As cosmetic tattoo artists, we are typically known as permanent makeup or semi-permanent makeup artists. Through our techniques, the results won’t last forever. Typically, up to 5-7 years, but eventually you will need to get a touch up of some sort. Cosmetic tattooing has also grown towards paramedical tattooing which is more for the body used to cover up scars or enhance women who’s going through breast cancer surgeries.
How did find yourself in the cosmetic tattoo business?
Prior to my present-day business, I was involved in corporate America and then transferred to doing make-up full time. Then about fifteen years ago I came across someone who was familiar with my make-up work that received a cosmetic tattoo brought it to my attention to give it a try. I decided to research the industry and stumbled upon an artist here in Atlanta who took me under their wing and provided me an apprenticeship opportunity. I really started to fall in love with the work and after completing my time with her, I began going to different training facilities. I’ve traveled to Texas, Florida, and California to start adding as many certifications as possible for my business. My experience in the industry just began to expand and brought me to where I am now.
What are your most common services that you provide?
I’m mostly known on the paramedical side of the industry. I started cosmetic tattooing for the face, but then I really started taking a liking to paramedical to help people with their bodies. So about 10-11 years ago I started aligning myself with a variety of plastic surgeons and doctors to market myself there. When they have a patient that may have had a tummy tuck or any other major surgery, my services are available to hide scars. Also, with breast reconstruction, patients sometimes have to have their areolas completely removed and I’m there to bring them back to life. That’s actually my favorite part of the industry since it’s more unique.
Have you come across many challenges navigating through this industry?
When I first entered this business, the majority of my work was educating people on the benefits of cosmetic surgeries. It was a lot of selling people an introduction to my world for their first time. Now it’s changing since people are more aware and I’ve noticed an explosion of the business. That’s mainly for cosmetic tattooing for the face, but it doesn’t mean there’s a load of good quality out there. There’s quantity, but the quality can be iffy. So, my focus has been to find that niche that fits my style. That’s why I kind of stay in the lane of the medical route and building connection with doctors and medical practices.
How did the idea for the app, Coz Tat come to mind?
So, Coz Tat came to mind by teaching and training individuals to expand their knowledge of the business. The one thing I’ve found after students graduate the program, is the difficulty of trying to launch their own business and promote themselves. Also, I’ve heard from clients that they’ve had terrible experiences with another artist because they were unaware what to specifically look for. Through my own personal business, I’ve also seen 30% of all the services I was doing were strictly removals and repairs. Customers just didn’t know where to go and what to look for, so I thought how can I fix these problems? How can I expose a certified artist with real qualifications to meet with potential clients looking for quality work? From there I created a verification process with the help of technology and that’s how I went down the route of an app. Coz Tat provides artists with a platform where they can be found by listing all their qualifications and their work. It helps the clients as well with making their search less complicated while giving them the results they went searching for.
Tiara Cooper
