3.30.2014

All About Athena Karsant

Athena Karsant, an internationally renowned master cosmetic, corrective and paramedical tattoo specialist, is one of the few Board Certified instructors through the State of California. With her Athena Technique, she has created an unsurpassed portfolio of permanent cosmetics, scar camouflage and more. In 2012, Athena was featured on The Emmy-Award Winning Television Show The Doctors. Her segment highlighted her solution to thinning eyebrows. Conveniently located in San Francisco and Beverly Hills, California, her cosmetic, corrective and paramedical expertise includes:

•Permanent Makeup and Cosmetic Tattooing - Eyebrows, eyeliner and lips for men and women including corrective work.
•Scar Masking - Face lifts, burns, dog bites, hair transplants, areola restoration and surgical incisions.
•Camouflaging Birth Defects and Genetic Shortcomings - Cleft palette, vitiligo and alopecia.

Athena Karsant has received the following certifications:

Certifications
State of California Certificate of Authorization for Service, Certificate Type: Instructor
Area of Competence: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General
American Institute of Permanent Color Technology
American Institute of Intradermal Technology
American Institute of Intradermal Cosmetics - Intradermal Cosmetics Technician
American Institute of Intradermal Cosmetics - Advanced Intradermal Cosmetic Technician
American Academy of Micropigmentation Dermagraphics

Technical Education
1969 - 72 College of San Mateo: Cosmetology, USF: BA Art
1995 Color Analysis - Carole Jackson
1995 - 96 Hair/Skin Surgical Assistant to Dr. Peter Panagotacos
1999 Cosmetics - Jane Iredale

Specialized Training
1992 American Institute and Permanent Color Technology
1995 American Institute of Intradermal Cosmetics
1996 Macro-Theory Dermagraphics, Multitrepannic Collagen Actuation
1997 Dermagraphics
1997 Multitrepannic Collagen Actuation
1998 Dermagraphics - Pigment Analysis, Accent Permanent MakeUp
1999 American Institute of Intra Cosmetics
2000 Iredale Mineral Cosmetics - Enhancement & Camouflage
2001 SPCP Train the Trainer
2002 International Intradermal Cosmetic Expo Training Session: Bloodborne Pathogens
​2003 Faces by Design - Tattoo Lightner/Removal
2003 OSHA General Industry Class with special emphasis on Blood Pathogens and Disease Transmission
2003 Face & Body Professionals - Advanced Face Contouring, Nipple and Areola Repigmentation and Advanced Removal Techniques
2003 Trends in Facial & Aesthetic Rejuvenation
2006 OSHA Class on Blood Pathogens & CDC Guidelines

Continuing Education
1998 Dermagraphics, Inc. - Method of Permanent Make-Up Application 
2001 AAM International Cosmetic Tattooing Expo 2001
2001 10th Annual Convention of the SPCP 
2001 Second Annual Fall Conference of the SPCP 
2002 11th Annual Convention of the SPCP 
2002 International Intradermal Cosmetic Expo
2002 12th Annual Convention of the SPCP
2003 AAM International XPO
2003 2nd Annual Medical Skin-Care Symposium
2004 13th Annual Convention of the SPCP 
2004 AAM Internation XPO 
2005 14th Annual Convention of the SPCP 
2006 15th Annual Convention of the SPCP 
2007 16th Annual Convention of the SPCP 
2008 17th Annual Convention of the SPCP 
2009 18th Annual Convention of the SPCP
2010 19th Annual Convention of the SPCP
2011 20th Annual Convention of the SPCP
2012 21st Annual Convention of the SPCP
2013 Make Up For Ever Professional Event
2013 13th Annual Fall Conference of the SPCP
2013 22nd Annual Convention of the SPCP
2014 The Aesthetic Academy San Francisco

Professional Organization Membership
American Council of Dermagraphic Research - Diplomat
Diplomat of American Council of Dermagraphics
Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (Lifetime Member)
Diplomat of American Academy of Micropigmentation
Face and Body Professional Dermatology Nursing Association
AAM (American Association of Micropigmentation)
SPCP (Society Permanent Cosmetic Professionals) Trainer Member
Face and Body Professionals - Reward Circle Membership
Conventional & Cosmetic Tattoo Association

Awards and Recognition:
2013 Best of Beverly Hills - Tattooing
2013 Best of Beverly Hills - MedSpa
2013 Best of San Francisco - Permanent Cosmetics

Athena has passed the Blood Bourne Pathogens test every year and is certified.

Though Athena Karsant has been in the beauty industry for many years, she never hesitates to keep learning and adding to her wealth of knowledge. She attends the bi-annual SPCP conferences as well as other makeup, cosmetic and beauty courses and conventions. Most recently she was invited to attend the Make Up For Ever Professional Event in San Francisco. She has also supported the NAAF (National Alopecia Areata Foundation) for years, and actively attends their meetings and support groups. For more information on this foundation and the amazing work that they do, please go to naaf.org.


Athena Karsant was honored with Best of San Francisco & Best of Beverly Hills for 2013! 
Athena also offers Complimentary Consultations. To learn more about Athena's work, 
see before and after photos and read testimonials from both clients and doctors,  
please visit her website FoolingMotherNature.com

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3.28.2014

Skin Care by Athena Karsant

Over the course of my 25+ years in the beauty, cosmetic & corrective tattooing industry, I have seen many changes in everyday skin care products that my clients use. The majority of these products contain harsh "anti-aging" chemicals which are causing their permanent makeup procedure to fade. While I do include touchups for an entire year for my clients, I am always learning new techniques that my clients can use to preserve their permanent makeup. 

Well, here it is - I found it! This line of skin care products was developed without the harsh chemicals that are common in anti-aging skin care products today, while still providing a high quality skin care regimen that works and restores elasticity through collagen stimulation. Using mostly organic ingredients, you will fall in love with this line, just as I have!

 I am not saying that you can't use your anti-aging products - I am just saying that you shouldn't use them for the first 30 days after each permanent makeup procedure or touch up. Don't get rid of the stuff you love (Retin A, Proactive, etc), just put them aside for a little while and use this fabulous line of skin care. I want you to take care of your permanent makeup! 

From now until April 30th 2014, each client will receive a travel sized 
starter kit with a new paid procedure (limit 1 per customer - $30 VALUE!). 
Each kit will include the amazing Milky Cleanser, Cucumber Toner, 
Ocean Organics Day Moisturizer and Monoi Oil. I want to make 
sure that you are using products that will not harm 
your permanent makeup or cosmetic tattooing.


Click on the link and you will be redirected to our store where you can purchase this fabulous line of skin care products!

Milky Cleanser
Cucumber Toner
Ocean Organics Day Moisturizer
Monoi Oil
Exfoliating Scrub
Milky Cleanser
Cucumber Toner
Ocean Organics Day Moisturizer
Monoi Oil


I hope you enjoy this fabulous line! For questions, please email me at athenakarsant@mac.com.





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3.27.2014

Client Testimonial on Yelp (Eyebrows)

- Yelp Review from Melanie R - 

I have been drawing my eyebrows on since I was 14 and I am now 29!!!!! One day I decided to do the math and see how much time would I spend doing my eyebrows in my lifetime....well the answer was 7 months!!!! Sometimes it would take 10 minutes and other times it would take hours!!!! So I finally decided that it was time to get my eyebrows tattooed on. I am a perfectionist and I knew that the person that would tattoo my eyebrows on was going to have to be BEYOND EXCELLENT!!! I have visited SEVERAL websites, looked at SEVERAL pictures and spoke and met with many tattoo artist. I decided that it was time to do another web search yesterday and I came across Athena's website and I was IMPRESSED and AMAZED!!!! With each before and after set of pictures I was more and more impressed!!! I IMMEDIATELY called her and scheduled an appointment. I was extremely excited to meet Athena, look at more of her work ( and believe me she is an artist!!!!), get her professional opinion on what shape eyebrow would be the best for me and get my eyebrows tattooed ASAP!!!!! I continued to look at her website and Facebook page as I was counting down the minutes to meet with her. I literally could not wait to meet her and get my eyebrows tattooed on right away!! I called her back and asked her if I could get my eyebrows tattooed on that day. She said yes and I was thrilled!!! When I came into her salon she had a women in her chair as she was finishing her eyebrows, her work was impeccable!!! It was even better in person that it was in her picture!!!! I looked at the women's eyebrows and you COULD NOT tell that they were tattooed on!!! They looked so real even when I looked at the women's brows up close!! Not only were her eyebrows matched her skin tone and hair color perfectly!!!! I was SOLD!!!!! She used a technique that some how makes the eyebrows tattoo look like individual hairs!!! Athena makes it look like an actual eyebrow (made of hair) as apposed to a penciled in eyebrow!!!  I didn't even need to see pics I wanted my eyebrows tattooed on that day!!! I told her that, we signed some paperwork and worked with me for at least an hour to find the perfect shape. Athena was incredibly patient, she drew two different eyebrows than we tweaked it for an hour until we found the perfect shape for my face. After we picked the shape she told me that it took 2-5 sessions to actual perfect the eyebrow but I would only be paying a one time fee which I thought was great!!!! Especially since all the other salons that I spoke with told me that I would have to have several sessions but I would have to pay for each session as apposed to Athena who only charges you once which covers any kind of tweaks or touch ups for a year!!! She then told me that she would begin the process of tattooing the eyebrow....well she spent several hours on my eyebrows and they turned out BETTER than I excepted!!!!! She said that she would still need to touch up my eyebrows a few more times but let me tell you I got them done yesterday then I went out today and did not have to pencil in my brows at all!!! I got SEVERAL complements and it was only day 1!!!!!! I CANNOT stop going on and on about how thrilled I am with Athena personally, her professionalism, her extraordinary artistic talent (and believe me she is an ARTIST in the truest since of the word), her attention to detail and my overall experience!!! I WILL SAY IT AGAIN IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR EYEBROWS TATTOOED ON, YOU WANT THEM TO LOOK REAL AND YOU WANT THE VERY BEST GO TO ATHENA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!! SHE IS TRULY AN ARTIST!!!!!!!




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3.21.2014

Favorites Fridays - LUSH Bath Bombs

It's a beautiful Friday! You may have seen the other products I love from Lush on my blog: Dark Angels Face Scrub and Charity Pot Lotion and I hope by now you have had a chance to try them out. This week, I bring you the amazing Bath Bombs from LUSH! 

One of my favorite things I do to relax is take a hot bubble bath - who doesn't love a good bath, right? What if your bath could smell amazing, leave your skin soft, and your mind and body relaxed at the same time? Something you must try are the amazing Bath Bombs from LUSH. There are many, many different colors, aromas and fun extras in their selection. Some are to energize and wake you up while others are to leave you relaxed and calm you down. 

Each Bath Bomb is handmade to make your bath time a relaxing experience. They contain everything from moisturizing butters, flower petals, colors, mood enhancing fragrances, glitters and essential oils. 

Next time you are in Union Square, San Francisco, or even City Walk at Universal Studios, Hollywood, check out the amazing selection of Bath Bombs at the LUSH store. Feel free to browse online as well - they make FABULOUS gifts and even come in seasonal scents and designs as well. 

Happy Favorites Fridays!
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3.19.2014

What is a Hair Transplant Scar Camouflage & Are You a Candidate for It?


Next time you are at a theme park, the airport, or even the grocery store, look around and you will surely see hair transplant scars. They aren't hard to find and you will be able to tell that it is in fact a scar from a hair transplant. Sadly, some men are left with more than one scar and no hair to show for it.  

The difference between a good hair transplant scar and a bad one can be determined two ways: A good transplant is when you can see they have a lot of hair on the top of their head and the scar on the back of their head is minimal. Typically when you know someone has had the procedure done, and you can see their beautiful head of hair (on the top of their head). A bad transplant is when you can clearly see their transplant scar and they still have no hair on the top of their head - YES! That really does happen! 

Whether you are happy with the results of your hair transplant surgery or not, but still have a scar on the back of your head, you should definitely consider this procedure. 


(click to enlarge)


Hair Transplant Scar Camouflage gives you two primary results: 1) Through medical needling, your scar will shrink and get smaller, and 2) we will simulate individual hair follicles through tattooing techniques that will make it look like you have a full head of hair. If your scar feels ropey and tough and is very noticeable then you will LOVE this procedure because after a few sessions, your scar will become smaller and less ropey feeling. (click here to see before and after photos). 

If you have a hair transplant scar and are tired of wearing hats to hide it, you will love the results you will experience through this procedure. Through this camouflaging procedure, we can get you "elevator ready" (which I tell all of my hair transplant scar camouflage clients means that you can stand in an elevator and no one will be able to tell you have a scar on the back of your head)!

 I have worked closely with Dr. Peter Panagotacos in San Francisco actually assisting hair transplant surgeries, so I really understand these procedures from start to finish. 
To learn more information about hair transplant scar camouflage, please visit my website (click here). To schedule a complimentary consultation please click here or call me at 415.412.9700.

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3.13.2014

Favorites Fridays: Cinema Secrets' Brush Cleaner

My daughter and I went to The Makeup Show LA this past weekend and had a blast. There were so many makeup counters there with all of their goodies. We had a fun girly day playing with makeup, checking out the newest products and makeup tools, learning about trendy items, and spending money on makeup! 

One of my favorite purchases was Cinema Secret's brush cleaner. Cinema Secrets is a makeup supply story in the Los Angeles area that caters to all of the Hollywood makeup artists for movies, TV, beauty, fashion and more. They have everything from girly lipstick to supplies to make a knife cut on your face (all fake). One of their most popular products is their brush cleaner. It really works well because it dries fast, and has a vanilla scent that isn't overpowering. 

At The Makeup Show, almost every single booth was using this fabulous brush cleaner.

You can use this brush cleaner on natural or synthetic brushes. It will clean, sanitize  and remove all bacteria. It is environmentally safe, non-carcinogenic and air dries almost instantly. Give it a try! 



Here are some photos from The Makeup Show!


with the creator of Jouer Cosmetics
my daughter with the creator of Jouer Cosmetics





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3.04.2014

Plusses for Permanent Makeup

Imagine a life where your makeup can be at the bottom of your
list of worries throughout the day and night!

With Permanent Makeup & Cosmetic Tattooing you never have to worry about: 

- smudging your eyebrows at an important event, party, interview or while at the beach
- messing up your makeup while at the gym or during an intense workout
- being in public after a movie like Titanic, The Notebook, Old Yeller, Les Miserables etc.
- getting your kissable lipstick on anyone's cheeks (your kids will appreciate that one)

AND feel free to dance in the rain! Your blush might run YES - BUT your eyeliner, lip color & eyebrows will look just as fierce!


REQUEST A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION


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