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Send us Fan Mail For years, Teryn Darling believed she wasn't smart enough. Not because anyone ever told her she wasn't—but because she struggled in school and quietly allowed grades to define her worth. In Chapter 3 of Tatter-a-fact: The Story Series, Teryn shares one of the deepest insecurities of her childhood and the realization that changed everything: intelligence isn't measured by report cards alone. This episode explores what it feels like to compare yourself to others, carry the weight of unrealistic expectations, and eventually discover that creativity, resilience, observation, emotional awareness, and entrepreneurship are forms of intelligence too. Teryn also opens up about anxiety, overthinking, and living with an intense creative mind—an experience many artists and entrepreneurs know all too well. If you've ever questioned your abilities, struggled with self-doubt, or felt like you simply didn't fit into traditional systems, this chapter is for you. In This Episode: • Growing up believing "I'm not smart enough" • How grades shaped self-worth • Different forms of intelligence • Creativity, entrepreneurship, and finding your strengths • Anxiety, overthinking, and the creative mind • Why your environment matters more than you think About Tatter-a-Fact: The Story Series For years, most people have known Teryn Darling as an artist, educator, entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of Girlz Ink. The Story Series is different. This is where she shares the story behind all of it—one chapter at a time. The good. The painful. The funny. The weird. The embarrassing. The beautiful. Because sometimes we don't realize who we're becoming until we finally look back.

Send us Fan Mail Long before Girlz Ink. Before PMU. Before pigments, podcasts, stages, mentorship, and entrepreneurship... there was a kid in Maine trying to figure out how to make her own money.  In Chapter 2 of Tatter-a-fact: The Story Series, Teryn Darling shares the story of her earliest hustles, from babysitting and collecting cans to riding her bike to a local farm before sunrise to pick peas for $7 a bushel. What seemed like ordinary childhood jobs at the time we quietly building something much bigger: work ethic, responsibility, resilience, consistency, and the desire for independence.  But this episode isn't really about money. It's about what money represented. Freedom. Security. Possibility. It's also about growing up believing you weren't smart enough, struggling in school, comparing yourself to others, and slowly discovering that intelligence comes in many forms. While some kids were earning A's and preparing for college, Teryn was learning lessons that couldn't be measured on a report card—showing up, solving problems, building confidence, and figuring things out one uncomfortable step at a time. If you've ever felt behind, doubted yourself, worked harder than everyone around you, or dreamed of creating your own freedom, this chapter is for you. In This Episode: • The connection between money and freedom • Childhood hustles and early entrepreneurship • Babysitting, farm work, and earning independence • Responsibility, consistency, and work ethic • Academic struggles and self-doubt • Different forms of intelligence • Why confidence often comes after action • The quiet beginnings of an entrepreneurial mindset About Tatter-a-Fact: The Story Series For years, most people have known Teryn Darling as an artist, educator, entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of Girlz Ink. The Story Series is different. This is where she shares the story behind all of it—one chapter at a time. The good. The painful. The funny. The weird. The embarrassing. The beautiful. All of it.  Subscribe and follow for future chapters as Teryn shares the experiences, lessons, failures, and defining moments that shaped the person she would eventually become. 🎁 FREE PMU RESOURCE PMU artists: Download this free guide, A Skin-First Guide to Pigment DNA & Predictable Healed-In Results. Learn how melanin, Fitzpatrick type, CI numbers, and pigment DNA impact healed results—and how to make more strategic pigment choices for your clients. #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Storytelling #Leadership #Motivation #SelfGrowth #BusinessOwner #Podcast #GirlzInk #TatterAFact #SuccessMindset #WorkEthic #Confidence #FemaleEntrepreneur #PersonalDevelopment #SmallBusinessOwner #PMUArtist #EntrepreneurMindset

Send us Fan Mail Chapter 1: The Red Wagon I spent years believing I wasn't smart. I thought smart people got good grades. I thought smart people were in accelerated classes. I thought smart people understood math and science. That wasn't me. Meanwhile, at twelve years old, I was pulling a little red wagon through my neighborhood collecting cans, building work ethic, resourcefulness, independence, and an entrepreneurial mindset long before I understood what any of those words meant. Welcome to Chapter 1 of Tatter-a-fact: The Story Series. For years, you've known me as a PMU artist, educator, mentor, and business owner. But very few people know the beginning. The anxious kid. The insecure kid. The kid who struggled in school. The kid who quietly believed she wasn't smart enough. This new series is my attempt to tell the whole story—the good, the painful, the funny, the embarrassing, the beautiful, and everything in between. In this first chapter, I take you back to my childhood in South Portland, Maine, the family that shaped me, the insecurities I carried, and the little red wagon that became one of the earliest signs of who I was becoming. Because maybe success doesn't begin when the world notices you. Maybe it begins much earlier. Maybe the signs are already there. And maybe you're not behind. Maybe you're becoming. In This Episode: • Growing up in South Portland, Maine • Childhood anxiety and learning to read the room • Family, community, camping, and small-town memories • The story behind "Relax, Peanut" • The little red wagon that sparked independence • Early signs of entrepreneurship • Why I believed I wasn't smart • Redefining intelligence, resilience, and success • The lessons we only understand when we look back If this story resonates with you, I hope you'll join me for future chapters as I share the experiences, failures, successes, insecurities, and defining moments that shaped who I became—and who I'm still becoming. Maybe you're not behind. Maybe you're becoming.

Send us Fan Mail Why do so many permanent makeup artists still struggle with inconsistent healed results, even after investing in training? In this episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling is joined by special guest Rose Prieto of @beautyandbrowlounge for an honest conversation about the PMU education gap that many artists don’t realize is holding them back. Together, they break down why so many artists feel confused, underprepared, and inconsistent in their work — especially when it comes to skin assessment, pigment selection, healed results, needle knowledge, and making the right decisions during a procedure. In this episode, they discuss: Why healed PMU results can feel inconsistentThe importance of proper skin assessmentPigment behavior vs pigment colorCarbon black vs iron oxide pigmentsWhy one-size-fits-all PMU doesn’t workHow poor foundational education impacts artist confidenceThe connection between PMU fundamentals and long-term business growthIf you’re a PMU artist, cosmetic tattoo artist, brow artist, or student looking to improve your healed results and confidence, this episode is packed with valuable insight. Connect with our guest: Rose Prieto Instagram: @beautyandbrowlounge

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with award-winning PMU artist and educator Brittany Wallins to talk about the controversy surrounding microblading in today’s permanent makeup industry. They discuss how misinformation spreads online, why some techniques get unfairly criticized, and why education, skin analysis, and ethical decision-making matter far more than choosing one technique over another. Topics include microblading, nano brows, powder brows, PMU training, pigment science, and how artists can stay adaptable as the industry evolves. Whether you're a new PMU artist or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insight into technique selection, industry trends, and the importance of staying open-minded in permanent makeup. Follow Brittany on Instagram: @beautybybcanada

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Tatter-a-f6act PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with Marielle Rebecca of BROWHAUS INK for an honest, no-fluff conversation about the realities of permanent makeup. They break down client expectations vs PMU reality, pigment myths, technique fundamentals, filtered social media standards, and why there are no absolutes in PMU (except safety and ethics). This episode dives deep into organic vs inorganic pigments, fallout misconceptions, ethical touch-ups vs removal, and what artists need to focus on to build longevity in today’s changing PMU industry. If you’re a PMU artist craving real education, honest perspective, and guidance beyond trends and hype — this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Topics include: • Pigments & technique explained • PMU myths vs reality • Client expectations & brow blindness • Fundamentals over trends • Removal, correction & ethical decision-making • Building a sustainable PMU career

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Tatter-a-fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with internationally respected PMU educator Alex Mechenici for a powerful, science-driven conversation every permanent makeup artist needs to hear. This episode goes beyond trends and social media brows and dives into pigment science, saline vs. laser removal, aged results, and critical thinking in PMU education. Together, Teryn and Alex unpack why certain pigments age beautifully, why others create removal nightmares, and why understanding the why behind your work matters more than ever. What You’ll Learn: • Saline removal vs. laser removal in PMU • Iron oxides vs. organic pigments (and common misconceptions) • Carbon black, titanium dioxide & yellow pigments explained • Healed results vs. aged results—the true measure of skill • Why PMU education must evolve with responsibility Guest Spotlight: Alex Mechenici is a globally recognized PMU educator, speaker, and researcher known for her uncompromising, science-first approach to permanent makeup and removal education. She teaches internationally, runs her PMU academy in the UK, and is widely respected for raising industry standards through critical thinking and ethical education. 📲 Follow Alex on Instagram: @alex.pmu.academy This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 dives deeper into industry correction, marketing myths, and the future of PMU education. 🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe.

Send us Fan Mail In Episode #120 of Tatter-a-Fact, Girlz Ink founder Teryn Darling returns with Part 2 of a powerful, honest conversation on mindset, money, and navigating economic slowdowns in the permanent makeup industry. If you’re a PMU artist feeling slower bookings, financial pressure, or self-doubt, this episode delivers real-world guidance—not toxic positivity, fear-based narratives, or Instagram fluff. This is a deep dive into how experienced artists think, adapt, and build stability when the economy shifts. In This Episode, We Cover: • Why mindset directly affects your business decisions • The difference between awareness and operating from fear • How negativity spreads in PMU communities—and how to protect your headspace • Why not every PMU artist is slow (and what that means for you) • Manifestation explained realistically—vision + action • What artists should focus on while business is slower • Strengthening systems, policies, communication, and client experience • Why mastering theory, skin, and craft outlasts trends Real Talk on Money & Financial Stability This episode also tackles money conversations most PMU artists avoid, including: • Why money equals freedom, safety, and better decision-making • The importance of separate personal and business emergency funds • How to start building a financial cushion—even from zero • Cutting expenses strategically without deprivation • Why financial literacy is a career-long skill in PMU • How financial stability allows you to say no to red-flag clients This Episode Is For You If: • You’re a PMU artist navigating a slow season • You want long-term sustainability, not quick fixes • You’re building confidence in business and finances • You believe PMU is your calling and you’re committed to growth Core Message Slow seasons are temporary. Mindset, preparation, and financial clarity determine who survives—and who thrives. This episode is about using slower times as leverage, not letting fear define your future. 🎧 Listen now, take notes, and come back to this episode when you need clarity, grounding, and direction.

Send us Fan Mail Is business slow in the permanent makeup industry right now? You’re not imagining it and you’re not alone. In Episode 119 of the Tatter-a-Fact Podcast, Teryn Darling is joined by Sarah from Girlz Ink for an honest, grounded conversation about the current PMU slowdown, the broader economy, and what permanent makeup artists should be doing right now to stay strong and prepared for what’s next. This episode is not fear-based and it’s not sugar-coated. It’s real talk from industry leaders who have lived through multiple economic downturns and know exactly how artists can survive slow seasons and come out stronger. In This Episode: • Why the PMU industry feels slow — and why it’s not just you • How the economy impacts beauty services (and why beauty always rebounds) • Why permanent makeup is recession-resistant • PMU as a life-changing service — not “just makeup” • The role of confidence, self-care, and healed results in client decision-making • Real stories that show why PMU will always have demand • How slow seasons create opportunity for growth and skill development This episode is for PMU artists, cosmetic tattooers, microblading artists, studio owners, and educators who want clarity, reassurance, and practical perspective — without the doom and gloom. ✨ Part 1 of a 2-part conversation Part 2 dives deeper into mindset, money management, hidden opportunities, and long-term strategy. Listen in, take a breath, and remember: You didn’t come this far just to stop now.

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Tatter-a-Fact, Teryn sits down with Candice Falcon, an industry leader in medical tattooing, 3D areola restoration, scar camouflage, and FTM gender-affirming tattoo work. Candice shares her artistic philosophy, her high standards, and why medical tattooing requires far more than basic PMU skills. Together, they dive deep into compromised skin, breast reconstruction, color theory, trauma-informed care, client psychology, and the emotional responsibility behind working with cancer survivors and trans clients. This conversation is real, raw, and educational—everything we stand for at Girlz Ink. Whether you're a PMU artist exploring the medical side of the industry or a seasoned tattooer wanting to elevate your craft, this episode will challenge you, inspire you, and expand your perspective. Topics Covered: • PMU vs. medical tattooing — understanding who is ready • Working on radiated, grafted & surgically altered skin • 3D areola design, nipple placement & healed expectations • Scar camouflage & skin-tone color matching • FTM phalloplasty tattooing & gender-affirming work • Ethics, boundaries & raising industry standards • Breaking rules the right way as an artist Connect With Candice Falcon Instagram: @falconartistry Hybrid training available for advanced artists in: – Areola & nipple tattooing – Scar camouflage – Gender-affirming FTM tattooing About Girlz Ink We are committed to integrity, healed results, and raising the bar in the PMU and medical tattooing industries. Explore our online courses & PMU products:  GirlzInkTraining.com | GirlzInkStore.com

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Tatter-a-Fact, Teryn Darling sits down with Carla Ricciardone of Sculpted Studios, global PMU educator, color-theory expert, and pioneer of dark lip neutralization for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about what truly matters in Permanent Makeup today. Together they break down the science behind pigments, color theory, needle choice, and machine movements, while opening up about artist growth, education integrity, and creating healed results that speak louder than hype. 🎓 What You’ll Learn The science of dark lip neutralization — undertones, melanin response, and healed colorPigment chemistry: the real difference between iron oxides, organics, and hybridsHow carriers, needles, and voltage impact implantation and retentionBest practices for eyeliner tattooing and working on mature or sensitive skinHow to rise above toxicity and build a grounded, professional PMU career💡 Guest Spotlight – Carla Ricciardone, Sculpted Studios Carla is an international PMU educator known for her science-driven teaching style and transparent approach to color theory and melanin-rich lips. Her focus on data, healed results, and ethical education has made her one of the industry’s most trusted voices. Follow her on Instagram → @sculptedstudios Explore all courses and products at GirlzInkTraining.com and GirlzInk.com ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Intro & why honesty matters in PMU 05:42 – Teaching with facts over trends 12:30 – Toxic Facebook groups & finding community 23:10 – Pigment science & color theory explained 34:00 – Dark Lip Neutralization: what every artist should know 53:25 – Pigment carriers and healed results 1:07:00 – Iron Oxides vs Organics vs Hybrids 1:14:45 – Integrity in PMU education 1:29:10 – Needles, machines & hand pressure 1:35:20 – Eyeliner tattoo tips 1:46:00 – Working on mature skin 1:58:00 – Drama-free growth & artist mindset 2:06:00 – Closing thoughts & Girlz Ink updates Subscribe to Tatter-a-Fact for more real, educational, and empowering conversations designed to help you grow as a PMU artist. Follow us on Instagram → @girlzinkstudio | @tatgirlzink At Girlz Ink, we stand for education, ethics, and healed results that last.

Send us Fan Mail In TAF #116, Teryn breaks down one of the BIGGEST struggles in Permanent Makeup: oily skin — and why it affects stretch, grip, pigment implantation, numbing absorption, and ultimately… your healed results. For 25 years, artists have been told to “just blot more,” “stretch harder,” or “work faster.” But none of that fixes the REAL issue: surface oil AND subsurface oil working against you during every procedure. In this episode, Teryn reveals the science behind oily skin and explains how it sabotages brows and eyeliner results — even for highly skilled artists. She also shares the 2.5-year journey behind creating D’Oil™, the industry’s first solution formulated specifically for PMU artists to control oily skin safely, effectively, and professionally. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why oily skin causes patchy healed brows & uneven saturation • The difference between surface oil vs. subsurface oil • How oil dilutes pigment the second it enters the skin • Why numbing doesn’t absorb well on oily clients • How slippage affects stretch, depth, and needle control • Why this issue does NOT mean you’re inexperienced • The formulation & testing behind D’Oil™ • How D’Oil™ improves mapping, pigment implantation, numbing, and healed results About D’Oil™ — OMG’s New PMU Innovation: The first-ever PMU solution designed to: ✔ Remove surface + subsurface oil ✔ Improve pigment implantation ✔ Improve numbing absorption ✔ Reduce glove slippage ✔ Maintain hydrated, pliable skin ✔ Support better healed results ✔ Work in under 2 minutes ✔ Safe for brows + eyeliner (pH 6) No oil. No slip. No problem. Black Friday Sale • D’Oil™ Intro Price: $16.50 Shop: GirlzInk.com Stay Connected Instagram: @girlzinkstudio | @teryndarling Newsletter: Free PMU education & updates at GirlzInk.com

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Teryn Darling sits down with industry veteran Robin Hays Velez, a PMU artist with over 32 years of experience, to talk about what it really takes to last in permanent makeup. From pigments and needle choices to burnout, ethics, and regulators… nothing is off the table. If you’ve ever wondered what’s true, what’s hype, and what actually matters for long-term success in PMU, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn Pigment science: The real differences between iron oxide and organic/carbon pigments and when to use which.Eyeliner tattooing: Why Robin sometimes refuses carbon and how she works safely on mature or crepey lids.Needle mastery: Liners vs shaders, diameters, tapers and why one needle can’t do it all.Saturation levels: How to achieve low, medium, or high saturation results without over-traumatizing the skin.Industry ethics & longevity: Setting boundaries, avoiding burnout, and staying educated through the noise of social media.🎓 Girlz Ink Online Academy: The Needle & The PrickBeyond the Epidermis: Color TheoryMachine & MovementsLi-FT® Saline Removal 🛍️ Shop PMU Supplies: www.girlzink.com ❤️ About Tatter-a-Fact® Host: Teryn Darling — PMU artist, educator, and founder of Girlz Ink Guest: Robin Hays Velez — 32 years in PMU, advocate for education, ethics & client care The Tatter-a-Fact® PMU Podcast brings you real talk, proven techniques, and non-biased education for permanent makeup artists at every level. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music and follow @GirlzInkStudio + @TatterAFactPodcast + @TatGirlzInk for more PMU education, inspiration & truth.

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, Teryn Darling sits down with Jessica Ashley of Stunna Beauty to talk about one of the most debated procedures in the permanent makeup world: tattooed freckles. From ombre brows and lip blush to the artistry of freckles, Jessica shares how she transformed a personal obsession into a signature PMU service now loved by clients across the country. But not everyone in the industry is on board—and that’s exactly why this episode matters. 🔥 Inside this episode: • The growing demand for tattooed freckles across all Fitzpatrick types • How social media filters are shaping real beauty choices • The difference between brows and freckles in pigment saturation and placement • Why artists need to unlearn perfection for freckle work • The hard truth about bullying in the PMU community • How to balance artistry, safety, and client confidence • The tools, needles, and pigments Jessica swears by • Her complete online freckle tattoo course and color formulas This episode is all about expanding your mindset, supporting creativity in PMU, and empowering artists to make space for procedures they may have once misunderstood. 🎧 If you've ever considered adding freckles to your PMU services—or you’ve been judged for already offering them—this is your sign to lean in. 🔗 Find Jessica Ashley on Instagram: @stunnabeauty1 📚 Explore PMU education, supplies, and support at: girlzinktraining.com

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Tatter-a-Fact PMU Podcast, host Teryn Darling sits down with Katri Pagliaro, a permanent makeup artist and first-time inventor who’s making BIG waves in the industry. After four years of passion, prototypes, and perseverance, Katri launched The Pendulum—a never-before-seen pencil sharpening tool designed specifically for PMU artists who use China markers for pre-draws and mapping. Teryn and Katri dive deep into: The 4-year journey of developing a product from scratchThe power of solving a real problem in the PMU worldWhy The Pendulum is replacing the razor bladeThe emotional rollercoaster of launching a tool in the beauty industryThe reality of being a first-time PMU product inventorEntrepreneurial advice for beauty professionalsHow this tool is transforming training for new permanent makeup artistsWhether you're just starting your PMU career or you’ve been in the game for years, this episode will inspire you to think big, create boldly, and pursue your ideas with confidence. Follow us on Instagram: 🩷  Katri Pagliaro: @pendulum_pmu 🩷 Teryn Darling: @tatgirlzink 🩷 Girlz Ink Studio: @girlzinkstudio   Mentioned in this Episode: The Pendulum SharpenerWatch The Pendulum TutorialGirlz Ink Online PMU Courses