The PMU Podcast - Off The Record – Details, episodes & analysis

It’s the question everyone seems to be asking right now… is the PMU industry dying?

In this first episode of PMU: Off the Record, Layla and Lucy dive straight into one of the hottest topics in the industry. With more artists than ever entering the space, social media full of “overnight success” stories, and people questioning whether the industry is oversaturated… what’s actually going on?

Our take? The industry isn’t dying - lazy business is.

We’re talking about the shift happening right now, why the artists who put in the work will always survive, and why “I don’t have time” just doesn’t cut it if you want to build a real business in 2026.

No fluff. No sugar-coating. Just honest conversation about what it actually takes to make it in PMU today.

In this episode, we dive into the world of Permanent Makeup training and how to set up for success. 

How to get started with your own Permanent Makeup academy, the difference between privately accredited & Ofqual regulated qualifications and what you need to be a great trainer.

Download your free checklist here: https://pmutraining.laylahinchen.com/academychecklist

Check out the Teachers Blueprint here: https://www.pmucircle.com/product/the-teachers-blueprint

The last of Season 1, and what an episode to finish on. If you are looking for a little inspiration, or a little reassurance to keep going, then this is the one for you. We got to chat with the absolutely amazing and truly inspiring, Tracie Giles.

With over 25 years’ professional experience, Tracie Giles is recognised as a global leader in Permanent Makeup and Aesthetics.

Tracie began her career as a freelance Permanent Makeup Artist in 1999, in what was still a relatively unknown industry in the UK. She worked from various salons where she steadily built her client base, perfected her skills, and developed her own exclusive PMU techniques.

Having trained extensively in the UK, the US and Eastern Europe, Tracie adopted a novel approach when founding Tracie Giles London by combining the fine artistry that was prevalent in Eastern Europe with the very best health and safety practices from America. Combining these two disciplines in such a new and unregulated industry had never been done before, and this was the driving force behind Tracie recruiting an international team, sharing skills, and standardizing Permanent Makeup techniques.  

In 2003, Tracie founded Tracie Giles London and within 2 years established a permanent base in London’s Harley Street. Fast forward 5 more years and Tracie had achieved her goal of becoming the first and only UK salon dedicated to the art of Permanent Makeup, bringing luxury cosmetic tattooing to the high street from a 5-storey Knightsbridge clinic operating 6 days per week with a multi-million pound turnover. In 2016, Tracie and her daughter Charlotte founded PMU training and product supply brand ID Liner and in 2023, Tracie Giles proudly became part of the Private Clinic Group, working alongside some of the UK’s very best doctors and cosmetic surgeons to provide a multi-disciplinary treatment offering to their clients. 

A true pioneer of Semi-Permanent Makeup in the UK and a determined businesswoman, Tracie Giles London is now one of the leading Permanent Makeup clinics worldwide, a celebrity favourite and featuring monthly in the press. With a team of award-winning expert Permanent Makeup Artists cherry-picked from around the globe, we have an unrivalled reputation for delivering exceptional Permanent Makeup results and are firmly established as a vintage in the world of Permanent Makeup. 

So much free advice out there on what to do, and what not to do with your Social Media strategy, do you feel more confused than ever?

Join us on this insightful podcast as we dive into the world of sales & marketing with our resident expert jenna Leigh, a highly experienced social media manager and business mentor for PMU artists. 

In this episode, we explore the crucial role of sales and marketing for PMU artists, debunking the overwhelming complexities that often hinder growth. 

Discover why investing in oneself and their business is essential, and learn how social media managers can help PMU artists streamline their focus on the most important part - sales-generating tasks. 

PS ... dont forget to head over to our free facebook group for further support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepmucircle/

For more information on joining us in The PMU Circle Pro head over to: www.pmucircle.com

Part 2 has landed! Another super informative and educational chat with Alex talking all things pigments.

Alex keeps it completely raw & unfiltered as we discuss pigments, REACH, the dos & donts, laser removals and youl find a few GOLDEN NUGGETS in here!

We hope you enjoy it xx

For further support & free trainings, be sure you join our facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepmucircle/

To join us in The PMU Circle Pro head over to: www.pmucircle.com

Welcome to Part 1 of this raw, unfiltered PMU chat with the one and only, Alex Mechenici. 

A renowned industry trainer and artist, who is definately known for being a tad contraversial at times! Honest, and outspoken, but 100% passionate about our industry and sharing her knowledge, which is exactly why I absolutely LOVE her!

We talk needles, pigments and affiliates whilst offering a fresh perspective on the industry that often remains shrouded and unspoken of. 

Tune in to episode 5 for Part 2 where we delve deeper into pigments, the misconceptions, following trends and what you need to know - its going to be juicy!

Lets stop for a moment and have a look at our business. Why we started a business vs what we actually have ...

Do you have that freedom? that time freedom, that flexibility, that money freedom, or do you find yourself feeling stressed, on the go 24/7 and no time at all?

Lets avoid burnout, and make sure you are in full control of your business, rather than the other way around. Trust me, the sooner you grasp this the better x

Not sure if this is more of a rant or a discussion eeekk and apologies if I offend anyone on this topic, but hey, im just saying what most are thinking :)

Lets keep it real, keep expectations realalistic, and remember, that IG shot is not the be all and end all. 

In this episode we chat with the fabulous Essjay, with over 20 years industry experience and a passion for coaching beauty business owners, we discuss the influence social media has on us as artists and business owners, the truth on expanding and the importance of putting those blinkers on and staying true to yourself.

If youd like to touch base with Essjay you can find her here: https://linktr.ee/Essjayhartshorn

Join our members waitlist for The PMU Circle Pro here: www.pmucircle.com

We kick off our PMU Unveiled podcast with a little about me, how I started and to show you how anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Find out what we are all about here at The PMU Circle and together, we will challenge the norms and shed some light on the realities of being a Permanent Makeup Artist and running a business.

Lets go!

Psss .... come and say Hi over on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thepmucircle
Our inbox is always open should you ever need anything at all.

Layla x