Thoughts of launching one's signature style
Who actually needs it…
Stepping onto the stage with a signature style in brow pigmentation can feel both exhilarating and fulfilling. But it's essential to remember that the journey towards creating a distinctive mark in this industry is not without its challenges. Drawing on insights from seasoned artists, this article offers a thoughtful exploration of the various factors to bear in mind before setting foot on this path.
“Perhaps the toughest lesson in our creative journey lies in the stark realization that our groundbreaking work might be met with nothing more than a mute echo. That our ‘life-changing’ innovations might simply dissolve into the silence of indifference, with no evident impact or emotional ripple. This cold truth serves as a profound reminder that what we perceive as transformative might merely be a footnote in the vast narrative of the world - the epitome of insignificance.”
Defining a Signature Style
A signature style, in the context of Permanent Makeup (PMU), for example, Powder Brows, refers to a unique approach or method innovated by an artist that becomes their defining technique. It is a customized strategy, an artist's very own interpretation of the craft, marked by distinct elements that set it apart from mainstream techniques. Creating a signature style involves original thinking, experimental prowess, and the courage to challenge conventions. Once created, it bears the artist's 'signature', becoming their identifiable marker, a brand of their expertise and creativity. Reading that many artists may feel, that it is exactly the thing they need to become truly successful and to take over the world.
This might be the time to look in the mirror
By no means does the team of Powderbrows.com want to discourage aspiring artists who want to create a tent in the universe - the longer you have been a user of the platform the better you know it. However, when one gets the idea that she must come up with a signature brow style, she needs to examine some internal reasons that may be behind that motivation.
In other words, the desire to create a personal Powder Brows or PMU signature style can stem from various psychological motivations that one simply may not be ready to face. Understanding these motivations can provide valuable insight into the factors that drive the creative pursuit.
Why do you really want to go for it?
At the heart of this pursuit, one must ask a fundamental question - "Why do I really want to do this?" This is not about the superficial reasons but the core motivations that drive the desire to innovate a signature style. Are you driven by passion and a genuine aspiration to make a mark in the industry? Or are your motivations fueled by extrinsic factors like fame or financial gain? Understanding your true motivations can provide a roadmap to your journey, allowing you to navigate challenges and make decisions aligned with your purpose.
One common reason: is the Need for importance and significance
A prominent psychological motivation can be the inherent need for significance and importance, a desire to be seen, acknowledged, and valued. As per the Big Five personality traits, one of the dimensions is 'Extraversion', which reflects the extent of outgoingness, assertiveness, and sociability of a person. Those scoring high on this trait often seek validation and recognition from the external world.
Creating a signature style in the PMU industry can seem to fulfill this need by offering a platform to demonstrate one's skills and creativity. This quest for significance might also be driven by a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful contribution to the industry and to have a lasting impact. It's essential, though, to balance this need for recognition with genuine passion and commitment to the craft. In other words, and more bluntly: maybe the world does not need a new style of creating brows, but you need it to feel that you are somebody.
Another real reason: the business is not booming
Another motivation could stem from a struggle with business growth. Artists might consider creating a signature style as a strategy to attract more clients and boost their business. However, it's important to remember that a signature style is not a quick-fix solution to business challenges. It demands a high level of expertise, innovation, and marketing prowess. Trying to develop a new style out of desperation rather than passion can lead and does eventually lead in 99% of the cases to compromised results. if one wishes to become more successful, one might think about focusing on enhancing skills, improving the service, looking over the pricing strategy, understanding the demand better, and strategizing marketing efforts to attract and retain clients. Coming up with a new "revolutionary" signature style is actually not any of those activities.
Maybe there is the need to be bike somebody else creeping up
The desire to emulate successful artists and innovators in the industry can also drive the motivation to create a signature style. However, this aspiration can sometimes blur the lines between inspiration and imitation. Trying to build your identity by mirroring someone else's success story is not a sustainable strategy. Every artist has a unique journey, and what works for one might not necessarily work for another.
Your signature style should be a reflection of your unique perspective and creativity, not a carbon copy of someone else's. Instead of striving to be like someone else, aim to be the best version of yourself. Let other artists inspire you, but create your path based on your strengths, passion, and vision.
Understanding the psychological motivations behind your desire to create a signature style can offer valuable insights into your goals and aspirations. It allows you to evaluate if your reasons align with your long-term objectives and if they can sustain you through the challenging journey of creating and establishing a new style in the industry.
Some practical aspects
The Existential Question: Does the World Need Another Style?
Before embarking on the journey of creating a new style, it's worth asking, "Does the world need another style?" That question should be asked from the technical. perspective also. Beauty and aesthetics are subjective and ever-evolving, with new trends appearing constantly. However, creating a new style just for the sake of novelty might not be fruitful if it doesn't provide a distinct advantage or appeal to the target audience. Consider factors like the demand in the market, the uniqueness your style can offer, its practicality, and the potential benefits it brings to the table. Will it provide a solution to an existing problem? Will it cater to an unmet demand or an untapped niche in the market?
Quite often there is no problem to solve that the world would need this new style for. The world will go on with all its good and bad, misery and happiness without this new style. Therefore the hardest lesson many artists who have tried to come up with new signature styles and then eventually given up, is not that the industry leaders and super-stars of the brow world would reject or refute that, nor that the competitors would find errors in the novel approach, etc. The hardest lesson to learn by far is that in the true truest sense nobody cares at all, there is no reaction, no change in emotions, nothing - the world stares back at you with absolutely no, even the most microscopic reply, helping you realize: this thing you did and that you consider life-changing is actually is the epitome of irrelevance.
Differentiating Your Style: How Unique is Unique?
Another next step to consider is the differentiation your style would offer. The PMU industry is replete with various techniques and styles, each with its unique selling points. Does your proposed style offer a distinct difference from existing methods? It's essential to perform a thorough comparison and assessment to ensure your style isn't just a rebranded version of an existing one. What is the transformative value it holds? How would it enhance the beauty experience or result for the client? The key here is to ensure your style provides a unique value proposition that can create a substantial impact in the industry.
Charting a new path: what goes into creating a new movement in the brow industry?
While the first steps of creating a signature style might seem relatively simple - brainstorming a name, penning a description, and showcasing it in a few photos - the real challenge lies beyond. The task of launching an entirely new style in the brow industry is complex and multi-faceted.
To begin with, there is a need for substantial investment in branding, marketing, and potential training programs if your style requires specific skills. This also involves continuous innovation to stay ahead of the game and keep your style relevant.
Then comes the task of demonstrating the style's effectiveness and appealing to prospective clients. This might entail convincing existing clients to try the new technique or attracting a new clientele who appreciate and demand your signature style.
Moreover, a significant challenge would be to inspire other artists to adopt and practice your style, thereby broadening its reach and acceptance. For this, your style would not only need to be attractive but also efficient, replicable, and beneficial from the artists' point of view.
Economically, you must evaluate if the potential return on investment is worth the effort. Will your style bring in enough revenue to justify the cost, time, and energy invested in promoting it? Is there a business case for it?
In conclusion, creating a signature style is a blend of innovation, strategy, marketing, and perseverance. It demands creativity, business acumen, and a deep understanding of the industry and your clientele. It's a rewarding but challenging journey, and every artist willing to tread this path must be prepared to face and overcome these challenges.
The conclusion
While all that may generate the feeling that it is not a good idea to come up with your signature style, then that is not the only conclusion one should draw from that post. The opposite is true. Change is always needed! Fresh ideas are the basis of achieving something new. Creativity and boldness are what can make a change. When looking inside, then the idea of creating a signature style may be a superb opportunity to realize what is even harder (the hardest thing) that one is afraid of doing, wishing to compensate for that by launching a signature style.
Often it is related to learning something new, having more courage to market oneself, leaving the job at the salon and starting on her own, getting in shape, changing lifestyle drastically, or getting rid of toxicity in every shape and form in one's life. Also, while facing the biggest fears and taking the steps that one has really been afraid of, a true transformation can be achieved, which leads one to a place one day where creating a personal brow style is something that just happens naturally.