Meet Nilima Lakhai | Award Winning Cosmetic Tattoo Artist and Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nilima Lakhai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nilima, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I began working as a henna artist when I was 17 in my hometown of Gujarat. Inspired by my mother, a beauty therapist specializing in bridal art, I developed a deep appreciation for the transformative impact of beauty. Over the years, I expanded my expertise to include hair, makeup, and eventually semi-permanent makeup.

“It was my mother’s work that sparked my interest,”. “Watching her make brides look their best on their big day instilled in me a passion for helping people feel beautiful.”

In 2013, Me and My family migrated to Australia, where I founded O’some Brows, our first beauty studio. With two initial locations in Melbourne, I quickly earned a reputation for my skills in brow shaping and lash extensions. My career really took off in 2018 after I switched my focus to cosmetic tattooing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a certified Cosmetic Tattoo (PMU) artist and Master Trainer specializing in Nano Brows and Dark Lip Neutralization,
I have dedicated my career to helping clients achieve their aesthetic goals, especially those seeking lip color lightening and shape enhancement.
My expertise extends to using a specialized Nano Brows technique designed specifically for cancer survivors who have lost their eyebrow hair due to chemotherapy, which allows me to restore confidence and a sense of normalcy to those who have endured so much.

Beyond technical skills, I lead a nonprofit organization with seven PMU artists across America, Canada, and Australia. Together, we offer free cosmetic tattooing services to cancer survivors, providing both physical transformation and emotional support. This experience gives me a deep understanding of the challenges and needs unique to this group, along with the profound impact that restorative PMU work can have on their lives. My work, which combines high-level technical training with compassionate care, has given me insights into both the art and psychology behind cosmetic tattooing, making me a strong advocate and educator in this field.

With a combination of excellent PMU skills, strong business acumen, and the ability to manage and inspire a growing team. I have expanded my business to five locations—three in Australia and two in Atlanta, Georgia.
My techniques have earned me numerous accolades as a permanent makeup (PMU) artist, including the
Six Figures Earning Artist Award at the World PMU Conference 2024 in Miami,
BRONZE GLOBEE® Women in Business award at 17th Annual 2024 Globee® Awards for Women Helping Women category
A Non-Stop Speaker at WULOP Canada 2024
and an invitation to judge a national PMU championship in Australia in 2025.

Nano Brow Technique for Cancer Survivors
Chemotherapy often leads to eyebrow loss, a devastating experience for many cancer survivors since eyebrows play a crucial role in facial expressions. While traditional microblading has served as a common option, the technique’s multiple micro-needles often cause unnecessary discomfort for patients with sensitive, post-treatment skin.
I serve this cleints with my speciality – The Nano Brow Technique to solve these challenges. This technique uses a digital PMU (Permanent Makeup) machine with a single nano-needle to minimize trauma to the skin. The machine operates at lower voltage and includes an adjustable needle bar, allowing me to perform precise, gentle strokes. I pair this method with Hanafy hybrid pigments, which heals faster and last longer. These innovations ensure that cancer survivor clients achieve a natural, long-lasting look with significantly less pain.
“Our Nano Brow Technique restores not just eyebrows but also confidence,”
I am also trying to spread my expertise through my upcoming book, Cosmetic Tattoo for Cancer Survivors. The book mentions about permanent makeup services for recovery and emphasizes why the Nano Brow Technique provides the safest and most effective solution. Through my writing, I aim to educate practitioners and clients while promoting awareness of PMU’s transformative impact.

I was a very ordinary girl with art as my passion, today I look back and see how my art has bought my to a place, where I am recognised for my work and my art, I am sure there are many such individuals like me who are talented and passionate about their work but they might have self doubts or waiting for some motivation. I want to share my story to them through such medium.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta offers a vibrant mix of food, drink, culture, and entertainment. Here’s a weekend guide:

Food
The Optimist

Vibe: Upscale seafood restaurant with coastal-inspired decor.
Must-Try: Wood-fired oysters, lobster rolls, and hush puppies.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Vibe: Historic Southern comfort food spot.
Must-Try: Fried chicken, collard greens, and peach cobbler.
Staplehouse

Vibe: Modern American dishes with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients.
Must-Try: Ever-evolving tasting menu.
Krog Street Market

Vibe: Food hall with various global cuisines.
Must-Try: Varied options from Tex-Mex at Superica to Asian street food at Makimono.
Drink
Ponce City Market Rooftop Bar (9 Mile Station)

Vibe: Panoramic views with craft beers and cocktails.
Try: Local IPA or the creative seasonal cocktail specials.
The Blind Pig Parlour Bar

Vibe: Speakeasy-style bar with an intimate ambiance.
Try: Bourbon-based Old Fashioned or unique craft cocktails.
Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall

Vibe: Outdoorsy, camp-themed vibe.
Try: Spiked seltzers and whiskey flights.
Visit
Atlanta Botanical Garden

Highlight: Seasonal blooms and a spectacular canopy walk.
High Museum of Art

Highlight: Stunning architecture and exhibitions of European, American, and African art.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Highlight: Engaging displays on Atlanta’s pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.
BeltLine Eastside Trail

Highlight: Walk or bike this urban trail dotted with public art, restaurants, and breweries.
Hang Out
Piedmont Park

Vibe: Relaxing green space with a stunning city skyline view. Great for picnics or people-watching.
SkyView Atlanta

Vibe: 20-story Ferris wheel offering stunning views of downtown.
Little Five Points

Vibe: Bohemian neighborhood with quirky shops, live music, and unique coffee spots.
The Battery Atlanta

Vibe: Entertainment district with bars, live music, and dining, especially fun when the Braves are playing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wish to dedicate this shoutout to my Husband, Raj Lakhani and my clients.
My Husband is the first person to trust my skills and respect my passion. He always stood beside me in every phase of my professional life, in my learnings and in my growth story.
For ever successful person, there’s someone who is covering the back and covering you from any hurdle, Here in my story it is my husband. We went for many trainings together and then executed the same together.

Also another big shoutout to my clients, They have given me so much love and respect that my passion has increased every day towards my work and my art of Beauty. I am proud to serve thousands of clients for their Brow, lip and Lash needs.
I attend clients from every walk of life: a sweet grandmother, a lovely daughter/son, a cute model, or a cancer survivor. Every day, I feel the same happiness and same contentment that I felt on Day 1 of my career.

Website: https://www.osomebrows.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osomebrows_lips_academy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilima-lakhani-230031331/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/osomebrows.academy