Who is Pretty Girl Ink?
- Veronica Picone
- Sep 22
- 5 min read
Since I was a little girl, I always had a passion for all things creative. My earliest memory is doodling drawings of women's faces on post-it notes for my mother before I was able to read. In elementary school and high-school I was known for my drawing, writing and painting abilities and was voted most artistic and creative for both 8th and 12th grade graduating years. In my teenage years, I fell in love with all things cosmetics, body art and beauty. I started expressing myself through various tattoos and piercings at the early age of 16, and spent quite a lot of time hanging out at my local tattoo shop in Bogota, NJ. In college, I studied Fashion Marketing and learned every aspect of running a business.
I graduated from Berkeley College with a degree in Fashion Marketing and Management in 2001 and worked as a makeup artist for Estee' Lauder, where I trained at their corporate office in NYC. I officially became a Certified Makeup Artist in 2005, by one of the leading bridal makeup experts in the makeup industry, Ms. Irina Feygin of IMpeccable Image, Inc. I practiced bridal and special event makeup for years before managing retail stores for over 17 years. During that time, I also worked reception and assisted in a well known tattoo shop in Fair Lawn, NJ - acquiring valuable knowledge and experience regarding the business end of the industry.
I got my own eyebrows done (micropigmentation) around 2010, before microblading was a popular trending option. I absolutely became obsessed with permanent makeup, alongside my love for tattooing. I remember sitting in my car outside the permanent makeup studio before going inside for my first ever procedure. I envisioned having a storefront studio of my own, where I can change people's lives, boost their confidence and encourage creativity. I knew my goal in this life was to have a boutique of my own.
A few years later, I got my eyebrows microbladed and also volunteered at Derma Couture in Wayne, NJ for lips and liner for students in training. As much as I dreamt about becoming a permanent makeup and tattoo artist for decades, I simply couldn't afford the extensive training to become licensed for permanent cosmetics and body art, so I decided at that point to pursue other avenues in the art world. I also got married, started my family and dedicated myself to my 3 beautiful daughters. I started my face painting business Creative Faces By V in 2015 and acquired my cosmetology license in 2021 during the pandemic. I rented a salon space for a year and obtained multiple certifications, publications and awards for my accomplishments in the hair, face painting and makeup world. I have worked so hard, experienced, accomplished and learned so much - which brings me to where I am today. I successfully traveled all around NJ, NY, PA and CT face painting for parties and major venues for 10 years.
The one thing that I realized along my extensive career journey, is the passion for permanent makeup and body art never burned out. I carried it with me every day knowing it was what I am truly meant to do. I decided to finally invest everything I am, and everything I have, into making permanent makeup, ear piercing and body art my full-time career. I knew the financial, emotional and even physical risks of dedicating myself fully to my dream. People called me crazy taking such a leap in my forties, however when you have a passion, you have to follow it regardless of what anyone thinks, and I did. You will have to power through setbacks, judgment and animosity. Being a female tattoo artist is challenging enough, especially because I wanted Pretty Girl Ink to set the bar higher in a male dominated industry, because let's face it there's a stigma when it comes to tattoo shops in general and I wanted to eliminate that. I wanted to bring a level of positivity and comfort to the tattoo experience that is often times frowned upon by traditional shops. Call it boujee, but I wanted the experience to feel the same level of comfort you would at a med spa. Completely relaxed, appointment only, anxiety free like you were in the comfort of your own home. That is what makes Pretty Girl Ink stand apart. Not only specializing in intricate, fine line pieces, but providing an incredible experience that is a level of comfort that sets the bar higher.
My dreams of having a boutique of my own is now a reality! I would not be where I am right now without my unwavering dedication, determination and decades of hard work.
Pretty Girl Ink is located at 15 Main Street Branchville, NJ - and very proudly the first EVER female owned and operated body art - ear piercing - and permanent cosmetics establishment of its kind in Sussex County.
As we recently just celebrated our one year anniversary of opening our doors on August 1st 2024, I can't thank all my incredible clients who took the time to write such amazing reviews and continue to help and support my business grow. It truly means more than you'll ever know! In one short year I have been blessed enough to have serviced clients from all over New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania and Florida! I am truly grateful for every single person who chose Pretty Girl Ink and so excited for what the next year will bring.
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Credentials:
Graduated Berkeley College with an ASD in Applied Science for Fashion Marketing and Management - June 2001
4.0 GPA President's List Acknowledgement Award
Certified Makeup Artist Specializing in "Celebrity and Bridal" Techniques, iMpeccable Image Inc. - 2005
Published in Brides Guide New Jersey Magazine for "Pro Makeup Tips and Tricks" - 2006
Registered Creative Faces By V with the state of NJ - 2016
Fully insured by Beauty and Bodywork Insurance 2016 -2024
Published in NY's QMagazine Vol. 4 for Excellence in Face Painting Techniques - 2018
Mahwah NJ's "Small Business Award" presented to Creative Faces By V for "Best of 2019 Make-up Artists"
Positive Psychology Art Coaching Certification - September 2020
Barbicide and Barbicide Covid-19 Certifications - July 2020/December 2022
Body and Face Painting Infection Control Certificate of Achievement - July 2020
Face Painting Academy Certification - July 2020
Graduated Parisian Beauty Academy - October 2021
Passed NJ State Board Exam for Cosmetology License - October 2021
Featured in Wet Paint Magazine's Face Art Gallery - Winter 2021 Issue
AMAZING write up in the November 2021 Local Showcase of - The Bergen County Review
Be Healthy Initiative - Community Health Ambassador Certification - December 2022
Licensed Beauty Consultant - February 2023
Certified Studex Ear Piercing Specialist - NY Certified April 2023, NJ Certified - January 2024
Pretty Girl Ink LLC registered with the state of NJ - November 2023
Bloodborne Pathogens for Body and Tattoo Artists Certification - January 2024
Fully Insured by Alternative Balance for Permanent Makeup and Tattoo Artists - January 2024
Permanent Cosmetics Training and Certification by Cháris Lenox - Master Trainer at Brows Boutique and Academy, Denville NJ - March 2024
Fine Line Body Tattoos Training and Certification by Shay Alsaid - Master Trainer at Beauty Inkstitute, Dearborn, MI - February 2024
Master Brow Mapping Certification by BeautySlesh Professional - February 2024
Faux Freckles Certification by Shay Danielle Academy - April 2024
Board Certification in Permanent Makeup by the American Academy of Micropigmentation April 2024 - This certification is required by the state of New Jersey for those who wish to legally work in this field
Fire and Plumbing Inspection approval June 2024
Sussex County Health Department Preoperational Approval July 2024
Branchville Borough Operational License Issued July 2024
Pretty Girl Ink Grand Opening August 1st, 2024
Sussex County Health Department Post Operational Inspection Approval September 2024
NJ Licensed Body Art Practitioner April 2025 - Sussex County Health Department - Branchville Borough
Monumental One Year Anniversary of opening our doors on August 1st 2024
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