Arch Addict brings microblading to Brandon

Elly Schmitz has been counting down the days until Feb. 1, and it’s no wonder; this Saturday, the newly licensed microblading technician will open her own business, Arch Addict. 

The shop opens Saturday along Holly Boulevard, in a suite nestled in with 7th Avenue Hair and Envi Hair Studio.

Microblading is a manual technique of semi-permanent make-up that allows a realistic look when filling sparse eyebrows. With microblading, a kind of tattoo is applied that leaves tiny, natural-looking hair strokes.

Depending on the person’s skin and lifestyle, one microblading application lasts one to three years.

Arch Addict opens Feb. 1 by appointment only and, as of Jan. 24, 18 appointments were already lined up. 

Her February special is a $350 microblading application, which includes a free touch-up. 

Schmitz, who also tends bar in Okoboji, Iowa, has been a stay-at-home mom for eight years. She earned her microblading certification in December.

Although she lives just over the Minnesota border in Luverne, she decided to practice in South Dakota because the laws are looser, and it’s where she received her training. 

Schmitz studied art in college and considers microblading a form of art, as well as a way to enhance a person’s eyes.

“I’m a person that I look right into people’s eyes when I talk to them, and I think if you have brows that draw you to somebody’s beautiful eyes already, you look at their eyes more,” she said. 

Schmitz invested more than 60 hours of training to gain her certification, and the effect continues to impress her.

“Even looking at them after they sit up, I’m like, ‘Wow.’ I’m still just so amazed at how it changes them,” she said.

Sessions last two-and-a-half hours, and customers recline while Schmitz works her magic. She wears gloves and takes precautions to assure that all of her instruments are sterilized.

“I treat everything like it’s a medical appointment,” she said. 

Microblading is similar to actual tattooing with a few big differences, she said. First, microblading only punctures the epidermis, and not the deeper layer known as the dermis. Secondly, microblading doesn’t use an electric pen for most of the procedure. Also, while tattooing uses ink that’s heavily black, Schmitz’s ink is heavy in orange and yellow pigments, 

“So, when you do see that fading, it fades to a brown instead of a grey,” she explained. “There are a lot of daily care mechanisms and things you can do to help preserve them.”

Schmitz also offers a $50 referral rebate. She’s booking appointments at 507-350-8213 and welcomes calls and texts. Photos of her work can be viewed on her Facebook page @ ArchAddict.Elly.

Schmitz hopes to establish permanent hours down the road, but is operating by appointment only in the beginning to give herself a chance to arrange child care. She has two boys, ages 8 and 6.

“Since I was certified in South Dakota, I decided I’d just stay here for a while and see where it takes me,” she added. “I’m excited.”