An Exclusive Interview with Annyko (Anna Javili): Dark Lip Neutralization, PMU Education, and Building an International Career
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Permanent makeup continues to evolve, with certain procedures demanding not only technical precision but also a deep understanding of skin physiology, color theory, and long-term healed results. Among them, Dark Lip Neutralization has become one of the most challenging and rapidly developing specialties in the industry.
Anna Javili is internationally recognized for her work in this field. After relocating to the United States and rebuilding her career from the ground up, she established herself as a permanent makeup artist, educator, international speaker, and judge, with Dark Lip Neutralization becoming her signature area of expertise. Through years of hands-on experience with clients from diverse ethnic backgrounds, she has developed an approach grounded in continuous learning, practical experience, and a commitment to predictable healed results.
In this exclusive interview for PULSE PMU, Anna shares the story behind her professional journey, explains why she chose to specialize in Dark Lip Neutralization, discusses the challenges artists face when working with melanin-rich lips, and reflects on the future of one of permanent makeup's most technically demanding procedures.
PULSE PMU: Many permanent makeup artists dream of building an international career, yet few are willing to start almost from scratch in a new country. Looking back on your move to the United States, what was the greatest challenge you faced, and what became the true turning point in your professional journey?
After moving to the United States, I had very little experience in the permanent makeup industry. I had only completed a basic training course, so in many ways I was starting from scratch. The move was psychologically challenging for me. I was only 22 years old when I immigrated, and it took me almost a year to fully adapt to a new country. It wasn’t until a year later that I returned to permanent makeup.
During that time, I had forgotten a lot, so I had to start learning almost from the beginning again. I went back to studying theory, spent countless hours practicing on latex, and gradually rebuilt my skills. At the same time, everything around me was new: a different market, different beauty standards, different professional requirements, and of course, the language barrier.
The turning point came when I decided to stop waiting until I felt completely ready. I simply chose to face my fears. I started working in different permanent makeup studios and treating clients, even though I wasn’t yet confident in my English or in my own experience. But I had a very clear goal—to become one of the best permanent makeup artists in my city and one day open my own permanent makeup studio.
That period taught me so much. It helped me grow not only as an artist but also as a person. I learned how to adapt more quickly, make decisions, take responsibility, and keep moving forward even when I was afraid.
PULSE PMU: Today, your name is closely associated with Dark Lip Neutralization. What drew you to this particular field, and was there a defining moment when you consciously decided to make it your professional signature?
My journey in permanent makeup did not begin with opening my own studio. It started with working as an employee in permanent makeup studios.
At first, I had no intention of specializing in Dark Lip Neutralization. I didn’t offer the service because I had neither the knowledge nor any formal training in that specific area. However, one of the studios where I worked had a very high demand for Dark Lip Neutralization, and before long, those clients became part of my own schedule. I had to learn this new specialty very quickly.
Most of my learning was self-directed. At that time, online education was nowhere near as accessible as it is today, and specialized courses dedicated to Dark Lip Neutralization were extremely rare. I also wasn’t familiar with the international PMU market yet, and my English wasn’t strong enough to study with foreign educators.
So I started researching the technique on my own, working with clients, and diving much deeper into color theory. I studied color with professional colorists and expanded my knowledge far beyond permanent makeup itself.
Over time, I began seeing more and more beautiful healed results. My clients were happy, and I found myself enjoying this field more and more. There was something truly unique about it. It was challenging, intellectually stimulating, and unlike anything else I had done.
Even today, there are far fewer artists who truly specialize in Dark Lip Neutralization than those who perform Lip Blush, brows, or eyeliner procedures. When I first started, you could practically count those specialists on one hand. That uniqueness was exactly what attracted me.
The conscious decision to make Dark Lip Neutralization my professional signature came after I opened my own studio.
That was also when I began investing a great deal of time into creating content. One thing that has always been important to me is authenticity. I almost never hired professional models for my videos, especially in the beginning. About 99% of my content features my real clients.
I truly believe this became one of the main reasons why my social media grew so quickly. If I had needed to find models, organize separate photo shoots, and adjust my schedule around them for every video, I simply wouldn’t have had enough time. Instead, I performed the procedure, filmed content with my client immediately afterward, and shared it on social media. This allowed me to post consistently while showing genuine results on real people.
Eventually, my clients themselves wanted to be part of my videos. They genuinely enjoyed participating in my content. At that time, very few permanent makeup artists were creating videos in that style, using TikTok the way I did, or filming lip-sync videos together with their clients. We were creating something new, and it attracted both viewers and clients.
One after another, my Dark Lip Neutralization videos started going viral. Seeing how much people connected with my work and my results made me realize that this was the direction I wanted to become known for.
All of the hard work I invested in this specialty led to something I never expected. Through social media, I was discovered by the organizers of one of the largest PMU conferences in Latin America, held in Colombia. They invited me to speak about Dark Lip Neutralization and to serve as a judge in the lip category championship.
Since 2023, I have continued to receive invitations to speak at international PMU conferences on my favorite topic—Dark Lip Neutralization.
PULSE PMU: Dark Lip Neutralization is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding procedures in modern permanent makeup. What mistakes do you most often see artists make when they begin working with melanin-rich lips, and in your opinion, what truly distinguishes an outstanding specialist in this field?
I usually prefer not to criticize my colleagues or point out their mistakes. Instead, I would rather offer advice to artists who are just beginning to work with melanin-rich lips.
My recommendation is to first learn from an educator who has extensive hands-on experience specifically in Dark Lip Neutralization and works in a region where this procedure is truly in demand. Working with a large number of these clients on a regular basis gives an artist a much deeper understanding of every aspect of the procedure—from proper pigment selection to the healing process and the final healed results.
Dark Lip Neutralization involves many nuances, so there are a number of mistakes that can potentially be made. One of the most significant is using unsuitable colors or pigments for dark lip neutralization. Some pigments will not only fail to produce the desired result, but can also make future correction much more challenging.
That is why I believe that working with melanin-rich lips requires much more than theoretical knowledge. It takes extensive practical experience, and that only comes from treating these clients consistently and following the entire journey—from the initial procedure to the fully healed result.
PULSE PMU: Throughout your career in the United States, you have worked with clients from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and skin types. How has this experience shaped your understanding of color, pigments, and the overall philosophy of permanent makeup?
Working with such a diverse range of clients has taught me one very important lesson: there is no universal approach that works for everyone.
Of course, there are fundamental principles for working with melanin-rich lips that always remain the same. However, every client requires an individual approach. I never know in advance which technique will be the most effective, which pigment combinations will be the best choice, or exactly how the procedure will unfold. Every treatment is a unique case that requires careful analysis and thoughtful decision-making.
That is why I continue learning to this day. Almost every new client teaches me something new and allows me to encounter situations I haven’t seen before. I think that is what I love most about my profession—you never stop growing because every case is unique.
PULSE PMU: Today, you are not only a practicing artist but also an educator who helps other professionals build successful careers. If you could give just one piece of advice to an artist who dreams of following a similar path and one day opening a successful studio abroad, what would it be?
My answer may sound simple, but it’s the only honest one I can give because it’s exactly what I followed myself.
Work hard, never stop learning, keep growing, and genuinely love what you do. I don’t believe there is a shortcut to success. Everything I have achieved has come through consistency, dedication, and a genuine passion for my profession.
PULSE PMU: The permanent makeup industry is evolving at an incredible pace. Looking ahead over the next five years, what developments in technology, education, or client care do you believe will have the greatest impact on the future of Dark Lip Neutralization?
I believe that over the next five years, Dark Lip Neutralization will continue to grow significantly. More and more artists will begin offering this procedure because the demand for it is steadily increasing around the world.
I also believe the industry will evolve alongside that demand. We will see more pigments and professional product lines developed specifically for Dark Lip Neutralization. This will make pigment selection more predictable and help artists choose the right shades with greater confidence.
However, despite advances in technology and the introduction of new products, I don’t believe this procedure will ever become simple. Dark Lip Neutralization will always require a deep understanding of color theory, melanin, the healing process, and, most importantly, extensive hands-on experience.
PULSE PMU: Looking back on your journey—from your very first clients to building your own academy, speaking at international conferences, and earning recognition in the United States—what achievement are you most proud of today? And what professional goal still remains your biggest dream?
When I look back, I realize how much work has gone into building my career after moving to a new country and starting an entirely new profession. But honestly, I still feel that I am only at the beginning of my journey. I have many ideas, goals, and dreams, and I truly believe that the most exciting part is still ahead of me.
Yes, I have a big professional dream. But for now, I prefer to keep it to myself. I’ve always believed in achieving something first and talking about it afterward. So, if one day I make that dream a reality, I’m sure the first-place people will hear about it will be on my social media.
The Legacy of Annyko (Anna Javili)
Anna Javili's professional journey demonstrates that long-term success in permanent makeup is built through persistence, continuous education, and thousands of hours of practical experience rather than quick results. Her story also highlights how developing a deep specialization can open opportunities far beyond everyday clinical practice, leading to international recognition, education, and professional collaboration.
As Dark Lip Neutralization continues to evolve, artists will undoubtedly gain access to new technologies, pigments, and educational resources. Yet, as Anna emphasizes throughout this interview, no innovation can replace a thorough understanding of color theory, careful observation of healed results, and the experience gained from working with real clients.
We sincerely thank Anna Javili for sharing her experience and insights with the readers of PULSE PMU and wish her continued success in her professional journey.
#Annyko #AnnaJavili #DarkLipNeutralization #PermanentMakeup #PMU #PMUEducation #PMUInterview #Micropigmentation #LipNeutralization #MelaninRichLips #LipBlush #PMUArtist #PMUInstructor #ColorTheory #BeautyIndustry #PermanentCosmetics #InternationalPMU #PMUSpeaker #PULSEPMU
Publication date: July 22, 2026
By Sergey Yakovlev