How many times have you watched a movie where a beautiful star arises out of bed in the morning, looking gorgeous and fully made up, only to think to yourself, "Only in the movies."  That may have been true in the past, but no more. Today, every woman can wake made-up, thanks to permanent cosmetics. Imagine, looking your best from the moment you wake up, or being able to swim or participate in other sports without having to worry if you make up is washing off your face.

Permanent cosmetics, which are actually a form of tattooing, have been around for years. In the past, they were quite popular, even if the results were not always what exactly was expected. Many women have heard the horror stories of tattooed blush that looked artificial, permanent lipstick that left scarring and uneven color and more.

Today, however, with a little care and research, you can have permanent makeup that is so real, so flattering, that no one will suspect you have anything done. And thanks to new advances and training, the work is safer than ever. Still, when deciding to enhance your own beauty with permanent cosmetics, there are some precautions you should take.

Permanent cosmetics are used primarily on the eyes and lips. While it is safer than ever it is still an invasive procedure, that like regular tattooing, requires an expert. Permanent cosmetics use fine needles to deposit minute amounts of ink under the skin level to achieve a particular look.

In the right hands, permanent cosmetics can give you smudge-proof eyeliner, crease-proof eye shadow, as well as lipstick and lip liner that won't leave a trace of color on glasses, or your groom when you exchange your first kiss as man and wife. Some women elect to have a "beauty mark" placed on their face for a different look.

A trained technician can give you an understated look, that allows you to look fully made up, but does not limit you to one look. A thin stroke of eyeliner, while defining your eyes, can still be covered with pencil eyeliner for a smoky, smudged look. Lip color can still be covered with different shades of lipstick to achieve different looks.

If you are considering permanent cosmetics there are some things you should keep in mind.

First, the procedure itself can produce some irritation or in some cases, scabbing, that may take a few days to heal, so this is not a procedure you want to have done just before the wedding. Plan on having the work done at least several weeks, or preferably months, before your big day.

Once you decide to have the work done, it is time to select a technician. Talk to several different people. Ask for recommendations from friends who may have had the work done already, or your beautician or cosmetologist. When interviewing someone to do your permanent cosmetics, be sure you ask several questions. Ask about their training and certification; ask how long they have been doing this and ask to see samples of their work as well as references from previous clients. Finally, but no less important, ask about their safety and sterilization procedures. Many technicians use disposable needles, or have hospital-level sterilization techniques. Remember, these needles are piercing your skin and therefore have a high risk of transferring blood-born diseases if not sterilized properly. If any technician you speak to refuses, or is unable, to answer questions to your satisfaction, walk away and find someone else.

You can have the look you want, every day, from the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, safely and beautifully with a little care and research. Its no longer just in the movies.