If you’ve ever looked at your PMU needle cartridge box and thought, “What the heck is a taper?”, you’re not alone. Needle tapers might sound technical, but once you wrap your head around them, they can seriously level up your work (and your healed results).
So, let’s break it down with no boring jargon, we promise.
What is a taper, anyway?
In simple terms, the taper is the part of the needle that narrows down to its pointy little end. The longer the taper, the skinnier that tip becomes. The shorter the taper, the blunter it is.
Think of it like a pencil.
✏️ A long, sharpened point = long taper
✏️ A short, stubby tip = short taper
And just like you wouldn’t use a chubby crayon for a fine-line drawing, you wouldn’t use the wrong taper for crisp hairstrokes.
The Main Taper Types in PMU Cartridges
Here’s where it gets juicy. Different tapers create different results, so choosing the right one for your treatment matters.
🔸 Short Taper (1.5–2mm)
AKA the bold one.
Short tapers deposit pigment fast and deliver more saturation. Great for filling, shading, and areas where you want solid, vibrant colour, for example: powder brows, ombré brows, and lip blush.
💡 Just keep your hand light, because short tapers can be a little heavy-handed if you’re not careful.
🔸 Medium Taper (2–4mm)
The all-rounder (or Goldilocks).
Not too long, not too short, just right. Medium tapers give you a nice balance of pigment flow and control, making them ideal for combo brows, eyeliner, or when you’re doing a bit of everything.
Think of this as your trusty "I-don’t-know-what-to-use-so-I’ll-use-this" needle.
🔸 Long Taper (5–7mm)
The precision player.
Long tapers are sharper at the tip, so they deposit pigment a bit more slowly and gently which makes them perfect for creating fine hairstrokes, soft blends, or working on sensitive skin. You’ll find these handy for nano brows, delicate eyeliner, or areola work.
Bonus: They help reduce trauma, so your clients will love the healed results.
🔸 Extra Long Taper (8mm+)
The detail queen.
This one’s for the perfectionists and realism artists. Extra-long tapers give you ultimate control for the most delicate, crisp work possible. Ideal for hyper-realistic hairstrokes or fine-line detail, but keep in mind you’ll need a steady hand and potentially a few passes to build up the colour.
So… which taper should you use?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.
Your decision will depend on:
✔️ The area you’re working on
✔️ The technique you’re using
✔️ The skin type of your client
✔️ Your personal style and comfort
But if you’re still experimenting with what works best for you, start with a medium taper and adjust from there. It’s the PMU equivalent of trying on a pair of jeans that actually fit first try.
Final Thoughts
Tapers might seem like a tiny detail (pun absolutely intended), but understanding them can make a big difference in your technique, trauma levels, and healed results.
Whether you’re all about pixel shading or living for nano strokes, knowing your tapers means you’re not just throwing pigment around and hoping for the best — you’re working smarter, not harder.
Now go forth and taper like a boss.
And if you ever forget which taper does what, you know where to find us!
Browshop’s got your back (and your cartridges).