Johnston PMU Elite Academy

Part 2: The Day of the Trial. Belfast, Rain, and the Championship
​I woke up at six in the morning. My brain still carried traces of yesterday’s merciless migraine, but thankfully, the throbbing pain had finally subsided. I took a quick shower, got ready, finished packing in a panicked rush, and headed downstairs. Waiting outside was my daughter—my loyal model who was about to place her lips in my hands. The plan was simple: together, we would make our way to the Spire in the center of Dublin, where we were scheduled to meet Patrycja, our brow model.
​And then, the universe decided to throw a massive wrench into our plans.
​Calling it rain was a gross understatement. It was pouring as if the sky was about to collapse. Pure, unadulterated unfairness—why today of all days?! In a rush, I asked Julcia to check the exact departure bay for our bus to Belfast. We arrived at the monument at 8:45 AM. Ten minutes before departure. A large coach pulled up. We jumped inside, handed the driver our tickets... and then I heard the words that froze the blood in my veins:
— "This isn't your bus. This one goes to the airport. Your Express departs from a different bay."
​We grabbed our bags and started to run. Like crazy, through freezing torrents of rain, soaked to the bone. Unfortunately. By the time we reached the correct bay, the clock showed three minutes past the hour. The bus had slipped through our fingers.
​A frantic brainstorm ignited in my head. What do we do? Rent a car? No, after a split-second consultation, the only right decision was made: we grabbed a taxi straight to Patrycja’s house in Clondalkin. There, dripping wet, we slipped into dry clothes, piled into her car, and Patrycja took the wheel, pressing her foot hard on the gas toward Belfast.
​The journey did not spare us any nerves. Google Maps painfully reminded us of an accident on the road, signaling a half-hour delay. Time flew relentlessly, every minute weighed a ton, but deep inside, a fierce determination grew within us. We fought to the very end and—summing it all up—we arrived at the venue just in time for registration.
​And then, as if by magic, the chaos gave way to absolute focus. Registration started at noon. Each of us received our number and a designated workstation. First battle: lip pigmentation. Julia first disappeared for a moment into a separate room for makeup-free photos, then returned to the hall where my workstation was already perfectly prepped, sterile and pristine. We put on our blue aprons. Right at 1:00 PM, the championship began.
​At first, my fingers trembled. Stress tried to rob me of control over my hands, but I had a remedy for it. I slipped earphones into my ears, turned on my audiobook, and in a single moment cut off the entire loud world, the crowd, and the pressure. There was only me, the needle, and the work. Julia’s lips were not an easy canvas—they swelled quickly and were quite large, demanding iron precision. I fought for every millimeter until finally, the sound of the bell rang out. Promptly at 3:30 PM, we finished the pigmentation.
​The hour-long break flew by in a flash. It was time to disinfect the entire station, tidy up the space, grab a quick coffee, and catch our breath before the second category. At 4:30 PM, we kicked off the powder brows championship. This time, Patrycja was my model. The scenario repeated itself: first, photo documentation without makeup, then a return to my table.
​With the brows, it felt different. The ice had been broken, and the stress gave way to a focused flow. I had two and a half hours for this task. When time was up, Patrycja—just like Julia before her—entrusted herself to the jury, who meticulously tore our work apart in a separate room. They evaluated everything: skin trauma, pigment uniformity, saturation, color selection, perfect shape, and symmetry.
​As the door closed behind the last of the girls, I felt the absolute weight lift from my shoulders. The emotions melted away in a single second, yielding to a profound sense of relief. The victory of that moment wasn't just the competition itself, but the fact that we had made it here, survived the rain, the sprint, the migraine, and the chaos. As a reward, I took my two wonderful, brave models out for dinner. We ate a massive, juicy steak with potatoes and a crunchy salad, celebrating that day to the very end.
​Then the girls drove back home, and I checked into my hotel room. I was so unbelievably exhausted, physically and mentally, that I confess without shame: I didn't even wash off my makeup. I simply collapsed onto the bed, and in that very second, a deep, dreamless sleep swallowed me whole.

Growth knows no boundaries! 🚀 I had the great honor and pleasure of competing at the Irish Championships, showcasing my powder brows technique.
​Participating in events like this is not just about competition, but above all, about exchanging experiences at the highest global level and constantly striving for perfection. Thank you for this wonderful challenge! 🌟
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Trust the process. 🤍 Everyone panics at the 'too bold' stage right after the appointment, but here is the reality check:

This client has naturally gorgeous, full brows, and our goal was simply to amplify that volume. Right now, they look super thick and fluffy, but once the pigment settles and heals, they’ll shrink down optically. The healed result will live strictly within her natural hair line—no artificial over-drawing, just pure, airy density.

We used a soft shading technique, dusting from the center outward with zero harsh outlines. It’s all about creating a seamless, powdery finish that looks completely effortless.

Want to chat about your own brow goals? Give Monika Johnston a ring at +353 89 474 1983! ✨

Refreshing this gorgeous look after 2 whole years! ✨
​I’m so emotional and proud to share this journey with you all. I've been working with this wonderful client for years now, and look at how stunning her lips still look, even before our touch-up!
​In this TikTok video, I’m refreshing her permanent makeup to bring back that ultimate vibrancy and perfection. Consistency, trust, and loving what I do—that's what it's all about. 💖
​🎥 Check out the TikTok video here: [Insert Link]
​Want to wake up with effortless, perfect lips every single day? Get in touch with me!
​✨ Permanent Makeup by Monika Johnston
📞 Phone: +353 894 741 983
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