We were lucky to catch up with Liv Seidel at Austin Cosmetic Tattoos recently and have shared our conversation below.

Liv, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission as a cosmetic tattoo artist here in Austin, TX is to create a safe, inclusive space where every client feels seen, valued, and empowered to embrace their fullest self-expression. For me, this work is deeply personal. As a trans non-binary individual with a background in mental health counseling, I’ve experienced firsthand how affirming spaces—or the lack thereof—can shape our sense of identity and confidence.

I often find myself longing for spaces & services that honored my unique needs without assumptions or judgment. The beauty industry hasn’t always felt welcoming or accommodating, and I knew I wasn’t alone in that experience. That realization inspired me to carve out a space where people of all genders could find care, creativity, and affirmation through permanent makeup and other adornments.

Every service I offer, whether it’s a gold tooth gem, a subtle freckle enhancement or brows designed to affirm a client’s gender presentation, is rooted in the belief that our physical appearance can be a powerful tool for reclaiming identity and fostering self-worth. Helping my clients feel seen and celebrated for exactly who they are is a responsibility I carry with pride—and it’s a mission that continues to evolve and grow with me.

Liv, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi there! My name is Liv (they/them), and I’m a cosmetic tattoo artist, beauty practitioner and tooth gem artist based in Austin, TX. My journey into this industry is rooted in a love for creativity, connection, and care. Originally from Chicago, I studied psychology in Montreal and worked as a mental health counselor before pivoting into permanent makeup (PMU). Dealing with my own chronic health challenges, neurodivergence and gender exploration (that my brows have played a big part in) inspired me to find a career that allowed me to care for others while honoring my own needs. This path led me to this vibrant world of creating art on peoples’ faces!

I specialize in brows—PMU brow tattoos (Nano Hairstroke Brows, Ombre Powder Brows, Combo Brows, and any of these can be gender affirming), Brow Tints and Stains as well as Laminations—freckles, and beauty marks. I also provide the highest quality tooth gems in Austin using materials you’d actually find in a dental office (seriously, I pop up at events around Austin and have had numerous dentists compliment my materials and technique!). Soon, I’ll be adding lash lifts and tints to my services! My work focuses on enhancing my clients’ natural features while prioritizing health, safety, and comfort. I’m a big believer in informed consent as well.

What sets me apart is my emphasis on inclusivity and ethical practices while being absolutely meticulous. I work out of Potion, a unique space in 78704 filled with talented practitioners who share my love for enhancing people’s well-being in their vessels. I’m not afraid to tell someone when their idea isn’t best for them in the long-run; a lot of artists are fine with a quickly money grab and that just does not sit right with my heart. I’m committed to sustainability, using compostable disposables wherever possible, and to continued education to ensure I deliver the highest-quality services. Whether I’m applying the cleanest tooth gems in Austin or crafting fluffy brows, I take pride in the details.

Since I started my tooth gem work about 2 years ago, I’ve found a lot of joy and community by popping up at local events. It is a TON of fun (and incredibly overwhelming at times)! I love saying yes when I’m asked to participate in or donate a gift voucher to a fundraising or charity event or raffle. I’ve helped raised funds for many LGBTQ orgs, DIY venues, local families going through hardships, Austin for Palestine Coalition, and more.

Outside of work, I’m a DIY and crafting enthusiast with about 1000 hobbies, a lifelong music lover collecting vinyl from 60s-90s, and I recently started fostering dogs. I believe in creating spaces and practices that care for people, animals, and the planet alike.

My ultimate goal is for my work to support each client in feeling confident, seen and celebrated for exactly who they are in their day-to-day, whether it’s with a wild tooth gem set or a subtle Nano Brow tattoo that helps them wake up and feel good without makeup.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In most training I’ve received, capitalist-heavy marketing has been emphasized. While I must participate in capitalism to survive, I don’t need to push the agenda on the other big-hearted, art-driven folks I tend to attract. I’m constantly trying to balance my approach when seeking out potential new clients — yes, I want folks who may not be able to afford my usual prices to know I’m offering a deal, but I mainly want folks to see me and my heart.

I see PMU artists who make big money and drive G Wagons and—while I’m not trying to throw shade—they push the kind of sales tactics that let me know *I* wouldn’t want to spend hours getting work done with these artists… because that isn’t me. So remembering that there are other people out there like me who prefer a genuine connection & who want to be made to feel good about their natural beauty reminds me that I don’t need to push those same tactics. I just need to be myself.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I don’t have a huge audience and I am still building clientele! But I do get a lot of compliments regarding how I show up on social media. Seriously, I just show up as me. Sometimes I’ll use a trending audio and make goofy reels that way (so yall get the privilege of seeing my major acting skills). But really, if I’m not being authentic, it doesn’t feel good and I’m not going to do it. Of course, just posting on social media doesn’t feel particularly authentic at its core, but when I do post, I try to just “do me”.

Getting bogged down by the aesthetic of it really became a chore quickly so I’ve been challenging myself to just put out content I feel is reflective of me and my work rather than making it perfect.

Contact Info:

• Website: austincosmetictattoos.com
• Instagram: @liv.austincosmetictattoos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086465744993&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

Liv at Austin Cosmetic Tattoos