The Refinery

About The Refinery

Nestled in the hills of Mission Bay amidst native bush and birdsong, The Refinery is a cosmetic inkery specialising in permanent makeup artistry and advanced tattoo removal. Founded by certified PhiBrows artist Sheila Ferneyhough, the studio takes a considered, bespoke approach to enhancing facial harmony, pairing detailed face mapping and predraw consultations with high-grade European REACH-compliant pigments.

Alongside permanent eyebrow microblading, shading, lashliner, and lip enhancements, The Refinery operates its specialised 'Laser PEW-PEW' service using state-of-the-art Aurora Star Pico Laser technology and skin cooling equipment. The studio also provides rapid emergency saline removal for treatments requiring immediate intervention, as well as specialised care including subsidised treatments under Te Whatu Ora Section 88 and complimentary radiation marker removal for cancer patients.

Bespoke Precision and Face Confidence at The Refinery in Mission Bay

Set high in Mission Bay surrounded by native bush and birdsong, The Refinery has established itself as an Auckland sanctuary for refined cosmetic tattooing and state-of-the-art tattoo removal. Founded by certified PhiBrows artist Sheila Ferneyhough, the studio operates under a core philosophy she calls 'Face Confidence'—the understanding that our facial features, and particularly our eyebrows, serve as our primary visual cue for connection and expression. Through precise artistry and advanced pigment technology, The Refinery crafts subtle, natural enhancements tailored to individual facial balance.

Rather than applying a rigid stencil, appointments begin with thorough mapping and a customized predraw directly on the skin. This collaborative process allows subtle adjustments to brow tails, arches, and thickness, creating an animated, natural frame that complements each client's unique facial anatomy. The studio draws exclusively from globally recognized, high-grade pigment collections, including Brow Daddy, Evenflo by Perma Blend, Brovi, and EU REACH-compliant ranges by YD PMU and Hanafy, ensuring pigment stability and graceful longevity.

Next-Generation Laser and Emergency Removal

Cosmetic styles and personal life paths evolve over time, which has spurred significant advancements in pigment lightening and reversal. The Refinery operates 'Laser PEW-PEW', utilizing the Aurora Star Pico Laser to achieve tattoo clearance in fewer appointments. Unlike older laser technologies that require repetitive sweeps, the pico laser works effectively in a single pass per session. To keep clients comfortable, treatments are paired with a dedicated skin cooling system designed to manage sensation.

In addition to pico laser lightening, The Refinery provides rapid emergency saline removal. Formulated for situations where recent permanent makeup from another provider has gone wrong, this saline-based extraction process must be initiated within 24 to 48 hours of application to draw fresh pigment out before it sets into healed skin.

Medical Restorative Work and Community Care

A defining pillar of The Refinery's practice is its commitment to restorative cosmetic procedures. Sheila Ferneyhough is an approved service provider under Te Whatu Ora Section 88, allowing individuals coping with temporary or permanent hair loss from medical conditions and cancer treatments to access fully subsidized brow and eyeliner restoration. Additionally, the clinic provides complimentary laser removal of radiation marker tattoos, helping cancer survivors close a medical chapter on their own terms.

Signature items

• PhiBrows Eyebrow Microblading
• Aurora Star Pico Laser Removal
• Emergency Saline PMU Removal
• Subsidised Medical PMU
• Free Radiation Marker Removal

Menu

Permanent Makeup Artistry

• PhiBrows Microblading & Shading — Bespoke eyebrow design drawn directly on the face via custom mapping and executed with Phi Academy precision.
• Men's Combo Brows — Tailored eyebrow enhancement combining microblading and subtle shading suited to male facial features.
• Permanent Lip Enhancements — Cosmetic lip tattooing designed to enhance definition and tint using premium pigments.
• Lashliner & Eyeliner Enhancement — Fine permanent eyeliner tattooing along the lash line to accentuate and define the eyes.
• Biennial Colour Boost — Periodic maintenance colour refresh sessions for existing permanent cosmetic clients.

Tattoo Removal & Lightening

• Pico Laser Tattoo Removal — Advanced Aurora Star Pico laser removal targeting cosmetic and body tattoos with single-pass sessions and skin cooling.
• Emergency Saline Removal — Urgent extraction procedure for fresh, unwanted PMU or tattoo work administered within 24 to 48 hours.
• Tattoo Pre-Lightening — Fading and pre-lightening treatments in partnership with body tattoo studios ahead of cover-up work.
• Radiation Marker Removal — Complimentary laser removal of radiation marker tattoos for oncology patients.

Specialised & Subsidised Services

• Te Whatu Ora Subsidised PMU — Approved provider under Section 88 offering subsidized brow and eyeliner treatments for illness-related hair loss.
• Virtual Consultation — Pre-appointment online review to evaluate treatment suitability, brow structure, or removal needs.

Frequently asked questions

What qualifications does the cosmetic artist hold?

Founder Sheila Ferneyhough is a certified PhiBrows Artist trained through the Phi Academy, specializing in microblading, shading, lips, and lashliner enhancements.

What should I do if my recent permanent makeup didn't turn out as intended?

The Refinery offers emergency saline removal, which must be administered within 24 to 48 hours of the initial permanent makeup procedure. Contact the studio immediately if urgent reversal is required.

Is laser tattoo removal painful at The Refinery?

While laser treatment does involve an initial sensation, the Aurora Star Pico Laser only requires a single pass over the treatment area per session, and a skin cooling machine is used throughout to maximize comfort.

Are permanent makeup treatments covered by health subsidies?

Yes, The Refinery is an approved Te Whatu Ora service provider under Section 88, offering subsidized brow and eyeliner treatments for individuals experiencing hair loss due to illness or cancer.

Does The Refinery remove radiation marker tattoos?

Yes, laser tattoo removal for radiation marker tattoos is offered free of charge for cancer patients.

Can laser removal help before getting a new cover-up tattoo?

Yes, The Refinery collaborates with body tattoo studios to provide pre-lightening sessions that prepare existing tattoos for cleaner cover-up work.

Tips

• {"body":"When inquiring about laser removal or touch-ups, email refinery.akl@gmail.com with three clear photos of the area to receive prompt initial feedback.","title":"Send Photos for Quick Advice"}
• {"body":"If you require emergency saline removal for a botched PMU procedure from another clinic, contact the studio within 24 to 48 hours to ensure effective pigment extraction.","title":"Act Fast for Fresh PMU Reversals"}
• {"body":"If you are undergoing treatment or recovering from illness resulting in hair loss, ask about Section 88 Te Whatu Ora funding prior to booking your brow or liner appointment.","title":"Check Medical Eligibility"}