A permanent makeup school in downtown San Diego, founded by Anna Kara.
This is a family business. Alex Kara leads business growth, marketing and finance. Anna and Anastasia lead the training.
44
certificates and diplomas of Anna and Anastasia
15
years of Anna in permanent makeup
4.9
on Google, 82 reviews
Live
model practice with an instructor
Lifetime
support in the course chat
Founder
Founder of the Academy and the studio. 15 years in permanent makeup, author of 5 PMU study guides for students.
Lead instructor and curator
Runs the free consultation and guides students from enrollment to class.
2020
New PMU opens in North Park during COVID. FOX 5, NBC 7 and KUSI cover it.
2022 to 2024
A hard stretch, then a rebuild and the move to our current downtown address.
2025
The school becomes Anna Kara's Permanent Makeup Academy.
Today
Small in-person groups, practice on live models under an instructor, a fully insured space with a permit for the premises.
Anna Kara's Permanent Makeup Academy is a gateway to permanent makeup excellence. We offer solutions for launching or advancing a career in the PMU industry, from a Basic Course for beginners to advanced courses for seasoned professionals.
Students receive guidance from Anastasia, the lead instructor and curator, and a team of experienced instructors. Each instructor has been practicing permanent makeup for over 5 years and works with clients daily in our studio, so every lesson is grounded in real, hands-on expertise.
Anna Kara and Anastasia together hold 44 certificates and diplomas from world-renowned PMU stars and make sure the instructors keep training continuously. Our students don't need to travel to other countries to access international-level education: everything is available right here in San Diego.
Yes. For seasoned professionals the Academy offers advanced courses with cutting-edge techniques and innovations. We have hosted PMU masters from Italy, France, China, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia and Korea.
Our mission extends beyond teaching: students keep lifetime support in the course chat, where we answer their questions long after graduation.
Experience world-famous techniques, groundbreaking innovations, and product launches from leading PMU brands.
San Diego is becoming the hub of creativity and innovation in the PMU industry, and Anna Kara's Permanent Makeup Academy is at the forefront.
Whether you're starting your journey or refining your craft, Anna Kara's Permanent Makeup Academy provides the expertise and inspiration to take your skills to the next level.
Founder
Originally from Ukraine, Anna Kara is a board certified permanent makeup artist. Anna has a medical degree. She constantly improves her skills at master classes with the best masters of their craft. She has also trained with the leading permanent makeup masters in Europe. In 2014, Anna participated in a 6-month apprenticeship training with the top specialist of permanent makeup in Belgium. In the same year she opened the training practice in Ukraine. In 2015 Anna won the Championship of Ukraine (Europe) in the permanent makeup artist category. She moved to the USA in 2016 with no knowledge of English, and after 8 months of studying English she opened her own business “Permanent MakeUp by AK” and doubled income every next year twice. In 2018 she wrote Fundamentals training of Permanent MakeUp in English and started to train American students.
Anna Kara’s Permanent Makeup Academy is part of a family business of Anna and Alex Kara, built by Anna from the very beginning. Over more than 10 years we have added one direction after another, and in those same years our family grew by two children. Alex Kara is the Business Growth Director.
Founder
Founder of the Academy and of the studio. 15 years in permanent makeup.
Lead instructor and curator
Runs the free Academy consultation at a time booked in advance and guides students from enrollment to class.
From a dance studio in North Park to our downtown Academy. Each step has its own story.
2018
2018, filmed when Anna worked in La Jolla. The steps of a procedure from start to finish.
2019
2019, filmed when Anna worked in La Jolla. A lip blush procedure with the steps and an example.
2020
2020, the opening of New PMU in North Park.
2022
2022, our team after a photo shoot in a neutral space. Old low-resolution video.
Archive videos from our YouTube channel. They were filmed before we moved to the current downtown location.
2019 to 2020
A former dance studio in North Park, a renovation that started in February 2020, and an opening under COVID restrictions. FOX 5, NBC 7 and KUSI News covered the story.
Read the story
2022 to 2024
A hard stretch with no revenue and high rent, then the move to our current downtown address in February 2024, a rebrand and a full renovation.
Read the story
Today
Regular groups, practice on live models with an instructor, full insurance, and plans for a larger space.
Read the story
Students
Short videos in which students say why they chose us and how the intensive course felt.
Read the storyAnnaFounderAnastasiaLead InstructorTell us a little about yourself.
AgreementA $1,000 deposit secures your place in the class.
Your class moves from theory to real work.
You graduate with your certificate.
Before you take clients, you will want professional liability insurance. Ask us about it during your consultation.
Kate Fateeva
October 23, 2026
I have recently completed my PMU training and had great learning experience under the guidance of Anastasia. She was a great instructor, who was patient, knowledgeable, took time to explain the techniques, and answered a…
Posted on Google
Natalia Montiel
September 11, 2025
This is the place! If you are looking to start your PMU career, want a welcoming environment, and professional instructors, look no further! Anastasia and Anna are amazing people they were both so kind and are experts i…
Posted on Google
Sara
May 29, 2025
Completed my PMU training with Anna Kara Academy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ very grateful for their educational guidance and support 🙂 thank you 🙏
Posted on Google
Ashley
May 29, 2025
This place is incredible! The vibes are so relaxing and the artists so welcoming, patient, kind, fun, and knowledgeable. Taking classes there was educational, real, and motivating. They were teachers, cheerleaders, and f…
Posted on Google
Yia Lao
November 11, 2024
I recently took a brow course with Anna and Anastasia, and I couldn't be more impressed with their expertise and passion. Both are incredibly knowledgeable about all things brows, from shaping and mapping to the latest t…
Posted on Google
Jean Helsel
September 25, 2023
My experience at Ana Kara PMU has been stellar from beginning to end. The business offers many services, the classes are very informative and fun. The marketing class on how to start your own business gives enough inform…
Posted on Google
Isabella Aeschlimann
June 14, 2022
I took the the full basic course and it such a good experience. All the staff was amazing and great to work with. Karina is very professional and knowledgeable with everything on permanent makeup. She was a great teacher…
Posted on Google
Andrea Alvernaz
January 24, 2022
Excellent school, program, teacher's, mentors, and facility. Cannot recommend them enough. The program was comprehensive and educational, staff was knowledgeable and inspirational.
Posted on Google
Nina Goddard
October 20, 2021
I completed the PMU course for permanent brows, eyeliner and lip enhancement. Upon completion, there was also a Business Marketing class...the classes were extremely detailed and informative! The training truly helped wi…
Posted on Google
Sarah Nicola Resor
September 5, 2021
This is the 3rd Permanent Makeup Course I’ve taken and New PMU is by far the most thorough class. Their attention to detail and education is unmatched. I’m grateful for their time, expertise, and care.
Posted on Google
Elise Leiker
August 23, 2021
I had been interested in taking a PMU course for a while. I researched and looked into sooo many different courses and trainings. Most seemed like either a scam or not up to date enough with their methods of PMU. Anna Ka…
Posted on Google
Olena Kohanovska
August 15, 2021
I I have completed a basic course and a marketing course at this school and what can I say: this is the best permanent makeup academy in my experience. I completed 3 courses (I believed in advertising on Instagram and w…
Posted on Google
Samantha Cox
February 22, 2021
I found New PMU searching for a professional permanent makeup school in San Diego. From the first day of class, I could tell that each individual had a passion for their craft and helping others succeed. I learned all ab…
Posted on Google
1
$1,000 deposit
Secures your place in a class.
2
The rest, 2 weeks before
Paid two weeks before the course starts.
3
Payment plans
Spread the cost with Affirm, Klarna or PayPal.
Request a free consultation. Anastasia, our lead instructor and curator, calls you at a time booked in advance and answers your questions. Then a $1,000 deposit secures your place in a class.
A $1,000 deposit secures your place, and the rest is paid two weeks before the course starts. Payment plans are available with Affirm, Klarna and PayPal.
Basic courses are $2,470 for each zone (brows, lips or eyes). When you take all three Basic zones, the price for each zone is $2,315. Advanced courses are priced on their course pages.
The deposit and the final payment are non-refundable after the date in your enrollment agreement, which you see before you pay. In case of a disaster, the Academy reviews each situation individually.
If you are new to permanent makeup, start with a Basic course. Advanced courses are for artists who are already trained and certified. Not sure where you fit? Tell us about your experience in the consultation.
Yes. Students practice on live models with an instructor guiding every step. The Academy holds the permit for the premises and is fully insured, including students who practice on models.
Request a free consultation with Anastasia, or look through the courses first.
