Aurora Now Home To Its First Microblading Business

AURORA, IL — Until Thursday, Aurora was not home to a single microblading brick-and-mortar business. That changed on the final day of Women's History Month when Mel's Beauty Works celebrated its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The beauty salon, owned by Imelda Vega, is located at 2424B Indian Trail. But microblading — a semi-permanent tattoo technique to create the illusion of fuller eyebrows — is not the only service the salon offers. Eyelash extensions, teeth whitening and shapewear are also offered at the studio on Aurora's west side.

"I've been microblading for about four years now and doing makeup since I was 18 years old," Vega said at the ceremony. "I have always loved and been passionate about the beauty industry."

Before Vega's salon, the city did not have a business category for microblading, according to Clayton Muhammad, Aurora's chief communications officer. As a result, when Vega applied for a business permit a year ago, her application was denied.

"I didn't want to take no for an answer. My family helped keep me motivated," Vega said. "Then in December, our mayor and Board amended the law. It would've been easy to go to another city where they allow microblading, but I've never been one to take the easy way out."

The business owner, born and raised in Aurora, continued to say, "I believe there is so much potential in our beautiful city. I wanted to open and grow here. ... I can't believe we're making history with being the first microblading studio in Aurora."

The business owner persisted and met with city officials to discuss this growing aspect of the beauty industry, Muhammad said. A few months later, Aurora City Council unanimously approved an amendment to a city tattooing ordinance that allowed microblading businesses to operate.

At the Thursday event, Vega was joined by Mayor Richard Irvin, city officials and a group of family and friends to celebrate the shop's grand opening.