A trailblazing epidemiologist and PMU pioneer brings beauty grounded in biology to women of color.
In a world where beauty and science often live in separate realms, Dr. Zuri Dale fuses both with impeccable precision. Based in Houston, Texas, she is a scientist, epidemiologist, licensed tattoo artist, entrepreneur, and educator—all rolled into one visionary. Her dual dedication to public health and permanent makeup has garnered widespread acclaim, particularly among women of color.
Academic Foundations & Pandemic Leadership
Dr. Dale’s foundations are deeply rooted in science. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Texas Southern University, followed by Master’s degrees in Biological Engineering and Public Health at Texas A&M University, and culminated in a Doctorate from Mercer University.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she stepped into the role of campus epidemiologist and interim Assistant VP of Research & Innovation at TSU. In this capacity, she led vaccination and testing efforts that reached over 40,000 individuals vaccinated and analyzed more than 16,000 PCR tests, achieving a 72% vaccination rate among students. Her impact during the crisis solidified her reputation as a community-minded scientist.
Artistry By Zuri: Merging Beauty with Biology
After completing her PMU certification in 2018, Dr. Dale recognized a glaring gap: most training programs lacked depth in skin science. This drove her to establish Artistry By Zuri, a luxurious permanent makeup boutique and training hub where urban sophistication meets scientific rigor.
The boutique specializes in eyebrow artistry, lip blush, areola restoration, and scar camouflage—services underpinned by an understanding of skin physiology, pigment chemistry, and healing processes.
She also reformulated numbing solutions to create “Sensationless,” a gentler, science-backed anesthetic for PMU clients.
Educational Innovation: Institute of Art & Science
Dr. Dale’s commitment to teaching led to the creation of the Institute of Art & Science, the first program of its kind in the U.S. It bridges physics, chemistry, biology, cellular biology, immunology, and more to illuminate the “why” behind PMU techniques. Her masterclasses teach about:
- Optimal pigment saturation with minimal tissue trauma
- Cellular pathways of wound healing
- Melanin-rich skin uniqueness and safety concerns
Financing options ensure broader access for practitioners seeking advanced knowledge.
PMUCon: Crafting a Community
In 2023, Dr. Dale launched PMUCon, an event crafted for PMU artists of color—a rare conference spotlighting melanin-rich skin needs, best-healed practices, networking, and product innovation. Hosted in Houston, PMUCon featured workshops, expert panels, and live demos to elevate artistic and business capacities in this underserved community.
Recognition & Representation
Dr. Dale’s profound contributions have garnered her numerous accolades:
- 2019 PMU Women of Color Award, Best New Artist
- 2022 SHEEO of the Year
- 2022 Best Speaker in Science of Permanent Makeup
Media outlets like Essence, Sheen Magazine, BET+, AfroTech, and KTRK/ABC13 have recognized her as a visionary merging STEM and beauty. She uses her platform to inspire youth of color: “My goal is for some young student of color to Google and see me so they won’t struggle to find a scientist who looks like them”.
Why Her Approach Matters
Permanent makeup isn’t merely cosmetic, it’s transformative. For individuals with medical conditions like alopecia, vitiligo, or post-cancer scarring, PMU restores identity and confidence. And yet, many PMU practitioners lack specialized knowledge in skin physiology, which is especially critical for melanin-rich skin. Dr. Dale’s approach emphasizes safety, pigment stability, and minimal healing trauma—a scientifically grounded standard that sets her apart.
Future Outlook
Dr. Dale continues to push scientific inquiry into long-COVID and disease prevention while expanding online and live training, developing new masterclasses, and planning future PMUCons. Her podcast, Beauty and Brains, further explores intersections of beauty, business, science, and mental wellness.
Conclusion
Dr. Zuri Dale exemplifies a rare fusion of science, artistry, and empowerment. Through her leadership at Texas Southern University, her boutique services, her trailblazing institution, and her visionary conference, she elevates the standards of permanent makeup, especially for women of color. Her story is not just inspiring; it’s revolutionary, and it’s just getting started.
