Beauty 5 years ago

Microblading 101 — A Q&A with an Expert

So, I got a tattoo on my face.

But, it’s not what you think… I got my eyebrows microbladed! AKA, I got a semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo to fill in and shape my brows. I filmed it all for Catching Up with Chris, so be sure to watch the video if you haven’t yet! It’s been a few days since it happened, so I wanted to give you a more in-depth review on the blog.

I even did a little interview with the amazing Elysia An of Hera Permanent Makeup, who was my Cosmetic Tattoo Artist. I picked her brain about microblading so you can find out if it’s something that’s right for you.

You all know I love the ‘Korean Brow‘ shape on myself, which has more of a straight across look and less of an arch. My natural eyebrows are very faint and sparse so I have to draw them in every morning but ever since I’ve got microbladed, I’ve been SO happy with the results.

When I first went in, Elysia An had me draw in my eyebrows how I usually do and like them to look, so she could outline my brows accordingly. That way, my brows would turn out exactly how I fill them in myself. Since my eyebrows have a natural arch, she actually shaved it down a little in order to draw the outline. It sounds scary, but she’s a pro and I trusted her.

She used a numbing cream around my brows, so the actual microblading process didn’t hurt! On a scale of 1-10, I would rate the pain at around a 2. It was more uncomfortable than actually painful.

The only drawback of this process is the ‘recovery time.’ By that, I mean you’re not supposed to get your eyebrows wet for 10 days post the session or wear any eye makeup which has been proving to be a bit difficult when it comes time to wash my face and get in the shower!

 

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I took those photos above right before and immediately after my session and as you can tell, my brows will be very dark for a few days, but it will continue to fade to a natural look as time goes on. Are you able to see how much straighter they look now, too? When I woke up the day after I got them done, Chloe asked me if my eyebrows grew overnight!

So is microblading right for you? Here’s my Q & A with Elysia An:

Question: What is microblading?

Answer: Microblading is a form of semi-permanent tattoo where pigment is implanted into the skin with a hand-held tool in a series of thin lines to simulate natural hair strokes.

Q: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GETTING MICROBLADED AND A TATTOO?

A: A standard old fashioned tattoo, usually using dark permanent ink with a machine, results in stamped-like solid shapes as eyebrows. Not only can this look very unnatural and eventually leave an unflattering grey color but will last as long as 20-30 years to a lifetime. Microblading, on the other hand, is a tattoo technique that creates a series of hair-like incisions. The pigment used is semi-permanent and only lasts up to about 1-2 years. In result, microblading not only simulates a much more natural aesthetic than the old fashioned tattoo but provides the flexibility to change the shape of the eyebrows as both trends and faces change over time.

Q: How do I know if I’m ready for it?

A: 1. If you find it difficult to draw/fill in your eyebrow makeup yourself.
     2. If you find it difficult to maintain your makeup throughout the day.
     3. If you wish your eyebrows were sweat/water resistant at saunas, swimming pools/ beaches, etc.
     4. If you wish to minimize your makeup routine so you can sleep in a little more!
     5. If you simply wish to change your look but don’t know how!
However, although microblading is semi-permanent, it is still a form of tattoo that you will have to have for a good year or two. If you’re ready to commit to a shape, you’re ready for microblading!

Q: What actually happens to your eyebrows once they’re microbladed?

A: Nothing happens to your natural eyebrows as they are untouched by the microblading. It is important to keep most of your natural hair as much as possible to maintain a natural aesthetic.

Q: What’s the best shape for my face?

A: A person can actually pull off many different shapes of eyebrows– it all depends on their preference! What impression do you want to deliver with your new eyebrows? Do you want to look younger/older? Fierce and sexy or sweet and innocent? The options are endless.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: It can, depending on each person’s reception of anesthesia. However, most microblading places, including ours, provide ample numbing in order to provide clients with a painless experience.

Q: How much should a good microblading session cost?

A: It’s difficult to determine a set price for good microblading because this depends on preference and skill level as well as location. We’ve seen highly priced microblading with disappointingly subpar results and affordable places with surprisingly great results. On average, most microblading prices range from $300-1,000+. It’s important to do your research and find the one that would be most worth the price for your face.
Tip: Make sure to find a place that has enough Before and After examples for you to determine if this place is worth trying. Look and see if they offer more than one set shape so you will know that they are able to cater to your unique features rather than their own limited design. Don’t settle for cheap products and end up having to spend way more to fix later! But don’t blindly trust the most rated and expensive place without researching to see if this place suits you and your goal!

Q: How can I prep my skin for it?

A: Keep your skin exfoliated and moisturized! It’s also best not to drink or take blood-thinning medications/supplements prior to microblading as this will cause an increased level of bleeding throughout the procedure. Coming in with makeup is optional but not recommended as you will be restricted from getting water on the procedural area for the first 24hrs.

Q: What if my skin is oily? Is microblading for all skin types?

A: People with oily skin can still get microblading. However, the lines will blur out and become a little thicker as well as fade out a little faster than average. Of course, it will still look better than nothing!

Q: How long does it last?

A: Microblading typically lasts up to about 1-2 years, depending on the skin type and lifestyle of the recipient. If you lead a more active lifestyle, such as regular workouts and sports that cause heavy sweating, you will experience shorter lived results.

Q: If I can’t afford microblading right now, what are your favorite eyebrow products?

A: It really depends on what kind of look you’re going for. In the case that you want a more natural look without microblading, we recommend that you use a combination of both eyebrow pencil and shadow. You want to lightly draw out the shape of the brows with a pencil and then fill them in with the shadow. We highly recommend that you use a color that is 1-2 levels lighter than your original shade to keep them looking more natural and soft.

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HOURGLASS

Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil

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BOBBI BROWN

Natural Brow Shaper & Hair Touch-Up

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ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

Brow Definer

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ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

Dipbrow Pomade® Waterproof Brow Color

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Glossier

The Boy Brow

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If you happen to be in the LA or SoCal area, I highly recommend Elysia An and her Hera Permanent Makeup studio! Check her out her website and Instagram for more info.
If you have any more questions about the process, please drop a comment below. And if you haven’t already- be sure to watch the latest Catching Up with Chris down below!