Microblading: Everything you Need to Know to Get Wow-Brows

As you age, you’ll naturally experience some brow thinning (many people report the target spots are the beginning and at the tails of their brows). Some people may have non-existent or ultra-faint brows in part due to alopecia, or other conditions, so microblading may help provide that full, natural look with little maintenance or daily upkeep. Others may just want to up their brow game, and get that thicker du jour brow look.
These mistakes can also be self-induced, so be sure to avoid this common rookie mistake.

Microblading is essentially a semi-permanent tattoo, where the certified esthetician or cosmetic tattoo specialist deposits medical-grade pigment in the shallower layers of your skin (versus the deeper layers of a permanent tattoo).
Healing will take about 10 days, so word to the wise: don’t schedule the procedure ahead of big events. There will be scabbing, and flaking, and the brows typically do appear darker and too prominent as they heal, before settling into their more natural-looking pigment. Plan accordingly.
Similarly, where a regular tattoo artist may use a tattoo gun, your microblading specialist will use a state-of-the-art hand tool with tiny needles that make up a small angled blade. This improves precision and gives microbladed brows that natural look. Before any of that happens however, the specialist will also employ a microblading ruler, skin numbing gel, and a special pencil to draw out the outline of your desired look, so you get what you want and what looks best on you.

Meet with a microblading specialist to discuss your options and preferences. You definitely don’t want to leave the future of your brows in your manicurist’s hands, for example, as appealing as those prices seem. You’ll want to go with a certified esthetician with microblading training and experience, or a cosmetic tattoo specialist at a dermatology or cosmetic clinic. Most of all, make sure they are hygienic and follow safe disposal procedures of bio-hazardous materials (such as previously used blades).

Expect to dish out around $800-$900 dollars at a reputable clinic. This should include a consultation, the procedure itself, and a subsequent touch-up.

Before putting ink to paper, so-to-speak, the specialist will first measure and draw out the outline and shape of your future wow-brows so you can see if you’re cool with the look. As you likely know, there are a tonne of eyebrow shapes to choose from. Generally, thinner, natural shapes are more classic even as the trend has brought back thicker, more prominent brows. Decide whether you want a more classic look, less prone to trend fluctuations, or if you want to run with what’s in the moment - microblading is semi-permanent, after all. (For a quick reminder of just how quickly trends can shift, here are iconic looks over the ages.) With all this in mind, find an inspiration you like and bring it to show your specialist.

Eyebrows are like fingerprints to some extent. There is an optimal brow shape for each face - thick or thin - so whatever you choose should be specific to what works with you. It turns out, too, that the opposite sex tends to prefer natural beauty, so don't overlook what your momma gave you.

In consultation with the specialist, you will also decide on the optimal pigment for your hair, eye and skin colour, keeping in mind how your skin will tan. It’s best to go even a little lighter and add darker pigment at the touch-up, than trying to go backwards.

So once the shape and pigment are settled on, and you arrive at your appointment day-of, the specialist will apply a numbing gel, before defining the area to microblade. Once your forehead is numb (after about an hour), the specialist will essentially create minor, hair-like wounds or nicks, delicately scratching the surface, much like a paper cut. They will then deposit the pigment to let it seep in. Essentially, you want the appearance of fine, realistic hairs. While this sounds mega-painful, it’s been likened to having your brows threaded. Often, it’s the scratching sound that bothers people more than the sensation itself. The whole process should take about two hours in total, with half that time going to the numbing process.

You’re not supposed to sweat or wet the brows for a week, so consider this a mandated break from exercise and other strenuous activities. You will also need to apply antibacterial ointment to the area to allow it to heal, to keep it moisturized and bacteria-free. Note that scabbing is a natural part of the process, and that you should keep out of the sun or water.
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Some people can have a sensitivity or allergic reaction to the pigment (a rare but possible reaction), so the specialist should be doing a small patch test on you ahead of performing the full procedure. As noted, your eyebrows will initially be about 40 per cent darker (due to scabbing, etc.) than the final outcome 7-10 days later, and following the touch-up If you really hate the outcome, having noted the considerations above, you can have the pigment erased by having the specialist apply a salt/saline solution. You will also have to prepare for your procedure several weeks in advance, so be sure to plan for that time accordingly before you decide when to have the procedure done (for example, you shouldn’t get any fillers for several weeks prior to your appointment, and after, so plan around that). Speak to your specialist for the specifics.

You’re not just restricted to microblading for eyebrow-enhancing procedures. Your options include brow tinting, microshading, and microfeathering, among others. These last two have gained some momentum over the past little while, so here's a quick breakdown: Think of microfeathering as a less prominent, more natural, feathered take on your existing brow and brow hairs (but still involving some scratching and pigment). Microshading on the other hand creates a more dense, powder-filled look. And if you want other, maybe less permanent ideas, here are other ways to get thick brows.