Microblading, Powder Shading & Combo Brows are cutting edge methods of permanent makeup designed to enhance or correct the esthetic appearance of the eyebrows. Permanent makeup (PMU) is a form of cosmetic tattooing that leaves your face looking balanced and beautiful 24/7 without having to check the mirror to ensure that your makeup hasn’t smudged.
Our tropical climate here in Sarasota, Florida can be very non-forgiving at times when it comes to makeup but thanks to permanent makeup, you don’t have worry about wiping or smudging away your brows any longer on those hot, muggy days, rainy days, beach days, pool days, or boat days. You can know that your brows will stay put!
So what exactly happens during the permanent makeup procedure? Pigment is implanted under your skin to enhance your brows and to always have the perfect brow shape without having to worry about symmetry. Permanent makeup is not like your traditional brow makeup. Let me explain … Traditional brow make up lays on top of your skin, whereas permanent makeup lays under your skin, thus, making it appear softer in appearance. If you desire a more intense look, all you have to do is add some additional brow powder or pencil over your permanent makeup. The best part is that it will literally take you less than one minute to trace the shape!
My clients frequently ask if it is a tattoo. The short answer is yes, it is considered a tattoo; however, the pigment implanted is not as deep as a traditional body tattoo and will fade gradually over time, which is why “permanent makeup” is a misnomer.
Another common question is how long permanent makeup will last? This question can be tricky to answer because so many factors will influence the amount of time it will last … but on average, it will last you between 1 to 3 years. To name a few factors that play a critical role in how long your PMU will last, include your skin type (oilier skin types have a faster rate of fading due to the natural oils in the skin), level of daily sun exposure (are you a sun goddess?), your activity level (are you a gym rat?), and what skin care products do you use (retinols increase our skin cell turnover, thus fading the PMU faster). Someone with a drier skin type, who uses SPF daily will have a longer lasting result than someone with oily skin and an active, outdoor lifestyle. This is because the sun, sweat, and the natural oils in the skin push out the pigment faster over time. Nevertheless, this is no biggie! Such individuals simply require more frequent touch ups.
With all these different brow techniques to choose from, it is very common to be a little confused as to which technique suits you best. Rest assured, that’s precisely why I wrote this article. In the next articles, I will explain each technique in great detail to help you decide which procedure is best for you. Hint -> If you don’t want to read each technique in detail, jump to the bottom of the page for an easy-to-understand summary!
Whichever procedure we (you & I) ultimately decide on, it will leave you with beautifully shaped brows. At Eye Love Skin and Brows, a licensed and certified Artist will carry out the desired procedure to give you the most beautiful and symmetrical eyebrows with a shape that enhances your natural and unique facial features.
WHAT IS MICROBLADING?
Microblading, also known as 3D brows, is a manual method for enhancing the eyebrows in the most natural way possible. It is done using a handheld tool with a very fine grouping of tiny needles to deposit pigment into the upper layer of the dermis. Because the color is closer to the surface of the skin, the hair strokes appear very crisp, fine, and hair-like.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROCEDURES?
The difference with this and ordinary permanent makeup is that microblading is NOT done with a machine. The pigment is manually placed into the skin. The microblading manual pen is equipped with sterile packaged needle groupings. These needle grouping glide into the skin with feather-like pressure and cause fine paper-like cuts, leaving a trace that can hardly be distinguished from real brow hair.
WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR MICROBLADING?
One of the biggest criteria that makes you an ideal candidate for this procedure is your skin type. Clients best suited for microblading are dry and normal skin types with minimally visible pores and fine brow hair. It is not recommended for individuals with oily skin, large pores, coarse brow hair and a very active lifestyle. The best way to explain the reasoning why individuals with less oil production in their skin are better suited for this procedure is with the analogy of a piece of paper. Picture drawing a line with a pen on a dry piece of paper and a wet piece of paper (the dry paper is representing the dry/normal skin and the wet paper is representing the oilier skin). The line of the pen on the dry paper will look sharp and crisp, whereas the line on the wet paper will bleed out, making the edges look blurry and have an overall thicker appearance. This is precisely what happens to the microblading strokes over time under the skin. The most beautiful results with the microblading technique will be for individuals with normal or dry skin.
HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?
Many factors must be taken into consideration when answering this question (I outlined the most critical factors in the previous article) but on average, results with microblading typically last between 1 to 3 years. Mature skin tends retain pigment longer on average.
WHAT IS POWDER SHADING?
Powder Shading or PowderBrows are created with a micropigmentation machine that deposits tiny, airy pixels of color under your brow hairs. It is recommended for clients who want the healed result to replace the need for daily brow makeup (remember that microblading heals to look like natural brow hair without any make up on). Powder Shading provides a more defined or filled-in brow look. A tiny, sterile, disposable needle is used to evenly disperses pigment across the skin by using a shading technique. Even if you have no brow hair at all, the Powder Shading technique will beautifully enhance your facial features and frame your face.
WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR MICROBLADING?
Are you ready for this awesome answer? Anyone!! What makes this procedure so great is that it is ideal for any skin type & lifestyle! It is even the recommended way to go if you have had any kind of cosmetic brow tattooing or permanent makeup done in the past. For “cover-up” work, it is important to note that your previous brow tattoo must be faded by at least 50% in order to add more pigment).
HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?
On average, results typically last between 1 to 3 years for Powder Shading.
WHAT ARE COMBO BROWS?
This is the best of both worlds! Combo Brows is a combination technique of microblading mixed with the Powder Shading technique. Do you love both, hair strokes and Powder Shading? Then the Combo Brow technique is for you! The final look created can have fine, hair-like strokes in the beginning part of the eyebrow and gradually transition to a filled-in brow look towards the middle/end of the brow. This look can also consist of primarily microbladed brows with additional shading added in between every other hair stroke to give the illusion of a fuller, 3D brow. This is especially great for individuals who no brow hair at all. As you can see, this look can be completely customized to your liking and there are multiple different options to choose from to create the final look that you absolutely love!
WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR COMBO BROW?
Most individuals are suited for this brow procedure (dry, normal, and combination skin types). For individuals who have had brow work done in the past, suitability is on a case by case basis depending on the current shape of your brows.
HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?
Just like the other permanent makeup techniques outlined above. Results typically last between 1 to 3 years.
