eyebrow Semi-permanent makeup has been around for awhile, and it’s not going anywhere.
And unless you know what to look for in a microblading artist, you could end up with brows that you wish would go away. Even though semi-permanent makeup fades over time and if you decide not to maintain your pigment saturation with yearly touch-ups, you still want to make sure you do your research when choosing the best microblading artist near you. Here are some important things to look for:
Where did they receive their training?
With so many people quickly jumping into this field, you want to make sure you find a microblading artist that has been well-trained. Some programs are only a few days long, and that’s just not enough time to really work through the details of microblading and other types of brow tattooing. Make sure to ask the artist how long their training was, and what it entailed (i.e. live model work, online work, or a mix of both). My specific training included two days of live model work and 6+ months of online work in which I had to pass 11 levels of hair stroke designs. Each level broke down the anatomy of the brow and the hair strokes into six sections. I would send my work to be corrected by my teacher, who provided detailed notes of what needed to be changed.
I couldn’t advance until it was perfect. This level of detail allowed me to become very familiar with the anatomy of the brow, and how to draw brows unique to each person’s facial features. Even though it was intense, I am so, so happy that I received this kind of coursework as it prepared me to truly create brow art unique to each client.
2. Can they recommend the best microblading or other brow tattoo technique for your particular skin type?
Microblading looks so beautiful when freshly done. However, this technique has the potential to heal quite unsightly if done on certain skin types (oily or mature skin, for example.) It’s extremely important that you talk to your artist about your skin type, and ask them which brow technique is best for you. As a Licensed Esthetician, I am equipped to identify your skin type and determine which cosmetic tattoo technique would be ideal for your brows with optimal healed results. Frankly, I only do straight nanoblading (like microblading, but with a smaller blade) on very select skin types and most of the time I actually prefer to do machine hairstrokes (also called nano brows), as this technique is more versatile with less trauma to the skin.
3. What do their clients’ healed results look like?
Going back to point #2 above, if the artist is able to perform the optimal technique for your skin type, your healed results should be soft and beautiful.
4. How do they approach microblading sessions?
Not everyone heals the same, and some folks have better pigment retention that others after the first session. It’s important to know that we are building your brows, and it is not a one-and-done tattoo. I always, always prefer to take the conservative approach as we can always go darker at touch-up. This way, I can see how well your skin hangs onto the pigment and adjust pressure points as needed. I will never drive the pigment too deep into the skin on the first session….ever. We want your brows to fade and soften over time, with a stable pigment that won’t turn a strange color or migrate (become blurry) - which will certainly happen if implanted too deep into the skin. One, perhaps even 2-3 touch-ups may be required to get your brows to the level of desired saturation…and this is normal. It is way better to go slow, than to be stuck with brows that won’t change as your face changes over time.
5. How do they make you feel?
Remember, it’s your face! Your microblading artist should make you feel extremely comfortable and their studio should be pristine and clean. Ask them about their disinfection protocols and how they keep clients safe from cross-contamination. Will they involve you in the design process? Will they use numbing and check in on your comfort during the session? These are some questions to bring up during your microblading consult. I like to go over the process in detail to manage your expectations and make you feel as relaxed as possible. It’s very important to me! One of the benefits of my microblading consults is that I will pre-draw a design over your original brows with a digital pen so we can discuss the plan before your actual microblading session. This way, you can get a sense of how they will look, which helps put you more at ease. It also allows me ample time to study your unique facial features, skin, and determine the best cosmetic tattoo technique for your brows.
