What is a Powder Brow? Is it a tattoo?

Yes, it is a tattoo. Powder Brows, also known as Microshading or Ombré Shading, is a tattoo technique performed with a machine to create soft pixels throughout the brow. The technique is named after its healed results: subtle, powdered brows that resemble soft makeup or a fresh brow tint!

With social media’s rapid growth in the last decade, the popularity of Powder Brows has quickly surged, replacing its passé predecessor. This old-school tattoo technique left many women with discoloured blue, purple, or green eyebrows.

Unlike conventional tattooing, Powder Brows are considered “semi-permanent,” with results lasting 2-3 years. Semi-permanent makeup is beneficial as it allows for adjustments to the pigment and/or shape of your brow as you age or trends evolve. Two or more sessions are imperative for this technique to promote longevity and attain the best results.

What is a Brow Lamination? And how does it differ from Permanent Makeup?

Brow Lamination is a semi-permanent hair styling treatment (a perm). A three-step treatment is applied directly to the eyebrow hairs to lift and style them into the perfect semi-permanent position. The eyebrow hair becomes more pliable after Brow Lamination, making this the ideal service for those who desire a “fluffy” brow without the need for brow gel or those with messy/unruly brows or brows that point downwards. Brows are then tinted and waxed. Results last 6-8 weeks. This service does not include a complimentary retouch.

Brow Lamination is a semi-permanent hair styling treatment (a perm). A Powder Brow is a tattoo technique performed with a machine.

Is the Powder Brow procedure painful?

Clients report feeling little to no pain. Anesthetic is applied before and during the procedure. Cosmetic tattooing involves little to no bleeding (as long as the client properly adheres to pre-care instructions).

Why do you not offer Microblading anymore?

For two reasons…

(1) Inclusivity. If you have oily skin and/or large pores, Microblading tends to heal unnaturally (with blotchy, uneven ink saturation and blurred results over time). This technique is ideal for those with young, DRY SKIN and little to no pores. On the contrary, the Powder Brow technique is ideal for all skin types! The brow's pigment, shape, and density are FULLY customized to the client’s preferences — allowing the brow to look as subtle or bold as desired. A Powder Brow can be just as natural as Microblading. Contrary to popular belief, MICROBLADING ≠ NATURAL on certain skin types.

(2) The health of your skin is of primary importance. There is a high risk of scar tissue buildup and/or trauma to the skin with Microblading. Microblading is a technique with a small blade to finely incise hair-like strokes into the skin's epidermis (top) layer. For this reason, Microblading is considered semi-permanent. The scars, however, are permanent. The “strokes” can become ridged over time (and sometimes turn red/pink/orange). One can keep their brows looking “fresh” with frequent touch-ups — but only for so long. Once the skin has built enough scar tissue, it can no longer accept pigment.

Microblading is not for everyone, and that’s okay! My job as a Permanent Makeup Artist is to pick the best procedure for your skin and to create something that will look beautiful long-term. I appreciate your trust and promise always to be honest about what is possible and what isn’t. Let’s work together to create beautiful brows unique to YOU!

I read online that I can’t get my brows wet for a week! Is this true?

No. Every artist is different. I believe in wound washing/wet healing. I provide each client with the Shay Danielle Cleanse & Glossed Aftercare system. For 7-10 days, apply a pea amount of Cleanse Aftercare to the palm of your hand and mix with water. Gently wipe gel-based cleanser on the treated area. Do not rub aggressively. Rinse the area with water and pat it completely dry. After drying the area, apply a small amount of Glossed Aftercare and gently pat it into the treated area. Repeat these steps morning and night for 10 days post-treatment. The ointment should be barely noticeable on the skin. To read my Powder Brow aftercare instructions, click here.

If I can cleanse my brows post-treatment, does that mean I can shower, bathe, and/or swim?

No. Suppose you wet the area beyond the daily cleansing instructions. In that case, you must blot dry immediately to avoid complications and undesirable results (keep face/treated area dry while bathing/showering — i.e., do not place face directly under showerhead). Excessive moisture may cause scabbing and increase the chance of infection and/or loss of pigment. Click here to review aftercare.

I’ve had my eyebrows tattooed by another artist. Can I book a touch-up with you?

If Larissa did not do your Permanent Makeup (Microblading, Microshading, Powder Brow), it is not considered a touch-up. Touch-up pricing is reserved for current clients only. Any new client approved to book will be subject to standard pricing. If you book an appointment without disclosing previous work, your appointment may be cancelled and your deposit forfeited.