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We truly believe that eyebrows can make or break your entire look, and that goes for whether you’re into a more natural or glam look. But we’ll also be the first to admit that there are days when we’re just too lazy to do our brows.
Thankfully, there are certain services nowadays that make doing your brows so much easier. And no, we’re not talking about the relatively short-term effects of threading or waxing.
We’re actually talking about buzzwords in the beauty world recently–brow lamination and microblading. So, if you’re curious and looking to step up your brow game, then keep reading.
What’s the difference between brow lamination and microblading?
Brow Lamination
Brow lamination, or sometimes referred to as eyebrow lamination, is a type of service where the technician sort of perms your eyebrow hair and reshapes it into a more uniform, brushed-up look. Much like what you’d think of when you hear the word “lamination,” it smoothens the brow hairs with certain creams and solutions to semi-permanently set and lift them.
It’s a good alternative if you want a more natural look, but don’t have the time to style your brows everyday. You’ll need to repeat the service every few weeks or so, but we personally think that the minute effort is worth the daily convenience.
How does brow lamination work?
Different technicians and service providers will employ a variety of (slightly) different techniques, but the essence is mainly the same.
Step 1: Your technician will apply certain creams or solutions to brush up your brow hairs and give them a more lifted look.
Step 2: Then, they will keep brushing your brow hairs upwards and shape them into a more uniform, clean look.
Step 3: A neutralizer or sealant will then be applied to help, well, seal your brows in place and make sure they don’t move, even after taking all your makeup off at the end of the day.
Step 4: The last step is usually dedicated to coating your brows with a nourishing oil of some sort to prevent any irritation from the creams and solutions initially applied.
The entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Some, however, opt for additional services, such as brow tinting, waxing, or even tweezing, which could last up to almost an hour, depending on your brow type and preferred style.
How do I take care of my laminated brows?
Because brow lamination is a non-invasive service, the aftercare doesn’t require too much effort.
All you’ll be told is to avoid exposing your brows to heat, sweat, and steam, as well as directly sleeping on them, for the first 24 hours.
Castor oil or any hydrating balm is also highly-recommended to be reapplied within 48 hours.
Lastly, most technicians also advise brushing your brows in place after getting your face wet (whether after washing or showering) with a mascara wand or spoolie.
Microblading
Now that you have a general understanding of brow lamination, let’s talk about its more popular sister (as we like to call it): microblading.
Microblading is a more permanent makeup service that fills in and enhances the shape of your brows. The process is similar to tattooing, where pigments are inserted directly into your skin (beneath your brows) through micro-incisions of equally micro-needles.
The end results are fuller-looking, perfectly-shaped brows with realistic hair-like strokes. This service is great for our besties who have sparse areas in their brows as a result of over-tweezing (we’ve all been there!) or those with naturally thin brows, hair-wise.
To be fair, microblading does still give your brows a natural look. The difference is that it’s much more precise and looks a lot more filled in. Just imagine waking up every morning with perfect, symmetrical, and filled-in brows–you’ll be good to go!
How does microblading work?
Microblading is an invasive procedure, which is why it involves a bit more prep and time.
Step 1: The first thing your technician will do is assess your brows and figure out the shape that will fit you best. In some cases, they will ask you to come in with your brows done the way you normally wear them just to give them a frame of reference as to what your preferences are.
Step 2: Then, they will start measuring brows to make sure that they give you even brows. The positioning will also be assessed in terms of how long and how high you want your brows to be.
Step 3: Now, this is where they start drawing on your agreed-upon shape with brow pencils. Don’t worry, this is just a guide to help you visualize the final look. The end result won’t be as harsh and solid.
Step 4: The color of your brows will be taken into great consideration, too. And in this step, they will usually give you a range of color options you may choose from. Of course, they will also voice out their professional opinion on what would look best.
Step 5: Now, this is the (slightly) scary part because the tattooing begins. Topical anesthetics aren’t usually used initially to help the ink settle better under your skin. We won’t say that it’s not at all painful (because we understand that we all have different pain thresholds), but we will say that most people describe the sensation as “mild discomfort.” Some even say that it feels annoyingly scratchy, but never to the point of really painful.
Your technician will use a microblade tool to etch tiny, hair-like strokes onto your brows. Know that the process is done in layers, so the most discomfort will be in the first one. The succeeding layers, however, hurt a lot less because this is when they’d typically apply numbing creams. Personally, we experience watery eyes and sneezing, but those are about it.
Step 6: After all the layers are done, expect your eyebrows to be really red. Don’t worry, though! The redness will go away in just a few hours and your brows will continue to darken as they heal.
Step 7: A second session is usually recommended to get the best possible results. Typically, they will ask you to come back after six to eight weeks. This is also a good time to discuss the results with your technician and figure out if you want anything changed or how darker you want to go.
How do I take care of microbladed brows?
We’re not going to lie—the aftercare for microbladed brows is much more tedious. The results are so pretty, though, so don’t mind the extra effort (that much).
Within the first 24 hours, you’re going to want to keep your brows dry. Don’t get them wet or oily, which is why a lot of our besties gently pat the treated area with blotting sheets or clean tissue.
Days 2 to 10 are usually the hardest. You need to keep your brows clean by washing them daily with a gentle cleaner that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or exfoliants.
Starting Day 3, you need to diligently moisturize your brows with aftercare creams or ointments recommended by your technicians. Don’t just go on applying your regular moisturizer and only put on the recommended amount. Be careful not to over-apply or over-moisturize, so as not to delay the healing process.
Now, remember that your brows are open wounds at this time and itching is perfectly normal. But, please don’t scratch your brows to avoid scabbing or scarring! If you absolutely need to, lightly tap your brows with clean fingers to not infect the recently treated area.
How much does brow lamination and microblading cost?
Here in the Philippines, brow lamination ranges at an average of P1,500 to P7,000 (or more). Microblading, on the other hand, costs relatively more expensive, ranging from P3,000 to P30,000 (and even higher at other salons).
But we’ll let you in on a secret, Bestie. If you discover, book, and buy through Parlon’s many, many brow deals, you can score brow lamination services for as low as P1,232 and microblading for P3,350! Now, aren’t those major steals?
Brow Lamination or Microblading: Which One is For You?
In hindsight, choosing between brow lamination and microblading all comes down to preference. If you want more natural, brushed up brows, then go for the former; but if you want a more made-up, glam look, then the latter would be a good choice.
If you ask us, though, we suggest easing into brow lamination first just to get a feel of how much maintenance you’d need before diving into microblading. But again, it’s completely up to you!
