The brow trend to love
Meet microblading, the treatment celebs and experts swear by to shape up your brows.
What you need to know about micro blading
eyebrows have long been a thing, from skinny 1920s arches to Cara Delevingne’s bold drama. And they’re getting even more attention this season. So what to do if your brows lack fullness and shape, and you want something longer-lasting than a pencil? The answer is microblading, a trendy form of inking which simulates natural hair. Read on to see if it’s for you.
What is it?
Experts tout microblading as a semi-permanent form of permanent makeup. Not sure what that means? Charlie Corkill Boonzaaier of The Urban Beauty Lounge, explains, “Unlike permanent makeup, microblading lasts up to three years.” The ink is also applied manually. “We use different blades according to the client’s needs,” adds Nicol Frank, an intradermal cosmetic tattoo specialist at Blush Beauty. “This extra control allows for a refined and natural effect.”
Who’s it for?
“Everybody has a brow story,” says Charlie. “Some want a bolder look. Others have sparse brows or no brows as a result of conditions like alopecia.”
How to find your pro
Ask around, stalk Instagram, Google before and after pictures. “And check the pigments they use,” says Nicol. “Premier Pigments is the only medically approved brand registered with the FDA. Non-approved ink may be unstable, so your brows may turn grey or blue with time.”
How’s it done?
“The two-hour appointment starts with an extensive consultation,” says Charlie. “The technician establishes your ideal shape with pencil, so bring pictures of brows you like to the session. In fact, the design is the most time-consuming part. The colour is
also important. Adding ‘ hairs’ makes brows look heavier, so we discuss the pigment first. You can always go darker, but not lighter.” Then comes numbing cream and the pretty painless application of small strokes of pigment.
The aftercare
“You may experience a little swelling or pain, but the downtime is minimal. The only consideration is keeping your brows dry for five days after the application, so no intense workouts or swimming. Your skin needs to heal over the pigment, and if you wipe or wet your brows, it leaks away,” says Charlie. The initial colour will also be darker than the final result.
The price tag
Expect to pay R2 500-R3 000 for microblading. Then again, as Nicol notes, “you’ll save on waxing, tinting and threading. And microblading offers another potential bonus: it stimulates hair growth, so you might not even need a top-up a few years down the line!”