A few years ago, I started writing first-person articles for LittleThings. I've tried everything from simple lifestyle changes (like walking 10,000 steps per day) to drinking pickle juice to sleeping on the floor. I absolutely love testing out new products, trying new trends, and seeing if beauty treatments are worth the price.
One of the things I couldn't wait to try was eyebrow microblading. If you've never heard of microblading, that's OK — it's basically a semipermanent tattoo technique that makes your eyebrows look fuller and more defined. Elle explains: "Microblading, unlike tattooing, is not in the deep layer of skin, but more on the surface. This is also not permanent, and the color fades within 18 months."
I've always liked my eyebrows, but they're lighter than my hair color. My hair is naturally dirty blond, but I've been dying it red for the past six years. Every day for the past couple of years, I've used a few different eyebrow pencils to fill in my brows and make them look bolder. I hoped getting them microbladed would allow me to stop filling them in every morning.
Although I was really interested in getting my brows microbladed, I was also really nervous. So nervous, in fact, that I didn't do it — for two years. It's not that I was concerned about the pain of the procedure, I was just worried about getting something (semi) permanent on my face. As someone with no tattoos, I was very concerned that I'd hate the way my eyebrows looked after getting them microbladed, and then I'd be stuck with them for 18 months.
It wasn't until my coworker told me she'd gotten her eyebrows microbladed — and recommended a salon — that I finally felt confident enough to make an appointment.
After I did some research into the salon, Evertrue, I scheduled my consultation and appointment.
Before
Growing up, I hated my eyebrows. They were pretty unruly, and I definitely had too many hairs that grew outside my brow area. Once I was introduced to tweezing, I — like many other teenage girls — went a little overboard with the plucking. Nowadays I usually leave my eyebrow shape to the professionals, getting my brows threaded every month or so.
At the Salon
I told my microblading specialist, Anna Wong, that I wanted my brows to look really natural. I just wanted them to look bolder and more intentional, but the shape could basically be the same.
Pencil Outline
Once Anna understood my vision, she got to work penciling in my brows. This process, which took just a few minutes, made me feel even more confident about my brows — I trusted that Anna knew what shape and style I wanted.
Numbing
After making sure the shape of my brows looked right, Anna applied a topical numbing cream to my eyebrow area. The numbing cream took about 20 minutes to do its thing, so Anna showed me the blade and pigment she would use on my skin while I waited.
The Blade
Unlike traditional tattoos, which use a motorized gun to insert pigment into the skin, microblading uses a specialized blade that's made up of multiple tiny needles. Each blade is sterile and brand new before it's used on your skin.
The Process
I was sure the microblading process would hurt, but because of the numbing cream, I actually couldn't feel it at all! During this part of the process, "the specialist will use a specially-made tool to delicately scratch the brow into the skin, strand-by-strand," explains Evertrue. I assumed it would be at least as painful as getting my eyebrows threaded, but I didn't feel any pain. Toward the end of the process, I felt the blade a tiny bit, but it didn't hurt any more than getting a paper cut.
After
As soon as Anna was done, she cleaned off my brows and let me check out my brows. I was initially surprised by how dark my eyebrows looked, but Anna assured me that they would fade after a few weeks. Evertrue explains that "the brow will take about two weeks to fully heal. The brow may appear darker than you are used to for a few days, then will lighten into the desired color within two weeks."
After-Care
After-care is as important to the microblading process as the actual microblading itself. Once my brows were done, Anna gave me the salon's specially made after-care cream and a pamphlet explaining everything I should and shouldn't do for the next few weeks.
For one week, I had to avoid sun exposure, sweating, saunas, and using brow makeup. For two weeks, I couldn't get a facial or go swimming.
Over the first two weeks, my eyebrows were extra dark, and after a few days they started peeling, which is normal. I made sure to apply the after-care cream twice a day and any time my brows felt itchy or were peeling.
Perfecting Session
Most microblading salons encourage every customer to go to a follow-up appointment — a "perfecting" session — six to eight weeks after the initial appointment. The second appointment allows the brow specialist to check on the healing process and adjust the look of your brows.
At my appointment, Anna and I decided a slightly darker pigment would work for me — the lighter pigment I'd gotten the first time had faded a lot over the first two months.
Final Results
When all was said and done, I was so happy with the way my eyebrows looked. They still looked natural, but they were a little more dramatic. This meant I didn't need to use eyebrow makeup any more!
The Cost
So here's the deal: Microblading can be pretty expensive. Like other salon treatments and tattoos, you get what you pay for — so while you can find inexpensive microblading salons, you may sacrifice the look or experience.
My specialist, Anna Wong, charges $515 for microblading, while the master therapist at Evertrue charges $915. At Evertrue, this price includes the consultation, microblading process, after-care cream, and a perfecting session.
In my opinion, the price is definitely worth it.
Touch-Ups
After your initial perfecting session, you can schedule touch-up sessions. If you schedule within six months, Anna charges $215, and if you schedule within 12 months, Anna charges $415. After that, it goes back to full price.
Because it's been only a few months since I've gotten my brows done, I haven't needed to go in for a touch-up yet.
Questions
Since I documented the entire microblading process on social media, I asked my friends if they had any questions about it. Some of the most common questions I got were: "Does it hurt?" "How long does it last?" and "Do they fade?"
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend microblading to a friend? Yes, definitely! If you want your brows to be bolder and more defined, microblading is a great option. You won't have to use brow makeup anymore!
Would I do it again? Without a doubt. I'm already saving up my money for the next microblading appointment I'll need once my brows fade!
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