If you’ve been following along on my journey, you probably know that I am obsessed with brows. In my opinion, they can drastically transform the look of your face. Just look at comparison shots of Angelina Jolie circa her Billy Bob Thornton era and today – even the most gorgeous of women like Angie can look less than their best with the wrong shape and even color of brows (no judging though, I think we all had those pencil thin eyebrows in the 90s!). Brows matter ladies, and there are correct ways not only to shape them, but also to care for them.
On my recent trip to London, I visited the amazing Tracie Giles, who is an absolute brow master. I received a touch up on my eyebrow tattoos (which I’ve received every few years to keep up my preferred shape), and got some great tips from her for anyone considering microblading, and also some great ways to shape and care for your brows. Tracie founded her permanent makeup salon in 2003, and since then it has exploded into a successful business with multiple locations, and is the place to go for permanent makeup in London. Read below for her tips on microblading and shaping!
Top Tips on How To Shape & Look After Brows:
No over plucking! Over plucking your brows when you’re younger can permanently affect hair growth in the area later on in life. Tracie says that many of her clients who followed the super thin 90s trend greatly regret it now!
Don’t forget to hydrate your brows. We all know to moisturize our skin, but we often neglect the brow area. Use a good hydrating cleanser for the face and around your brow area, and then a small amount of olive oil on the brows before bed (such a cool trick that I had never heard of before!). Looking after your brows will stimulate hair growth and thickness, meaning that you have more to work with when it comes to styling.
Shaping. Always start with brushing the brow hair upwards with a mascara brush to see the shape you’re naturally working with, and then sweeping the brush across the brow bone and moving the hairs in their natural direction of growth. A harmonious brow is consists of the bulb then lengthens out to the highest point and descends into the tail. The bulb to the highest point is generally thicker and represents two thirds of the brow whilst the tail is thinner and is one third. The tail of the eyebrow in the vast majority of cases should not go lower than the beginning of the bulb.
Tips For Microblading (Eyebrow Tattoos)
1) Microblading isn’t for all skin types; hair strokes can occasionally ‘blur’ in the skin losing their crispness and sometimes become a cool, ashy colour. Make sure you have a thorough consultation with a reputable technician before you embark on treatment, as conventional ‘tattoo’ type device may be a better treatment for you.
2) Microblading is a super natural effect, creating realistic looking hair strokes in the skin and following your natural direction hair growth. Don’t overpluck beforehand, as it’s great to mimic what you naturally have!
3) If you have pictures of a shape of brow you like, bring it in! While the aim of Microblading is to enhance what you naturally have, it will be great for your technician to get an idea of the type of brow you want to achieve.
4) You will need a retouch, so don’t worry if it has faded after your first session, this is normal!
5) If it’s a bolder, ombre style you’re after, you’re better off going for conventional Permanent Make Up, using a tattoo-style device with needles, as techniques can be used to create a beautiful but heavier look, whereas the use of a blade is best for super fine, precise hair strokes.
xx,
I agree with you Louise, the shape of your brows can drastically change the look on your face. I like my brows to be tick. In Beverly Hills there is a great eyebrows shaper, she’s Russian. Kim jar fashion goes there too.
I think you are right about brows and i really do not understand girls who still have and like the thin ones! Horrible! Brows can really change your look sooo much!! Hello Louise!! Xx from Italy
G
I didn’t know it’s good to hydrate eyebrows as well, this was such a helpful post, thank you!!! xx
Does microblading damage existing hair follicles? Or can it stimulate hair growth?
It won’t damage the hair follicles, Microblading is a method of scratching and not slicing. As soon as the treated area heals the pigments will simulate the real eyebrow hair color and it will stay for two years or more.
Thank you so much for the information regarding microblading! My wife is seriously considering this, and is really impressed after I showed her this website. Does the process hurt at all? Thanks for the information!
You must try Tease Hair and Lash Studio! The studio is adorable, clean and comfortable. I feel beautiful and confident and will certainly be returning for more.