Different types of brow cosmetics

Eyebrows can dramatically affect the overall look of your facial features. They accentuate your eyes and help shape your entire face. Shape, color, and even texture are all part of how our eyebrows look and define our eyes. Due to naturally sparse eyebrows, thinning out because of over-plucking, or because of scarring or disease, many people are dissatisfied with their eyebrows. There are several options available if your eyebrows are not flattering your face as well as they could. The following information discusses the benefits of permanent eyebrows and the preliminary steps that should be taken before starting the procedure.

 

 

Benefits of Permanent Eyebrows

The benefits of permanent makeup include money saved by not having to buy as many different cosmetics on a regular basis. Another savings that should be taken into account is the time saved each day not having to apply makeup. In this case, the time it would take to pencil in and color the eyebrows each day can be considerable. Some older women with shaky hands or anyone with health issues that may hinder them from performing delicate hand strokes when applying makeup would benefit from permanent makeup.

 

 

Consulting With a Professional

An eyebrow specialist needs to examine your current eyebrows, the general health of your skin, and the growth pattern of any hair that is already there. Each individual should consult with a professional eyebrow artist before undergoing any type of procedure. What will work best for each individual and what would be considered a realistic outcome will vary from person to person. Sometimes professionals will use a numbing cream before doing any work in the eyebrow area. While this will help dull and lessen the pain of most procedures, it is unrealistic to expect every procedure to be completely pain free. This is just one example of what you will need to discuss before deciding upon and undergoing any of the many techniques used for permanent eyebrows.

 

Understanding Terminology

There are several terms used for the methods involved to design and create beautiful eyebrows.  Permanent makeup or permanent cosmetics are called micropigmentation or dermapigmentation. Techniques vary dependent on the cosmetic artist doing the work and the individual needs and desires of the client. While tattooing and permanent makeup are similar, there are differences. One primary difference is that pigments are used when applying permanent makeup while thicker ink is used for tattooing.

 

Machines and Methods Used For Permanent Eyebrows

Using a manual hand procedure may give a more natural look that has a feathery appearance. The artist can control all the power with a manual machine sometimes referred to as the soft tap technique for permanent eyebrows. The soft tap method often uses a pigment that is thicker than regular cosmetic ink or pigments. Simply filling in with color is often accomplished by using a rotary machine. This gives a solid, dramatic look that is highly defined. This procedure will leave your eyebrows the darkest and will often last the longest. It is not, however, as natural looking as other methods. Other machines used can range from basic tattoo guns to digital machines that are lightweight. A traditional tattoo machine, which is sometimes called a coil, moves needles up and down quickly. This method is primarily designed for body tattoos but can be used when applying permanent makeup.

 

Powder Filled Eyebrows

This is the least invasive and may be the ideal procedure for those who still have a fair amount of hair in the eyebrows. It may also be a good choice for those who might have lost hair in one spot due to a scar or some type of accident. A soft powdery color that matches your natural hair color can be used to fill in sparse areas in the eyebrows. A powder filled technique is used as opposed to hair strokes since the person already has eyebrow hair and often an overall eyebrow shape that is already in place. This is often best for those who want to fill in, shape, or enhance what is already there.

Sometimes different techniques are combined when designing the eyebrows. The hair stroke simulation method may sometimes be used and then powder fill used to match the client’s hair color. In this case, the powder fill method is used in addition to a hair stroke or feathering method. The soft fill technique is similar to a powder fill. The primary difference is that the entire brow area is filled in with pigment instead of just in various places.

 

Hair Stroke/ Microblading Eyebrows

This method is also referred to as hair simulation or sometimes feathering. This gives the eyebrows a natural, feathered look. It is a more natural look than a solid or soft fill because the eyebrow looks like many little hairs instead of one solid color. However, hair strokes alone without any background color will likely need more touch ups. The hair stroke method is often combined with other techniques such as a powder fill or more extensive feathering. While different technicians will use a variety of techniques, the procedures generally follow the same basic steps:

Most often, you are told not to shave or pluck anything before coming in to have the procedure done. It will be determined which hairs to keep and which need to be removed after the shape of the eyebrow is decided upon. To begin the actual process, the professional technician will start with a sketch that compliments your eyes and the entire shape of your face. This sketching process is checked and gone over several times to make sure it is the exact look you want. Don’t be afraid to ask the professional to alter the design if it’s not what you want. Whatever natural hair you have will be left within the area of the new shape of your eyebrows. Finally, the color is chosen. When using the hair stroke method, multiple colors are usually used together. A combination of colors gives the most natural look.Then the eyebrows will likely be numbed using a solution. You can watch the entire process in a mirror. The eyebrows usually appear darker right after the procedure is completed. Within a few days the eyebrow will lighten up a shade or two. An artist who is accomplished at his or her craft will be able to create a feathered look that is both natural and beautiful. Usually a follow up appointment will be scheduled approximately three weeks after the initial procedure is completed. This is where the finishing touches are added, such as a second layer of color.

 

Feathering Techniques

The hair stroke and feathering techniques are sometimes confused. The difference is that feathering is usually a combination of the hair stroke technique and shading methods. The hair strokes are closer together to give a dimensional, shaded look. Make sure to discuss this method with your professional makeup artist. This method sometimes works better with certain skin types. This is the most natural looking style of permanent eyebrows.

 

Partial Fill

This method is similar to the powder filled technique. While the powdered look is often used to create color under your natural hair and can be used in just certain areas of the brows, the partial fill is basically what the name implies. The technique is often done for men or women who have missing hair in certain areas, possibly due to scarring. People using this method would normally not need their entire eyebrow filled in or changed.

 

Semi-Permanent Eyebrow Procedures

For those who aren’t sure they want to have the same look for a long period of time, a semi-permanent method for the eyebrows may be the best option. The main difference between a permanent eyebrow method and semi-permanent method is how deep into the skin the color penetrates. The skin basically has three layers. The upper layer is the epidermis. The second layer is the dermis, followed by the hypodermis. Permanent makeup penetrates into the second layer of the dermis and sometimes even slightly into the third layer. Semi-permanent makeup would only penetrate the top layer and sometimes slightly into the dermis. How long semi-permanent makeup lasts will vary depending upon each individual procedure. Most estimates put the length at between one and three years. Some professionals suggest getting a touch up at 18 months since fading may begin around this time.

 

What to Expect After the Process is Complete

As soon as the process is complete the color will appear a little bit darker than what is expected. It will take a few weeks to heal completely. By the third week the color should have lightened to the expected color. You might be advised not to go swimming during these weeks of healing to make sure the color sets in completely. If any touch ups are needed they will usually be done a month or two after the initial procedure.

Finally, make sure a trained professional does your procedure, a professional with experience performing the method that you choose. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When finished, you can enjoy your beautiful, natural looking eyebrows for years to come!