Hi – my name is Koko (IG @atasteofkoko) and I wasn’t blessed with eyebrows but what’s even worse is that I didn’t know I needed eyebrows. I was 28 when a local eyebrow microblader (IG @studio420brows), Kristin of Studio 420 Brows, DMed me on Instagram and basically said, “GIRL let me do your brows.”
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I never heard of eyebrow microblading before and didn’t have time to do any research before my appointment so by the time I was at her studio and signing the contract that said “I consent to blade cutting”, I stopped and said, “um why does this require a blade?”
I thought eyebrow microblading was the same as eyebrow threading (something I never did before either). I’m deathly afraid of needles and blades but it was too late so I signed the contract and climbed onto the bed.
Scroll down for the microblading before and after photos!
Table of Contents
MICROBLADING BEFORE
Here’s what I looked like before eyebrow microblading. I looked like a naked mole rat – and no one ever stopped to tell me, not even my friends! I’ve never plucked or trimmed my brows before either.
MICROBLADING AFTER
microbladed brows + eyeliner
And here’s the after! Not only do I have eyebrows now, I have perfect brows! The photo above was taken the very next day after I got my eyebrows microbladed so they were SO dark. Kristin did warn me that I was going to look like Angry Birds for the first two weeks and she wasn’t joking.
Here’s a graphic that a fan sent me:
MICROBLADING EYEBROWS PROCEDURE
Kristin started by sketching out my brow shape with an eye pencil and then applied numbing cream to numb my brows. Then the cutting started – it really didn’t hurt that bad, especially for someone like me who is afraid of pain. My metabolism did burn through the numbing cream so she had to reapply several times. I didn’t know what was going on so every time Kristin wiped my eyebrows, I was imaging that blood was dripping down my face and I was mortified. I asked her about it later and she said I didn’t bleed at all while some people do and the wiping was her wiping the color into my brows.
The worst part of eyebrow microblading was the sound of the blade cutting. It sounded like nails on a chalkboard. But when I went back for a touchup a month later, I did wear headphones and played music and it was fine so I highly recommend you to do that.
WHAT IS MICROBLADING
So what’s microblading and everything you need to know.
Microblading is a type of semi-permanent tattoo. It’s semi-permanent because the pigment is not placed as deeply in the skin as a typical body tattoo. Microblading is administered by creating a series of small strokes in the skin that results in a natural hair-like appearance. Microblading is a 2-part process: The first session is the foundation and the structure of the brows. The second is to perfect the little details after the initial healing process. The second session needs to happen within 6-8 weeks of the 1st session. – more info at Studio 420 Brows
I have never done tattooing before because needles scare me so I don’t have the experience to compare the two.
WHY IS EYEBROW MICROBLADING SO POPULAR?
Well, I never have to do my eyebrows and they look good when I wake up, after I get out of the shower, after I workout, after I swim, etc. It’s permanent makeup without the hassle.
HOW MUCH DOES MICROBLADING COST?
I’ve heard people tell me they’ve paid $1000 for microblading or $600 – depending on where you live. Kristin charges $350 for the 1st Session and all additional touch-ups.
MICROBLADING – BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
For 24 hours BEFORE your session:
- NO alcohol
- NO aspirin or blood thinners
- NO caffeine
- NO fish oil. (All of these can cause excessive bleeding.)
MICROBLADING AFTERCARE – AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT
These are all strict skincare instructions from Kristin and I followed all of them:
- For the FIRST DAY after the procedure, blot very gently with a warm damp paper towel or cloth to remove residue from the procedure. Blot every few hours to make sure there’s no build-up.
- Starting the first day, apply balm every night before bedtime, and make sure to apply with a clean finger. Use balm for 3 weeks or until gone.
- DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!
- DO NOT sleep on your face or side of your face for the first 2 weeks. This creates lines where the skin wrinkles, and it pushes out the pigment. Just wear your hair in pigtails to prevent sleeping on your sides, or use a neck pillow used on airplanes.
- NEVER rush the healing process. DO NOT scrub, rub, or pick at the scabs that form. SCABBING IS NORMAL. Allow it to flake off by itself. If it is removed before it is ready, the pigment underneath can be pulled out. The pigment is in the scabs, so try to keep the scabs on as long as possible! If they start to itch, just tap them gently to relieve the itching, or apply a small amount of balm.
- DO NOT get the brows wet during the healing process until all scabs have fallen off. (except day one when you blot gently.)
- DO NOT put anything (water, make-up, lotions, potions or oils of any kind) on the brows for 14 days or until healed.
- DO NOT sweat for 14 Days – this is a hard one, but body heat expands the pores. Sweat has salt and will prematurely fade, blur, or reject the pigment altogether, and can cause them to turn grey. No steam showers as it also opens the pores.
- DO NOT use any Retin-A, retinol, or Glycolic Acids on the brow area during or after healing. It will cause pigment to fade quicker.
- Stay out of the sun for 2 weeks. Then be sure to use sunblock on the healed brows to prevent fading.
- DO NOT use a tanning bed for a month. Preferably NEVER. Sun exposure will fade and discolor the brows faster, just like regular tattoos.
- Only touch the microbladed / microshaded brows with squeaky-clean hands during the healing process to prevent infection.
HOW LONG DOES MICROBLADING LAST?
It really depends on your skin type. Pigment fades the fastest in oily skin so people with oily skin might require more touch-ups. Most microblading fades after a year – it’s a slight color fade.
I have oily skin but I was able to last a little bit after the two-year mark and then go in for a touch-up.
MICROBLADING RESULTS – ONE YEAR LATER
It’s been over a year since I got my eyebrow microbladed and I’m very happy with my eyebrows. I got over 100 DMs the evening that I got them microbladed and still receive so many compliments from people. Especially from beauty specialists who ask me who did my brows before they look amazing.
I don’t use anything to fill in my brows and use an eyebrow razor to trim any stray hairs. I haven’t gone back for a touch up yet so below is what my eyebrows look like a year later! I’m super happy with my brows and definitely recommend microblading!
If you’re in Texas, I highly, highly recommend checking out Kristin of Studio 420 Brows in Hutto, Texas. People compliment me all the time on my brows, even other microblading artists.
I’m SO happy with my brows thanks to Kristin!!
Have you tried eyebrow microblading before? Let me know if you have any questions on my microblading before and after!
