cosmetic

First and foremost, microblading is a permanent cosmetic procedure. Microblading uses a specialized, hand controlled tool, to make fine cuts in the skin in order to implant pigment. The end design resembles the appearance of natural eyebrow hair. It is ideal for filling in sparse areas of the natural eyebrow where hair isn’t present, and defining and enhancing the brow shape. Microblading can be great for people with a lot of natural hair too! A little enhancement never hurts... A microblade tool is sort of reminiscent of an exacto knife, but instead of one big blade, there is a series of micro needles. The microblade is dipped into a custom mixture of pigment and then used to make a fine cut into the skin. This action results in the pigment being implanted into the skin, which is known as micropigmentation. With the right artist and proper technique, microbladed eyebrow results look beautiful and completely natural. Remember, the best possible healed results require strict adherence to the microblading aftercare instructions.

I always say, "Keep 'em wild!" but here are some more things to consider for optimum results: -No waxing or tinting for at least 4 weeks before and after -No chemical peels within 6 weeks before and after -Must be off Accutane for 1 year -Must not be sunburned and will need to avoid sun for at least 2 weeks after. After healing the use of sunscreen is recommended thereafter -Botox given at least 4 weeks before or after -CANNOT be - pregnant or nursing, have a viral infection or disease, be on Chemotherapy (consult a Dr.), diabetic (consult a Dr.), have epilepsy, a pacemaker or major heart problems, skin irritations, Psoriasis or blemishes in the procedure area -For lip procedures - If you have or have ever had a cold sore, please get an over the counter medicine for prevention and use at least a week prior to your appointment. -For eyeliner procedures - If you have ocular herpes, please consult a Dr. and take a preventative medicine at least one week prior to your appointment.

It’s almost impossible to give a definite answer here, but microblading can last anywhere from 8 months to 3 years. You might be saying, “geez, that’s a vague answer...” and it is for a reason. The large range in time is because everyone is different and everyone’s skin is different. How long your permanent makeup will last is ultimately determined by 3 major factors; lifestyle, sun exposure and skin type. For instance, oily skin fades faster than dry skin, sun exposed skin fades faster than non exposed skin, and high cell turnover products can make your work fade faster than people who don't use those products, etc. Now, you’re probably wondering why it’s even called “permanent” makeup if it fades, right? Well, the permanent makeup inks are formulated differently from regular body tattoo ink and they are specifically designed to fade over time. This is great because of one thing; aging! Afterall, things change.

Microblading IS permanent.... kinda. Let me explain! The results from microblading have semi permanent *qualities* because the pigments are formulated to fade over time, however, you will always have *something* there - afterall, it IS a tattoo. There is a misconception that you can only have microblading done a certain amount of times...ever. There is a limit as to how often you are having your brows tattooed - no matter the technique. Really, any appointment after your 6-8 week appoint should be at least 6 months from the last to ensure the area is not scarring. Too many appointments too close together and there is a big risk of developing scar tissue. This amount of time is also allowing for natural fading. This is important because if the artist goes over a stroke multiple times it gets darker can blow out or become fat and fuzzy!

These are all buzzwords for a design that includes shading. - Ombre is a fully shaded brow that fades the darkest part of the brow - the tail - into the lightest part - the bulb. - Powder is a fully shaded brow with all parts being equally opaque. - Hybrid and Combo are two in the same. The design is a combination of shading and hairstroke. - Digital microblading vs. microblading; These are both methods of a hairstroke design. Digital microblading is actually not microblading at all because there is no use of a "blade". If I could choose the buzzword for the digital (machine) method, I would choose "microstroking" and not use the word [micro]blading whatsoever. It’s misleading in my opinion. Plain ol' microblading is done manually (no machine) with a hand tool and a "blade" (numerous needles in alignment). Whichever design/technique you get, make sure you’re getting the right one for your skin type!

I'm glad you asked! First let's look at the difference between the two: Digital "microblading" is done with a cosmetic rotary pen machine and manual microblading is done with a non motorized hand tool. If we had to choose buzzwords for each technique I would choose "microstroking" for the digital (machine) method and keep “microblading” for the manual method. This is because the digital method does not involve a microblade but instead uses a single needle to achieve the hairstroke. So, which is better? My answer is both. However, from a technique stand point, I will say I think microblading is more difficult than microstroking. This is because it is so easily butchered. You have all seen the botched brows and fear you could be next. Unfortunately, a lot of people got into microblading for the wrong reasons and screwed a lot of people up (insert correction appt pitch) because of their poor technique. Microblading is more invasive than microstroking so the need to have perfect form while preforming it is impairative. With just a slight tilt of the blade pigment can be misplaced in the skin causing unwanted blow outs in the healed PMU. Don’t get me wrong, microstroking is difficult too! It requires very steady hands for good results. There's a rumor that microstroking is better than microblading ... I'm here to say I don't think one is better than the other but I do think microblading is a real testament to your skill. This misconception could also be because some people think that you can only have microblading done a certain amount of times...like, ever. Let's be real, there is a limit as to how often you are having your brows tattooed - no matter the technique - because of scarring. Your artist should be skilled enough to know, that any appointment after your 6-8 week touch up should have more than a sufficient amount of time between the last. This is to ensure the area is not developing scar tissue. If there are too many appointments too close together then there is a big risk of developing scarring. This amount of time between appointments is also allowing for natural fading. Natural fading is important because if the artist goes over a stroke multiple times it can get darker, blow out or become fat and fuzzy! With every tattoo the quality is in the healed results, always. When looking for an artist it's SO important to look for healed photos and make a judgement from there. If you're still not sure send me a link and I'll give you my two-cents! Your skin type and a multitude of other factors will ultimately determine which technique and design is right for you - let your artist be the judge!

Microblading has the best healed results on people that have young, normal to dry skin, and live with little to no sunexposure. A shaded brow done with a machine, whether that be ombre, powder or a hybrid/combo is best for people with oily or mature skin. Of course there are people with oily or mature skin that want hairstrokes too! If you are one of these people just keep in mind the strokes may not heal to that crisp fine stroke you are dreaming of, sorry :(

I like to split the appointment cost into two sessions and treat them as "refresher appointments". The first appointment is $275-300 and then usually I like to see you a second time to make sure everything has healed the way we want. If we decide you will in fact need another appointment after your first, the second appointment will be the same price; $275-300. Any sessions needed after the second one (more intense corrections can take more appointments to achieve our goal) is a touch up fee of $150. Over the years I've learned to structure the appointments this way because everyone's opinion of "there's not much left" can vary drastically. I've had some say this and show up with quite a bit of work left and only needing a touch up. Then I've had some say this and, they were right, there's nothing left and we need to start from the beginning. Either way, don't hesitate to shoot me a message with some clear photos of your existing work and I can give you a better idea of what your appointment plan would look like!

Simple, don't! Talk to your artist and choose together. You both hold the information needed to make that decision so don't stress out about whether or not your making the right appointment. The appropriate technique is easily decided upon during the consult and drawing phase of your appointment. One design/technique does not require a different booking length than the other so, just get in there and decide with the help of your artist!

This is my favorite question because it's usually suprising to people; the maintenance is typically a Yearly Refresher appointment ($275-300) every 8-12 months. Now, there are some clients that need to be seen sooner but I don't see anyone sooner than every 6 months. This is because if you keep getting microbladed or tattooed in the same area over and over and over again, your chances of scarring are wayyyy higher. So, in order to reduce that risk, I don't like to see you any sooner than 6 months after your touch up for more work on the same area.