WTF is... microblading anyway?
The gateway drug to permanent make-up - a bite-sized guide
So… WTF is it?
It’s commonly thought of as eyebrow-tattooing, although that doesn’t necessarily reflect Real Events.
What’s the point of it? I mean, what does it actually do?
It fills your eyebrows with pigment, reducing or removing the need to wear make-up to define them. It can be done whether you have thick, sparse or no eyebrows of your own.
How does it work?
Your microblader uses a handheld tool (called a microblade, HENCE THE NAME). This tool has a row of fine needles that looks like a tiny rake.
The needles are dipped into pigment to create precise, hair-like incisions in the skin, much finer than a regular tattoo needle.
Tattoos typically deposit ink 1.5-2mm into the dermis. Microblading only goes to a depth of 0.08-0.15mm, so it’s far less permanent.
The pigment used for microblading is specifically formulated for facial use and is designed to fade over time.
And why would someone want it?
Usually:
Those who’ve lost their eyebrows due to over-plucking, chemo or alopecia
Those who want increased eyebrow definition and don’t want to use make-up every day
How much is it?
This can vary wildly from £$200 upwards.
It is more expensive in the US than the UK, with the top end in the US around $3000. The latter is taking the wicked piss, in my opinion.
As always, you’re paying for your practitioner’s skills and experience, but anything over about £800 in the UK is questionable.
You’ll probably pay $1500 (and be expected to tip in addition) in the US for someone good.
Does it hurt?
Yes.
Have I had it?
Yes.
The first time was in 2017 and I’ve had an annual touch-up with different practitioners ever since.
Would I have it?
Yes. This is on my Permanent Maintenance list for the foreseeable.
I have quite thick brows, despite chronic over-plucking in the 90s, but my natural arch is a couple of millimetres below the most flattering point on my face. Microblading is a no-brainer as a result.
Our eyebrows thin as we age, so I’ll review this over time, but - for now - I am all in.
Should you have it?
Subject to caution, it can be face-changing, in the best way.
As ever, do a lot of research into your practitioner. If you get bad work done, it can linger for years longer than advertised.
Anything else I think you should know?
Two things:
Do not listen to or get your brows done by practitioners who say that they deliberately don’t use numbing cream, to improve the integrity of the pigment1.
The amount of time that microblading lasts is tricky to predict. As with many procedures:
It is likely to fade inconsistently over time - expect some patchiness to occur within a year
Bad work will stubbornly refuse to disappear and good work will vanish without trace much faster than you’d hoped
This is the curse of cosmetic work 🤦🏼♀️
The full Everything You Ever Wanted To Know is on the way soon.
Big love until then x
Disclaimer: ‘WTF is…’ guides are intended to be a 3-5 minute introduction to a topic. They are, by their nature, not exhaustive.
If you have a concern that I’ve irresponsibly included/omitted information, don’t hesitate to get in touch to let me know and I’ll take a look.
Reminder that any cosmetic work undertaken should be in accordance with The 6 rules of cosmetic work. Here they are, in case you missed them the first time…
I was genuinely horrified when I heard that this was a thing.