Several times a week, I get phone calls from clients inquiring about microblading. They’ve seen photos online and think it looks beautiful, so they want to schedule an appointment for the procedure with me. Other times, they’ve had microblading done before and they’re unhappy with how their brows look a few years later.

What’s my opinion?

Here’s the truth: it’s a hard pass for me. I used to do microblading,  but now that I’ve seen long-term results, I can’t in good conscience offer it.  Other artists may (and have, if I’m being honest) argue that microblading isn’t a problem, but I’ve seen it first hand and that’s why powder brow is my technique of choice.  Powder brows are universally flattering and appropriate in almost every case. Microblading? Not so much.

There are tons of factors to consider before deciding if someone is a good candidate for microblading. The first of those factors is your skin type.  The dryer your skin, the better the pigment retention.  The opposite is true of oilier skin.  Microblading isn’t suited for most skin types. 

What don’t you like about Microblading?

This technique kind of slices up your skin even if your artist has a light hand, and that builds scar tissue over time because ALL permanent cosmetics have to be touched up periodically.  Guess what? Scar tissue is difficult to tattoo!  So, if you pick this form of permanent makeup and hate your brows after a couple of years, keep in mind most artists won’t even touch them.  Then you’ve invested tons of money in something that you don’t love. They also can’t be hidden since it’s on your face.

Apart from that, I don’t think the strokes look natural and it’s almost impossible to mimic the texture of real brow hair.  That’s not to say that there aren’t some incredibly gifted brow artists! However, remember that permanent makeup looks like more natural than a traditional tattoo partially because PMU is superficial.  The downside is that as our skin sheds, the work fades and that’s when the touch-ups come into play.  What starts as a clean, crisp hair-like stroke can develop into something that looks quite a bit more muddy over time because of those necessary touch-ups.

The Perks of Powder Brows

Powder brows have a lot of pros!  Skin type isn’t really a concern unless you have an extreme case in either direction (dry or oily) so nearly everyone is a candidate. It’s light and airy, but still gives definition to the brow shape. This technique provides a beautiful backdrop for existing hair, even if you over-plucked back in the ‘90s. 

The technique requires a very light touch.  So light, in fact, that when I train new PMU artists, they practice on a balloon.  If you pop the balloon, you’re going too deep!  The entire experience is more enjoyable for everyone involved and I don’t worry about what they’ll look like in a few years. I’ve been seeing some ladies for close to a decade and their brows are still beautiful!

At the end of the day, PMU just like any other tattoo is a matter of personal opinion and taste, but I stand by my own opinion and experience.  As always, if you’ve found yourself eyeing beautiful brows and want a set of your own, an appointment is only a call or click away!

And as an added bonus, I host trainings! Want to learn how to tattoo brows? See what it’s all about!