When it comes to modern beauty trends, one style remains truly essential – the bold brow.  Whether you’re searching for a natural, full look or following the latest and greatest trend of the gorgeous ombre, how you wear your brows can be an easy fabulous fashion statement.

But many of us are still dealing with the fallout of the 90’s thin brow – how do we get the beautiful, full brows of our dreams without spending hours of our time filling them in each week?  For many women, the answer is easy – semi-permanent ombre brows!

What are Ombre Brows?

Ombre brows are a new style of semi-permanent makeup that can be used to help you achieve those lust-worthy beautiful brows you see all over Instagram.  This style features simulated makeup rather than simulated hairs, like you find in feather-touch brows.  The technician fills in the brows with a faded technique that starts darker in the brow tails and becomes lighter towards the center.  The result is bold and beautiful ombre brows that can last up to 2 years with minimal maintenance.

This process is highly customisable to the individual and can be used to both shape the brows as well as provide the desired ombre effect.  Because pigment is used rather than traditional inks, the technician can tailor the hue to the individual based on their skin tone and hair color.   The result is a more solid look than the traditional feathering procedure, although the thickness can be customized depending on personal preference.

The Procedure

The ombre brow procedure is simple in nature and practically pain-free.  Prior to the procedure, a topical anesthetic is applied to the brow area to numb the skin.  The technician then uses a small tattoo pen to etch in the brow shape and mimic a powder-filled brow look.  Oftentimes they will start with a lighter hand to gauge how your skin will react to the pen before filling your brows in with a darker effect.  This process will take anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on the skill of the technician and the desired effect of the brows.

Pre-Treatment Notes

Before undergoing a semi-permanent ombre brows procedure, there are several steps that you should take to make sure that the process is a success:

Firstly, be sure to schedule an appointment with you technician before your procedure to discuss the desired effect.  Be sure to talk about the shape and style you are looking for as well as color.  This way, you can be sure that your technician will understand exactly what you are looking for.

Second, be sure to avoid having your brows tinted prior to your appointment.  This pigment in the brows can make it very difficult for your technician to color-match appropriately.

On that same note, be sure to avoid wearing makeup to your appointment.  Of course, they will be able to remove it for you, but this can eat into your scheduled time and cause your technician to have to work faster through your procedure.

Finally, be sure to avoid using AHAs, BHAs, or exfoliants on the skin for three days prior to your appointment, as this can cause unwanted skin irritation that can affect skin absorption and cause the brow pigment to fade more quickly.

After the Procedure

Like any tattoo, your ombre brows will have a recovery period – in this case, approximately 2-3 weeks.  During this time your brows may appear very pigmented and dark – don’t fret!  This effect will fade about 50% over the first week or so, settling into your desired color.  One thing to remember is that your skin will push the dye out at different rates in your brows, so the color may appear patchy at times.  Additionally, if your skin starts to scab, don’t pick at it – this can remove the pigment from the skin.  Once your brows settle, you can always return to your technician for a touch-up to adjust your shape and color as needed.

During this recovery, there are a few things that you can do to speed up the process. For the full 2-3 weeks, be sure to apply a barrier healing cream.  In addition, be sure to continue to avoid using exfoliating or cleansing skincare items for at least 2 weeks, as this can cause skin irritation and fading in the pigment.

Are Ombre Brows Right for You?

When determining which type of semi-permanent makeup you want to move forward with for your brows, the most important consideration is definitely your desired style.  If you’re searching for a more natural, fuller brow, you may want to consider feather-touch brows rather than ombre brows.  However, if you are dreaming of a bold, thicker trendy brow, ombre brows may be the right choice for you!

Just as important as the style is the skill level of your technician.  When it comes to semi-permanent makeup, you need to consider it an investment piece.  With great skill often comes a higher price tag.  When looking for a technician to create ombre brows in Melbourne, be sure to look for an experienced practitioner with a great reputation and a well-kempt office.  And remember, this style of brow will require maintenance, so look for a technician that you can build a lasting relationship with.