How long do you spend in front of the mirror trying to perfect your eye makeup? You’ll agree with me it can take so much time. And to be honest, it’s worth it. Flawless eyes, particularly the brows, have become a crucial part of picture-perfect makeup. And if you don’t want to spend time drawing your brows manually, how about you try ombre brows?
Though microblading has held the top spot as one of the best eyebrow treatments, ombré brows are beginning to give it a run for its money. It’s a semi-permanent procedure that gives natural results. So if you’ve been contemplating giving it a shot, this article will give you a lowdown about the eyebrow treatment. Let’s dive in.
What are Ombré Brows?
Ombré brows is a brow style achieved through ombré shading. That is, a semi-permanent eyebrow styling technique that involves tattooing small marks or pixelated dots on the skin with a needle to deposit semi-permanent dye under the skin. The process begins light at the start of your brows and becomes darker toward the tail. The result is usually a soft-shaded, powder-like brow look that creates an illusion of fading, hence its name.
In addition, ombré brows are otherwise called ombre powder brows. Some people also call it ombre eyebrow tattoos, powder brows, or micro-shaded brows. But to avoid any misunderstanding during your appointment, ask the artist for examples of ombré brows they’ve done to be sure it’s what you want.
What are the Benefits of Ombre Brows?
Unlike microblading, this technique is a great option for all skin types whether oily or sensitive skin. It’s a better option than mcroblading strokes which is often adverse if you spend much time in the sun, have alopecia, or have large pores. Furthermore, it requires fewer appointments for touch-ups as it lasts longer. It also makes your brows look fuller and more defined.
In addition, if you find it hard to fill in your brows or you have little to no brow hair, ombre brows save you time and money. You can also style them how you want whether full, light, or dark.
Ombre Brows vs Microblading – Is There a Difference?
Ombre powder eyebrows and microblading are both semi-permanent eyebrow styling techniques. They involve injecting pigments into the skin and their results relatively last long. They also don’t wash off or smear, but eventually fade over time when part of the pigment wears off as your skin renews itself and sheds dead skin cells.
But there are differences between both techniques. They include:
The Procedures
The major difference between both eyebrow styling techniques is in their procedures and results. Ombre eyebrows involve dotting in a specific way and gradually increasing it towards the tail so it doesn’t drag through the skin. Some artists call the dotting method pixelization or airbrushing.
On the other hand, microblading is achieved by creating manual micro incisions on the skin surface and filling them with pigments. These strokes created through the skin look like hairs.
The Results
While microblading gives a more natural look, ombre eyebrows give the illusion of makeup. But you can’t say either is good or bad as it all depends on what you want and the look you want to achieve.
Invasion
Ombré powder brows cause less pain, bleeding, and damage to the skin. This is because it doesn’t involve constant opening and dragging of the blade through the skin. Though every skin reacts differently to this technique it’s common to feel less pain when you go for the ombre way.
However, ombré needles also penetrate the skin a bit deeper so the brows take longer to heal than microblading.
Skin Compatibility
Microblading does not work for all skin types, especially oily skin as the color does not show up well and can look blurry. Furthermore, natural oils on oily skin types can also prevent the brows from healing properly. But this isn’t the case for powder brows as it is compatible with all skin types.
Duration
On average, microbladed brows last for about 18 months to two years. But because of the technique used for ombre brows, they last longer — say two to three years— with touch-ups
How Long Do Ombre Brows Take to Heal?
Ombre brows take about seven to 14 days to heal. It can also take up to a month to heal. The healing process differs for everyone due to factors such as medication, personal hygiene and habits, skin characteristics, aftercare, etc.
How to Prepare for Ombre Brows
Before going for this procedure, there are some things you should know. For instance, you have to first find a professional artist and pick a technique that best suits you. Afterward, follow these guidelines to be sure of a safe and successful procedure:
- Most artists will ask for your medical history so, ensure you’re in good health.
- Don’t wax, tan, or tint your eyebrow area at least three days before your appointment.
- Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol for at least 24 hours before the procedure.
- Don’t get any facials or peels for at least two weeks before the procedure.
- Don’t take blood thinners like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Omega 3, Gingko Biloba, Niacin, Vitamin E, Primrose, B6, etc., for at least one week before your appointment.
- Don’t get any facial injections for at least four weeks before the procedure.
Ombré Brows Aftercare: Things You Should (Not) Do
After getting this procedure, don’t just relax. Pay attention to your hygiene and adopt the following aftercare practices:
- Apply an ointment daily throughout the healing phase of your ombré eyebrows. Your artist will most likely give you this ointment.
- Don’t apply makeup for about two weeks until it completely heals.
- Avoid spending too much time in the sun.
- Avoid scratching or picking at the scabs.
- Avoid carrying out intense exercise.
- Always use clean fingers or a cotton swab to apply the ointment especially during the first three days after the procedure.
- Gently cleanse the treated area with mild antibacterial soap, rinse with water, and gently pat dry. Do this without scrubbing so it doesn’t affect your final result..
- Avoid touching your brow area with your fingers unless they are completely clean.
- Don’t use any anti-aging products, especially those that contain Lactic acids or Glycolic acids. This is necessary because some skincare products can make the treatment fade faster.
- Use sunblock after the procedure to prevent faster fading of the pigment.
- Follow to the letter the detailed instructions on aftercare your artist must have given you.
Can I Remove Ombre Powder Brows?
Yes, you can. Say you got the procedure and you don’t like the results, you can remove the powder brows via laser, saline removal, and glycolic acid removal. Though they take time and money, they give the best results.
Other than that, you either wait for the brows to fade naturally or do things that speed up fading such as sunbathing, washing your face often, etc.
Is the Ombre Brow Procedure Good for You?
Ombré brows are a great option for natural, fuller brows. Since they’re semi-permanent brows, they take away the stress of filling in your brows every day. In addition, they’re also a non-invasive procedure.
But you must know, this technique has some side effects. For one, it can lead to infection. In addition, the dotting can cause flaking, scabbing, or dryness around the area especially if you pick at your skin. And If you’re allergic to tattoo ink or certain ingredients, you’ll probably react to the pigments, too.
A pro tip is to always work with a licensed professional artist and ask them to do a patch test before the procedure to be sure you won’t get any allergic reactions.
