What is an ombre brow?
Ombre is the latest brow trend you’ve probably seen taking social media by storm. Ombré eyebrows or ombré powder eyebrows is a semi-permanent method of shading brows to perfect their shape without all the effort of filling in with a pencil everyday. An ombre brow treatment fills in sparse and wispy brows using a gradient effect for a very natural finish. By not fully saturating the brow with pigment, the subtle color transition adds depth and definition without the “blocky” solid look that can happen with other semi-permanent brow treatments.
For people who have oily or combination skin, or who fill their brows regularly with pencil or pomade, Ombre brows are a Godsend. However, as with any type of semi permanent beauty treatment, finding a skilled professional is key to achieving these instagram worthy arches. House of Coco headed to brow experts Blink Brow Bar to get the skinny on this latest trend.
How is it different from microblading?
The main difference between the two semi permanent brow techniques is the way the pigment is deposited into the skin. Christina, a senior technician at Blink explains: “Microblading uses a hand held tool to carve small cuts into the skin with pigment to achieve realistic hairlike strokes that blend into the natural brow whereas ombre brows are done by using a digital machine that places extremely tiny dots of pigment into the skin to mimic a soft shaded effect similar to a brow pencil look or a shaded brow.”
An important factor to note is that microblading does not work for all skin types. Microblading is not great for oily skin as the color does not show up effectively and can look blurry. Natural oils can also prevent the brows from healing properly. It’s also worth noting, according to Christina that ombre is generally far less invasive than other brow services
What can I expect when I have a treatment?
There are 3 steps to the process for ombre eyebrows:
Step 1: Consultation
This involves having a patch test 48 hours before the treatment and also some initial brow mapping and pre drawing to find a brow shape that’s perfect for you.
Step 2: The treatment
This typically takes about two hours and consists of prepping the area around the brows by threading and cleaning up the area. After choosing the right pigment, the therapist will then apply topical anesthetic which sits for roughly 15- 20 minutes. Whilst this is happening the professional will do the brow mapping and measuring, and create a frame around the brows to map where to add the pigment which is then added using a needling process. Your brow shape will be customized and shading only begins after you have agreed to the shape. Christina loves this technique because it works for both those who have sparse brows as well as the more blessed who have naturally fuller brows full hair. It’s also great for those who have previous microblading work and looking to redo their brows. Immediately after the treatment your eyebrows will look darker and may feel tender. This is nothing to worry about as the color will fade to a more natural look. As your eyebrows heal, they will shrink and will look much more natural in appearance over the next 4 weeks with more of a soft powder look. Christina stresses that with Ombre healed results are better and last longer than other brow services.
Step 3: Touch up
A touch-up session is strongly recommended 4-8 weeks after the initial session to achieve optimal results and this appointment takes approximately 2 hours.
What is the aftercare post treatment?
Typically, following ombre treatment brows will take seven to 14 days to heal. During the first seven days, you should avoid getting your ombré eyebrows wet. Ditto for intense exercise, makeup, and prolonged exposure to the sun. Applying an ointment daily can help to accelerate the healing process. When you have ombré brows done, your therapist will give detailed instructions on aftercare on the day of your appointment.
Is it suitable for everyone?
Ombré brows are suitable for all skin types and are an ideal option for oily or sensitive skin. Christina explains that those who have oily skin will have longer lasting results with microblading than they would with Microblading. Because they require fewer touch up appointments and last 1 to 3 years (depending on skin type, aftercare, lifestyle and other factors), they’re a great option for time poor people. You can also personalize the density, so how light or how dark you would like the brows to be is entirely bespoke to your preferences.
How long does it last?
Ombré shading graces you with one to three years of low maintenance for your brows. The average lifespan of microbladed brows is 18 months to 2 years, while ombre brows last longer due to the technique used.
Book your appointment with Blink Brow Bar for an initial consultation. Prices start from £450
Comments are closed.