Microblading Experience | Before + Afters

Ohh I have been impatiently waiting to share this post with you! This year I really wanted to try, do, and invest in things that were going to make my day-to-day life easier. I’ve been finding ways to simplify and improve everything from my health to my home, and of course… my beauty routine.

I had contemplated having my eyebrows microbladed for a long while. If you’re not familiar with microblading, Google will tell ya that it’s a semipermanent treatment for enhancing the appearance of the eyebrows, in which pigment is scratched into the skin in fine, short strokes resembling hair, using a hand tool with a blade formed of tiny needles.

The thought of not having to fill my eyebrows in every day, while still looking perfect was enticing. Not to mention, the results could last up to 2 years! SIGN ME UP.

My girlfriend Desiree of Desired Beauty is basically a magician when it comes to transforming any of the hairs on your face. She’s a certified microblading artist, and specializes in lash extensions, lash lifts, lash tints, and so much more. She has been at this for a few years and has really mastered her craft. I did quite a bit of research (AKA before/after Instagram stalking), and I’m not being biased, I truly think she does some of the best work in Connecticut. When I set up my appointment with her, I knew I was in good hands.

We decided to do an eyelash lift/tint and my microblading in one day. I want to give you the real scoop, so I’m just going to walk you through the entire appointment.

We began with the lash lift and tint. This is essentially a perm for your lashes that lasts 6-8 weeks and it is fabulous. Here’s how it’s done in Desiree’s own words!

First we will measure your lashes against the correct size rod. We will glue the rod to your upper lid and then glue the lashes to that rod. We apply the perming solution for 8-12 minutes total depending on the strength of your lashes. After that we will neutralize the lash with a neutralizing solution for the same amount of time we processed the perm solution for. Then we will tint the lashes which takes 5 minutes and after that you’re all done! It’s about a 30-45 minute appointment.

I was completely geeking out about my soon to be microbladed brows, that I didn’t even realize how major this lash lift was going to be. I was blown away by the results.

You have to keep them dry for 24 hours, but after that, life and beauty routines can resume as normal (lash serums are OK), just avoid water-proof mascara. I’m now over two weeks post-appointment and they still look amazing! My favorite way to wear them is combed out with a couple coats of mascara… I swear they look like falsies.

Onto the brows! So Des began by sketching out the shape of my “new” brows. This part was a bit frightening because they obviously were not going to look anything like the thick outline – the pen is just a guide! I am beyond particular about my brows so I wasn’t afraid to speak up about anything concerning (this is semi-permanent after all), but she was very patient with me and made minor tweaks until I was happy. She really has a fabulous eye & pretty much nailed it on the first go.

After that, she traced the outline with a surgical pen and then applied numbing cream to my brows – this took about 20 minutes. Good look, no?

While numbing, she showed me 4 shades of brown dye that she thought would best match my natural hair. I was a bit torn and told her to do what she thought was best. She recommended a mix of two!

Then she began! I honestly felt nothing – maybe a little scratch towards the tail end of my brows, but it was so tolerable (I’ve have my brows threaded for years, if you can handle that you can handle anything lol). She said many people don’t even numb!

Once all of the pigment had set, she revealed my beautiful new brows and I almost cried. They came out amazing! She sent me home with some easy care instructions & I did my best to follow them to a T.

I wanted to document the “healing” process because I feel like many people are curious about this part! It really wasn’t bad, my brows looked very dark (but I was prepared for that), and they did go through a couple days of itchiness, followed by a bit of peeling. I don’t think anything was obvious to anyone other than me.

I had so many questions and so did a lot of you! So I asked Des to answer them…

How long does it last?

It usually lasts 1-2 years.  However everyone is different depending on skin texture, routine, sun exposure, exfoliation, etc. I recommend yearly touchups but I have clients who prefer to come every 6 months and some who prefer every 1.5 years to stretch it out! 

If you get them done and decide you never want to ever again, it’ll probably take up to 5 full years to exfoliate out of the skin and go away completely. 

How long does it take?

The initial process is about 1.5 hours long. We measure your brows and bone structure, draw the shape, numb for a bit, then begin blading!

Do you have to continue plucking/waxing?

Only if your hair falls out of the shape we created for you. If those loose hairs fall into the shape then leave them be! 

How much does it cost? — Touch ups?

The cost is $450 which includes two appointments that are typical 6-10 weeks apart. Annual touchups are $250 unless you’ve gone longer than 2 years! 

Who are the best candidates for Microblading?

Anyone who wants beautiful brows without having to draw them in every morning! It’s probably easier to answer who is NOT a good candidate. For people who want Microblading with extremely oily skin – the more oily the skin is, the more it will push the pigment out and fade extremely fast. It can still be done but expect frequent touchups. You cannot have them done if you are under 18, pregnant, on blood thinners, prone to keloid scaring, or currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Is there any down or healing time?

Healing process is roughly 7-10 days. I wouldn’t say it’s “down time” but the brows go through a few different phases during this time. You are free to go back to work or your daily schedule even the same day as having them done. 

Is it painful?

You may feel a few strokes here and there which can be compared to car scratches or intense threading. But we do numb the eyebrow for 20 minute prior and also use a numbing specifically for open skin after strokes have been made.

Is this good for blondes?

Definitely!! People with blonde eyebrows sometimes just need a little filling in and their eyebrows are so much more noticeable. 

Is there a risk for scar tissue?

You only run the risk of building scar tissue if you go too deep or have them done too frequently. A trained artist must know how deep to go in the skin without going too deep!

Any products to avoid with microbladed brows?

Any chemical peels, microdermabrasion treatments, laser treatments, or exfoliation should be avoided around the brows!

I am in LOVE with my new brows. They look so natural, I haven’t had to touch them with a single brow pencil, powder, or pomade, and I could not be happier. I’ll schedule my touch up in 6-10 weeks and then we should be good for about 2 years!

I cannot thank Desiree enough for her beautiful work! If you’ve been considering having your brows done…or any lash treatments, I highly recommend this girl! She’s been booking up like crazy, but contact her via Instagram and get yourself in her books.

I hope you found this post informative! Let me know in the comments if you’ve had your brows microbladed, and if you have any other Q’s about this experience!

XOXO