Manual Permanent Makeup is done by way of using a “stylus” or “microblading pen” in which very needles which is constructed into a “blade”. This blade is then dipped into a liquid pigment (“ink”) to deposit or implant into the epidermis (the first layer of the skin). It is all done entirely by hand and yields natural, crisp strokes that resemble real hair.
Microblading, eyebrow embroidery, 3D brows, HD brows—it all means essentially the same thing. Over the years, the industry have conjured up all sorts of names for this procedure to hype it up. But trust that whatever the name is, if it’s not done with a machine, it’s simply called microblading or manual permanent makeup.
If you’d like to learn more about microblading, click here.
MICROBLADING PEN WITH NEEDLE
Microblading is a 2-session procedure. The 1st session consists of shaping and grooming the brows, followed by 30 minutes of numbing, and then the actual microblading procedure. The entire procedure takes about 3.5 hours, and this includes all the necessary paperwork.
The 2nd session takes place 5 to 8 weeks after the initial session. Loss of hair strokes and fading is expected to happen in the 3-4 weeks after the 1st session. In your 2nd session is when we will do any touch-ups or corrections that is required. When you return for your 2nd session, this is when will be able to better assess how your skin took to the pigment. Did it fade it a lot? Did it heal blurry? Did the colour alter? These are the crucial information that we need to know, but can only be answered when you come in for your 2nd session. So patience is also very important. After all, we are Microblading Specialists, not fortune tellers. There is no 100% way of telling how one’s skin will take to the pigment without the 2nd session. This appointment may also take up to 3.5 hours long, depending on how much fading had occurred during the healing process. Some people need very minimal work done at their initial touch up, and some need a whole new do-over, unfortunately.
Below are before and after photos of some of the Manual PMU work we have done. Please check out our Instagram for more up to date photos of our work!
The Hair-stroke technique is best suited for women/men who are used to seeing themselves in their most natural looking state, i.e. women who wear little to no makeup and women who prefer the no-fuss look. But be aware that not everyone is a candidate for this technique. If you have oily skin, the implanted hair-strokes will heal blurry and merge into each other making it look powdery. Normal to dry skin will definitely benefit from microblading as this skin type tends to just “sit still” with very little natural oils to disturb the pigment. Dry skin also has a slower regeneration rate allowing the pigment to stay in the skin much longer than someone who has oily skin.
Microshading (also known as Manual Shading or Powder-fill) is popular amongst women who prefer bolder brows. Brows that look made up all the time, very much the opposite of Microblading which is very natural looking in comparison to the powder-fill technique. If you are used to seeing yourself with penciled-in brows, Microblading alone may look too natural for you. Here at Lux, we ask that you come in for your consultation/appointment with your brows already done how you do them daily, so that it gives us an idea as to what your comfort level is in terms of boldness. If your skin is on the oilier side of the spectrum, the Powder-fill technique is your best friend! This technique heals beautifully on oily skin, giving it that soft powdery look just like makeup. But be aware that if you have oily skin, you may need to come in more frequently for your touch-up as this skin type pushes out the implanted pigment faster than dry skin.
Get the best of both worlds with this blended technique, our signature style and most popular brows among our clients! If you like the look of the natural hair-strokes, but still would like to add that subtle touch of shading, Microblading + Shading will give you just that!
