My Eyebrow Microblading Results

It’s been 4 weeks since I got my eyebrows microbladed and today I’m sharing all about the process with lots of before and after photos and answering all of your questions – Does it hurt? How much did it cost? It is an actual tattoo? Where did you go? Does it look real? etc.

Isn’t that wild?!?!  See . . .  I told you I had no brows!

The morning of my appointment, I snapped a picture of my face with makeup on, but no brow makeup. As you can see, my little bitty brows are barely there!

Before my microblading session, unless you were seeing me on Stories without makeup, you’re probably used to seeing my face all made up with makeup and my brows filled in with brow pencil (‘Fling’) and dipbrow (using this angled brush).  And always with the bold mascara.  #iheartmascara
But, I had to draw those eyebrows on everyday. ? And since I don’t wear makeup every single day — except mascara.  See above.  Always mascara! — the days I didn’t ‘put my brows on’ I felt particularly naked.


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Microblading is a semi-permanent brow tattoo where the artist uses a handheld tool (regular tattooing is done with a machine) with tiny needles to draw fine hairlike strokes to mimic the look of real brow hairs.  The tool puts semi-permanent pigment into the skin, but doesn’t go as deep as a normal tattoo would.
I only heard about the procedure about a year ago.  Before that, I figured I was just stuck with my no-brows.  I didn’t even know there was hope for my brows!  But, once I learned about microblading, I was skeptical and didn’t know where to go or if I could trust someone to do my brows in the shape that I liked them.  I kept researching and watching videos, but it wasn’t until my friend Sara went and got hers done locally #youfirst! that I knew I wanted to go for it! Sara has a whole video of the procedure, so definitely check that out!
We both went to Lihn at Venetian Nail Spa in The Woodlands.

The day of the procedure I was nervous, but also really excited.  My mom and baby came with me, but they went out to lunch during the actual procedure, which took a total of about 2 hours.

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When I met with Lihn, the microblade artist, we first talked about my brows and I showed her pictures on my phone of how I normally filled mine in.  I told her I didn’t want them too thick or heavy.  She measured my face with a special tool and used an app on her phone to determine the best shape of brows for my face based on my bone structure and symmetry.
She said the inner brows should come all the way to your tear duct, which is way closer together than I’m used to because I had zero hairs there.  She measures with the tool, but draws on your face with a pencil and it’s painless.

After she was done drawing, she showed me that she planned to fill in the inside of the lines.  In retrospect, I would recommend you go for a consultation and have the artist draw the brows completely on with pencil first so you can see what they will look like when she’s finished with the microblading.  This photo below only shows the outline, so I think it would’ve been less shocking afterward if they would’ve been drawn on first.

She mixed two pigment colors together to get my perfect shade and ended up rubbing a third color in at the end for kind of a highlight.

Now that’s sexy!


After the consultation and the brow measuring, Lihn started the microblading procedure where she makes tiny cuts onto the top layer of your skin with a tiny needle.  She did not numb my brows the first time around and the mild pain was tolerable, probably a 5 out of 10.  Sara described the feeling as a cat tongue scratching your brows and that’s pretty accurate. The sound is worse than the feeling though because it sounds like little scraping cuts on your skin, but they happen so quickly and one entire brow is done in about 10-15 minutes.
After Lihn had done both brows, she applied numbing cream and went over each brow again, filling in with more pigment.  I have to say, even though the pain was mild the first time, I would ask for numbing cream from the get-go next time.  It just makes the procedure more pleasant. After she was done microblading and rubbed in more pigment, and then cleaned them – it felt like with alcohol, but I’m not sure- the way she kept rubbing my brows made them feel a little sore but nothing unbearable.
The whole appointment took about 2 hours from the initial consultation, to the measuring/drawing, two passes over both brows, then after-care instructions (you’re supposed to apply ointment twice a day for about a week and there can be flaking and itchiness, but I didn’t really have that), followed by 10 minutes of me sitting in the chair stunned that I had eyebrows!
It’s the wildest feeling seeing brows on your face where you’re used to seeing none.  If you look closely at the third picture below, you can see where my brows are and then the “brow” hairs she microbladed onto my skin.

When I saw my brows for the first time, I was in total shock.  I immediately thought they looked too close together.  They also seemed so dark!  I was thinking, “holy shit, this is semipermanent, what have I done????!!!”  Lihn kept assuring me how good they looked and that they would fade a lot within 2 weeks and then I’d be back asking for them darker again. She says that happens with almost everyone.
For the first 2 days afterwards, whenever I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I was stunned. My bigger, darker brows felt masculine to me.

The picture below is from 2 days after my initial treatment.  No one seemed to really notice, but I was still feeling very self conscious at this point.

But, after about one week, they already lightened up and I was really liking them!  I felt like the fuller brows actually looked more youthful, which was something I hadn’t anticipated.

In Houston, microblading ranges from $500 to $1,000.   I drove to the outskirts of Houston to get mine done, so it was the low end and includes the 6-week touch up.  If you need a touch up within 6 months of the initial visit, it’s $100 and if you go 6-10 months after the initial touch up, it’s $200.
The microblading fades approximately 30-50% during the first week, so that’s why a touch-up is needed.  I’ve heard after you go the first time, and 6 weeks later, it can last up to about 18 months.
Now that I’ve had my brows for one month, I actually really do like them!  I snapped this iPhone pic yesterday without makeup (just a smidge of mascara) so you could see what the brows look like untouched.  You can see that they have faded significantly and I already made my 6-week touch-up appointment.

The part in the middle closest to my nose where I had no real hairs to start with have faded the most, but the strokes still look like real hair.  You want to really make sure that your microblade artist draws the hair strokes in a slightly slanted way that mimics the way real hair grows, but not curled or straight- unless that’s how your real brows grow.
 
Even though I’m very happy with how my brows turned out, I would recommend doing lots of research, asking friends or even strangers if you’re out and see someone whose brows you admire for recommendations, going to several consultations first before booking your appointment.  I’ve seen lots of bad microbladed brows online – just search #microblade on IG and you’ll see!

When I’m doing a photo shoot, I do still fill my brows in, but with the microblading, I already have a good base, so I don’t have to do to much.


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I’m a convert now and looking forward to my touch-up appointment.  It’s so nice to wake up in the morning and have eyebrows already on my face!  I think it’s gonna be even better this summer when I go to the pool!  What do you think?  Do you have any questions I didn’t answer?


Have a great day, friends! ?
You can join me on Instagram and Facebook too, where I post everyday outfits and inspiration to wake up your wardrobe. 
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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

69 Comments

    1. I should have also added that I think they look great! I have an appointment to have mine done in July and I was worried about the no sweating thing (esp. in July!).

    2. I was instructed to wait 10 days. When I finally went back to my bootcamp right after the 10th day (which was questionable to me) I kept a sweat towel nearby and kept blotting every chance I got.

      1. My artist gave me a bacterial prevention gel to wear 3 days. I would think if your brows are not healed you should continue to clean and use gel.

  1. Your brows look great! Really, not masculine at al. you are right, full brows are more youthful. Pencil thin brows don't look good on anyone and it's true, eyebrows are suppose to start straight up from your tear ducts. My girlfriend had microblading done (in canada) and it looks great and now between you and her, i'm convinced i need to do it!

  2. Thanks for sharing. The fuller brows definitely frame your face better and make you more youthful. I remember reading that if it's straight up from the tear duct, it gives the illusion of a thinner nose as well. You look great!

  3. BEST post ever, thank you so much for the information! Your brows look amazing and all of your tips are going to be helpful. I would way rather read about the shock factor in advance vs. regretting the procedure while I'm still in the chair. Now I feel prepared 🙂

  4. Great honest post. I think any change like that takes some getting used to. As you know I too have thinning brows due to thyroid issues. Your tips on pencils and gels helped tremendously. I guess when I get tired of having to "draw" them on, I now have something to look into!

  5. Your brows look great! I'm definitely considering getting it done. Did you have to wait two weeks before getting them wet? An acquaintance told me that was part of her instructions and so she went to a salute have her hair washed. With pool season upon us, I might need to wait if that's the case.

  6. Your eyebrows look great! About mascara, what do you use to remove it? I hate having to work hard to get it all off at night and worry about pulling at the sensitive skin around my eyes.

    1. That's a great question! My cetaphil cleanser doesn't do a good job of removing makeup and mascara, so I use a separate makeup remover. I just bought one by Clinique that's working well. That's one of the things I miss about having eye lash extensions!

  7. Great review! I just had mine done two weeks ago and can't believe how real they look! So glad I did it despite being extremely nervous! Mine are fading big time just like you described (and just as my esthetician said they would) so I'm already looking forward to my touch-up.

  8. Your brows look great – great post. What do they feel like? Weird question, I know, I was just wondering.
    Jane

    1. That's a good question, and I never asked so I'll have to when I go back. I don't think so though because where mine have already faded, there's no scar there.

    1. Hi! You can go in public, but I wore a hat the first two days. It wasn’t THAT bad, but I did feel very self conscious the first few days. It’s so worth it though!

  9. They look GREAT!
    I just had mine done in October and I am absolutely IN LOVE with them! I went through all the emotions of shock and *maybe* not liking them, to absolutely loooooving them! I had barely any visible brows and had been drawing in (read: COMPLETELY) my brows daily as long as I can remember… Once I found my microblading artist and followed her work on Instagram for a good year, I decided it was time to make it happen. At first, the hairs strokes looked so weird to me! Going from nothing, to hair-like pigment was a shock, but as they healed, they looked better every single day. Also, I noticed I must have always drawn them on with one higher than the other – I was so used to the way I did it, that when they were perfectly measured and perfectly even, they looked uneven! Isn’t that crazy? haha… I’ve grown very fond of my even brows now! <3
    Now I cannot wait for my touch-up!
    If you're on the fence about doing it, I say GO FOR IT! 🙂

  10. Thanks for info on eyebrows! I’ve been following my girl for over a year! I’m ready too finally going to have some beautiful eyebrows!!

  11. I really liked your post. I recently did Microblading as well and had the same reaction, I thought they were close together and too dark. I’m glad to hear that they will fade within weeks to a more natural color. My artist told me all this but for some reason it is more reassuring to hear from someone who has experienced it.

  12. I want to have my eyebrows done but don’t know how to find the right person. I hate to just pick someone out of the phone book.

  13. Your brows turned out so nice!!! I am at 6 weeks now after my microblading procedure and I can’t tell I had them done!! I am so upset! I go in for my follow up today… hopefully they can redo it to dark brown, because no one can tell they were even done! 🙁

    1. Yes, you definitely need to go back and get the results you want! But try to find out what the issue was because maybe you need a refund and to go somewhere else.

  14. Thank you so much! I have been very curious about what microblading was, but afraid to ask! I appreciate your sharing yor experience & photos of the process very much!

  15. Hello. I called the Venetian and Lihn is not there anymore. Are you still in touch with her and know where she might be? Or can you recommend someone else at the Venetian? Thank you!

  16. Hi Megan I want to get mine done but am very scared. I have no brows at all, thinning hair,chemo and I’m 75 years old. I live in Ct and I don’t know where to go. I’ve been trying these microblading eyebrow pencils but can’t get the right color, sorry if I’m going on. Thanx for listening. Bev

  17. My eyebrows don’t exist. chemo @ thinning hair. I live in Ct. I’m 75 years old and would love to get them also scared. Yours look great!

    1. You can do it! They can do microblading for people with no brows with great results! You can go for a consultation before the actual application to make sure you feel comfortable with the technician and process.

  18. Thank you so much for this post! I’m having my brows done in 2 days and am both excited and terrified. I feel much better about the procedure after reading this in-depth post. Thank you for the confidence!

  19. I got mine done a few days ago! I thought my eyebrows look too close together too! I was about to cry when I look at myself after the procedure. Your post made me feel a bit better and I’m glad that I’m not the only one thinking that.
    Hoping my eyebrows look okay next month!

  20. I literally came here looking to read about the shock factor afterwards as well lol! My eyebrows were much like yours – thin, more sparse and I am only on day 2 following my microblading and even though my girl is reputable and told me they will look darker and more bold while they heal, I have been wearing a hat and looking in the mirror going, “Holy cow. What have I done?!” Because it is SO different & shocking to see!! I am relieved to see you felt the same way and I look forward to seeing the healed result now!
    Yours look FABULOUS!!

  21. When you go in for the touch up is it as bold as the first time in? Ineed the touch up done on the inner part of my eyebrows near the nose above the tearducks. Just wondering if it will be as bold as the first time.

  22. Wow, what a transformation. They look amazing. I was thinking of doing it also, but after quarantining and not being able to get my brows waxed, they’ve sort of filled in and worked out on their own, so now I’m leaning toward tattooing my lips! My sister just did – they tatoo’d them the color of the insider of her mouth – and after the first week (where they were really prominent! – they look amazing! Would lip tattooing be something you’d consider?

    1. Oh man, I think I’d be so scared of that! But I’m so curious to see the before and after! My brows don’t grow on their own, I’m so happy to hear yours did!

  23. I have has 2 appointments to have mine done and have backed out both times. I recently reas an incredible article that talked about the long term affects of micro blading- like the scaring of that area due to years of touch up (which would definitely be required to keep up the look). The writer compared it to getting the same tattoo over and over in the same spot. She also recommended getting permanent makeup rather micro blading. I think I’m going to wait and see the long term affects of someone that has had the procedure done 5-10 years ago, and how their skin has fared. Yours do look amazing!!

  24. Your post are so informative… I’ve had my brows done and soon to get them touched up. I’d like to have them darker and more definitive hair strokes. I paid $350 to have them done and my touch up will be the same price. I think this is very expensive, but I love not having to dray my brow on…

  25. They look very nice. I’m wondering about gravity as I age and I am, at 72. I am losing my brows and they are turning grey. I fill them in and of course my vision is going, too. Our faces actually change shape due to gravity even at a young age.. will they look odd as I age, if I have this procedure done.?

  26. I didn’t know what microblading was and I am so glad I read your blog! You are beautiful anyway, but your brows do accentuate your features now in a flattering way. Thank you so much for detailing the whole process in such a clear way. I’d love to have that done and had to laugh with everyone else who described being horrified/terrified/excited about it. Can’t wait to discuss it with my three daughters!

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