• Rewards Room
    • You are here
    Home / Treatments / Cosmetic tattooing / Read this before getting your brows tattooed

    Read this before getting your brows tattooed

    28 Sep 2016 12:00 PM | Posted by
    Samantha McMeekin's picture
    Samantha McMeekin
    Comment

    Cosmetic tattooing is nothing new, but its popularity has certainly grown since thin, barely-there brows went out with the 90s and the 00s left us all wanting fuller, bushier face framers.

    RELATED:  Are you really a 90s kid?

    Enter: Brow tattooing. A type of feathering or shading tattooing that imprints hair-like strokes onto the skin with ink, for permanently fuller brows.

    You may have heard of it, or even seen some photos of the results, but there are a few things you should know before booking an appointment…

    #1 It’s an ongoing treatment

    It’s ‘permanent’ in the way that it won’t wash off or smudge, but unfortunately it doesn’t last forever. Rita Porreca from the Sydney Permanent Make-up Centre recommends touch-ups every two years. “It can last between two and four years depending on your lifestyle – there are many factors that can cause it to fade [such as] the sun, swimming, skin care and medication.”

    RELATED: You HAVE to see Kate Middleton’s brows

    Maddi, who has alopecia and recently had her brows tattooed at Lux Brows and Lashes in Melbourne, says she was recommended to come in for touch-ups every 12-18 months to keep her brows looking fresh. So while the timing may vary depending on your own unique situation, overall you will need further appointments to keep the look maintained.

    #2 Go for what suits you, not what’s on trend

    While big and bold brows have been all the rage lately, trends always change. So when you’re getting something that will last you more than a year, take into consideration what suits your face shape, as well as your everyday make-up. There’s no point getting something that only looks good when paired with a smoky eye and false lashes.

    Rita says, “I always do measurements to get the right thickness and shape – the face shape is very important to achieve the desired look. I draw the shape on with make-up so clients can see how the brows will look before [the treatment].”

    RELATED: “Eyelash extensions are the best thing I’ve ever done.”

    As for choosing the right shade, Maddi recommends starting light. “I had my initial treatment and then a touch-up treatment four-six weeks later,” she says. “So if you do want to go darker with the colour you can build up the colour in the second appointment.” She also says the colour will appear darker for the first week after the treatment as it settles into the skin.

    #3 It’s not as painful as a tattoo, but you do feel it

    Considering it is essentially tattooing the face, there’s bound to be some discomfort. However, Rita says they use numbing cream throughout the procedure and at the Sydney Permanent Make-up Centre, the actual tattooing only takes about 20 minutes.

    RELATED: Hilarious stories from beauty therapists

    On a scale of one-10, Maddi rates the pain of the treatment as a four. “A numbing cream was applied before and throughout the treatment to make sure I was as comfortable as possible. There is a slight sting and what feels like a repetitive scratching on your skin.”

    #4 Post-care is needed

    There is no downtime after the treatment, however as mentioned by Maddi, the colour can appear darker for the first five-10 days and during this time extra care needs to be taken to ensure the best results.

    Rita says she gives every client an after-care kit and instructions to take home, while Maddi says, “I had to keep my brows dry for the first week after treatment.”

    brow-tattoo-before-after

    The above before and after was supplied by Sydney Permanent Makeup Centre. The after was taken straight after the tattooing and the colour will fade by 30 per cent.

    Have you ever considered brow tattooing? Or any other cosmetic tattooing?

     

    105 Member Comments

    Jay.dogga1986 14 May 2020 12:19 PM

    I'm way too scared to try this. Seen too may horror stories.

    onlyoni 26 Feb 2020 10:19 AM

    No, not for me.

    Shop A Everyday 26 Feb 2020 1:33 AM

    So many friends are getting it, it can look so unnatural

    biliziv 15 Aug 2019 10:00 PM

    I got my eyebrows done about 3-4 years ago, they cost me $850. They have faded now but a red colour still lingers, no one will redo my eyebrows, I'm so annoyed. I might have to try laser to get the faded red colour gone.

    ThisIsMe 28 Sep 2018 12:30 PM

    So many people are doing this lately!

    Shop A Everyday 3 Jun 2018 5:10 PM

    I still don't like it, I prefer to use a sharp pencil and do them myself. Some friends have had them done, it does save time on doing your makeup I siuppose

    Beccaduncan23 15 May 2018 6:33 AM

    I've always wanted to get this done, I can never make mine look even.

    Jenniqua 17 Apr 2018 10:22 AM

    I am having this done in two weeks time and I cant wait. In the initial consult the specialist showed me with pencil, how it would look and I absolutely loved it. My mum even asked if I had had my brows done because she thought they looked so lovely. I cant wait.

    Tomc 19 Feb 2018 12:06 PM

    I really don't like the look of dark, perfectly even brows. Some colour and shape looks good but most look "over done"

    These ones don't look too bad but I prefer a more natural look.

    sootyblack_14 17 Feb 2018 2:40 PM

    It looks good, but not for me...

    Sally10 14 Feb 2018 9:10 PM

    Not for me.

    Chrystalage 14 Feb 2018 1:36 PM

    it's not just plucking that causes thinning, low thyroid also causes issues. I look like I only have half a brow. I'd like to go the tattoo route but I doubt that I will

    Shop A Everyday 14 Feb 2018 1:32 AM

    A few friends have had this done and for me, it's a huge no, it just looks terrible

    Old girl9 13 Feb 2018 10:45 PM

    As my brows are very blonde (or grey), had thought of having them tattooed. However after reading this article and being a sook, don't like the idea of feeling the brows being tattooed. How does one keep eye brows dry? During summer sweat pours down my face. Obviously I am not meant to have the brows done!!

    Cheap and Petite 13 Feb 2018 6:00 PM

    I know someone who just had her eyebrows tattooed, and the whole thing peeled off and left her with one hell of a scaley mess.. waste of money, and she was left embarrassed not being able to cover the mess until it all came off.

    Pinkalicious 28 Oct 2017 7:12 PM

    I am planning to go for it, and these points are really interesting

    mandz_84 1 Sep 2017 7:18 PM

    Thanks for the informative article, I will definitely look into getting my brows done as it will just save me so much time in the morning and the results look great!

    Heidi366 25 Aug 2017 9:14 PM

    Great to see another article on this as I'm in the seriously considering getting it done stage, just need to find a good salon and experienced artist in my state.

    mystique32 23 Jul 2017 3:22 AM

    I am considering this proceedure as I have two tone brows currently - dark in the centres and almost blonde on the outer edges. I already have to use a gel or pencil daily so this done every 2 years or even once a year would save me time each morning in my current beauty routine :)

    Goddess..... 14 Jul 2017 6:13 AM

    Definitely no to this, Your face is a very sensitive area & your putting those needle's on it, What damage are you causing on the inside of you?

    blackkittykat 13 Jul 2017 9:58 PM

    I just looked up the website - $500!!! And 2 hours?! Although I think that includes the consult too, I don't think I could handle an hour and a half of being tattooed. They do eyeliner too; that would be amazing having permanent eyeliner but it sounds quite painful and dangerous.

    AndreaJW 29 May 2017 5:42 PM

    Not something I would get done

    Nipponophile05 26 May 2017 4:18 PM

    I had this procedure done at the end of last year and I love the results, in terms of how my brows are now consistently and well-defined every day. The practitioner was very skilled and experienced and took her time to ensure that the shape was balanced, suited my face shape and natural hair colour and hurt as little as possible. I would definitely have it done again.

    Chicklet 14 May 2017 8:11 PM

    I'm just glad that I didn't follow the fashion for thin brows when they were in.

    AndreaJW 29 May 2017 5:42 PM

    Yeah me too

    Pages

    You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.
    TOP