Brow Lamination - A Microblading Alternative

Makeup artists have always known that eyebrows frame the face. Every decade the ‘on trend’ brow shapes change from the thin and rounded arches of the 20’s, the thick and bushy brows of the 80’s (think Brooke Shields), the pencil thin arches of the 2000’s to the fluffy brushed up brows of today. I too have partaken in tweezing my brows to an inch of their life over the years, but lucky for us there are now innovative techniques available to transform any brow, no matter how compromised. 

One popular treatment is brow lamination. It gives you the trendy soap brow look but with longer staying power. It is a technique used on the brows to create voluminous, full, feathery brows that are defined and yet natural looking. The treatment is designed to straighten the brow hairs and give them a full fluffy and more lifted look. It's being hailed as the needle-free alternative to microblading as the results look so precise. 

The new technique originating in Russia, is essentially a perm for your eyebrows, but without using the same harsh chemicals and straightening rather than adding a curl. It’s a keratin treatment that not only stimulates growth while strengthening the brow hairs, but creates thick, fluffy, and full brows that lasts up to eight weeks - a great low maintenance option to daily brow grooming. 

WHO SHOULD GET BROW LAMINATION?

While brow lamination is generally for everyone, there are a few exceptions. The treatment is not recommended for people who have scratches, burns, or scars near the eyes, skin conditions, or inflammation in the eyebrow area. You should also stay away from brow lamination if you are pregnant, have allergies or past reactions to cosmetics, dyes, and semi-permanent tattooing such as microblading.

WHAT IS THE BROW LAMINATION PROCESS?

Step 1. 

Your brow tech will firstly cleanse the area of any makeup, oils or bacteria. The brow perming solution will then be applied. The chemical process breaks down the bonds within each hair, allowing them to relax and move into a new shape. Your tech may also apply some plastic wrap over the hairs which speeds up this process. 

Step 2. 

Once the solution is removed after processing time of approximately 5 minutes, the brow fixing solution is then applied once the hairs have been brushed into position which sets the hair into its new shape.

Step 3.

After the brows have been set in place, the brow keratin is applied at the end of the treatment to restore moisture back into the brows and skin. A conditioning treatment should also be used at home to ensure the brow hairs stay hydrated. 

The new brow design and shape take up to 48 hours for the bonds to lock into place and cure, which is why it is important to follow the correct aftercare procedures given by your brow tech for 48 hours post-treatment. 

Brow lamination is a great non-invasive, low maintenance alternative offering natural, defined and fuller brows. However, depending upon the health of your brows and the chemical process involved, continued use and improper aftercare may lead to over-processing which results in dry and brittle hairs. If you do find your hairs feeling dry, space out your appointments more and invest in a great keratin infused oil to achieve all the benefits of the specialised treatment.

full article seen in GT @gtmag 1/10/22