Powder Brows
What are “Powder Brows?"
Also referred to as “ombre brows”, “ombre powder brows”, or
“microshading”. an “ombre” refers to the lighter and airy gradient that begins in the front of the eyebrow and that gradually get darker as it transitions to the tail. “Powder” refers to the soft makeup powder look that this style imitates. Powder brows offer a nice, shadow of color to help enhance your natural look. Your initial session will be focused on creating the foundation of your brows. A 6 to 8 week perfecting session is likely needed as this technique takes two sessions to get to the desired results.
How does it differ from “Microblading?”
Microblading (while not offered at Si Jolie Studio in Mountlake Terrace, Washington) is a technique best preformed on normal to dry skin types- using a handheld tool with a blade at its end. Microblading artists will use this blade to create small incisions to create hair-like strokes. Powder brows, however is created by a tattoo machine and needle cartridge; shading back and forth to create a soft makeup look. Powder brows is suitable for all skin types and is less invasive than microblading.
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There are a variety of reasons that may prevent you from being a good candidate for permanent makeup. It is important to note we are not medical professionals, so if you have any questions on whether or not your medication or medical condition interferes with you getting a tattoo, it is best to discuss that with your doctor before moving forward. Your doctor will need to email you a note to receive PMU if you have any of the following conditions in this list. If that is the case, you must let your artist know when booking and email the original note.
Please visit our list of contraindications here.
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Everyone’s sensitivity is a little different. Most clients actually get sleepy during the process, or only feel a bit of discomfort on the first pass. That said, a few things can make you more sensitive:
Being on, about to start, or just finishing your period — it’s best to plan your PMU appointment around that time.
Fibromyalgia — check with your doctor and your artist to see if it might make the procedure feel more uncomfortable.
Frequent smoking or lots of sun exposure — this can make numbing wear off faster.
We apply a topical anesthetic after the first pass of shading.
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How long your brow tattoo lasts depends on your artist’s technique and the pigment used, which we’ll figure out during your consultation.
Longevity also depends on your aftercare, medications or supplements, health conditions, diet, and skin type (like oily skin, large pores, sun damage, skin elasticity, and undertone).
Basically, your brows last as long as you maintain them. Most clients come back for a refresh around the 2–3 year mark when they start to fade dramatically.
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Eyebrow tattooing is a 2-step treatment, consisting of an initial procedure (approx. 3 hours) and then a perfecting touch up 6 to 8 weeks later (approx. 2 hours.) Here is the agenda for the day of your session.
Consultation: We will begin with discussing your goals and concerns for your eyebrows.
Photos and videos: These will be taken to document your progress and transformation as well as for insurances purposes and content.
Brow mapping: We’ll draw the brow design in pencil and clean the hair around it, so you get an idea of shape and form. We will have agreed on a final shape.
Color selection: A pigment mix will be made just for you based on your skin tone, undertone, brow hair, skin type, and preferences.
Tattooing: This will take up most of our session. Topical anesthesia will be used. You will be allowed breaks.
Aftercare: We’ll set you up with the information you need to care for your new brows. Final photos and videos will be taken, we schedule you for your 6 to 8 week perfecting session, then check you out!
Your perfecting and returning touch ups will be similar, though sessions are usually shorter.
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Your brow shape is designed around what you naturally have, then refined to look more polished and balanced with your facial features. Brow mapping isn’t one-size-fits-all—everyone has their own unique shape, and we create yours just for you.
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No. Every attempt is made to retain all natural hair and integrate it into the design of the permanent eyebrows. In some cases where shaping of the natural brow is required, a few hairs here and there may need to be removed to create a clean and aesthetically pleasing result. If you decide to clean up your brows before your session, please be sure it is 3 days before.
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Within a week or so after the treatment, the color will fade as your body absorbs some pigment and pushes some out. Over the next 4-8 weeks, this fading can continue to reduce pigment as much as 40%. You may get some patchiness of color and some spots where pigment did not take.
This is why we may do at least one perfecting session 6 to 8 weeks after the initial service. This will let your artist know how your body heals and accepts the pigment, and we will be able to perfect your service. Some clients will need more than one perfecting session. The time before the perfecting session is an ideal time for you to reflect on your shape and color. At the perfecting session, any changes you would like to make are discussed.
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Everyone’s timeline is a little different, but powder brows usually last up to 1 to 3 years—sometimes even longer. You might be ready for a touch-up if your brows are about 60% faded, looking less defined, uneven, or if you’re needing to fill them in daily again.
To keep your skin healthy and avoid brows looking too saturated or “fake,” it’s best to wait until they’re very faded before adding more pigment. Before booking a touch-up, please text a clear photo of your brows to (425) 780-5127 for approval.
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This varies depending on how faded the previous work is and what your current shape looks like. Not all work can be corrected especially if your skin is oversaturated with pigment. You will be require to send in photos for examination. Any work done by another artist (no matter how faded) is considered a correction. There is separate pricing for correction work as it requires more work to reshape and color correct your old work. Removal may also be suggested before you get correction.
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Healing time varies from person to person, but powder brows usually take about 1 to 2 weeks for the scabs to form and fall off. Even though they may look healed after that, your skin still needs another 2 to 4 weeks to fully recover, and the pigment continues to settle during that time. That’s why we schedule your perfecting session 6 to 8 weeks after the initial appointment.
Please check out this link for detailed aftercare and what to expect after your visit.
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If you normally fill in your brows or wear full-face makeup, you might still want to add a little brow product after your sessions. Since the tattoo sits under the skin, it’s totally normal for permanent makeup to look softer or a bit dull over time, and makeup can give it that extra pop when you want it.
If you have sparse brow hair, we recommend keeping a brow product on hand to fill in any gaps—no amount of shading can fully replace real hair. Your permanent makeup will give you a great base and shape for an easy everyday look.
Frequently asked questions
Brow Care
Preparation ✦ Follow these instructions to prevent bleeding, sensitivity, and poor retention during your session
Day of your appointment
Initial session approx. 3.5 hours. Touch ups are approx. 2 hours.
Items to Bring: comfortable clothes, water bottle, blanket (it can get cold laying down), earbuds to listen to your own music and podcasts (no big headphones as they will be uncomfortable during tattooing.)
Take Tylenol (not Ibuprofen) 1 hour before your appointment if you are sensitive to pain.
Eat beforehand especially if you are prone to feeling light headed and dizzy.
If you wear contacts you may want to take them out. Consider wearing glasses instead.
If you are particular about your shape, consider coming in with your brows drawn or have selfies ready to show.
Avoid heavy eye and face makeup. Can get quite messy and will wiped off during the process. If you decide to wear it, bring your makeup to retouch.
What to do and avoid
No caffeine 24 hours before procedure
No alcohol 48 hours before your procedure.
Stop blood thinning medication 48 hours before your procedure such as aspirin, ibuprofen, niacin, vitamin E, Omega 3 – these will cause excess bleeding and may affect your results.
Allow your brows to grow so we can see your natural hair pattern. Avoid grooming them. I will do it for you!
Exfoliate brow area 1 week prior to help prep skin for tattoo session.
Stop using any topical skin thinners and lighteners such as vitamin A, vitamin C, retinol, retin-A (tretinoin)) glycolic acids, alpha hydroxyl on the brow area at least 2 weeks before your appointment.
Brow tinting: wait 2 weeks before booking.
Brow serums: any kind like Latisse, you must stop at least 2 weeks prior and at least 2 weeks after the final session. Using serum post procedure can decrease retention.
Tanning: avoid for at least 2 weeks prior and approximately 2 weeks after.
Chemical peels and facials: wait at least 4 weeks before and after receiving services.
Cosmetic botox or fillers: should be done at least 4 weeks prior and no sooner than 4 weeks after the final session. Do not get any botox or fillers between your initial appointment and your perfecting session.
Accutane: you must stop topical application at least 6 months prior and internal dosage (pills) for at least a year before services. Failure to do so can cause severe scarring.
Aftercare ✦ Your brows are now an open wound! Prevent the risk of infection by keeping them clean. Care for them well and receive optimal retention
Night of and morning after session: Give your brows a quick rinse with lukewarm water and a gentle anti-bacterial hand soap or gentle face wash. Pat dry immediately.
Moisturize twice daily for one week: The morning after your session, after you have rinsed your tattoo, pat your skin dry. Then with a clean finger or cotton swab apply the ointment provided to you. Once applied, it should be sheer and barely noticeable. Start with a small grain size. Do not over apply to avoid suffocating your skin. Save what is left of your ointment for your perfecting session if you have one scheduled. Tip: fold it over and clip it so it does not dry out.
Monitor your skin after one week: After a week, you will want to monitor your eyebrows and skin. If all feels normal please leave your brows alone aside from sunscreen once flaking is over. If you feel your brows are very dry please use the ointment provided to you to moisturize sparingly.
Sunscreen once scabbing is finished: Begin putting SPF 50 on your brows going forward each day to prevent your brows from fading and color for altering
What to avoid:
No dirty hands when treating the area. Wash your hands!
No scrubbing, rubbing or picking at the scabs that form. Allow it to flake off by itself. If it is removed before it is ready, the pigment underneath may be pulled out.
No sleeping on your face (Tip: use a new pillow case, something satin is best!)
No activities involving dust or dirt.
No retinol, acids, acne products near the treatment area for at least 2 to 4 weeks. Gentle cleanser and moisturizer is okay on your forehead and between your brows.
No makeup near the procedure area until all scabs have fallen off to avoid infection.
No submerging your brows in water. This includes swimming and showering with water hitting directly into your face. Over saturating your brows may cause premature fading and impede healing.
No direct sun exposure for 2 to 4 weeks to prevent premature fading and discoloration.
No sweating, heat and steam such as working out, hot showers, saunas and hot tubs until all scabs have fallen off. Steam and excessive sweating will cause flakes to fall prematurely. When returning to these activities make sure you are patting your brows down. Do not let sweat soak into your brows or allow too much moisture build up.
Healing process ✦ This is a general timeline
Day 0-1: You may experience swelling and redness. This should subside within 24 to 48 hours,
Day 1-3: Your brows will appear darker than they were initially.
Day 4-7: Your brows may begin to scab or flake. Scabs should be dry and thin. Brows will appear patchy, light and possibly uneven. You may even feel as if no color has retained. This is normal. If you experience no flaking, that is also normal!.
Day 7-14: Your scabs should be all gone. Begin to apply sunscreen each day going forward.
Day 14+: Color will begin to resurface and darken.
Powder brows are typically a two step process: initial session and 6 to 8 perfecting session. In some cases, a third session may be needed to achieve your desired look.
Long-term care ✦ How to maintain and protect your investment
Groom the outgrown hair right around your tattoo. This will help you keep your shape defined and even. You will be better able to distinguish if a touch up is needed down the road. You may groom them anyway you like as long as your brows are healed. Easy way to do it yourself is with an eyebrow razor and tweezers.
Avoid applying strong skincare products like retinoids or acne products directly on top of your permanent makeup for longer lasting results and to prevent the color from altering.
Apply sunscreen each and every day! It’s your tattoos best friend!
Always let your esthetician and waxer know you have permanent makeup before your treatments.
Schedule your touch up as needed. Everyone comes back at different times. You can text me photos if you have questions about a touch up.
Let your brows fade out so that your skin can make room for new pigment and for your results to stay looking natural.