Eyebrows have become one of the most important facial features in the beauty world, framing the face and enhancing expressions. Permanent eyebrow techniques have emerged as go-to solutions for achieving flawless brows with minimal daily effort. That being said, microblading and machine methods vary significantly in terms of the process, results, and suitability. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the key differences between the eyebrow techniques to determine which is best for you.
Microbladed Eyebrows
Microblading is a manual technique that uses a handheld tool with ultra-fine needle pins (in the shape of a blade) to gently deposit pigment beneath the skin’s surface. Each stroke mimics the appearance of natural hair, making this method ideal for creating realistic, hair-like lines that seamlessly blend with your existing eyebrow hair.
Process: We create fine, precise incisions in the skin to deposit pigment, forming individual hair-like strokes for a natural appearance. The treatment takes around 2 hours and requires a fine-tune session 4 to 6 weeks later.
Results: The microblading results are typically softer and more subtle than machine methods, which is ideal for those with sparse or patchy eyebrows who want a fuller yet natural-looking eyebrow. Microblading usually lasts between 1 to 2 years, depending on skin type and aftercare.
View Faye’s microbladed gallery or Laura’s eyebrow gallery for inspiration.
Suitable candidates: It’s ideal for those with normal to dry skin, as oily or combination skin can blur and fade the hairstrokes faster, or cause the pigment to not hold at all. If you have thick or coarse eyebrows, microblading is less suitable because the hairstrokes won’t blend as seamlessly. Lastly, this technique cannot be used as a way of enhancing the shape where the bulbs (front) or tails (ends) need adding.
Machine Method Eyebrows
Hairstroke Eyebrows:
Hairstroke eyebrows have a similar appearance to microbladed eyebrows, but this method is done using a cosmetic tattoo machine and needle cartridge, not manually with a pin blade.
Process: We use a machine to implant the pigment into the skin, creating controlled, consistent strokes that are sharp and refined. The procedure takes around 2 hours and requires a fine-tune session 6 to 8 weeks later.
Results: The hairstroke results create a very realistic, natural look with ultra-fine lines. Because the pigment is deposited deeper into the skin than microblading, it tends to hold its shape longer, with less blurring.
View Faye’s hairstroke gallery or Laura’s eyebrow gallery for inspiration.
Suitable candidates: It’s ideal for those with dry, normal or combination skin types, as the machine can penetrate deeper and more consistently than microblading. It’s particularly beneficial for Alopecia clients and those who experience hormone-related skin irregularities.
Combination Eyebrows:
Combination eyebrows have machine hairstrokes at the bulbs and shading in the middle to ends, or all the way through to create more depth and fullness.
Process: We begin with the hairstrokes and then softly shade the rest of the eyebrow to fill it in. The procedure takes around 2 hours and requires a fine-tune session 4 to 6 weeks later.
Results: The combination results are great for those who want both a natural and enhanced look with more definition. This technique typically lasts for around 1.5 to 3 years, depending on the skin type and aftercare.
View Faye’s combination gallery or Laura’s eyebrow gallery for inspiration.
Suitable candidates: It’s ideal for most skin types. This method is great for Alopecia clients, those wanting their eyebrows to have fuller tails, and for those wanting to extend the bulb area.
Ombre/Powder Eyebrows:
Ombre/powder eyebrows create a soft, shaded look that mimics the appearance of makeup.
Process: We implant pigment into the skin using a stippling or whipping technique, where thousands of tiny dots build up to create the illusion of density and fullness. The procedure takes around 2 hours and requires a fine-tune session 6 to 8 weeks later.
Results: The ombre/powder results are similar to the appearance of eyebrows when they have been filled in with pencil or powder. It can be adjusted for different levels of boldness and intensity. Since the pigment gets implanted with a layering technique, the eyebrows tend to stay more vibrant for 2 to 3 years, making them a great option for long-term maintenance.
View Faye’s ombre/powder gallery or Laura’s eyebrow gallery for inspiration.
Suitable candidates: It’s ideal for all skin types, but especially for those with oily or combination skin who struggle with pigment retention. It’s the best technique for colour corrections or reshaping old, undesirable brow tattoos (depending on fade/saturation levels).
So, which eyebrow type should I go for?
There is no overall ‘best’ type of eyebrow, there is simply the best technique for your unique skin and desired outcome. If you’d like more advice on which eyebrow type aligns best with your needs, take the quiz below or book your free phone or video consultation today.
