Eyebrow Feathering: What Is It? And Who Does It Suit?
Eyebrows have been in the spotlight for years and it doesn’t look like our obsession is changing anytime soon. And for good reason.
Brows have the power to balance (or seriously unbalance) your features. Finding that balance every day with pencils, gels or pomades can be tricky – especially for those of us who aren’t gifted in the makeup department.
That’s where eyebrow feathering comes in handy. A semi-permanent answer to our eyebrow woes, for those who want to look good every day, without having to fuss over filling in that bald spot that refuses to sprout brow hairs? Yes, please!
What is eyebrow feathering?
If you’re googling eyebrow feathering (also known as micro feathering), then there’s a pretty good chance you’ve already heard of microblading – they both use a microblade tool, after all.
And in case you have no idea what microblading is, allow us to “fill” you in. It’s essentially a form of semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing that mimics the look of real brow hairs. It’s done with a blade-like tool that deposits pigment into the skin (aka creating the brows of your dreams).
Because it’s a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure, it’s not going to budge or smudge either. Meaning, you don’t have to worry about your brows rubbing off in the ocean or at the gym.
What are the benefits of brow feathering?
We love eyebrow feathering because it’s…
- Semi-permanent. You’re not locked into your brow choice forever. We love that. But it also means you’re free to experiment as brow trends come and go.
- The answer to our full-brow prayers! It gives brows a full look that’s all the rage right now! How good is a thick brow? With eyebrow feathering, you can stop buying your pencils, gels or pomades and skip your tedious brow makeover routine each morning. Your to-do list and your wallet will thank you!
- So natural you can’t even tell you’ve been tattooed! Crazy, right? The faux brow strokes are super fine lines that subtly blend in with your natural brow hair.
What’s the eyebrow feathering process?
1. Preparation
Because eyebrow feathering is all about enhancing what you’ve already got, you’ll need to grow out your eyebrows for at least six weeks before your appointment. That’s right – put the tweezers and wax down. Back away slowly.
Growing out your brows means your technician knows exactly what they’re working with and what needs enhancing. A previously shaped brow throws your results off, because, well, it’s not an accurate lay of the eyebrow-land.
A little plucking restraint will be worth it – trust me!
2. Procedure
You might be wondering whether eyebrow feathering hurts, and while everyone’s pain tolerance is different, about 90% of my clients don’t find it painful. The sensation is usually compared to tweezing.
To minimise discomfort, numbing cream is applied to the skin before and throughout the procedure. Once you’re all numbed, your technician will mix up a custom pigment that matches your unique brow shade and get down to business.
The semi-permanent pigment is applied to the skin via small incisions (these are the hair-like strokes eyebrow feathering is renowned for). The initial appointment may take between two to three hours. You can’t rush perfection!
3. Aftercare
Your brows will take about 7-10 days to heal. During that time you’ll want to keep the area clean, sweat free and avoid using any active ingredients in your skincare. Your technician will give you easy-to-follow instructions after your appointment, but this stage really makes (or breaks) a brow.
Your brows will be darker during the first week after your procedure and lighten to their true colour after a few weeks.
After about six to eight weeks, you’ll have a follow-up appointment where your technician will assess how the tattooing has settled into your skin. There is usually a loss of pigment or patchiness, where pigment has been absorbed by your body. This is to be expected, and the reason why micro blading requires more than one appointment.
Once your corrections are done and you’re happy with your brows, you don’t need to do anything maintenance-wise for about a year. Because it’s a semi-permanent procedure, you’ll need a colour boosting procedure every 1-3 years to keep them looking fresh.
Who I recommend eyebrow feathering to
If you just want to fill in a few gaps so you can achieve a more full brow look, then we’d recommend giving eyebrow feathering a whirl.
