Microblading Gone Wrong: How To Avoid A Microblading Disaster
We’ve seen the “Microblading Gone Wrong” stories circulating the news and our social media. Naturally, we feel terrible for those who’ve fallen victim to bad microblading and at the same time we can’t help but worry that it could happen to us. We ask ourselves, “How could this microblading disaster have happened?,” and “How do I make sure I don’t end up with botched microblading?”
We’ve seen the “Microblading Gone Wrong” stories circulating the news and our social media. Naturally, we feel terrible for those who’ve fallen victim to bad microblading and at the same time we can’t help but worry that it could happen to us. We ask ourselves, “How could this microblading disaster have happened?,” and “How do I make sure I don’t end up with botched microblading?”
Are You Unhappy With Your Microblading?
How do Microblading Disasters happen?
To avoid a microblading failure, it’s best to first understand how microblading disasters happen. We see hundreds, and I mean HUNDREDS, of clients for bad microblading removal and/or shape and color correction every year and we’ve heard it all. “I never saw the shape before she did it,” “she promised the shape would look smaller after the procedure,” “She said that I needed to do the shape she wanted because she knows best.”
We hear “she said” after, “she said” from these unhappy clients. In a perfect world, all microblading artists would be operating honestly and in your best interest instead of theirs, (money, laziness, and ego.) Unfortunately, this too often is not the case so you need to make sure you are educated and not pushed around.
The Top 6 Reasons Microblading Goes Wrong
1. The microblading “artist” is untrained
Great microblading takes serious skill and every artist needs to be well trained to give you beautiful results. Some technicians are drawn to the microblading field because they’ve heard how much others are making and making money is all that they care about. They want to make as much as they can without spending their own money on proper training.
If an artist has been trained then she should be able to show proof of that training. Certificates are awarded to those who have completed training to the satisfaction of the school for a reason. Even online schools award proof of training.
Certification is unfortunately not required by the health department for an artist to work, which is why it is up to you to ask to see it.
2. The microblading artist didn’t draw for you
This is a big one. No artist, no matter how well trained, should be free handing microblading. A consultation is not enough to know exactly what you, the client, wants. Too often vocabulary and language will mean one thing to you and another to your technician. Just one of endless examples: Thicker can mean: a) more density, b) darker in color, c) wider in shape. The technician must outline the shape to be sure they understand you perfectly.
An outline is not only important to make sure you’re understanding each other, but an outline also prevents microblading mistakes. No artist is perfect, but the outline can be. Even the most experienced artist shouldn’t work without an outline. Sure, it could turn out okay, maybe even great if the artist is extremely experienced, but why risk it? You want guaranteed, beautiful eyebrows that you’ve pre-approved with your own eyes. Remember, an outline prevents microblading mistakes.
3. The microblading artist convinced you that the outlined shape would look smaller after the procedure
So you’ve found a certified microblading artist and she outlined for you. So far so good. Except, the shape looks too dramatic, or overall too big for your liking. What should happen at this point is that the artist adjusts the outline until it is exactly to your liking. What shouldn’t happen is that the artist convinces you that this shape will become somehow smaller after the procedure is done or healed. If the artist sticks to the outline, which she should, then the size of the brow does not become smaller.
Sometimes the darkness of the outline can make the shape feel larger than it is, especially if you are light-haired and the artist is using a dark pencil. The size, however, is true. Ask for a smaller shape if you are uncomfortable, it is easy to add and difficult to take away.
4. You chose an artist based on price alone
You’ll probably do some research on the price of microblading while looking for an artist. What you’ll usually notice is a wide range of prices. Finding a good artist within your budget is smart, but choosing an artist based on the lowest price alone is the quickest way to end up with botched eyebrows. Beware of an artist with heavily discounted prices.
In the microblading world, cheap means the artist either is not very good, and therefore isn’t able to charge an average or above price, or they are brand new and need practice models. New artists are told to charge low prices to get as much practice as they can. Don’t let this happen to you.
There is a very small chance that you can get extremely lucky and find a gifted new artist at a low price. I’ve certainly come across some gifted students, but I can not tell you how rare this is and you can count on her raising her prices soon.
5. You didn’t see before and after photos or have a referral
Not seeing your artist’s work before your appointment is a recipe for disaster, and we’ve seen the results time and time again. Even if the microblading is done well it may be a style that you aren’t fond of and are now stuck with for a long time. I’ve personally removed beautiful work done in a style that was just not what the client wanted. The worst-case scenario is of course that the work is not done well at all, regardless of the style.
When choosing a microblading artist, a referral is great. Nothing beats being able to see an artist’s healed results on someone in person and then being able to get their opinion on their artist. Since a referral is not always easy to find, request to see several before and after photos of the artist’s work before booking your appointment.
6. You have an uneasy feeling when meeting the artist
Nerves are common for any new client. We see it often, but there is something to be said for that gut feeling or intuition about a person or place. You are subconsciously picking up vibes from your surroundings. You may not know exactly why, but something about the way this technician is speaking to you is making you uneasy. Something feels off about this studio.
Sometimes it’s obvious, like it was for client Sharon Baily, “I walked in for my appointment and noticed an empty coke can just sitting on the front desk amongst some other clutter. I could tell it had been there for a long time. Then the girl came out, a bit late an out of breath, and she was speaking so fast, I could hardly understand her. I could tell she wanted to do this quick and she kept trying to get me to go in a back room with her when I still had questions. I felt really bad at the time but I had to tell her that I just wasn’t feeling right about having the appointment today and I left even though I’d paid and lost the deposit.”
Never feel pressured to stay for an appointment if you’ve decided this isn’t the artist for you. It’s easy to feel the social pressure to not abandon the appointment but this can result in microblading mistakes that last years.
How can I make sure I won’t end up with botched Microblading?
So here’s your cheat sheet to avoid a microblading fail and leave with the eyebrows of your dreams:
Seek out a trained and certified microblading artist.
Approve the outline before the procedure begins.
Choose the best artist based on their work, not price.
Trust your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Looking to Try Out Different Eyebrow Shapes At Home Before Your First Appointment?
The Eyebrow Stencils Set For Eyebrow Shaping & Outlining allows you to try 12 of the most popular and flattering eyebrow shapes at home.
Microblading Healing Process: Everything You Need To Know
If you are in good health, you should be pleasantly surprised at how easily and quickly your microblading heals. We’re going to go over how your microblading will look as it’s healing and the two most common and popular methods of microblading aftercare.
The Microblading Healing Process Is Quicker Than You Think
If you are in good health, you should be pleasantly surprised at how easily and quickly your microblading heals. We’re going to go over how your microblading will look as it’s healing and the two most common and popular methods of microblading aftercare.
The Microblading Healing Process Day By Day
Day 1: You’ll love your new eyebrows!
The color is perfect and the shape is everything you’ve dreamed of.
Days 2-4: Your color will darken slightly and temporarily.
This is because the fresh color goes through a period of oxidation. This does not last longer than 7 days and is minimal. You should not experience heavy scabbing. Any scabbing will be thin and light. You should feel comfortable going to work the very next day.
Days 5-7: Your microbladed eyebrows begin to flake as part of the healing process.
This lasts 1-2 days. You want to avoid picking or itching your brows.
Days 8-10: Flaking has finished and you will feel fully healed.
You finally treat your eyebrows normally. Keep in mind that even though your eyebrows feel normal, your skin is technically still in the healing process. Your eyebrows will temporarily look lighter than they will when fully healed at 6 weeks. This is because you have new, baby skin and it needs a few more weeks to finish healing.
Days 14-28: Your eyebrow color and shape has fully bloomed.
The color and shape should be just right and soon you will be invited back for your follow-up appointment.
Day 42: It’s time for your follow up.
During your follow up you have the opportunity to adjust anything you’d like about your new eyebrows. Sometimes clients are nervous during their initial service and later wish they had gone darker or fuller. This is your opportunity to make sure you are 100% in love with your beautiful new brows.
Aftercare: Microblading Dry Healing vs Wet Healing
Here are the two most popular microblading post care methods:
You’ll clean your microblading every 15 minutes to 1 hour immediately following the procedure using cotton pads and water.
Dry Healing
Dry Healing predates Wet Healing. It’s how microblading artists used to have their clients heal, and how some still do today. Dry Healing is exactly how it sounds. You don’t get your microblading wet, ever. After your microblading appointment you do not touch your eyebrows. You let your eyebrows heal on their own with no assistance.
PROS: There’s nothing for you to do and no aftercare kit required.
CONS: You’ll have heavy scabbing during healing and you’ll lose more color.
Wet Healing
Wet healing is how most microblading artists have their client’s heal today. Your microblading artist will have you clean your eyebrows every 15 minutes to 1 hour following your appointment. Depending on your artist’s preference, you’ll do this for 1 to 3 days.
You’ll also be asked to clean your eyebrows morning and evening with a gentle, permanent makeup-approved cleanser and told to use an appropriate healing gel to keep your skin from drying out.
PROS: You’ll have no scabbing and your color will heal much more evenly.
CONS: You’ll have some work to do and an aftercare kit to keep on you.
Dry healing is still a common method even though wet healing has proven to have the most promising healed results. You can speak with your artist about their healing method and what they’d like from you when healing.
Wet healing is the #1 way to achieve your best Microblading results
What You Need For Your Microblading Wet Healing Aftercare
Wet healing is the #1 way to achieve your best Microblading results. Here are the top aftercare items you’ll need.
Cotton Pads
You’ll clean your eyebrows every 15 minutes immediately following the procedure using cotton pads and water.
Microblading Approved Cleanser
You’ll use your cleanser to wash your microblading morning and evening.
Microblading Healing Gel
Microblading gel is specially formulated to help your eyebrow color heal with longer-lasting and more brilliant color.
Eyebrow Blotting Pads
If you have oily or combination skin then you should be using blotting pads to soak up excess oil. This will help your microblading to heal with more color.
Are You Unhappy With Your Microblading?
Microblading Oily Skin: How Different Skin Types Affect Microblading
Your skin type is important when it comes to microblading. It plays a major role in how your microblading will heal and the rate at which it will fade. When referring to “skin type” for microblading, we are talking about how dry and/or oily your eyebrow area is and your pore size. There are four common skin types that you can have: normal, dry, oily, or combination. Your skin’s sensitivity is also an important factor, although it is technically not a “skin type”.
Why Your Skin Type Matters For Microblading
Your skin type is important when it comes to microblading. It plays a major role in how your microblading will heal and the rate at which it will fade. When referring to “skin type” for microblading, we are talking about how dry and/or oily your eyebrow area is and your pore size. There are four common skin types that you can have: normal, dry, oily, or combination. Your skin’s sensitivity is also an important factor, although it is technically not a “skin type”.
We are going to be paying particular attention to the oily skin type since one of our most commonly asked questions is “can I get microblading done if I have oily skin?” But first, before we get into microblading on oily. Let’s look at how it compares to the other types.
Overview of Skin Types and How They Heal
Normal Skin
You may have normal skin type if you are not prone to breakouts and your t-zone stays hydrated. Your t-zone is across your brows horizontally, and down the center of your face vertically
The normal skin type will heal very evenly and the color will last the average length of time. You can expect to go 1 to 1.5 years before a touch up becomes necessary.
Dry Skin
You may have dry skin if your pores are nearly invisible, and your skin often feels tight throughout the day. You may also notice some flaking from time to time.
Dry skin types will heal very clean. This is true for all permanent makeup done on dry skin and it is especially true for microblading. Microbladed hair strokes will heal very crisp. Dry skin will also retain color the longest amount of time, usually 1.5+ years. The reason for this is that fewer oils are coming through the skin so the pigment is not diluted, or does not fade, as quickly.
Combination Skin
Combination skin will feel hydrated throughout your t-zone. Your t-zone is across your brows horizontally, and down the center of your face vertically. Your cheek area will feel drier and may experience some flaking.
Combination skin tends to heal like normal or slightly oily skin since it is common for the eyebrow area to be on the oilier side. For all other permanent makeup (eyeliner, lips) skin will heal like the normal skin type.
Sensitive Skin
Clients with sensitive skin will know that they have sensitive before they come in. If you are unsure then you probably do not have sensitive skin.
We’ve added this category because this skin type does heal differently than others. Someone with sensitivity may experiences slight pinkness that can last several days, or weeks, longer than it would for other types. They also may experience some slight swelling on the day of the procedure which is not typical for other skin types.
Oily Skin
Oily skin is naturally more hydrated and supple. It tends to age very nicely however excess oil may clog pores more quickly. Very oily skin is also prone to larger pores.
Oily skin will heal the most soft. microbladed hair strokes will heal more powdery as opposed to the dry skin type for example who’s microblading will heal very crisp. How oily your skin is will make a difference. Slight oiliness will heal more like normal skin, while extremely oily skin will heal much softer and the color will be more spread out. A well-trained microblading artist will know to place the strokes farther apart on a client with oily skin to minimize how much the hair strokes spread into each other once healed.
Color Retention And Healing of Skin Types
Let’s cut to the chase… Can I Have Microblading Done With Oily Skin?
The answer is technically yes. You can have microblading done if you have oily skin. However, you’ll want to keep in mind that the pigment will fade quicker. This is because oils are coming through your skin constantly. The microblading color becomes diluted by these oils.
If you are a new client with oily skin and have your first microblading procedure done, it is most likely you will need to return sooner than the recommended 1-year touch up. If you have oily or very oily skin and want your color to last longer, then the permanent powder brow, also known as ombre brow, shaded brow, or eyebrow tattoo, is a much better option.
Microblading Aftercare Steps And Recommended Products
Microblading Aftercare For All Skin Types
No matter what your skin type is, there are general aftercare steps that you should follow. Your aftercare may vary depending on your artist’s preferences but it generally will look something like what is listed below. All skin types should follow these steps,
Day 1: You’ll use a cotton pad dampened with water to wipe your microblading every 15 minutes beginning immediately after your procedure. This will prevent scabbing and color loss.
Days 2-7: You’ll use a permanent makeup approved, gentle cleanser with no additives to cleanse your microblading morning and evening. You’ll then apply a permanent makeup healing gel to keep your skin from drying out.
Our Recommended Aftercare Products For All Skin Types
Additional Aftercare Tips for Oily Skin Types
If your skin is oily, then your aftercare will require some additional steps. Your aftercare for oily and combination skin will differ in a few ways. Combination skin should be treated as oily skin if you lean towards having an oily t-zone. You should follow the additional steps listed below as well.
Instead of wiping your microblading with a damped cloth and water ever 15 minutes for 1 day, you will do this for up to 3 days. The extra oils coming through your skin need to be wiped away before they dry into a scab which would result in color loss.
You may not be asked to use a gel at all. A gel is given to you so that your skin doesn’t become too dry. If you have already have oily skin then you aren’t at risk of drying out since your skin does so naturally.
You may be given a light cream in place of heavy cream or gel. There are aftercare creams that are light enough to be used for oily skinned clients however they’re usually not needed.
You should use blotting paper on your microblading for two weeks. Blotting paper is a soft, absorbent sheet of paper that you press against your skin to remove oil. Blotting away excess oils is going to make your microblading heal as crisply as possible. The more oils you leave on your skin, the more blurry your microblading will heal.
Additional Recommended Aftercare Products For Oily Skin
Here Are The Eyebrow Blotting Procedures That Should Be Followed For Each Skin Type
How Do I Determine My Skin Type?
When you schedule your appointment for microblading you do not need to know your skin type. Your microblading artist will determine skin type for you, however, you can use the information above if you are interested in how your microblading eyebrows will heal ahead of time.
Skin type is determined by your genes. Although it may seem as though your environment changes your skin type, true type does not change.
We hope this has helped you to better understand your skin type and how it affects microblading healing. Every client’s needs are unique and we consider this information with great care.
Eyebrow Mapping: How to Measure Your Eyebrows for Microblading
To create your most beautiful eyebrow you must meet The Golden Ratio. You can achieve ideal facial proportions using this ratio and with the help of a highly trained eye.
The Golden Ratio is a mathematical ratio that appears in design and nature. The more closely your face is to this ratio, the more it is perceived as “beautiful”. This is truly math involved and there is a right way to achieve this.
The Golden Ratio For Eyebrow Mapping
To create your most beautiful eyebrow you must meet The Golden Ratio. You can achieve ideal facial proportions using this ratio and with the help of a highly trained eye.
The Golden Ratio is a mathematical ratio that appears in design and nature. The more closely your face is to this ratio, the more it is perceived as “beautiful”. This is truly math involved and there is a right way to achieve this.
Creating your perfect eyebrow with brow mapping is both math and an art. The correct eyebrow shape will frame your face flawlessly and bring out your natural beauty more than ever before.
3 Tips to Create Perfect Permanent Eyebrows:
Design an eyebrow shape that is as close to your natural eyebrow as possible.
Your chosen artist will use a series of measurements to accomplish this. If you do not have any eyebrow hair then they will measure according to your facial bone structure. The eyebrow shape will receive your final approval and your artist should spend as much time as needed to get it exactly right.
You never want an eyebrow design to appear too long, short, curved or flat since this can age you.
To find the right shape your artist will pay close attention to the under the arch of your brow and how it flows through to the end of your eyebrow tail. Creating this flow smoothly from head to tail is what will give you your most youthful eyebrow.
Most importantly, the artist must place naturally blended color and strokes proportionately throughout your newly designed eyebrow shape.
This means choosing the perfect color for your eyebrows, using the right amounts, and applying it into your skin at the right depth so it remains semi-permanently for 1-3 years.
Try It At Home
If you want to try shaping your eyebrows according to the Golden Ratio at home, we recommend BeautyNomix’s Golden Ratio Eyebrow Caliper and Eyebrow Stencil Set.
The Importance of Your Microblading Follow Up Appointment
If you’ve just had your eyebrows microbladed then we hope you couldn’t be happier! What’s next? You might think of your annual microblading touch-ups, but there is one more step in your microblading journey before you can get to that. This step is referred to as a Microblading Follow-Up.
Your Microblading Follow Up
If you’ve just had your eyebrows microbladed then we hope you couldn’t be happier! What’s next? You might think of your annual microblading touch-ups, but there is one more step in your microblading journey before you can get to that. This step is referred to as a Microblading Follow-Up.
Why Is This Important?
6 to 10 weeks after your first Microblading appointment you’ll want to return for your Microblading follow up. The follow up is important because it’s what gives you the longest-lasting results. It will also smooth out any imperfections that occurred during your Microblading healing. It is not uncommon for there to be some microbladed hair strokes that didn’t heal with full color. No worries there, because the follow up will take care of that. This is also your opportunity to go darker with the color if you were too nervous to do so during your initial microblading appointment.
Finally, your follow up is a second opportunity to adjust the shape. As a first time microblading client you may have chosen a safer, or thinner, shape than you realized you wanted. Your follow up has you covered. Adjustments to shape and color are done at your request during your follow up. You’ll also find that you’re no longer nervous. You’ve gotten to live with your beautiful new eyebrows for at least six weeks so now you know exactly what to ask for.
“Microblading is always a two step process. Your initial Microblading appointment and your Follow Up.”
Without the follow-up your microblading is incomplete! Your microblading annual touch-ups should occur every 1-3 years for regular maintenance. Your follow-up will give you longer-lasting and more perfect hair strokes so you can keep your beautiful new eyebrows as long as possible.
Looking to Try Microblading Safely At Home Before Committing?
The Waterproof Microblading Makeup Pen mimics microblading to temporarily create natural-looking hair strokes that blend in seamlessly with your own eyebrow hair.
Ombre Microblading vs Ombre Powder Brows
If you’ve taken the step towards getting your eyebrows permanently enhanced there are a few new types and terms you’ll come across. It can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. We’re going to go over the two most asked about permanent eyebrow techniques and how they compare so that you can make the right choice.
If you’ve taken the step towards getting your eyebrows permanently enhanced there are a few new types and terms you’ll come across. It can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. We’re going to go over the two most asked about permanent eyebrow techniques and how they compare so that you can make the right choice.
Ombre Microblading
Microblading, also known as Ombre Microblading, is the most natural approach to your permanent eyebrows. The microblading technique involves drawing hair strokes by hand to create realistic and 3-dimensional looking eyebrow hair. These hair strokes will be placed throughout your entire eyebrow but concentrated where you have missing hair. Microblading is technically a “tattoo” since the pigment is deposited into your skin. You should however consider microblading to be an ultra-natural, semi-permanent tattoo since you may need to continue filling in your eyebrows with makeup if eyebrow makeup is something you wear daily.
Microblading, popularly known as hair stroke eyebrows, is going to give you a fuller eyebrow and a more attractive shape without looking like you’re wearing makeup.
If you want to try microblading hair strokes at home first with makeup, we recommend the Waterproof Microblading Pen by Beautyomix:
Ombre Powder Eyebrow or Eyebrow Tattoo
Powder Eyebrow or Eyebrow tattoo, also known as an Ombre Eyebrows, is a fuller approach to permanent eyebrows. This technique is not done by hand like microblading would be, but with a machine. Color is evenly distributed throughout your desired eyebrow shape to give you fuller coverage with this machine. The result will resemble having filled your eyebrows in with topical eyebrow makeup. This powder fill can be done softly so that your eyebrows are still considered very natural, or more layered to give you a fully done, glam look.
Powder Shading or Ombre Brows are going to give you a more dense eyebrow and symmetrical shape, resembling wearing makeup.
If you want to try powder eyebrow at home first with makeup, we recommend the Aesthetica Brow Contour Kit.
The Difference Between Ombre Microblading and Ombre Eyebrow Tattoo:
How long it lasts
Microblading will last you 1-2 years and Powder Eyebrow Tattoo will last you 1.5-5 years.
Ombre Microblading does not last as long as Ombre Powder Eyebrow Tattooing because there is less color saturating your skin. Therefore you will have less color to lose and you will notice it fading more quickly.
Fullness
Only a certain level of fullness can be achieved with Microblading. With Powder Eyebrow Tattooing, the level of fullness and density is nearly endless.
Your Ombre Microblading hair strokes can be placed close, but not on top of each other otherwise you lose the 3-dimensional look of each hair. This is because the strokes require your skin tone to show in between so that they look real. This means that there’s a limit to how much density you can get with microblading since you can’t layer or cross hair strokes.
With Ombre Powder Eyebrow Tattoo, your color is layered. There’s no worry about losing the natural look of your hair strokes since you have none and so middle to maximum density is attainable.
Skin Type
Microblading is best for normal to dry skin types. Powder Eyebrow tattoo is universally best for all skin types.
When getting ombre microblading you want to see crips, clean, healed hair strokes. This is easily achieved if your skin is normal to dry. You may be able to achieve crisp hair strokes if your skin is slightly oily, but you should be prepared for them to heal a little on the softer side. Ombre Microblading on very oily skin however will heal much softer, almost blurred, and it’s going to lighten much more quickly.
It would be best if you either begin with or eventually switch to Powder Eyebrow Tattooing if you are very oily. Otherwise you may have to come back in for touch-ups so often that it won’t be healthy for your skin. This blurring happens because the oil coming through your skin is diluting the hair stroke’s color as it passes through. Ombre Powder Eyebrow Tattoo is best for all skin types.
Can You Get a Combination of Ombre Microblading and Ombre Powder Eyebrow Tattoo?
Absolutely, and it’s a popular choice. Combining Microblading and Powder Eyebrow Shading will give you the best of both worlds. Microblading hair strokes are placed near the front of your brow and along the top of your eyebrow shape while the Powder Eyebrow Shading is placed throughout the center of your eyebrow and along your bottom arch. Combining Microblading and Powder Fill Shading is also called Hybrid Brows.
A Combination Eyebrow is a great way to add some density to your Microblading without worrying about it looking too glam if more of a makeup look is not your style.
The bottom line is that both Microblading and Powder Eyebrow Tattooing are incredibly popular. You really can’t make a bad choice as long as you choose the right artist.
If you are still having a hard time choosing between the two techniques, you can discuss this further with your permanent makeup artist. They should have an understanding of both and how each will heal for your skin to help you make the best choice.
We hope this has helped you to better understand the difference between Microblading and Eyebrow Tattooing or Powder Eyebrow.