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    Read this before getting your brows tattooed

    28 Sep 2016 12:00 PM | Posted by
    Samantha McMeekin's picture
    Samantha McMeekin
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    Cosmetic tattooing is nothing new, but its popularity has certainly grown since thin, barely-there brows went out with the 90s and the 00s left us all wanting fuller, bushier face framers.

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    Enter: Brow tattooing. A type of feathering or shading tattooing that imprints hair-like strokes onto the skin with ink, for permanently fuller brows.

    You may have heard of it, or even seen some photos of the results, but there are a few things you should know before booking an appointment…

    #1 It’s an ongoing treatment

    It’s ‘permanent’ in the way that it won’t wash off or smudge, but unfortunately it doesn’t last forever. Rita Porreca from the Sydney Permanent Make-up Centre recommends touch-ups every two years. “It can last between two and four years depending on your lifestyle – there are many factors that can cause it to fade [such as] the sun, swimming, skin care and medication.”

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    Maddi, who has alopecia and recently had her brows tattooed at Lux Brows and Lashes in Melbourne, says she was recommended to come in for touch-ups every 12-18 months to keep her brows looking fresh. So while the timing may vary depending on your own unique situation, overall you will need further appointments to keep the look maintained.

    #2 Go for what suits you, not what’s on trend

    While big and bold brows have been all the rage lately, trends always change. So when you’re getting something that will last you more than a year, take into consideration what suits your face shape, as well as your everyday make-up. There’s no point getting something that only looks good when paired with a smoky eye and false lashes.

    Rita says, “I always do measurements to get the right thickness and shape – the face shape is very important to achieve the desired look. I draw the shape on with make-up so clients can see how the brows will look before [the treatment].”

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    As for choosing the right shade, Maddi recommends starting light. “I had my initial treatment and then a touch-up treatment four-six weeks later,” she says. “So if you do want to go darker with the colour you can build up the colour in the second appointment.” She also says the colour will appear darker for the first week after the treatment as it settles into the skin.

    #3 It’s not as painful as a tattoo, but you do feel it

    Considering it is essentially tattooing the face, there’s bound to be some discomfort. However, Rita says they use numbing cream throughout the procedure and at the Sydney Permanent Make-up Centre, the actual tattooing only takes about 20 minutes.

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    On a scale of one-10, Maddi rates the pain of the treatment as a four. “A numbing cream was applied before and throughout the treatment to make sure I was as comfortable as possible. There is a slight sting and what feels like a repetitive scratching on your skin.”

    #4 Post-care is needed

    There is no downtime after the treatment, however as mentioned by Maddi, the colour can appear darker for the first five-10 days and during this time extra care needs to be taken to ensure the best results.

    Rita says she gives every client an after-care kit and instructions to take home, while Maddi says, “I had to keep my brows dry for the first week after treatment.”

    brow-tattoo-before-after

    The above before and after was supplied by Sydney Permanent Makeup Centre. The after was taken straight after the tattooing and the colour will fade by 30 per cent.

    Have you ever considered brow tattooing? Or any other cosmetic tattooing?

     

    102 Member Comments

    southcoastclare 19 Oct 2016 5:25 PM

    As I've gotten older my brows have thinned naturally. I now use a brow pencil, I would consider the procedure.

    Trish_D 19 Oct 2016 4:57 PM

    I thought it was permanent too. It would be great IF it was done naturally and wasn't obvious but too many unknowns for me.

    Ellelily 18 Oct 2016 9:05 PM

    Some time when i was younger and I may have done it then, however now there is no way that I would consider it.

    cosmoslyn 18 Oct 2016 2:44 PM

    i have been told not to do it because your brows changes as you age? not too sure

    Linda_Vesinger 18 Oct 2016 1:03 AM

    I'd consider having this done, the results look quite realistic

    Amelia284 17 Oct 2016 7:34 PM

    Great article. Very interesting. Something i might think about. Looks like great results.

    Emma171 14 Oct 2016 3:37 PM

    So tempted to get this done, didn't actually realise how long the tattoo brows would last!.

    jatz 14 Oct 2016 12:51 PM

    Just catching up now, I didn't realise it's not permanent. I don't like tattoos in any form so this wouldn't interest me.

    Margaret 322 12 Oct 2016 2:06 PM

    It's a very interesting read, but I don't think I would try it, maybe if I did have a problem, I would. I can see it would be beneficial for some people.

    2663anne 3 Oct 2016 10:46 AM

    I don't think I'd ever do this, I've seen so many disasters and they have all lasted longer than 2 years.

    Hayley644 3 Oct 2016 9:17 AM

    My brows are naturally quite full so I wouldn't consider getting this done.

    Harmony Queen 2 Oct 2016 5:45 PM

    Very interesting and you do have to trust the beautician . My sister in law had only a wax and colour ( thanks goodness was not permanent ) and she was shocked the beautician did not understand her instructions and honestly looked like a witch . She won't trust her again .

    Gail157 1 Oct 2016 4:27 PM

    Many,many years ago, I was quite ill and on many drugs for about three months. The end result was that whilst I did not loose my hair, I did loose my eyebrows and eyelashes.

    My eyelashes grew back again once I had recovered my health, but my eyebrows only regrew the thicker section closer to the nose.

    I then had my eyebrows tattooed. I was very happy with them and still am. Bear in mind, my first eyebrow tattoo was over 25 years ago, and I have only needed to have them re-done twice.

    My eyebrow tattoos were not done to stand out, but for me to have "proper" eyebrows and fit in!

    I have never regretted my decision to have this done.

    Kimbabubble 29 Sep 2016 10:24 PM

    I'm not sure if I want my eyebrows tattooed or feathered. I've considered both but I can't fully 100% decide on which.

    duality 29 Sep 2016 6:31 PM

    Hmm I'd be terrified it would look awful or come out wonky and I'd have to wait months for it to fade, there are many Korean brow tattoo products that last a week and you put it on like mascara I think I'd try that first!

    AndreaJW 29 Sep 2016 2:53 PM

    Not for me.

    Kristy587 29 Sep 2016 1:05 PM

    I really really want to get this done, I have been looking into it. The feathering looks so real and better than me drawing it on everyday. I am in the process of getting my tattoos removed off my body so am I crazy for wanting to add tattoos on my face!? Well I don't think so because you are always going to want eyebrows and in summer my eyebrows smudge off on my sunglasses which would be a thing of the past not to mention the time saved filling them in right everyday. (I barely have any eyebrows so I would go for a natural look). This article was very helpful as I didn't know you need more than one follow up session. I have seen them in my local area for just under $600.

    PandaBear18 29 Sep 2016 10:40 AM

    that actually looks pretty natural, i've seen some shockers though (the weird green lines...)

    misfortune8 29 Sep 2016 5:00 AM

    I would like to get my eye liner & lips done - but the possibility of having something go wrong so close to my eyes puts me off.

    blackkittykat 28 Sep 2016 2:54 PM

    I haven't ever considered it, but this photo looks pretty impressive.

    clearcrystalwater 28 Sep 2016 1:41 PM

    not me either

    StayC 28 Sep 2016 12:48 PM

    I've considered it as my brows are naturally dark but a bit short and I have hooded eyes that droop so I want to stretch my eye makeup out and up to disguise the droop but my short brows means it just doesn't work as the shadow finishes past the tail of the brow....not a good look.

    Miss19 28 Sep 2016 12:12 PM

    It's amazing how real and natural it looks!

    Marza 27 Sep 2016 10:12 PM

    not me

    Beckky 27 Sep 2016 5:21 PM

    Same here. I don't think I'd ever get that done.

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