Brow Trend Alert : Microshading 
Whats is Microshading?
Unless you’ve been on another planet for the last half decade you’ve probably heard of Microblading. Eyebrow microblading is the manual technique of etching tiny, very fine hair strokes into the eyebrows to make them appear fuller and darker. It’s been huge beauty news and one of the most highly sought after beauty treatments of the past few years.
In application, microshading can seem very similar to microblading, but instead of applying little hair strokes in between your own eyebrow hairs, a stippling technique is used to created a soft powdery look, more akin to makeup.
Microshading : Latest trend or ancient art form?
Microshading is performed using a manual shading tool that is used in a stipilling motion to insert the colour into the skin.
This method is very similar to the traditional ‘hand poke’ tattooing method of tattooing that’s had a huge revival in the world of body tattooing in recent years.
Hand poking is an ancient tribal art form whereby the artist also uses a manual hand tool, as opposed to a machine to create tattoo designs.
Microshading has had a recent boom in popularity with over 8000 google searches a month in the U.S, with the U.K primed to follow suit. With more and more people training in microblading, higher demand for this technique is looking likely. Watch out for this terminology popping up in beauty magazines over the next few weeks, months or years and remember – you heard it here first!!!
Microshading can give beautiful results and give a super soft finish, almost identical to machine powdering. As a client, the process is likely to feel different to a machine method powder brow. The manual tool relies solely on the technique of the artist. A stippling technique is used that some clients may find more uncomfortable than machine method.
Anyone who knows me, know that I love, love, love a powder brow. It is by far my favourite technique for long term results. The gorgeous thing about powder brows is that you can build up the density of colour so it’s suitable for almost everyone, regardless of skin type or lifestyle. The results often fade more evenly, which means that the results are lower commitment for clients and the work looks great for years, not just months.
What happens at a Microshading appointment?
- A full consultation and patch test should be performed at least 48 hours before your initial eyebrow treatment.
- For the most part, there is little to no down time after your eyebrow treatments. No time off work should be required.
- Occasionally, the skin can be a little bit red immediately after the eyebrow treatments, so it’s best not to make social plans on the day of your appointment. This usually subsides within a few hours.
- Healing can take up to 14 days.
- Eyebrows can be a little dry and flaky during healing depending on your skin type.
- The colour tends to look stronger and then it gradually gets a little darker during the first few days after your eyebrow treatments. So don’t freak out!
- You can expect up to 40% colour loss during healing. Sometimes more, depending on skin type – I recommend a retouch after about 6-8 weeks to boost the results. Depending on how strong a result you require, you may wish to to do this more than once.
- Pain is subjective however, treatments should not be painful. A little discomfort is to be expected (it is a tattoo!) but overall the experience is usually just a little uncomfortable.