Powder brows, or ombre brows, is a permanent makeup technique that has proven to be ideal for those who want perfectly defined, long-lasting eyebrows – but have oily or dry skin.
But, hold on, we are getting ahead of ourselves.
While the answer to the question “Can I get powder brows if I have oily or dry skin?” is a resounding YES, there is a lot more going on behind the scenes that requires unraveling.
So, let’s get to it!
Powder Brows vs Microblading
Powder brows is a fairly new permanent makeup technique that has become immensely popular in recent years.
On the other hand, microblading has been around since the 1990s and, for a long time, was the go-to option for those wanting perfectly styled eyebrows without the need for daily upkeep.
But microblading has a caveat. It isn’t as effective for oily and dry skin.
Artists quickly realized that pigment would fade quickly for clients with oily skin, while dry skin led to more itchiness and scabbing, often resulting in uneven pigmentation.
The introduction of powder brows has changed all of that. But to understand how, let’s take a look at each procedure in detail.
Microblading
Microblading, also known as an eyebrow tattoo, is a semi-permanent makeup procedure that uses a special blade or pen-like handheld device to create natural hair-like strokes, resulting in a soft and fluffy-looking brow.
The device has a series of tiny ultra-fine needles, often soldered together, that help inject pigment into the upper layers of your brow skin. It is then up to the skill of the artist to carve ultra-realistic hair strokes to shape your brow and help frame and balance your face.
When done correctly, microblading can last for 1-3 years, and sometimes even longer, depending on factors like age, skin type, frequency of touch-ups, pigment quality, and the artist’s skill level.
Powder Brows
While microblading and powder brows are both forms of permanent makeup, this is where the similarities end.
Ombre powder brows require a different type of handheld device or a digital machine, similar to a tattoo gun, to inject tiny dots of pigment into the upper layers of your brow skin.
Unlike microblading, which requires the artist to make small incisions into the skin to mimic hair strokes, ombre brows focus on providing a shaded, powdery look, much like when you fill in your brows with your favourite brow pencil.
This results in a more filled-in, shaded brow look that still looks natural and soft but has a lot more density, definition, and depth. Powder brows also last longer, typically 3-5 years, depending on skin type and lifestyle.
Do Powder Brows Work On Oily and Dry Skin?
The reason for powder brows’ growing popularity is that it works on all skin types, unlike microblading, which only works really well on normal skin. While microblading can be done on oily, dry, and combination skin types, results and longevity vary.
This is not the case with powder brows. Powder brows offer similar results for all skin types, whether it be oily, sensitive, dry, combination, mature, or normal skin. This is because the procedure doesn’t rely on incisions but rather microscopic punctures to inject pigment, which makes the pigment less likely to blend or fade.
So, yes, unlike microblading, powder brows work really well on oily and dry skin.
However, artists may recommend additional touch-ups for men and women with oily skin, as oil does have a tendency to fade color more quickly. These touch-ups can help freshen up your powder brows, making them look as good as new, which isn’t possible with microblading.
As far as dry skin goes, you simply can’t go wrong with powder brows. The powdery effect lasts a lot longer on dry skin, and the shade and color also stay prominent and whole.
That’s what’s great about powder brows. It works well on virtually all skin types, making it ideal for just about anyone.
Matching Powder Brows to Your Skin Tone
Microblading doesn’t require shading, so pigment color doesn’t have to match perfectly. However, when it comes to powder brows, color matching is a whole lot more important.
As ombre brows require heavy shading, the pigment color has to perfectly match your skin tone, existing hair color, and desired brow look. A mismatch can spell disaster. Most artists will, hence, take their time to create the right mixture of pigmentation to bring out the best results.
Apart from color matching, artists will also assist in helping you choose a brow shape that complements your facial features and personal style. Ombre brows can be customized in many unique ways by simply changing the shading depth.
You can choose for realistic, softer-looking brows or a more defined and bolder eyebrow pencil look. It really depends on what you want.
The best part is you don’t need to have thick eyebrows to pull off a certain shape or look. Ombre brows can work just as well on sparse brows as they add the illusion of density and definition.
Top-Rated Powder Brow Treatments in the Bay Area
Imagine not having to worry about your brows being perfect every day. Imagine not having to apply pencils, powders, gels, and pomades to get your brows to look their best every morning. Imagine not having to buy expensive brow cosmetics or having to struggle to get the brow shape you have always wanted.
It’s time to stop imagining.
At Powder Brows by Claudia, we specialize in creating beautiful, natural brows that you would happily wake up to every day for years to come.
As the leading fully licensed and insured clinic in the Bay Area, we utilize the latest techniques and concepts to achieve stunning results while always keeping your safety and comfort as our top priority.
Book an appointment or call (408) 712-3632 for more information. You can also visit our lovely studio located at 2059 Clinton Ave Ste 5, Alameda, CA 94501.
FAQs
Q) How long does a powder brow procedure take?
Procedure times can vary, but on average, expect the procedure to last for 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Q) How long do powder brows take to heal?
Ombre powder brows take about 6 weeks to fully heal, after which a touchup is usually required to ensure optimal results.
Q) Which lasts longer: microblading or powder brows?
Ombre brows tend to last longer than microblading. The average lifespan of a microblading treatment is about 18 months, while the average lifespan for powder brows is 2.5 years or 30 months.