GUYS! I finally got microblading!!! I have been wanting to try this for SO long but I was on the edge cause some people said it was the best thing ever while other were telling me no no no.
I went with my instinct & decided it was go time. I do NOT like my natural brows at all. We all went through an over plucking phase at one point in our lives & sadly mine never grew back. I color them in daily, & honestly- I am not great at it. I will get them waxed & tinted, but the tint lasts 3 days & then I am back to sparse AF BROWS. My brow struggle was real.
SO- I made an appointment at Emanate Beauty & was so excited to finally have some fleeky brows. Emily of Emanate was AMAZING. When I first got there we did a consult in which she matched my color (perfectly, might I add) & then I numbed for about 30 minutes. After that, Emily carefully figured out my shape (which she nailed, might I add!) & decided a Microblading + shading combo would be best for me.
It was a long process but 100% zero pain. She said I may get to a level 2 for pain, but I seriously had zero pain. I could’ve dozed off. As I mention, it was a LONG process, but Emily was great. I was comfortable & we had a lot in common so the time flew by. PLUS, I was so excited to have perfect brows I didn’t care.
When she did the reveal, I honestly felt a tear. I could NOT believe these would be my brows, on my face. They were so full/perfect & I was just imagining how much quicker it would take me to get ready in the morning.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT EMILY, CAUSE YOU NEED A REALLY GOOD MICROBLADING ARTIST OR ELSE YOU COULD END UP LIKE THIS OR THIS (OUCH!)
HI! I’m Emily of Emanate Beauty! I began my career in the beauty industry nine years ago as a makeup artist, where I specialized in bridal and special event makeup. I am also a Liscensed Esthetician. While attending school to be an Esthetician, I was introduced to the art of Microblading. Since then, I have attended multiple courses and apprenticeships learning the art of Microblading while training under some of the best artists in the business, including Jenn Boyd, Lindsey Ta, and Rusen Donmez.
I love bringing the natural beauty out of each individual I work with. Microblading is only an enhancer to bring out each person’s unique beauty. I love getting to know, customizing, and personalizing a look. I love being able to make someone smile and leave with confidence, knowing how beautiful they truly are.
I’m so fortunate to have a career that allows me to use my creative mind, and make people feel and look beautiful.
** you guys- SHE IS AMAZING!!! If you’re in San Diego, Emily is your brow queen.**
MY MICROBLADING EXPERIENCE: A DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN
+ Day 1: they look PERFECT! Maybe a smidge dark, but the strokes are super visible & so realistic! Not painful unless I accidentally swipe em. I AM SO FREAKING HAPPY.
+ Day 2-5: they got REALLY dark!! It looks as if I colored my brows in perfectly, but with a shade or two too dark. I am hoping they fade a little.
+ Day 6-7: I got some slight scabbing & they also got a little itchy (they gave me a cream for this though!). I am slightly concerned because it looks like “tail” left brow is fading away a little bit.
+ Day 7-10: They have faded a lot now. My brows still look 900x better BUT I liked the drama from the first few days. I IMMEDIATELY texted Emily to ask her if we can go bolder at my touch up & she walked me through the entire healing process… & they actually will get darker again in a few days & then the touch up perfects them!! WHEW…. below is the total healing process outline & I will update this post when I get my touch up in a month of so.
**note, the hardest part of the process was the dry healing- you have to keep your brows dry for ten days. THIS SUCKED… but also, worth it for my precious brows**
MICROBLADING FAQ W/ EMILY OF EMANATE BEAUTY
Q: What exactly is Microblading? Is it done with a blade?
A: Microblading is a cosmetic tattoo, where a handheld tool is attached to a row of small needles in the shape of a very small blade. This manual tool is then used to deposit pigment into the upper layers of the skin creating manual hair strokes, which creates the illusion of hair.
Q: How much does it cost for good Microblading?
A: Prices for the service range from $400-$1500 depending on state, location and experience level of the artist.
Q: What questions should you ask when trying to find your brow specialist?
A: Ask their level of experience, like who they trained with, how long they’ve been doing Microblading, as well as examples of their work to assure you like the style of brows they create. Also, ask for examples of healed work.
Q: How bad does it hurt?
A: Clients are numbed with a topical lidocaine 30 min prior to their appointment, so pain is minimal if any. Most clients don’t feel more than a 3 on a scale from 1-10.
Q: Is it harder to Microblade blondes or redheads?
A: each color is matched and custom blended for each individual client. The color choice is determined & discussed in the consultation. Even if you have highlights or even red hair, the color is matched to your brow hair color to make it look as natural as possible. Your pigment for Microblading is determined by your brow color, more than by the color on your head. Following this concept will create the most natural and seamless looking brow possible.
Q: Do Microblading specialists work with your face shape to build a better shaped brow or do they just fill in where the is hair?
Before even starting the actual Microblading process, I always have a consultation with the client. During that time I ask their current routine with their brows: if they currently fill them in, if they groom them, etc. From there, I get an idea of how bold they want their brows or if they just want a very natural everyday brow look. I then measure their facial structure and identify the higher and the lower brow. From there, I create as much symmetry between brows, while staying as close to their natural hair line as possible. This ensures that the strokes that I create will blend as seamlessly as possible with their natural brow hair.
Q: What is the upkeep of Microblading?
Depending on skin type, a touchup (aka color boost) is suggested every 8 months – year. People with oily skin, people out in the sun a lot, or people that use retinol or exfoliating products on their face may fade sooner.
When Microblading is first done, there is the initial session, and then a session 6-8 weeks from the initial session to perfect the results from the first session. This could include, going slightly darker, adding more volume to the shape, and going over any strokes that are light and/or patchy. After the 6-8 week touchup, the brows should be good for 8 mo- year. After that a yearly color boost is suggested.
Q: Does it wreck your natural brow?
A: It doesn’t damage your natural brow at all. The hair you had prior to the Microblading procedure will continue to grow. Microblading is meant to fill in any sparse areas and create more symmetry between brows.
Q: Is there any one you would suggest didn’t get Microblading?
+ Those prone to keloids or post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation.
+ If you have a transmittable blood disease such as HIV or Hepatitis.
+ If you’ve had Juvederm or other fillers in that area. Depending on the timing, I recommend to get Microblading first!
+ Patients undergoing chemotherapy. Although Microblading is great for restoring eyebrows, I would require a doctor’s note in order to perform the procedure for anyone undergoing chemotherapy. Once you’re cleared, however, Microblading is a great solution for cancer survivors.
+ If you have any kind of skin condition on or near your eyebrows. This includes eczema, shingles, rashes, or anything else near eyebrows.
+ Those with oily skin. Those with very oily skin are unfortunately not good candidates for Microblading. Those with less oily or combination skin, may consider a Microblading plus shading combo.
+ Those with a dark pre-existing eyebrow tattoo or permanent makeup. The tattoo or permanent makeup must be light enough for me to draw hairstrokes. I ask anyone with a previous eyebrow tattoo to send us an email with a picture of their eyebrows with no makeup on, so I can evaluate.
+ Those with allergies to alcohol or numbing agents. If you think you might have an allergy to my pigment, numbing cream, or alcohol (which is in the pigment), then you may have a reaction to our work.
+ anyone under the age of 18!