Last updated on April 13th, 2022 at 11:50 am

Microblading before and after. I’ve been through it and I am here to share my experience so you can decide if it’s right for you. (Spoiler alert: I love it!)

If you grew up in the 1970’s like me, then you probably remember how the skinny brow was in style. I think it was popular up until the point Brooke Shields began modeling. Overnight, it seemed, skinny brows were out and heavy brows were in. But, what if, like me, you had plucked your eyebrows so much that they never really grew back fully and the Brooke Shields look was definitely not going to be an option for you.

I had been living with my skinny brows for decades. Over time, and with age, they became thinner. The good news was I didn’t have to pluck anymore. The bad news is I didn’t have to pluck anymore. I remember my mom having the same struggles. She had to “draw” her brows on every day and as I got older I felt myself moving in the same direction, but what else could you do?

Fast forward to a couple of years ago. The esthetician at my dermatologist’s office had just gotten licensed/certified in microblading so they were offering a special to get her started. I knew Stacy and trusted her, but was I ready to take the leap? As you can probably already guess, I did and I am so glad. For me, it is totally worth the investment, but it’s up to you to decide what’s best for you. Read on for my personal insights – from the procedure itself to how having “new eyebrows” makes me feel.

What is Microblading?

To get this correct, I did lift this definition from a medical website:

Microblading is a cosmetic tattooing procedure that fills in thin eyebrow areas to make them look fuller. Unlike a traditional tattoo, which is permanent, the coloring from microblading may last for up to 3 years. This is because microblading uses different tools and a smaller amount of pigment.

Here are the top five things I pondered before making the leap:

5. Is it safe?

4. How much would it hurt?

3. Once I start, will I have to do it forever?

2. Can I afford it?

And the #1 thing I worried about: Would I still look like me?

You might be surprised by my #1, but it was the thing I was most concerned about. Even though I didn’t like my brows, the ones I had defined how I looked. I wanted better brows, but I didn’t want to look different. The actress Jennifer Grey had a nose job and didn’t look like herself anymore. I read that she regretted doing it and I didn’t want to feel like that. Now, microblading is not as permanent as a nose job, but the thought was still there in my mind.

But let’s address the other four issues first, as they are a little more universal.

An eyebrow timeline, starting from left:

1. High school overplucked eyebrows (what am I wearing? I don’t know what I was thinking)
2. One of the last pictures taken before getting microblading done the first time – my brows are filled in with pencil
3. My brows over a year after microblading because of Covid – also filled in with pencil
4. My brows a couple of days after microblading – the Groucho Marx look. This is why I suggest not having any place important to go for a couple of weeks!

Is Microblading safe?

According to the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, microblading is a safe procedure. As long as the tools undergo the proper sterilization process, there shouldn’t be a problem. 

That said, the needles do pierce the skin, so there is a risk of infection. It is extremely important to follow the all the aftercare steps properly. Also, make sure that the eyebrow artist is from a credible and reputable institution.

Does Microblading hurt?

This is a tough one to answer for anyone other than myself. Let me start with the fact that the technician does put on numbing cream before the procedure, so that does help. For me, I would rate the pain on a scale of 1-10 about a 1-2. You can feel it, but it wasn’t a level of pain that would stop me from doing it again.

What is the cost and will I have to do it forever?

As I mentioned, the first time I had it done (in 2019) there was an introductory special and since then Stacy has left the practice. Of course there was a delay in keeping my brows maintained during the pandemic, so when it was safe to have them done, I almost had to start from scratch. That cost, here in Michigan was $550. I’ve read online that the cost can range from $500 – $2,000 so it may vary where you live.

To answer the question of whether you have to do it forever, the answer is again, a personal one. I am planning on keeping it up. To maintain your brows, you have to have them touched up about every nine months to one year and the cost is around $100 – $150. I could spend that in eyebrow pencils! But the good news is, since it is only semi-permanent, you don’t have to. If you decide you don’t like it, or don’t want to spend the money, they will fade over time and your brows can go back to where you started.

Do I still look like me?

I think the answer to that is, yes! Hopefully even a little bit better. No one said to me “What have you done to yourself?” which was a relief. Of course, I am the type of person who has to tell you that I got them done. If someone looked at me funny (IMO), I would say “Are you looking at my eyebrows? I just got them microbladed!”

Update – April 2022

The photo on the left (above) is nine months after microblading. They still look good – the shape is still there but I’ve had to fill them in a bit with pencil. I decided to get them touched up now, before summer, even though I could have gone a little longer.

Part of the after care program is that the brows can’t be in direct sunlight or get wet for two weeks. The last time I had them done was in July and I had to be really careful. The reason I did them in July was because of availability due to the pandemic and because it was a month before my son’s wedding. I definitely wanted them done for that. But given the choice, I would pick a time of year when you are not outside as much or planning on going swimming.

The Microblading Process

The technician doing your microblading will draw the shape first – so know that you will have input to the shape and size of your brows. When they draw them, they will look larger and darker than the final product, so don’t let that scare you.

After that, you will be laying down and the technician will use a special tool to make tiny cuts in the skin. The tool consists of multiple needles connected to a handle. The technician inserts pigment into the cuts, creating the appearance of eyebrow hairs. The color of the pigment used will depend on your preference. So, it’s not a “one size fits all”, there is a lot of customization. The actual process takes about an hour, but you will be there a little longer with the pre-numbing cream and learning about after care.

Tips if you are considering microblading

• Don’t plan on getting them done too close to an important event. I would suggest a minimum of two weeks before. The reason is that your brows will be VERY dark at first. So dark, in fact, that you might panic a bit. Don’t panic, they do fade and will look great. Really. I had mine done too close to my recent trip to Denver, but an appointment opened up and I had to take it. You can see in this picture how dark they were. I envisioned people staring at me on the plane, but I might have been imagining things.
  
• Your brows will need to be out of direct sunlight at the beginning. So, also not the time to plan a beach vacation either. I had my brows done in the beginning of July and I am still wearing a visor every day when I walk my dog. I don’t want them to fade. You will also need to put sunscreen on them, especially if you are outside.
  
• You can’t get your brows wet – from water or sweat for the first few days. So, not the time to take that hot yoga class and put your head under the shower after. You can, of course, still shower, you just have to be very careful.
  
• Make sure you follow your esthetician’s after care program. This is extremely important, not just for fading and cosmetic reasons, but also for safety reasons. You want to make sure you don’t get an infection. They will give you the guidelines to make sure that doesn’t happen.
  
• I am not an esthetician or technician – my tips are from my own experience, but you should follow the direction of the esthetician/technician you have doing your microblading.

Here are some things to know if you are considering microblading:

So, how do I feel?

I love my new eyebrows on several levels:

• Beauty: I think they frame my eyes better and draw more attention to them
  
• Convenience: I love not having to use eyebrow products. I just “get up and go”. When it’s time for a touch-up I sometimes use a little bit of pencil to hold me over, but for the most part I don’t have to anything to them.
  
• Confidence: What I love most is not being self-conscious of my brows anymore. I don’t think about filling them in just to go to the grocery store anymore. I’ll admit, it was hard to spend the money at first. I worried how people would react to me spending money on something that could be considered “superficial” or “fake”. But to not be self-conscious anymore, made it worth it for me.

Where did I get my microblading done in Michigan?

I got my microblading done at Fine Strokes Microblading in Birmingham. They focus exclusively on permanent makeup. I had Vinny and thought he was great. You can see his work on his Instagram page, @vinnyfinestrokes.

So, what do you think? Have you had your eyebrows microbladed or if not, would you consider it? Let me know in the comments below!

Wear glasses? Then you should check out Jen’s recent post on The Best Face and Eye Makeup for Glasses Wearers.