What is brow lamination? An expert explains the latest Insta-beauty trend

If, like us, you get a lot of your beauty inpso from Instagram, you’ve definitely noticed a certain brow trend blowing up on your feed: brow lamination. With over 25,000 posts under the hashtag #browlamination, these super slicked-up brows with high shine are the ultimate #browgoals. But what exactly is it, and how does it differ from the many brow treatments already out there?

Brow expert Piret Aava (a.k.a The Eyebrow Doctor) likens brow lamination to getting a perm — it gives brow hairs a uniform shape. It smooths out thin or bushy brows and lifts the hairs in a more upward direction. Whereas microblading gives you the illusion of fuller brows, brow lamination primarily works with the hairs you’ve already got.

The treatment originated in Russia, has popped up in salons all over England, and is slowly making its way to the U.S. If you’ve ever wanted to semi-permanently look like you’ve got brow gel on, this is the treatment for you. To get a full breakdown, we asked Aava to tell us everything we need to know. See what she had to say below.

The Treatment

The process is quite simple. It starts with the application of a lift cream, which moves hairs into a specific direction. Next, brows are brushed in the desired shape and set with a hair neutralizer to keep it in place. Brows are then tinted to add fullness and—for added moisture—are finished off with a nourishing brow oil.

Aava says the treatment is painless and doesn’t require any special prep beforehand. The price depends on the artist and salon, but she says to expect it to range anywhere from $60 to $300. It can also last as long as six months with the right care.

It’s the perfect treatment for those who have unruly or coarse brows and are looking for a more defined shape. However, she says that people who are prone to breakouts or have eczema should avoid brow lamination because the chemicals used could lead to further irritation.

Aftercare

To let the cream fully set in, avoid wetting your brows for 24 hours. Aava suggests brushing brows daily and applying a nourishing brow oil to keep them moisturized. As with any treatment, always do your research before committing. Because the treatment does involve a chemical being used near the delicate eye area, you should be careful. (As with the non-FDA approved but very popular brow tinting, you’ll want to research and be aware of any risk.) While there are no known adverse effects of brow lamination, Aava strongly advises going to a trained professional to minimize any harm. With all this in mind, you can now add brow lamination to a list of many options to try to get the brow of your dreams. We thank the beauty Instagram gods for that.