Ombré Eyebrows Are the Perfect Fix for Wispy Brows
Think of them as lowlights for your face.
Studio Firma / Stocksy
Reviewed by Jaleesa Jaikaran
There is no magic wand that will turn wispy eyebrows into subtly shaded statement-makers — but there is a treatment. Ombré eyebrows, also known as ombré powder brows, bring depth and dimension to arches that otherwise appear thin or patchy. The treatment is semi-permanent, has a few notable differences from its big-sis service, microblading, and is essentially lowlights for your face. Want to know more? Ahead, celebrity eyebrow experts share everything you need to know about the ombré eyebrow trend.
Meet the Expert
Joey Healy is a celebrity eyebrow specialist based in New York.
Allie Yamaguchi is a celebrity eyebrow specialist and esthetician with a boutique in Berkeley, California.
What Are Ombré Brows?
In short, ombré brows have undergone ombré shading, which is a semi-permanent eyebrow-styling technique. The treatment uses a small machine to place extremely thin dots of pigment into the skin. Essentially, it creates that soft-shaded look that a really great eyebrow pencil can accomplish.
Keep reading to learn more about the treatment, including how much it costs and which skin types it's best suited for.
Benefits of Ombré Brows
Ideal option for oily or sensitive skin, unlike microblading
Require fewer touch-up appointments
Gives the appearance of fuller, more defined brows
Unlike microblading—which can be tough on sensitive skin—ombré brows are friendly for all skin types. (Can we get a hallelujah from the acne-prone among us?) Celebrity eyebrow specialist Allie Yamaguchi shares, "I meet a lot of women who have a very hard time filling in their brows or clients with little to no brow hair at all. Having this service saves time in the morning, money [on other services], and is a helpful guide when filling them in. You can also personalize the density, meaning how light or how dark you would like the brows [is up to you.]"
Ombré Eyebrows vs. Microblading
The most significant difference between microblading and ombré shading is how the pigment is added to the skin. Celebrity eyebrow specialist Joey Healy says, "Both [services] are semi-permanent tattoos, but microblading is making short hair-like strokes. Ombré brows are a series of many fine dots that vary in concentration, giving the look of a powdered brow."
Another key difference to note is that microblading doesn't necessarily work on all skin types. On oily skin, for example, the color from microblading doesn't show up effectively, and can even look blurry.
Combining Ombré Eyebrows & Microblading
If your skin type makes you a good candidate for both microblading and ombré shading, it is possible to combine both techniques. Healy explains: "For those short little vertical lines, microblading might look good on the front and ombré would look good on the tail. The goal is to have the most minor of hair flicks in the beginning and we don’t want the brow to start in a solid mass."
Preparation for for Ombré Shading
Clients should go into their appointment bare-faced and well-rested. Yamaguchi advises steering clear of anything that may thin the blood 48 hours before the service. "Laying off blood thinners is number one for me. This means, absolutely no alcohol, pain relievers, other specific medications, or Botox until after the service has been done." She adds: "Blood-thinning agents do exactly that, thin the blood and cause you to bleed heavier than normal during the service, resulting in poor pigment retention."
What to Expect From a Treatment
An ombré eyebrow appointment generally takes about two to three hours. "Typically your professional will put on a topical anesthetic that they let sit for 20-40 minutes before shading. While it numbs you, it [can be] uncomfortable because you are abrading the skin," warns Healy.
The artist will then create a frame around your brows to map out where to add the pigment. You'll be able to see the shape and color before the pigment is added to your skin. Once you confirm the targeted look of your customized brows, the shading can begin. After the process, your eyebrows will look darker, and may feel tender.
Though pricing varies, the cost of the treatment typically lands somewhere between $500 and $1000.
Byrdie Tip
Similar to the procedures for a tattoo, a topical numbing agent can be applied before an ombré brow treatment to make the service more comfortable. The agent itself may feel uncomfortable, but think of it like this: It's a small price to pay for beautiful brows.
Side Effects
There are no documented side effects of machine eyebrow shading. While the process is comparable to getting a traditional tattoo, the needle does not penetrate the skin as deeply. As a semi-permanent treatment, it will fade over time. "I have witnessed color changes in the pigment under the skin over time and this is due to sun exposure or bad pigment selection from the brow technician," Yamaguchi explains. "It's very important to do your research on the establishment and artist you will be seeing prior to getting serviced."
Aftercare
Think of this as a mini-vacay from the gym and wearing makeup. "Avoid getting the brows wet for 10 days. This includes keeping your face dry in the shower. You also want to avoid excessive sweating and makeup for a week," says Healy.
He adds that the brows will scab, and you don't want to pick at the scab or itch. "Professionals will inform you to use an antibacterial ointment for the first 24 hours. Follow up with a popular ointment like Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($16) or Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly ($5)."
It's also common to check in with your specialist a few weeks after your first service. "Anyone who's providing this service who's good and reputable would like you to come back to check on your results about two or three weeks later, and see if there’s more to do or little adjustments to make," says Healy.
How Long Do Ombré Brows Last?
Ombré brows will last for one to three years. This means fewer services will be required to keep your brows in check. However, this lifespan does depend on your lifestyle and skin type.
Over time, you'll notice that your ombré brows begin to fade. When your brows begin to look less defined you'll know it's time for a touch-up. It's good practice to schedule powder brow touch-ups every 18 months to keep your brows looking as fabulous as the day you first had your ombré shading done.
Key Takeaways
Ombré eyebrows are a semi-permanent eyebrow-styling technique.
The ombré eyebrow process generally takes about two to three hours.
Ombré brows will last for approximately one to three years.
How To Fake Ombré Brows With Makeup
If you're unsure about having ombré shading done on your face (it is a big commitment!), don't fret. You can achieve the look with eyebrow powder, a brow tint, and a few small makeup brushes. Here's how:
Start with a clean face: Remove any makeup on your face so you're working with bare brows.
Pluck stray hairs: Remove any stray eyebrow hairs to create a tidy overall appearance.
Brush out your brows: Using an eyebrow spoolie, brush out your brows so that they are smoothed.
Mark and outline your brows: Using a lightly colored eyeliner, create small dots at the beginning, arch, and tail of your brows.
Apply your brow tint of choice: The tint you decide on should be applied to the latter part of your brow, leaving the front part of your brows bare.
Fill in with eyebrow powder: Use a small angled brush to fill in your brows with powder. Alternatively, you can use a brow pencil. Start light and build from there.
Add powder or pencil to the front part of your brows: Fill in more lightly here to create the ombré effect.
Add a brow top coat: Slicking on a brow top coat will keep your brows in place and avoid the powder smudging.
The Final Takeaway
Semi-permanent brow styling takes the pressure off of filling in your brows every day. Ombré brows are a great option for natural, fuller brows, and finding a skilled artist is the key to getting a flawless style.
Not sure you want to commit? Give it a try at home by blending both light and slightly darker brow pencils. We like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Ultra-Slim Precision Brow Pencil ($25) and a brow gel like Glossier's Boy Brow ($18) in Clear to set your brows. Simply stroke the pencils sparingly into the brow, filling in sparse spots and applying the most pigment to the arch.
Read the original article on Byrdie.
