What is Microblading—and How Can it Benefit You?

A woman is laying down and getting her eyebrows prepared for microblading

Thick eyebrows are all the rage right now. But whether you just weren’t born with naturally thick eyebrows or you managed to overpluck them in the early aughts when thin brows were the style, you may be wondering if there’s a way (beyond the brow pencil) to fill yours in and keep up with the trends. Eyebrows can really change the way that your face looks and make your features pop if done the right way, so it’s understandable that you want to make sure they are just right.

One technique to getting fuller, thicker brows is microblading. So, what is microblading? What does it do? How does it benefit you? Are there any risks?

Let’s learn all about this hot new beauty trend—and reasons why you may want to consider scheduling an appointment.

Microblading is a Semi-Permanent Tattoo

Microblading is a procedure that claims to improve the appearance of your eyebrows. Sometimes it is also called “feather touch” or “micro-stroking.” The microblading procedure is a semi-permanent tattoo where pigment is implanted under your skin with a manual handheld tool instead of a machine (like a regular tattoo). During the microblading procedure, your microblading professional will make hundreds of tiny little strokes to build a texture that looks like natural eyebrow hair.

It Takes a While

When you schedule a microblading session, you’re going to need to block off at least a couple of hours to get it right. In other words, don’t expect that you can get in and out. Your microblading professional will take their time to make sure that your eyebrows are looking perfect before you leave. You definitely don’t want to rush the process!

Preparing Your Skin is Key

There are some things you need to avoid before getting microbladed, such as anything that can thin out your blood. At least a week before your appointment, cut down your consumption of alcohol, avoid taking aspirin, and avoid using retinol.

It Doesn’t Hurt Too Much

If you’ve never gotten a tattoo before it’s understandable to be a little nervous about the microblading experience, but the truth is that the pain isn’t too much to handle for most people. If you do have a low tolerance for pain, you may want to speak to your microblading professional about a numbing cream that can be applied beforehand to dull the pain a little bit. And even though microblading does sting a little bit, the procedure is completely safe to do as long as it is performed in a clean, safe environment by a professional.

Microblading Means Never Having to Pick Up a Brow Pencil

Although you can achieve fuller brows with the use of a brow pencil or a brow gel, a microblading procedure means that you won’t have to spend several minutes every day fiddling with your eyebrows. They will look natural, look filled in, and you can have a makeup-free way to pop your features and change the shape of your face. The best part is that microblading can last up to six months—which means that maintenance is minimal.

Interested in scheduling a microblading appointment with a professional at Volume Eyelash Extension Studio in Santa Barbara? You can book an appointment online or give us a call at (805) 881-2242! 

How to Take Care of Your Eyelashes

A close up of a woman's eyelashes

It seems like the only time that we think about our eyelashes in our beauty routine is when we are dissatisfied with them. ("My eyelashes are too short." "My eyelashes don't curl enough." "My eyelashes are too light.")

Although sky-high eyelashes make your eyes pop, they also serve a utilitarian purpose. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, eyelashes are designed to reduce airflow near the eyes. This reduction of airflow keeps evaporation from happening and prevents dust and other particles from getting into the surface of the eyes. Pretty amazing, right?

We do a lot to our poor eyelashes: We curl them, we put loads of mascara on them, and we sometimes forget to take off our makeup (whoops!). 

Let's learn about how to take care of our eyelashes. After all—they do so much for us!

Take Off Your Makeup Every Night

We get it: Sometimes you fall asleep on the couch and the last thing you want to do before you drag yourself to bed is take your makeup off. But whatever you do, no matter how tired you are, it's so important to take your makeup off every night. Not only can leaving makeup off build up bacteria on your face, but it can also dry out your eyelashes. Use a gentle, but effective makeup remover every night and finish with a moisturizing routine. 

Brush Out Your Eyelashes 

You may not wear makeup every day, but at the very least you should be brushing out your eyelashes to remove any dirt or debris. Bonus: This makes them look long and amazing!

Condition Your Eyelashes

You condition your hair and put lotion on your body, but we so often neglect to moisturize our eyelashes properly. Remedy this by putting a little bit of coconut oil or petroleum jelly and gently rubbing it on your eyelashes. Rinse well once you're done and apply makeup as normally. 

Disinfect Your Eyelash Curler

Some of us may not have been born with naturally full, long lashes and so we have to resort to using an eyelash curler to get the look we want. But one thing a lot of us neglect to do is to actually clean it off every day with disinfectant. Bacteria can build up on your eyelash curler and cause eye irritation, so be sure to clean this tool regularly. 

Have a Few Makeup-Free Days

We put our faces, and our eyes in particular, through a lot. Give your lashes some time off by having a few makeup-free days, which gives them the chance to rest for a minute. Trust us: Your lashes will thank you. 

Eyelash Extensions

Thinking about plumping up your lashes without the use of mascara or other products? Head to the Volume Eyelash Studio for an eyelash extension appointment!