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! 

4 Ideas for Self-Care

A silhouette of a woman meditating

Sometimes it seems like life is simply exhausting. Whether it's your job, your schoolwork, or something more personal like your family, your anxieties, or financial troubles—the stress can certainly pile up. With all of your commitments and responsibilities, it can often feel like the world is literally sitting on your shoulders. 

When life feels overwhelming, it can be easy to give into the stress. But instead of hiding out, or worse, letting your anxiety getting the best of you, the best thing to do is to perform a little self-care. 

Self-care is different for everyone. For some, it means a day of indulgence and pampering. For others, it might mean a day of meditation and exercise. Whatever it is, you should always spare a few hours for yourself every week to decompress and care for your self. 

Here are a few ideas we have for you to practice self-care. 

Pamper Yourself

Obviously we are partial to the type of self-care that involves pampering yourself. Whether you go get a massage, a facial, or you get a day pass to a spa in your city, it's important to be indulgent every once in a while. Remember that it's never a bad thing to do something that makes you feel good about yourself!

Read a Good Book 

Is there anything better than curling up on your favorite couch and reading a classic? Even if you only get to read for 20 or 30 minutes, it's good to try to fit this into your daily schedule. Reading has been proven to reduce stress and avid readers are purportedly happier than non-readers. 

Go Exercise

A really great stress reliever is to go exercise and sweat a little bit. Everyone knows that exercise gives you endorphins, which leads to happiness—but also exercise can make you feel strong, powerful, and in control. This is an especially important feeling when you feel like things are out of control in your life. 

Get Some Good Z's

There's a reason why people say, "sleep on it." There's nothing more beneficial than a good night's sleep. If you've been stressing out lately, a lack of good sleep may be the culprit. We just aren't ourselves when we're not sleeping! 

Do yourself a favor and set yourself up for a great night's rest: Stop using electronics about an hour before bedtime, take a long and relaxing bath, and head into bed early than you normally would. If you're still having trouble winding down, you might want to reexamine your sleep habits and go visit a doctor if you think it's necessary. Sleeping well is crucial for a well balanced life! 

Interested in scheduling a microblading appointment or a facial 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!