Work and photo by NancyNu.com based in Gilbert, Ariz.
A few months ago, I got my first tattoo – you’re looking at it. It’s semi-permanent and it’s not what you typically see for eyebrow tattoos. It’ll last a year to a year and a half. This procedure is called 3D embroidery, or microblading.
Do you spend a ton of time filling your eyebrows in? Can’t leave the house unless your eyebrows are on? Oh girl, I get it. That’s why when I heard about this procedure (thanks to one of my best girlfriends Jennifer who also found Nancy), I knew I had to do it. I did the math and calculated the cost of going to my eyebrow gal in Old Town Scottsdale, and it equalled the cost of getting them microbladed. Oh, and on top of being the same cost, how about saving me 5 minutes every morning?
Here’s a before and immediate after.
The “tattoo” simulates hair strokes so instead of a block of color like eyebrow tattoos, it’s actually whispy thin lines.
What you should know about 3D brows
- Your normal brow hairs stay on, the microblading is behind your natural brows, adding an illusion of fullness.
- My cost was $450 and includes a 4 week touch up.
- It should last 1 – 1.5 years.
- It doesn’t hurt – numbing cream is put on. The part that did hurt was when the color was put on at the end and the numbing cream wore off – it feels like icy hot on your eyebrows but it’s not terrible and my eyes didn’t water.
- Brows get darker before it gets lighter, don’t freak out.
- Brows are thicker but thin out when everything settles down.
- It will scab a little within the first few days but then by a week it will be just fine. Don’t pick them off and don’t let them get wet and roll off! That’s your color!
- You need to wear vaseline or coconut oil on it the first week and avoid any water getting on your brows to avoid the ink lines from spreading thick. It will probably be provided to you after the procedure.
Do: Come with your brows already “on” so she can see how you naturally style your brows.
Don’t: Get them waxed right before, it can cause irritation before your session.
This is me right after my session –
And this is today after it has settled down – me with no makeup on whatsoever, flaunting my beloved Foreo LUNA 2 recently on Instagram –
Notice my brow thickness from my sessions got a little thinner. So what I’m reminding you is, don’t freak out when you get yours done.
A girlfriend of mine said something that was worth repeating –
Eyebrows are like sisters, not twins. So don’t stress over them being perfectly identical because our real brows aren’t!
I will occasionally fill in my brows if I feel like it but it’s so quick and it’s a stroke to bring out the color if my foundation has gone over my eyebrows. I don’t really need to – I can wet a cotton swab and it’ll look fine too. It’s been one of the best things I’ve done.
I get eyelash extensions every three weeks and monthly facials to make my daily routine easier – it’s funny to be older and wear less makeup in comparison to when you were young, and your skin was so amazing back then! I found that if you simply take good care of your skin, you can get away with sunblock and maybe even BB cream.
Read 1 year touch up post here!
So what do you think about the brows? Would you do it?
This is so intriguing to me!
$450 isn’t too bad for something that lasts so long and makes such a difference.
I read on another blog that it would be something like $800, but that was in California, so things are more expensive there…?
Anyways, you look great! I’m tempted to do this eventually.
Everything in CA is more expensive – and slightly ridiculous ;) I don’t think I’d pay $800 unless it lasted two years. You might want to check the cost where you are, it might be different but of course make sure you do the research and like their work, just like a photographer ;)
Where did you get your browser tattooed in phx?
Hi, I said who did it in the blog post, Nancy Nu. Link in blog post :)
Hi there! Thanks to your blog I am really interested in getting this done myself! The cost where I live is $650…and I have a semi-silly question to ask. Is it etiquette to tip for microbladding services? It seems pretty steep to have to tip but forgive my ignorance if that is the case. Please let me know, thanks in advance!
Hi Kathleen, I didn’t tip. There wasn’t a section to do it when I paid by credit card. When it comes to services that are $500+ for things of that nature and the person doing it owns the company or it’s at a medispa, I don’t expect to tip. I asked a gf of mine who does lashes out of her living room about tipping and she said that maybe even $5 or $10 is fine but not expected. In this case, I would say you’re pretty good to go since $650 is quite an investment and the person doing it is probably getting most of it :) Good luck! You’re going to love it!!!
Hi!
So I just went through the microblading procedure yesterday and to be quite honest, I AM FREAKING OUT!!! They are completely dark. Will they actually get lighter within days? They also told me not to put anything (coconut oil, etc) on my brows until the 5-6th day? Any suggestions, comments, feedback? HELP.
Thank you!
Hi, they are darker because they are scabbing and large cuts. Don’t worry. Im sure they said it would be dark. Mine are lighter and even thinner than the microbladed shape – I now think when I do it again I’d go even thicker! I used coconut oil starting from day one but that was for it to be waterproof as you don’t want them to get wet and the scab to roll off with your color. I’d just call the people who did it and ask them and follow their instructions.
I live in San Diego ca and got mine done for $450. I gave her a 20% tip and I think that’s the norm considering we tip for waxing. It was worth every penny and I haven’t even gone for my touch up (included in cost) yet. If you are thinking about doing it… do it!
Hi Kelly! I so agree! It sounds like you had a great deal too!
I just shelled out $1000 on microblading and am really nervous about the results. When paying, the lady asked me “how would you like to leave a tip?” Which, frankly, I was kind of offended by. 1-she could see I wasn’t thrilled and 2-$1000 is a lot! So I brushed it off by saying I’d see how everything healed. I know you said we’re not expected to tip but I don’t know what to do anymore. This is more stressful than the actual procedure!
Hi Nicole, wow $1,000!!! I know you must have done them but are you getting them retouched or has your mind been made on if you like them? I find the tipping awkward when they ask but I do my services at medi spas or places that usually don’t have a line for a tip. I don’t know if that helps, but I think you can use your best discretion. Hope you end up liking your brows!
Hi! I literally just left the salon where I got my eyebrows microblded and upon paying it asked what I would like to tip. Mine cost $500 and I thought that was a lot. I was so put off by the tip but now I feel like a huge jerk for not tipping. I will wait to see what they look like when they heel and maybe I will take her a gift card when I go back for my touch up.
Eee, that’s kind of awkward when not expected. I guess it’s a salon so maybe they expect that. I assume if you work with that person directly, or it’s a medispa (though medispas don’t give that service), then you aren’t asked to tip. It sounds like on some of these comments no one was expecting to tip if already paying so much. Hope you figure it out!
I have an appt today and I don’t know how much I should tip. It’s at a salon. The girl owns her own salon. I am
Paying $400 for it. How much do I tip or no tip at all? I don’t tip when I get my Botox.
Hi, I’m from Iran’s political classes cost you is how much?
for exampel : micropigmantation and phibrows … thank you
wath’s your instagram and email?
Hi Diana,
Thank you for sharing your microblading experience. I’m considering having this done and really love the results your professional provided to you. Can you share the name and contact information of your technician, please?
Hi Stacey, the link is on the blog post and I mention who did them.