New Brow Trend - Ombré Brow Shading

For the past several years, my eyebrows have increasingly become a problem! I’ve never been good at filling them in and it’s really hard to find just the right color…not to mention that it’s the most time consuming part of my morning makeup routine! Eyebrows have the power to completely change the look of the face by correcting minor flaws such as small eyes or eyes that are too far apart. The right brow shape can add length and definition to your face. It can also draw the eyes to the upper portion of the face to distract from imperfections on the bottom portion.

I’ve gotten slightly obsessed with getting my eyebrows right so I decided to explore my options for permanent makeup and decided on a fairly new technique called ombré shading. I went to a local salon called Painted (here in Burlington) and had my ombré shading done by Alyssa Williamson. Check out her Instagram (SouthernFlareLash) to see more of her work! Alyssa is very skilled…I had a wonderful experience and LOVE my eyebrows!

My brows had become very thin from over-plucking and also from just getting older and no amount of brow serum seemed to help…that’s why I made the decision to have ombré shading!

Ombré shading is supposedly superior to microblading and, in my experience, less painful!

Before and After!

When I posted my before and after on IG stories this morning, some people had questions. Did it hurt, how much did it cost, how long does it last and how is it different to microblading, etc.

I decided to do a blog post to answer some of the questions, so you all can see if ombré shading would be a good option to consider. Here is everything you need to know about this technique.

What exactly is ombre shading and how is it different from microblading?

 Ombré shading is a newer trend in eyebrow semi-permanent makeup. It gives a soft shaded brow pencil look and once it heals, it is a much more natural look than microblading. It gives definition and depth to the brows. You can go for a light soft shading or a bold brow look. I chose a light soft shading because I want my brows to look natural and I can always pencil in a bit for a bolder look! The retention and healing results are said to be better compared to microblading. Clients who have certain skin types are not the best candidates for microblading, whereas shading works on all skin types.

My very thin before brows…

Before making an appointment, read up on the procedure. Not everyone is eligible for semi-permanent makeup and timing is important. While there is less healing with ombré shading as opposed to microblading, if you are planning to go on a sunny vacation or have facial treatments scheduled, you should book accordingly.

  Here is the whole process…

To begin with, Alyssa asked about my brow goals, and that was a question I had never thought about. After thinking for a minute, I said that I wanted to not worry about having to fill my brows in and also that I wanted them to always look consistently good. After asking a few more questions, she measured and drew an outline so I could see what my finished brows would look like. After I approved, she put numbing cream on and I waited for about 10 minutes.    

My appointment took only about 1-1/2 hours from start to finish so it was easy to fit into my day!

How to know if you’re a good candidate for ombré shading?

Much like microblading, a good candidate for ombré shading should not have a serious health or skin conditions. Fortunately, this technique works for all skin types, including oily skin.

On average, how long does the ombré shading last?

I go back in January for a touch up and then my brows can last from one to three years. The retention depends on skin type, lifestyle, health condition, sun exposure, etc. 

Does it hurt?

Evidently, the pain level varies from person to person…it felt like small pinches to me, but was very bearable. As I said, I had a topical numbing cream to make the procedure more comfortable.

How many different colors are offered?

You can get many different colors, and I chose a color that was very close to the root color of my hair so my brows would look natural. I’ve read that for blondes, it is best to go a little darker for better color retention.   

Is there any risk involved?

I highly recommend doing a little research and finding an artist who is skilled and trained in semi-permanent makeup and cosmetic tattoo. It is also important to follow the after care instructions given to you by your artist to avoid any chances of infection.  

What is the aftercare like?

Aftercare is extremely easy…yesterday I had to wipe my brows with a cotton pad, dampened with filtered water. I had a bit of redness and absolutely no pain. It was recommended that I not exercise the next day and not wear makeup on my brows for 10 days. Also I use an aftercare ointment twice a day…morning and night for 10 days and wash with a mild cleanser.

Immediately following the procedure, your brows will look a little bolder and darker. This can last up to a week or a little longer. During the second week, you may flake slightly, but I was told that I may or may not flake and that everyone is different. Any adjustments to color can be made during the follow up appointment.

On average, how much does ombré shading cost?

The cost can range from $500 to $1000.

I hope this answers any questions about Ombré Brow Shading…as I said above, I had a wonderful experience and love my new brows!

Have you had permanent makeup procedures done? I’m thinking of going back for lip jelly and would love to know about anyone’s experience with this procedure!

Thanks for reading today!