Brow Lamination or Microblading: Which Do I Need?
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A guest sits down and says, "I want fuller brows, do I need microblading?" Often the honest answer is no, not yet. Microblading adds pigment to the skin to draw in hair-like strokes where hair is missing. Brow lamination and brow tint work with the hair you already have. If your brows have plenty of hair but it grows in every direction, lamination is the answer. If the hair is there but too light to see, a tint is. Microblading is for gaps where hair does not grow. If you already know what you want, you can book your brow appointment online.
Look at your brows in daylight first
Stand at a window with no brow makeup on and look closely. You are checking three things.
- Is there hair across the whole brow? If yes, you probably do not need microblading.
- Can you see the hair easily? Blonde, red, fine, or gray hairs can disappear against the skin. That points to a tint.
- Does the hair lie flat and in one direction? Hair that grows down, curls, or sticks out in patches points to lamination.
Most people land on one of the three, and many land on two.
When brow tint is the right call
A Brow Tint is a short service that adds color to your brow hairs. It is the quickest change on the brow menu, and it is easy to live with because it fades softly as hair sheds. It suits light or graying brows, people who fill their brows in every morning just to see them, and anyone who wants their brows to match a new hair color. Your esthetician picks the shade with you so it looks like your own hair, not a marker line.
When brow lamination is the right call
Lamination relaxes the brow hairs and sets them in a brushed up, even direction. The result is a fuller, groomed look that stays in place without gel. It suits thick or coarse brows that will not behave, brows with cowlicks, and brows with small gaps that disappear once the hair is brushed over them. Many guests pair it with a tint, because the lifted shape shows off the color.
When microblading is the right call
Microblading is cosmetic tattooing. Fine strokes of pigment are placed in the skin to look like brow hair where it is sparse or missing. It suits over-plucked brows that never grew back, uneven brows, and people who want definition that does not wash off. It is semi-permanent, so it starts with a Microblade Consultation where Madi Feeney maps the shape to your face before any pigment goes in, and a perfecting visit follows. Read more on our microblading page.
If you are on the fence, try lamination and tint first. They are lower commitment and they show you what fuller brows look like on your face before you decide on anything semi-permanent.
Can you combine them?
Yes, in the right order. Brow tint and lamination can be booked in the same visit. Brow waxing keeps the shape clean between visits. If you have microblading or are planning it, tell us when you book any brow service, so your esthetician can plan the timing around your healing.
Looking after your brows afterward
After a tint or lamination, keep your brows dry and skip brow makeup for the time your esthetician recommends. Brush laminated brows into place each morning with a clean spoolie. After microblading, follow the aftercare sheet you are given, keep the area clean and dry as directed, and keep heavy sun off your brows while they heal.
Frequently asked questions
Is brow lamination the same as microblading?
No. Lamination resets the direction of the hair you already have. Microblading adds pigment strokes to the skin where hair is missing. Lamination washes out as hair grows; microblading is semi-permanent.
Should I get a brow tint with lamination?
Many guests do. Lamination shows off the shape, and the tint makes light or fine hairs visible. You can book both in the same visit.
What should I tell you before a brow tint or lamination?
Tell us about skin sensitivity, allergies, recent brow treatments, and any microblading when you book, so your esthetician can plan your service. New microblading always starts with a consultation.
Book a Visit
Read more on our brow tint and lamination page, see prices and times on the Service Menu, and book your brows online at our Bloomington salon. Want the full eye look? Read which lash extensions to choose.