Permanent Makeup

Difference between microblading and powder brows

According to the latest statistics, people have spent more than £10 billion on cosmetic treatments in 2019. After a rising obsession with perfect brows, semi-permanent brow treatments have become increasingly popular. In addition to microblading, there are several semi-permanent makeup treatments that can achieve different results.

Powder brows are the newest trend to make its way onto Instagram. Microblading and powder brows can be used in conjunction to create a look known as “combination brows.” If you’re looking for a natural-looking brow with a little more definition at the tail end, microblading alone isn’t going to cut it. To help you choose the correct treatment for yourself, we’ll take a look at the differences between microblading and powder brows.

What Is Microblading?

You’ve probably heard more and more about a procedure called microblading in the last several years. Thin brows can be thickened with this technique. As it’s a semi-permanent makeup procedure, microblading can provide the appearance of thicker brows by using a blade.

Microblading uses a handheld tool to apply tiny strokes that look like eyebrow hairs one at a time. The semi-permanent pigment is transferred into the skin through paper-cut like incisions created by this tool. The treatment itself usually takes 2-3 hours to complete.

What are Powder Brows?

Powder eyebrows achieve a soft-shaded make up look. Some people prefer powder brows, also known as ombré brows or microshading because they have advantages over microblading. This procedure is preferred by many because of its natural and soft appearance and less invasive nature. It’s possible to produce misty, powdered brows with this technique. Whereas the results of ombre brows are more dramatic.

As opposed to filling in eyebrow hairs with just a few strokes, a needle is utilised to create pixelated dots. Because there is more pigment applied to the skin, it lasts much longer than microblading. The ombre effect is described as a lighter inner brow and a darker outer brow extending toward the tail. In this way, it has a three-dimensional appearance.

Powder Brows vs Microblading

Are you wondering in what ways microblading and powder brows are different?

Powder brows and microblading are similar when it comes to the fact that both require the artist to deposit pigment into the upper layers of the skin, but the techniques utilised and results achieved are vastly different. Comparing the two methods requires taking into account several various factors.

  • The Finish

Ultra-fine needles, in the shape of a blade, on a handheld device are used for microblading. Using this method, the pigment can be applied to the skin in hair strokes that appear natural. Comparatively, for powder brows a digital eyebrow tattoo machine gets used to apply small pigment dots into your skin for a more natural look. More defined and fuller eyebrows are the result, comparable to what you’d get from cosmetic eyebrow powders or pencils. For those who prefer their brows to appear more accentuated, ombre brows are ideal.

Once the ombré/powder brows heal, they look like delicately tinted brows created through an eyebrow pencil. Following the treatment, your eyebrows should fade around 20 to 30 percent. That will retain a soft texture allowing you to manage your eyebrows in the future easily.

  • Invasiveness

Ombré/powder brows are performed with a eyebrow tattoo machine that uses a shading or airbrush technique to scatter extremely fine dots of pigment evenly into and over the skin. Using a hand device, microblading makes minute cuts or incisions into the skin. Repeated cuts into the same areas will quickly cause skin damage and scarring over time.

  • Long-lasting

It is always best to have a touch-up done no more than two months after your first powder brow treatment is completed. After that, it is expected that the brows would last one to three years, depending on skin type. It has been discovered that, in contrast to microblading, this brow-enhancement procedure lasts longer and results in a more natural-looking, fuller brow at the same time. Skin will be susceptible to increasing wear and tear over time due to the necessity for more frequent touch-ups with microblading. Given that both techniques gradually perpetually dull the skin, selecting the most effective strategy to maintain your skin’s state is critical.

  • Skin type

Powder brows are a semi-permanent cosmetic technique that is highly recommended and preferred by those with oily skin. This is because people with oily skin do not respond well to the microblading technique used in the procedure; the pigment bleeds into the skin where it merges with other hair strokes creating a blurred appearance. Given that people with oily skin would also require more touch-ups, microblading can be more invasive.

Because of the loss of collagen in the face as we age, this powder brow technique is also more effective on aged skin.

  • Pain and healing

With ombre/powder brows, we don’t have to worry about damaging the skin because of the airbrush-like technique we apply. The use of the eyebrow tattoo machines result in less blood being produced throughout the treatment which therefore means it will heal much quicker. Microblading involves making cuts in the skin so there is a higher risk of bleeding and a much slower healing period. Despite this, clients should expect some discomfort even with ombré powder brows, as needles are used in the treatment.

The Final Takeaway

Ombre eyebrows and powder eyebrows have recently begun to gain popularity, often converting people who had previously had microblading treatment done and for a good cause. For those who want permanent or semi-permanent brows, there are numerous brow-enhancing techniques to choose from. Despite their similarity, microblading and ombré powder brows have considerable differences. Most importantly, the technique used for both procedures and their results is vastly different. If you don’t want to spend money on brow cosmetics or spend hours each morning refining your arches, these treatments may be worth it. Ultimately, the decision is down to you.

According to the latest statistics, people have spent more than £10 billion on cosmetic treatments in 2019. After a rising obsession with perfect brows, semi-permanent brow treatments have become increasingly popular. In addition to microblading, there are several semi-permanent makeup treatments that can achieve different results.

Powder brows are the newest trend to make its way onto Instagram. Microblading and powder brows can be used in conjunction to create a look known as “combination brows.” If you’re looking for a natural-looking brow with a little more definition at the tail end, microblading alone isn’t going to cut it. To help you choose the correct treatment for yourself, we’ll take a look at the differences between microblading and powder brows.

What Is Microblading?

You’ve probably heard more and more about a procedure called microblading in the last several years. Thin brows can be thickened with this technique. As it’s a semi-permanent makeup procedure, microblading can provide the appearance of thicker brows by using a blade.

Microblading uses a handheld tool to apply tiny strokes that look like eyebrow hairs one at a time. The semi-permanent pigment is transferred into the skin through paper-cut like incisions created by this tool. The treatment itself usually takes 2-3 hours to complete.

What are Powder Brows?

Powder eyebrows achieve a soft-shaded make up look. Some people prefer powder brows, also known as ombré brows or microshading because they have advantages over microblading. This procedure is preferred by many because of its natural and soft appearance and less invasive nature. It’s possible to produce misty, powdered brows with this technique. Whereas the results of ombre brows are more dramatic.

As opposed to filling in eyebrow hairs with just a few strokes, a needle is utilised to create pixelated dots. Because there is more pigment applied to the skin, it lasts much longer than microblading. The ombre effect is described as a lighter inner brow and a darker outer brow extending toward the tail. In this way, it has a three-dimensional appearance.

Powder Brows vs Microblading

Are you wondering in what ways microblading and powder brows are different?

Powder brows and microblading are similar when it comes to the fact that both require the artist to deposit pigment into the upper layers of the skin, but the techniques utilised and results achieved are vastly different. Comparing the two methods requires taking into account several various factors.

  • The Finish

Ultra-fine needles, in the shape of a blade, on a handheld device are used for microblading. Using this method, the pigment can be applied to the skin in hair strokes that appear natural. Comparatively, for powder brows a digital eyebrow tattoo machine gets used to apply small pigment dots into your skin for a more natural look. More defined and fuller eyebrows are the result, comparable to what you’d get from cosmetic eyebrow powders or pencils. For those who prefer their brows to appear more accentuated, ombre brows are ideal.

Once the ombré/powder brows heal, they look like delicately tinted brows created through an eyebrow pencil. Following the treatment, your eyebrows should fade around 20 to 30 percent. That will retain a soft texture allowing you to manage your eyebrows in the future easily.

  • Invasiveness

Ombré/powder brows are performed with a eyebrow tattoo machine that uses a shading or airbrush technique to scatter extremely fine dots of pigment evenly into and over the skin. Using a hand device, microblading makes minute cuts or incisions into the skin. Repeated cuts into the same areas will quickly cause skin damage and scarring over time.

  • Long-lasting

It is always best to have a touch-up done no more than two months after your first powder brow treatment is completed. After that, it is expected that the brows would last one to three years, depending on skin type. It has been discovered that, in contrast to microblading, this brow-enhancement procedure lasts longer and results in a more natural-looking, fuller brow at the same time. Skin will be susceptible to increasing wear and tear over time due to the necessity for more frequent touch-ups with microblading. Given that both techniques gradually perpetually dull the skin, selecting the most effective strategy to maintain your skin’s state is critical.

  • Skin type

Powder brows are a semi-permanent cosmetic technique that is highly recommended and preferred by those with oily skin. This is because people with oily skin do not respond well to the microblading technique used in the procedure; the pigment bleeds into the skin where it merges with other hair strokes creating a blurred appearance. Given that people with oily skin would also require more touch-ups, microblading can be more invasive.

Because of the loss of collagen in the face as we age, this powder brow technique is also more effective on aged skin.

  • Pain and healing

With ombre/powder brows, we don’t have to worry about damaging the skin because of the airbrush-like technique we apply. The use of the eyebrow tattoo machines result in less blood being produced throughout the treatment which therefore means it will heal much quicker. Microblading involves making cuts in the skin so there is a higher risk of bleeding and a much slower healing period. Despite this, clients should expect some discomfort even with ombré powder brows, as needles are used in the treatment.

The Final Takeaway

Ombre eyebrows and powder eyebrows have recently begun to gain popularity, often converting people who had previously had microblading treatment done and for a good cause. For those who want permanent or semi-permanent brows, there are numerous brow-enhancing techniques to choose from. Despite their similarity, microblading and ombré powder brows have considerable differences. Most importantly, the technique used for both procedures and their results is vastly different. If you don’t want to spend money on brow cosmetics or spend hours each morning refining your arches, these treatments may be worth it. Ultimately, the decision is down to you.

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Powder Brows

A versatile shading style, created using soft pixels which can be tailored to achieve anything from a soft tinted brow to a bold Ombre finish. Suitable for all skin types.

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About Emily Edwards

Emily Edwards is a beauty specialist based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. She has extensive training from industry leading experts in Permanent Makeup, Eyebrow Tattoos and Piercings.

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