y’all ate that microblading post up!! if you missed it, i shared all about my microblading experience with lash + microblading boutique a week or so ago and i definitely wasn’t the only one who was interested in the process! overall, it sounds like many of you will be sending me some new brow pics soon!! woo!

i had so many questions after the video, and if you want to watch it live, you can still watch the videos HERE!
so let’s get to it. i’ve compiled a list of every single question i have received regarding my experience! if you still have any questions, leave them below or shoot me a message and i’ll add it to the list…many of these were repeats, so you weren’t the only one thinking it!

what is microblading?!
for starters, microblading is a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure..or basically an eyebrow tattoo {but get the idea of an old-school eyebrow tattoo out of your head}. because it is less invasive than a true tattoo, it is semi-permanent. a hand-held tool {blade} is used to deposit pigmentation superficially under the skin to give the look of individual, real brow hairs.

the process
i went in depth with this information and you can read all about it here! 

how much does it cost + what is included?
this will vary based on where you get them done. at lash + microblading boutique, she charges $500 which includes a consult {always complimentary…this can be done at a separate time if you aren’t sure if you are a good candidate or are wanting more information/measurements before you commit OR she will do all the measurements/color matching at the time of the procedure.} this price also includes the touch-up which will be between 6-10 weeks {when your brows will be perfected!!} because these are semi-permanent, they will need a ‘color boost’, typically between 12-18months after the initial procedure. these touchups will cost $275.

did it hurt?
it shouldn’t! again, this will vary depending on where you go. i’ve read other places that don’t use numbing cream, and others that do….at lash + microblading boutique, misty will apply numbing cream, before the procedure actually starts then again after the 1st or 2nd ‘pass’ {each time the strokes are applied to the brow}. because i was videotaping the procedure and answering questions, etc. it took a lot longer than it usually does from time of numbing to when we were actually doing it. so it was uncomfortable the first time and then by the 3rd pass, yes, it was painful. i opted not to do a second round of the numbing cream because it it was bearable and we wanted to limit the amount of cream because i am still nursing. long story short, if you use the numbing cream and aren’t videotaping it for your blog, it shouldn’t hurt at all, really, you probably won’t even feel it!

what qualifications should i look for in an artist?!
you should find someone who is a full specialist esthetician, meaning they specialize in all areas of the skin. they should also be a licensed tattoo artist and certified in blood borne pathogens. finally, they should be a certified microblading artist! it’s a lot..and let me tell you, if you’re looking for someone to tattoo your face, you want it all!!
you should also ask that they are licensed and see that they passed their inspection from their local health department and that they are able to operate. although this isn’t a qualification, you need to find someone you are comfortable with, mesh well with, and someone who is CLEAN. that is a HUGE factor..everything should be sterile and new. i watched misty take out a brand new blade and tools and then they all went in the trash after me!
i also think you should find someone who will answer every single one of your questions without being annoyed. this is your face. and it’s a tattoo…and if you want to scare yourself you can google microblading gone wrong because it can if it’s not done properly or you’re not a good candidate. you should also ask for a complimentary consultation to go over contraindications {factors that prevent people from being a candidate} and whether your a good candidate!
**spoiler alert, misty at lash + microblading boutique is all of these things!**

how did i find this salon?
a quick google search in your area should get you started, but basically, i stalked her! {and trust me when i say, you NEED to do your homework if you are choosing someone you don’t know!!} take this seriously…it’s not just someone applying your makeup, you are getting your face tattooed! when i heard of misty through my mom {she did her lashes as a fill in}, i knew she had just moved here but owned her own studio in florida. i looked at her reviews, her before and after pictures and different work based on client. when i met with her, we talked about her education, where she got her training, and things like cleanliness, my brows and how long she had been doing this!

how long does it last?
12-18 months..i initially thought it was longer but because she uses a handheld blade rather than a rotary machine {think typical tattoos or old school full brow tattoo}, the pigmentation isn’t going as deep into the skin, meaning it won’t last as long, making it semi-permanent. while your brows won’t be ‘gone’ in 12-18 months, they will probably be in need of a touchup!

what is the healing process like?
this is a process…and you HAVE to trust in the process!! cliche, but true. when you first get them done, they are perfect. beautiful and perfect. then they get pretty dark and bushy for a couple of days {and if i’m totally honest, i liked them in this stage and will be going a little darker when i go in for my retouch}, and then they start to go through a flaky period which is itchy. like, really itchy. and you can’t touch them which is slightly annoying. the tattoo goo helps and it’s a good sign because it’s healing, it’s just pretty annoying because they’re so itchy. after this, to the naked eye, they will look healed although your skin still has some healing to do. they may also be a little light until your touch-up session, which is used to reinforce the color and fading. after the touch-up, you will have the same healing process as the initial session and then CONGRATS you’ll have your perfect brows!

i often don’t wear makeup…will i always have to wear makeup or will i look weird without??
this was a question i asked too! i often will not wear makeup and didn’t want to look or feel like i had to have my makeup done…and i don’t. i opted for a very natural, low-maintenance brow which misty took into consideration when designing my brows and choosing the color. i am so happy with how they look and as i said previously, i will probably go a smidge darker for my touch up!

how do i care for my new brows?
you should receive thorough directions from the person doing your brows before you leave, but the gist is they absolutely can’t get wet for 24 hours after being completed…no sweat, swimming, showers, washing face. NO TOUCHING! then for 10 days, no sweating, no sun, no wind {think boating/motorcycles} and very brief showers. you don’t want your brows being soaked or getting soggy! you also DO NOT want scabbing! scabbing leads to blurring/fading. one of my strokes did have a little scabbing and with misty’s help, i was able to properly care for it and it healed up perfectly. you should have some form of tattoo goo from your artist and that will help the process as well! you don’t ever want to be picking or touching until they are healed. 

do i still need to pluck/wax?
YES! this will not in some way take away the actual hairs that are growing…it is literally just a tattoo in place of. if you are changing the shape at all, you will probably have a little more plucking to do! 

what if i change my hair color?
you will typically want to match your natural brow color rather than what color your hair is. even if i got pink hair, i’m not doing my brows pink… i’m going to be heading blonde again here soon and i would look really weird with blonde brows…so natural it is!

is this safe while breastfeeding + pregnant?
i think the general consensus is a big fat NO if you are pregnant and then it varies by artist for breastfeeding. it really just comes down to the fact that you need to work with your pediatrician and artist if you are concerned. 

where do you get your lashes done?
lash + microblading boutique! misty has been doing my lashes as well and i get the volume lashes!

does she offer other services?
misty offers a variety of other services including:
microblading
lash extensions
lash + brow tinting
full body waxing
men’s waxing

how can i contact misty?!
if you’re in the dayton area, you need to check misty out! you can find her on facebook HERE, call her at 937-293-5700 and find her studio at 2311 Far Hills Ave, Suite 101, Oakwood, OH 45419