Disclaimer: I had taken photos from day 1 to day 14 AND videotaped the entire process for you guys but all my photos AND videos got deleted of this.. I'M SORRY!! I'm more upset than you are! I had my follow up appointment recently so I got some photos of that for you guys.
The idea that I should get my eyebrows microbladed only started after I got them tinted (click here for that post.) I was obsessed with the fact that I could wake up, not have to fill in my eyebrows, and go throughout my day not worrying about wiping them off with my hands by rubbing my face, etc. I made an appointment at Skyn Studio in Chicago because I did my research and checked out their before and after pics on their Instagram. The appointment was 2 hours but only about 30-40 minutes of it was actually the microblading. Microblading is a semi new tattoo technique for eyebrows. They draw on hair strokes to make it look as natural as possible. The first hour, me and the artist went over what shape I was wanting, what color I needed, and things like that. She put numbing lotion on them for about 10 minutes and then measured out my brows to a tee and used a ruler and everything to get symmetric brows and make sure they looked perfect. Here's a pic of what it looks like on someone else. (I had taken pictures of this on myself too ... Ugh I hate to even be reminded of the footage as I write this post) But for mine, she did make them look thicker and higher which at first I was nervous but now I'm glad I don't have 1990's type eyebrows.
When you see the outlined brows, she told me to look at the inner line because it’s not going to look as big as I think it looks outlined. As she was finishing up, I was so excited to see the final look. BUT (You should probably not get your hopes up because you will MOST LIKELY not like them that first day.) Not going to lie, I was so upset when I first saw the microbladed eyebrows. All the things they told me, like that they will look a lot darker, a lot bigger, until they heal were true. I thought, "what the hell did I do! Why did I do this!" But just wait!!
RIGHT AFTER WITH SOME CREAM ON THEM
After probably the 5th day, I was in love. The first 5 days or so they are still pretty dark, and then from day 6 to 14, they scab over (since it is a tattoo that you got.) While they scab, you are NOT to peel off the scabbing because it can peel off the color too. It wasn’t as uncomfortable as I thought it’d be, I just had to pat my eyebrows if they were itchy. Once the scabbing was done they were so much lighter and I actually miss how dark they were in the first few days! After 14 days I started also putting a little bit of powder on them just to make them just look defined and pop out more. After 6 weeks, you can now go for your follow up (which should usually be included in your appt cost) and there you will touch up any places that need more hairs and you can darker it up a bit.
It also did not hurt! I actually enjoyed the process (I'm a freak) but there are precare instructions like don't drink alcohol 24 hours before, or take aspirin. Also if you are close to your period, you will be sensitive and it might hurt around that time. So as long as you follow the rules, you should be good.
Aftercare instructions: For two weeks, do not wash them with tough face wash (they recommend to use Cetaphil or Cerave), pat them dry only, don't peel off the scabbing. After 2 weeks you can put powder if you need and treat them regularly!
Kristen at Skyn Studio did my eyebrows and her Instagram is linked here.
The process costs about $525 (with a principle artist and for hair stroke microblading) and you only have to go for touch ups every year or 2 (dependent on skin) If your skin is more oily, you may need to go every year or 6 months. The touch ups cost about $150-250.
If you say my name (Ela Bobak) you will receive 10 %off.
In the end I'm so glad I did it and it's much less work in the morning to get ready! Let me know if you have any questions!
BEFORE AND AFTER
(right after the session)
I actually went to a wedding the same day I got it done. (below)
1 month later below (filled in with some powder)
BEFORE
PHOTO BEFORE THE MICROBLADING (BUT TINTED) (SEE HOW MUCH THINNER THEY WERE!)
My terrible powdering below. Jesus, the left eyebrow looks so much different than the right! This was in 2015 when Colin and I went on vacation to Spain together after 6 months of dating! That was a true test. :)
During my follow up (below)
After 6 weeks you go for a follow up. She outlined them again and used a darker color this time so it all blends together well. The top is the section that I don't have hair so it looks a lot more blended now.
FINAL LOOK AFTER FOLLOW UP (BELOW)
(Disregard my scary eyes...I'll post some updates on my instagram once the scabbing is over!)
Thanks to Skyn Studio for collaborating with me and providing the microblading service for this post.
xoxo ela