Spilling the Tea on Powder Brows
Permanent makeup (or PMU) is taking the beauty world by storm (imagine not having to fill in your eyebrows - I mean seriously). In a society where convenience is key, PMU is a great option for saving time and money in the long run.
Columbus’ premier permanent makeup salon, Oasis by Plush, has offered permanent makeup in the form of eyeliner, lip blush and powder brows for the past three years. The fabulous salon owner, Christina Abelita, has created a business that is truly cutting edge in terms of products and services offered for clients.
I knew powder brows were a beauty service that I wanted to invest in for the sheer time-saving factor. My sister, Madeline, an Oasis by Plush PMU artist known popularly on social media as “BadMad,” easily convinced me to be one of her initial powder brow clients. Her attention to detail is unmatched and this was absolutely one of my favorite decisions of 2020!
During this process, the eyebrows are first “mapped” by the PMU artist after discussing preferences and the expectations of the client. Mapping actually takes the longest amount of time during the entire first session. Basically, measurements are made to ensure the powder brows will be symmetrical in width and shape. The artist also swatches 3-4 pigment shades on the skin to find a perfect match! The natural brows are then numbed with topical Lidocaine before the PMU artist makes the “first pass,” or the initial brow outline with the tattoo gun. Three total “passes” are made to ensure the brow pigment retains.
The primary session lasts approximately two and a half hours and for the next three hours after the appointment ends, the brows must be “dabbed” with a paper towel to encourage healthy healing. The brows are tender initially but feel completely normal by morning. You can get your new powder brows wet and workout within 24 hours. During the next week, the brows will shrink and fade by 40 percent. Around days 3-5, clients will notice the top layer of their brows flaking. This is completely normal and a part of the healing process. The brow aftercare is simple and involves basic cleansing and application of a healing gel for the first week.
The touchup appointment will take place 4-6 weeks later. This session is much quicker because the brows don’t need to be mapped! The PMU artist essentially passes over the eyebrows one final time and is able to make any necessary adjustments to color, size and shape. Madeline calls this session the “perfection session” because she works closely with her clients to achieve total satisfaction.
I sat down with BadMad to discuss a few more of the most commonly asked questions regarding powder brows.
Q. Who is the best candidate for powder brows?
A. Everyone is a great candidate! Busy working moms, people who don’t wear makeup - people who do, really anyone that wants to save time and money. Individuals who workout and are active are perfect candidates too because powder brows are sweat proof.
Q. What exactly are powder brows?
A. Powder brows are a permanent makeup technique more well-known in cities like LA and Toronto. This service results in the perfect, powder makeup look. I work with my clients to create a custom brow for their face based on their features and brow preferences. We can go as bold or as natural as you like!
Q. What is the difference between powder brows and microblading?
A. With microblading, the artist takes a bladed tool and scratches the surface layer of the skin to mimic hair strokes. Pigment is then deposited into the cuts. You are not allowed to get your brows wet for several days to a week after the appointment and the results only last 6-12 months. Pigment also tends to turn red or grey in color and blow out (blur on the skin). With powder brows, the artist goes one layer deep into the skin with a singular needle (the machine is similar to a tattoo gun) and results last 3+ years. The pigment will not change color over the course of that time, it will simply disappear from your skin. We recommend an annual touchup to keep the pigment fresh, but it’s not 100% necessary.
Q. How long does each permanent makeup service last?
A. Powder brows last 3 years, eyeliner lasts 5 to 10 and lip blush lasts 2 to 3.
Q. How do most clients rate the pain?
A. Most clients say the pain is moderate and similar to a bee sting. The topical numb really helps!
Q. What if the color is too intense after the first session?
A. I always like to choose a shade in the initial appointment that will heal to a color my client is comfortable with - that way in the “perfection session,” we can go darker if necessary. It’s always better to play it safe and go lighter so we can build up the color in the touchup session.
Overall, I absolutely recommend setting up a consultation if you have been considering permanent makeup. Visit the Oasis by Plush IG page for additional information regarding PMU booking and current promotions.