There’s something undeniably captivating about a robust set of brows. They frame your face, accentuate your eyes, and can dramatically influence your overall look. Enter combination brows, the beauty game-changer that’s got the permanent makeup world hooked.
But if you’re curious about this eyebrow wonder, let this be your ultimate guide. From decoding combination brows to why they’re worth embracing, we’ve got it all covered.
Combo brows are a game-changer in the beauty world, providing an avenue for enhanced beauty and self-expression.
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Benefits that Make Combo Brows a Trendsetter
If you’ve ever wanted a break from the daily ritual of filling in your brows or longed to experience fuller, more defined eyebrows, combination brows could be your savior. Imagine waking up to perfectly styled brows every day, with zero effort needed from your end.
A combo brows treatment is a combination of microblading, a technique that uses micro-thin needles to deposit pigment onto your skin, and shading (think ombre brows). This results in multidimensional brows that are not just natural-looking, but also robust enough to fill in gaps, cover scars, or give volume to tails that may have thinned out with age or hormonal changes.
If you’re looking for a full guide to better understand these techniques used in combo brows, we recommend reading our articles on microblading and ombre powder brows.
What makes combination brows a true trendsetter, however, isn’t just its ability to produce instantly stunning results. It’s also its remarkable adaptability.
Your artist will create the perfect color match for your brows that satisfies your skin tone and hair color while addressing any shape changes you may want.
However, it’s always good to remember that while combination brows are long-lasting, some fading over time is a natural part of the process. Luckily, a touch-up session is all you need to keep your brows in trendsetting shape.
Why Combination Brows Are Your Ultimate Beauty Secret
Combination brows, a cosmetic procedure that creates the illusion of fuller, neater brows without the fuss, saves precious time in your daily routine. The power of the brow doesn’t stop there! They also enhance your facial aesthetics, providing an ultimate, low-maintenance beauty secret.
List of Ways Combo Brows Can Benefit You:
- Time-saving: Eliminate the need for daily brow makeup application, saving time in your morning routine.
- Confidence Boost: Restore confidence for individuals with sparse, overplucked, or asymmetrical eyebrows.
- Low Maintenance: Enjoy long-lasting results without the hassle of frequent touch-ups or reapplications.
- Waterproof: PMU brows are resistant to water, sweat, and smudging, ensuring they stay intact throughout the day.
- Medical Reasons: Aid those with conditions like alopecia, trichotillomania, or undergoing chemotherapy by providing natural-looking brows.
- Athletic Lifestyle: Perfect for athletes or individuals with active lifestyles who need makeup that stays put during physical activity.
- Convenience: Say goodbye to smudged or fading eyebrows, as PMU brows maintain their shape and color for an extended period.
Benefit for Individuals with Alopecia or Trichotillomania
Moreover, for individuals with conditions like alopecia or trichotillomania, combination brows offer a significant benefit. They provide a solution for those who may struggle with sparse or missing eyebrows due to these conditions, restoring confidence and a sense of normalcy to their appearance.
If you have either of these conditions, you won’t have to worry about creating entirely new brows for yourself every time you walk out of the house or stress about whether your eyebrows are still there when you get out of the pool. It’s life-changing.
Combination Brows vs. Other Brow Treatments
So, you’re probably wondering how combination brows stack up against other brow treatments like microblading, microfeathering, and ombré or microshading. Before we get into it, for a well-rounded idea of all the ways permanent makeup can update your look, read our full PMU guide.
Each technique has its strengths and weaknesses, but here’s what sets combination brows apart:
Microblading
Microblading is a semi-permanent procedure where micro-thin needles, dipped in pigment, are used to deposit color onto the skin’s outer layer, creating the illusion of thicker and neater brow lines.
Microblading can significantly improve the appearance and density of your brows, cover scars, or fill in gaps and extend tails that have thinned out due to age or hormonal changes. This procedure is a godsend if you desire fuller brows without the daily hassle of applying makeup.
Microfeathering
On the flip side, microfeathering uses a similar needle technique to microblading but creates a lighter, more natural look by adding finely applied strokes to the existing hairs. It’s perfect for those who crave some subtle enhancement without going the full length of microblading.
Ombre/Microshading
Yet another method is ombré or microshading, where the effect of a soft pencil or powder “shaded” brow is achieved. It’s typically fit for those seeking a more solid, filled-in look instead of hair-like strokes.
Combo Brows
Now, let’s talk about the enchantment that is combination brows. A dreamy fusion of microblading and shading, combination brows offer the best of both worlds – the natural, hair-like strokes of microblading and the softer, powder-fill effect of shading. The result? A fuller, more defined but still believable brow. If you can’t decide between precision and softness, why not have both?
Combo brows make a really good choice for someone with little to no brow hair. This is because the strokes alone will stand out as being flatter to your face, but when combined with microshading, you get a fuller look that hides some of the strokes.
While all these procedures hold their merit, the popularity of combination brows is no accident – it’s about the beautiful balance they craft between precision and soft shadowing. However, remember that the suitability of a brow treatment also hinges on individual aspects like your skin type, lifestyle, and personal aesthetic preferences.
All Factors of Combo Brows: Cost, Lifespan, and Pain Level
When you’re considering combination brows, there’s more to the equation than just the beautiful results. Let’s explore the other essentials everyone wants to know: costs, how long they last, and if it hurts.
How Much Do Combination Brows Cost?
From a financial perspective, remember, combination brows are an investment, and like any good investment, they require some moolah upfront. However, the cost varies greatly, influenced by factors such as the reputation and experience of your chosen technician, your location, and the specific details of the work involved.
For example, getting your brows done in a major city like LA or New York will cost you more than finding an artist in Kansas City. If you’re trying out someone new to the profession or getting your brows done at a school, it will cost less than a seasoned professional.
How Long Do Combo Brows Last?
The lifespan of combination brows is another crucial element to consider. The truth is, while they are long-lasting, you should brace for the fact that your brows will fade over time.
Factors like lifestyle choices, the pigment you choose, and aspects like your skin’s texture will impact how long they last. However, with adequate care and periodic touch-ups, you can expect your new brows to last between 1-3 years.
Remember, achieving the perfect brows is not a one-time affair, it’s an ongoing relationship.
Does it Hurt?
Thankfully, the answer to this for combo brows (or really any brow PMU service) is typically “no.”
Beauty is pain, right? Wrong.
A numbing cream is applied to minimize discomfort during the process. However, sensitivity can vary from person to person. While most people report feeling a bit of scratching or mild pressure, it’s rarely described as painful.
If you’re particularly concerned about discomfort, it’s a topic worth discussing with your technician before the procedure.
Getting Combination Brows: Choosing the Right Technician
If you’re anticipating a combination brows treatment, there’s one key aspect you’ll need to get just right – choosing the right technician.
Find a brow tattoo specialist in your area who offers microblading services and microshading or ombre brows. Their site will often state that they do combo brows, specifically.
Don’t Rush the Process
Like any good brows, finding an artist to give you semi-permanent ones takes time.
Keep in mind the importance of meticulous research; finding a professional that meets your personal beauty standards is no simple task.
Here are some tips:
- Look for technicians tagged in Instagram photos, which may provide a real-life, uncensored view of their work. You can also go directly to the artist’s Instagram and ensure they have loads of work for you to look at.
- A good 40% of your process should happen on review sites like Yelp and Google. Previous client experiences are like a window into what your experience will be like. If everyone else has been unhappy, you can expect that you will be as well.
- Schedule a consultation! Do not be shy about asking every question you have and getting the details of everything from their health and safety standards to their process of choosing a color.
Make sure to find photos of healed results, as they will give you a more accurate representation of their work. While inspiration photos are beneficial to bring to your consult, bear in mind that outcomes may vary based on your natural features.
Feel Comfortable
The right technician will ensure your comfort during the procedure – an integral part of which is the initial consultation where your color options and style preferences are discussed. You’ll want someone who takes the time to apply numbing cream, carefully draw your new brow shape with a pencil, and most importantly, customize the process based on your unique features and the results you desire.
You should feel comfortable with this person! You absolutely will want to ask for changes and it’s important to feel like there is an open line of communication between you and your technician.
Quality Over Everything
One final factor when choosing your brow transformation artist is the quality of their tools and inks. If these don’t pass muster, risks include uneven brows and faded results over time, necessitating touch-ups.
How to Care for Your Brows Post-Procedure: Essential Aftercare Tips
Aftercare is a central factor in maintaining the integrity of your combination brows.
Proper care will not only protect your new brows but also ensure that the pigment exudes lasting vibrancy. Turn your meticulousness up a notch; certain activities and products should be avoided for optimal results.
Listen to your professional! They should provide you with all the information you need and even a packet full of items you should use to ensure you heal the best you can.
In the first week post-procedure, you must do all you can to keep your eyebrows dry.
This means avoiding any and all water including activities that induce sweating like going to the gym and foregoing your daily sunbathing routine (if you’re so lucky).
You should also stay away from brow makeup while your brows are still healing to avoid discoloration. Honestly, you won’t even need it for a long while.
Avoid the sun! Keep in mind that you will need to actively apply sunscreen once your brows are fully healed to protect them from fading. However, even as they heal and you cannot yet apply sunscreen, the sun must be avoided.
Apply a light layer of ointment given to you by your PMU artist or anything they instruct such as aquaphor.
Important note: this must be a very light layer or you will suffocate your skin and impact healing.
Real Brows Los Angeles
Locating reliable sources for combination brows can be a daunting task. If you’ve appreciated our expertise and insights, why not schedule a consultation with us?
At Real Brows, we’re dedicated to helping you reclaim your confidence and streamline your daily routine with our permanent makeup solutions.
Still unsure? Connect with us on Instagram for a glimpse into our portfolio!
