I’ve spent the better part of my adult life filling in my sparse brows. I feel more confident when they’re THERE versus looking patchy. Your brows really do frame your face. Some women can’t leave the house without putting on mascara; I can’t leave mine without putting on my brows.
So, after hearing about the process of microblading, I embarked on a journey to Connecticut last summer to get my brows done with a friend. I saved pictures of brows I liked on Pinterest and Instagram. I researched the process and what it involved. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to walk around with on my face. Ultimately, I settled on what microblading actually provides, which is an enhancement of what I already have sans pencils and powders (and being terrified of sweat and rain in the event I had to be seen in public, with brows running down my face).
The process took all of about an hour (she moved very quickly), but I’ve heard of it taking between 2-3 hours depending on the location and the process. I felt comfortable and pain-free after leaving.
We went for brunch right after; no need to cover my face and run for home. The healing process was fairly simple. I had to avoid getting my brows wet and avoid the sun (no big deal - I practically catch on fire outside), and apply a cream to my brows to aid in the healing process. No picking and no itching. Easy peasy.
Fast forward a couple of days into healing, my brows looked DARK. I’m blonde and fair skinned with freckles, so when I say dark, that means they were a medium brown. In hindsight, they looked completely fine.
The hardest part was not picking at them when they started to scab (I’m a huge Dr. Pimple Popper fan...).
Fast forward to now, around the time I need to get these babies refreshed. Knowing an annual refresh is due soon (I’m oily so the promise of up to 3 years of retention is not the case for me), I’ve taken more than a passing interest in permanent and semi-permanent makeup. I want to touch my own brows up!
While I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Sciences and am an engineer by day, I’ve always had an artistic and creative side. I loved drawing when I was younger, I love decorating, I love makeup, I love all things aesthetic and eye-pleasing.
Does loving aesthetically-pleasing things make me shallow? I am an onion - I have layers. I smell a little better, though. I was a quiet child, an awkward middle-schooler, and a very boisterous high-schooler. I was an introverted nerd in college and am a somewhat sarcastic and flamboyant young professional.
I am a woman involved in STEM, I am analytical and artistic. I am assertive and empathetic. I love problem-solving and being a working woman, but I also love to pamper myself and others and decompress with some cheese (a LOT of cheese) and a glass of wine. I am an athlete and a scholar, yada yada yada.
I’m fortunate enough to have my eyesight so best believe I’m going to make the most of it and drink in what’s around me and make my mark when afforded the opportunity. Getting involved in this industry is a wonderful outlet for that.
“But Yvonne, microblading is so expensive.” I know. But, much like a tattoo or good quality makeup, you get what you pay for. And if you don’t, you shouldn’t settle for sub-par anything. If I’m going to drop $500+ on anything at all, I’m going to make sure it’s worthwhile.
“But Yvonne, is it worthwhile?” I’m glad you asked. I think it is! If eyes are the windows to the soul, then eyebrows are the valances to those soul windows. I don’t want bare windows or gaudy curtains, y’all. I also don’t want to have to remake them or rehang them daily.
In short, I think anything that makes you feel good about yourself is a worthwhile venture.
Life is too short for bad food, a bad job, or bad brows.
