Brow lamination is all the rage in beauty. This trend is taking over social media and modern beauty treatments, offering a straightforward alternative to microblading or brow tinting. Many Australians are looking to try this new brow-boosting treatment. Whether you’re a beauty enthusiast or just keen to keep up with trends, understanding how brow lamination works will help you get on board. But what is brow lamination, and why is everyone talking about it?
Let’s take a look at what brow lamination is, how it works, the benefits, the potential risks, and some other important information for Australians who are interested in experiencing it.
What is brow lamination: Tame, lift, and define
Brow lamination is a beauty treatment that reshapes the eyebrow hairs to create a fuller, more defined look. It’s sometimes called a ‘brow sculpt’ or a ‘brow lift’ as well. It is simply a process that uses a chemical solution to straighten, redirect, and style the eyebrow area into the shape you want. It fills in sparse areas and styles the hair to stay neat and uniform — and the results can last for several weeks.
How brow lamination works
The brow lamination procedure is carried out in the salon by a qualified brow artist, typically taking around 30 to 45 minutes. Here is a step-by-step overview of how brow lamination is done:
1. Consultation
During the initial consultation, your brow artist will take a look at your natural brows, explore what you want to create, and agree on a shape and finish.
2. Applying the lifting solution
After advice has been given or agreed on, a chemical cream is applied to break the bonds in the hair to allow the brow hairs to be reshaped.
3. Brushing and setting the eyebrows
The brow artist will expertly shape the brow hairs into the preferred style. This often has a feathered or fluffy style.
4. Applying a neutralising solution
A neutralising solution sets the new shape and fixes the hairs into place.
5. Tinting (optional extra)
Some clients add a brow tint to further enhance the brow and add depth of colour.
6. Moisturising treatment
The last stage is for the brow artist to use a hydrating serum to condition the brows and help deal with any irritation that may have been caused.
What benefits does brow lamination offer?
Apart from creating a stylish and more defined look of eyebrows, brow lamination offers many other advantages to Aussie beauty lovers:
- Fuller and more defined eyebrows: Brow lamination involves straightening and setting the hair in a desired direction. It creates a fuller, thicker, and more defined shape for your eyebrows.
- Style untamed hair: It can help to manage and shape even the most unruly hair, laying it down in a more uniform direction. It can also help to optimise the daily styling routines.
- Hassle-free: Eyebrows usually stay fresh and uniform for several weeks, once laminated, minimising the need for daily makeup and styling.
- Non-invasive: Brow lamination is a non-invasive chemical treatment, which does not include needles or cosmetic tattooing.
- Time saving: The treatment significantly helps to shorten the time spent daily on eyebrow shaping.
- Adaptable: It is a personalised treatment. It is your choice whether you want a soft, natural look or a more dramatic, structured shape.
- Refined eyebrows: The treatment helps to correct irregularity and disorganisation, creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing brow shape.
Is brow lamination right for everyone?
Brow lamination may be helpful to anyone who wants to enhance their natural eyebrows. It is suggested for:
- People who are looking to improve the appearance of their eyebrows.
- Individuals with sparse eyebrows or those who are allowing the eyebrows to grow back in.
- Anyone unwilling to undergo microblading or permanent makeup.
- Anyone with unruly or stubborn brow hairs.
However, brow lamination might not be suitable for some people with certain conditions. Let’s look at those individuals:
- It is not safe or recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- It is not suggested for those individuals with eczema or psoriasis around the eye or eyebrow.
- It is not suggested for those who have open wounds or pimples around the eyebrow area, have recently undergone eye surgery, or are experiencing any type of eye infection or irritants.
- It may not be ideal for those with sensitive skin or if there’s sunburn around the eyebrow area.
Pro tip: If you are on any bold thinners (including fish oil or omega), it is suggested to discontinue using them for 48 hours before your appointment for brow lamination. It will help to reduce the risk of bleeding or bruising during the process.
Brow lamination vs microblading
Many people perceive brow lamination and microbalding as the same processes, but these are two different treatments for different purposes. Here is a glimpse of the main differences between these two treatments:
- Purpose: Brow lamination is used to create a fuller, more lifted and neat look of the brow by reshaping the existing brow hairs. On the other hand, microblading aims to enhance and define eyebrows by using micropigmentation for a fuller look.
- Procedure: Brow lamination includes a chemical light perm to outline natural hairs, while microblading is a semi-permanent tattooing of brow strokes.
- Invasiveness: Brow lamination is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that doesn’t involve the use of needles. On the other hand, Microblading is an invasive process involving the use of multiple needles.
- Longevity: The results of brow lamination usually last for 4 to 8 weeks, while the typical result duration of microblading is 1 to 3 years.
- Eyebrow appearance: Brow lamination typically results in soft, voluminous, and perfectly sculpted eyebrows. While microblading recreates hair-like strokes in bare areas.
- Cost: Brow lamination is generally more affordable and typically costs less than microblading, which includes more specialised techniques and tools.
- Maintenance: Brow lamination usually requires regular maintenance to keep the lifted and shaped look. In contrast, microblading requires touch-ups to preserve the shape and colour of eyebrows.
Potential risks and side effects of brow lamination?
Brow lamination is mostly safe when done by a trained professional, but the following potential risks should be considered:
- Skin irritation, itching, redness, or peeling could happen because of the chemicals used.
- Hair becomes dry, brittle, or blows out in exceptional cases if ultra-processed or done too frequently.
- Eye safety risk if the solution gets into the eyes, which could cause chemical irritation or even burns.
- It’s recommended to do a patch test at least 48 hours before the treatment to reduce the risk of any allergic reactions.
Aftercare tips to enhance performance
To keep your brow lamination fresh, follow these simple aftercare steps:
- Avoid getting your brows wet for 24–48 hours.
- Do not apply oils or thick skincare to the area for the first few days.
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and working out or sweating excessively.
- Gently comb your brows each day with a clean spoolie to keep them looking sharp.
- Use a brow conditioning serum to maintain softness and nourishment.
Conclusion
In short, brow lamination is a trendy, affordable way to boost your natural brows with minimal effort. It offers a fuller, lifted, and well-groomed look that remains for weeks. It is best for those Australians who want a polished style of eyebrows without makeup or semi-permanent tattoos. Although it is a safe treatment if done by a professional, proper aftercare is important to avoid any type of chemical irritation.
