To help protect you during your appointment I would like to let you know of precautions that are taken at all times to prevent the spread of infectious diseases:

• Using powerful disinfectant cleaners Virex and Cavicide to clean and sanitize all surfaces. These products comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for bloodborne pathogens. Used in healthcare and other facilities where cleaning and prevention of cross-contamination are critical.
• Allowing for proper disinfecting/sterilizing between clients. 
• Allotting time for proper sterile set up between clients.
• Sterile set ups with one use disposable products.
• New clean gloves are used for each client.
• Using a shield mask when working on clients.
• Hand sanitizer for you to use during your appointment.
• If you have an underlying condition that suppresses your immune system, have a fever, persistent cough, cold, or flu please stay home (you shouldn’t be out and about around anyone).  I practice what I preach and I don’t jeopardize your health if I’m sick and require you to do the same.
• If you’re not feeling well, please try to reschedule within 48 hours of your appointment. 

Other Precautions FYI:

• Above all take care to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This should especially be done after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. In the event that soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; throw used tissues in the trash. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, computers, phones, keyboards, sinks, toilets and counter tops.

Your health and safety are first and foremost at Bellissimo Brows. A clean sterile studio environment is key to preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

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Do you have a favorite on the go sunscreen?  If so please share because I’m always looking for great products that actually work! 

When you’re ready for beautiful brows contact me, I would love to be the artist that makes your brow experience great!  

The post Sunscreen As Part Of Your Brow Aftercare Routine! appeared first on Bellissimo Brows.

Getting your brows microbladed is a two phase process, your initial appointment and your first touch up!  During your initial appointment, your brow shape and color will be determined before the actual microblading process starts.  Once you finish, you will see your brows for the first time and the excitement will set in!  Your brows will look fresh, defined and probably dark.  But since you won’t really see the final results until after your brows heal, what you see will make you feel like the process is complete.  Before you get excited and think that you don’t have to come back for a year or two, understand that as your brows heal, your healed results might look different. You might need shape and/or color corrections, or you may need some shading.  This is why your first touch up is essential to perfecting your brows!

 

When do you need the first touch up?

Because the final result isn’t apparent right after your first appointment, you will need to return for a follow up touch up at 4 to 6 weeks. Your brows will heal lighter by the time you come back for your follow up.  While I don’t charge for my first touch up, I would advise that if you’re getting your brows done by someone else, you confirm whether or not the microblading artist charges for the first follow up.  I include the first touch up, because I want my clients to come back so that I can make sure that their brows are on point!

 

What to expect at your follow up touch up….

At your first follow up, one of the first things that I look for with microblading clients, is whether the microblading has healed to crisp fine strokes.  If the healed strokes are still visible, I will see how the skin has retained the color.  If your color retention is good, then I look at shape corrections and make adjustments to the shape accordingly.

Clients who have oily skin may experience more fading than someone with dry skin.  Their microbladed brows may not be as dark as they would like them to be.  The hair strokes may be blurred, but the shape is excellent.  There is a misconception that all people of color have oily skin, but that this is not always the case.  For all clients with oily skin, at this point I will discuss going for more of a powdered look.  This will allow you to still have a defined brow that you don’t have to draw or pencil in everyday!

Make sure you schedule your follow up….

Long story short lol, most people will not notice any unevenness, lack of pigment retention, or slight misshapes until after a few weeks.  This is the reason that you need to come back for your first follow up touch up!  I want my clients to have perfected brows that they can wake up to everyday for as long as possible:)!  So the first thing you should do after your initial appointment is schedule your follow up appointment, because I want everyone to have Bellissimo Brows!!

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Color matching your brows will be the next step after deciding your brow shape, when you come in for your microblading appointment!  This is an important step because you don’t want brows that don’t match the rest of you!  Making sure that the color will heal to a color that matches your natural brow or hair color is decided at this point.  In addition, because there are various undertones to our skin, picking the right color to complement your skin undertone helps to ensure that your color won’t gray out or fade to an unflattering color.  Just the same, someone with naturally blond hair should not have an ebony brown brow.  Nor should someone with existing dark brows have a light brown microbladed brow!  Which is why this time is taken to properly match the pigment to the brow hair, natural hairline, and the skins undertone.

Mixing and matching…..

I do not know of anyone who wants to have an unnaturally colored brow!  Nope, not a purple, green, or red brow!  Which is why today’s microblading pigments, that are made specifically for the the face,  are produced to look more natural.  True to color healed results are supported by rich quality pigment colors.

As a microblading artists, I believe in investing in quality products for my clients. Having quality pigments that give my client’s natural looking results is very important!  I’m able to mix colors so that you have crisp natural looking microbladed strokes that match your hair and skin!  So never, do you ever, want to go against the recommended color match because it could have some odd results!  With that said, make an appointment now if you want beautiful Bellissimo brows all the time!!

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Is microblading painful, does it hurt?

“Is microblading painful” or “does it hurt”, is one of the main questions that I always get from clients.  Having been on the other side of the microblading needles, I will say that my personal experience was tolerable.  I was more anxious to see my improved brows, than I was about any discomfort.  Not saying that there wasn’t discomfort, but it was nothing compared to sitting in the dentist chair (if that helps lol).  On the other hand, some people have a very low tolerance for pain.  So what was more of an annoyance for me, might be a whole different experience for someone else.  Fortunately for those who are skittish about getting their brows microbladed, we numb you during the process.

What the clients say….

One of my first clients, was my 75 year old mother.  Who has never had anything permanent done outside of getting her ears pierced way back in the day.  Putting this into perspective, she had her ears pierced the old fashioned way with a potato and a hot needle.  That’s how they did it back then, there weren’t any piercing guns lol!  So needless to say, she was a little skeptical about the pain.  After adding the first strokes for her new brows, her initial reaction was that it wasn’t that bad.  So before going back over the first strokes and adding some additional ones, I numbed her to lessen any discomfort.  She was surprised to notice that she could barely feel any discomfort throughout the rest of the process.  I’m explaining all of this not to say that you will have the same experience, but to let you know that it is all in how you tolerate pain.  For those of who have had tattoos, you may have a better understanding of what it may feel like.

Client comfort is key…..

I want my clients to be comfortable and at ease.  To start, I provide an atmosphere with calming aromatherapy and music (your choice or mine) to help make you more relaxed during the process.  Once we decide on your brow shape, I begin the process of microblading your brows.  With the first pass I don’t go deep enough to insert the pigment, so you may feel a little discomfort.  The first pass allows me to apply the numbing gel that will get into your skin so that the gel is more effective.  Once you’re numb I go back through the initial strokes to get deeper into the dermis and deposit the pigment.  At this point most people don’t feel anything, but some do.  If I have to go back over the strokes again to get the pigment in deeper, I will add more numbing gel to ease any discomfort.  All in all, the actual microblading process takes about 30-45 minutes.

What you don’t want is for the microblading artist not to get into upper dermis “sweet spot” because that is where they need to be to create nice crisp strokes that retain retain the pigment.  If they don’t deposit the pigment into the skin deep enough, your microblading will fade and you will most likely need to have it touched up sooner.

Hopefully this helps prepare you for your microblading and helps to ease some of your thoughts and answer some of your questions!  Please feel free to reach out to me if you have more questions:)

The post Is Microblading Painful? appeared first on Bellissimo Brows.

From this day forward, you will probably pay more attention to other peoples brows, as well as your own!  You will notice that a persons brows, although they might look similar, do vary from person to person.  Sometimes you will see one brow that is sparser than the other, or one brow may appear to be higher, and the list goes on and on.  What ever the variance, microblading can help to even out the differences making them more balanced.  Although you do have to keep in mind that they will probably never be 100% symmetric.

Eyebrows frame your face and when they’re well groomed, they can take your overall look from drab to fab.  Not everyone has the same eyebrow shape, so working with your microblading artist on the best shape for your brows to enhance your face is important.  Your microblading artist will make sure that the symmetry and shape are balanced before starting your procedure.  If you have a prominent brow bone, your brows will be fuller.  The opposite applies if you have a delicate brow bone, your brows will be slimmer.  Your eyebrows should be similar in shape and size and may not be perfectly matched, but should be balanced.  As the saying goes, “Brows should be sisters and not twins”!

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Semi-permanent makeup has exploded in the beauty industry and microblading has become the new rage in leading the way!  Consequently, semi-permanent makeup artist are not created equal!  So, there are a few important things to look for before getting any semi-permanent makeup service!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SEMI-PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST..

While looking for an artist to create your new look, consider these things:

1. Find artist that have trained through highly regarded training programs.  Training for 2 or 3 days does not make you a semi-permanent makeup artist.  It takes hours of training and practice (and don’t let anyone tell you differently).
2. Does the artist/studio have insurance?
3. Have they gone through blood-borne pathogen training? This is very important!  You want to make sure the person providing your service is taking all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Another thing to note is that semi-permanent makeup regulations vary from state to state.  For instance, my studio is located in Maryland and state regulations prohibit cosmetic tattooing/semi-permanent makeup artist from working in establishments that offer cosmetology services.  Therefore, businesses that offer hair, nail, or esthetician (facials, waxing, peels, etc.), are not allowed to do any semi-permanent makeup services.  That means, your nail salon should not be offering to do your microblading or any other semi-permanent makeup services!  Check your state and local regulations or health department to find out what regulations your artist has to abide by.

Don’t hesitate to ask about the artists credentials and training beforehand.  Make sure that the artist has undergone a stringent training program under a master artist.  Ask if they practice proper blood born pathogen protection during their services.  When consulting about your appointment, all these key factors should be considered.

I have over 800 hours of training under a master semi-permanent makeup artist and have taken continued education training to ensure that I put out the best work possible  Increased interest in semi-permanent makeup services has resulted in 2-3 day training classes.   A weekend class without practice and supervision doesn’t provide sufficient training.  Don’t let anyone near your brows that hasn’t undergone extensive training!!

The post Things You Should Know Before Getting Semi-Permanent Makeup appeared first on Bellissimo Brows.

If any of the conditions below apply to you, you may not be a good candidate for microblading: 

• ​Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, keloids, flaking skin, or rosacea
• Oily skin
• Pregnant or lactating
• Diabetic
• On daily blood thinning medications
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Taking Accutane or Isotretinoin (you must be off of it for a year)
• Cancer and undergoing chemotherapy

Understanding your medical history is key to knowing whether you’re able to get microblading!

Having oily skin doesn’t mean you can’t have gorgeous brows!

The one condition above that may have other options, is oily skin.  Read on below to see what semi-permanent makeup options you have to wake up with Bellissimo/Beautiful brows every morning!

Oily skin requires different considerations when microblading. If you have oily skin, please understand why you may not be a good candidate for microblading.

An experienced brow artist will look at your skin to determine if you have oily skin.  If the first thing you see when a client walks in is a shiny face, you know they have oily skin.  If a client uses mattifying makeup or moisturizers, the artist may not be able to tell, so make sure that you let your artist know that you have oily skin.

Microblading is cosmetic tattooing, so the artist is placing pigment underneath the skin.  People with oily skin could experience brows that fade quicker and they may need more frequent touch ups.  You may also experience strokes that expand/blur more than someone who has normal, less oily, skin.

What do you do if you have oily skin and want bellissimo brows?  Consider ombre’ powder brows or microblading + shading combo!

Powder Brows are better suited for those who have very oily skin.  Unlike microblading, it is performed with a PMU device.  But unlike microblading, the artist recreates a powder brow look instead of individual hair strokes.

If you are set on your new brow look having hair strokes, you can talk to your artist about a microblading/shading combo (dependent on how oily your skin is).  The artist will draw some hair strokes and add shading to the body of the brow, giving it a fuller look that will create a beautiful shape.

So, although microblading may not be an option, there may be other services that may help you achieve beautiful brows. Please consult with the artist who will perform your procedure to discuss services that are more suitable to you.

The post Are you a candidate for microblading? appeared first on Bellissimo Brows.

Men are prone to the the same brow issues that women have.  Sparse brow hair caused by age, genetics, chemotherapy, auto immune disorders such alopecia and thyroid conditions, can also affect men.  Male brow issues are real!  Fortunately for the guys, microblading has become a more common option for men who want to improve or enhance their look.

Suggested brow options for the guys are:

• Microblading – Microblading is ideal for anyone wanting to enhance the look of their eyebrows. The results are natural looking, hair-like strokes, regardless of the amount of natural brow hair present.
• Micoblading w/shading – This gives the fellas a brow with hair strokes and shading that can make the brow appear fuller.  This is great for guys who previously had bushy brows.

Male brow shapes should be determined by the current brow hairs and brow bone.  Because men tend to have more prominent features this helps to make sure that the brow has a more rugged look.  The goal is to fill out the existing brows if they’re sparse and to create a masculine brow if they’re non-existent.

As with all other microblading procedures, this requires a two-step process. For best results, new clients are offered one complimentary touch up session. Session must take place approximately 4- 6 weeks after the initial procedure to perfect the brows.

Following aftercare instructions are key to obtaining a long lasting brow enhancement for the guys too!

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Microblading has exploded in the permanent makeup industry!  Notably, microblading was popular in Asia for years before the US caught on.  But, it didn’t take long for it to be one of the fastest growing permanent makeup services across the country.

Microblading utilizes a handheld multi-bladed pen that makes hair-like strokes.  Strokes are so realistic, they mimic real brow hair.  Traditional tattooed brows were done with a tattoo gun.  Not only did they look unnatural, they faded to colors that weren’t flattering!  Here is a short summary of tattooed brow versus microbladed brow facts:

Old School Tattooed Brows

• Traditional tattoo machines created unflattering brows.
• Old school pigments faded to orange, blue or green colors that didn’t look natural.
• Pigments were deposited deeper into the skin.
• You didn’t need to maintain them regularly because they were considered “permanent”.

Microblading 

• A multi-bladed hand held tool creates crisp hair strokes.
• 3D brows, feathered brows and embroidered brows are all considered microblading .
• Because they are deposited into the upper part of the dermis, microblading is semi-permanent and will fade over time.
• Microblading pigments are formulated specifically for use on the face.
• Depending on your skin type and how quickly the pigment fades due to other factors, microblading will need to be maintained annually.

On a side note, this is the reason why you go to a microblading artist, not a tattoo artist.

The first you get microblading done it time may take 2-3 hours from prep to finish.  But unlike traditional tattooed brows, touch-ups are necessary to maintain the desired look.

I hope that this answers some of your questions about microblading!

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