Lamination isn’t just for paper anymore; it’s also the term for a cutting-edge, non-invasive way to spruce up your eyebrows. Brow lamination has become one of the hottest beauty trends in the last couple of years, and it’s possibly something you should consider putting into your beauty regime.
Bigger eyebrows continue to be big this year – and for a good reason. According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, dark brows are one of the biggest keys to looking younger. It turns out that younger faces have more contrast in their lips and eyebrows, and your brows tend to fade as you age.
There are many ways to darken your eyebrows. On one end of the spectrum, makeup is the easiest, but it can easily smear and fade; plus, it’s tedious to add to the morning ritual. On the other side, you can tattoo your eyebrows, but — ouch. Microblading is a semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo that uses hair-like strokes to darken and fill in the brows. There are various options between tinting, microfeathering, henna, powder brows, brow extensions, and microshading. The list goes on, with pros and cons along the way, and is nothing short of overwhelming.
This is why increasingly more women are turning to the latest alternative for brow beautification: eyebrow lamination.
What is Brow Lamination?
This non-invasive, quick procedure essentially redirects your brow hair to make your eyebrows look fuller and more even. It gives them a brushed, slick, high-shine appearance.
Because it uses a chemical solution to change the hair, some people liken it to an eyebrow “perm,” minus the curls (and only semi-permanent). In fact, brow lamination can actually straighten up wonky or curly hair. The “setting lotion” is applied to shaped, brushed-up brows, and the hair stays for about six weeks, maybe up to two months.
If you’re familiar with lash lifts, think of it like that, but for your brows.
What is the Process?
The brow lamination procedure starts by applying a special cream to the hair. The cream allows the hairs to be reshaped. They’re then brushed into their new shape, and a second cream (a neutralizer) is applied to make the new shape stick. It ends with oil to moisturize. You can add on waxing, tweezing, additional shaping, or tinting from there.
The procedure started in Russia and quickly took off in Europe. Essentially, it smoothes and lifts your brow hairs (imagine them more vertical, giving them a larger footprint to fill in gaps). It’s like brow gel, except better.
Who is Brow Lamination For?
Many people who benefit from brow lamination are a bit older or have thin brows from age or waxing too much. Lamination can even out eyebrows to make them look more symmetrical (doesn’t everyone have one “good” eyebrow and one that just will not cooperate?). If you have hairs that grow in random directions or your brows are hard to tame, you’ll love lamination.
This is also a great alternative for people who want better brows but don’t want to use tattoo ink (even if it’s semi-permanent) or needles.
If your skin is prone to dryness or eczema or is sensitive, the treatment may not be for you, as it does involve chemicals and close proximity to delicate eyelids and eyes. Chemically treating the brows, as with any skin, can also make them dry or break.
But overall, the process is less invasive and painful (as in, not at all) than most brow treatments, and it can make a big impact on a budget.
How to Maintain Brow Lamination
Now they will not last forever, but you can definitely extend the life of your brow lamination with a bit of maintenance. You’ll find that depending on the type of brow lamination that you use the effects can last anywhere from 4-8 weeks. This depends on your actual eyebrows, as well as how well you maintain the area both before and after the procedure.
This includes not getting your brows wet for a minimum of 24 hours (72 is better) after performing the lamination and not cleansing your face with harsh chemicals (try not to use facial cleansers with glycolic acid or salicylic acid as ingredients). Also, do not use any cleanser that features exfoliation. Only use items on your face around the eye area that are gentle and free of harsh ingredients.
The final decision of whether to get started with brow lamination is up to you. Imagine how you will feel each day waking up to perfectly aligned brows and possibly a few random compliments as you go throughout your day.
Add brow lamination to some other spa beauty treatments, such as eyelash extension, and you may find you are in love with yourself or at least your eyes!
Interested in brow lamination? Here are some DIY kits that won’t break the bank.
Pros: Lift your brows up to 6 times with one single kit.
Pros: 2-in-1 professional lift for fuller eyebrows and longer lashes.
Pros: Suitable for eyebrow shaping, used to tame irregular eyebrows, and enhance eyebrow color.
Read Next:
3 Solutions for Fading Eyebrows
Microblading Eyebrows: Look Younger in Just a Few Hours
Brow Power!!! The Guide to Perfect Eyebrows
