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By Lauren Tappan, Town & Country
The topic of brows has been heating up in the beauty world as of late, and perhaps it’s because there has been a variety of increasing brow transformation options— new treatments, exciting products on the market, and even DIY brow experiments emerging on platforms like TikTok. The list goes on and on, but the underlying theme appears to be achieving fuller and more defined brows, and one option in particular that’s been gaining a lot of traction is brow lamination. Why exactly? Well, we have the same question, along with many others, so who better to ask than New York City’s top eyebrow specialist Robin Evans, owner of Robin Evans Brows. Let's start with the basics.
What is brow lamination?
“Brow lamination uses a safe perm solution, which contains an active ingredient called Ammonium Thioglycolate, that temporarily straightens and lifts brow hairs,” says Robin. “Think of it as a similar process to a lash lift, but for your brow hairs instead of your eyelashes.” The ultimate goal of brow lamination is to elongate brow hairs to give the appearance of sleek, brushed-up brows. Although you could give yourself a feathered brow look using brow gel or pomade, brow lamination is a more permanent alternative that keeps your brows in shape for days. How many days exactly? Keep reading.Read More: A Simple Way To Shape Eyebrows Using Tweezers
How long does brow lamination last?
“Brow lamination usually lasts about seven to eight weeks,” Robin explains. However, it’s important to note that during the first 24 hours after your brow lamination treatment, you should avoid rubbing your brows, getting your brows wet, or applying any products (such as creams, oils, or makeup) around the brow area.Why has brow lamination become so popular?
In the beauty world, there are always highly coveted styles that everyone wants to explore, and these days feathered brows are undoubtedly trending. The look itself entails brushed-up brows that emulate a laminated-like effect. “Brow lamination makes brows look fuller, which is ultimately what people are wanting to achieve these days,” says Robin. “It’s a more effective way to attain the full brow trend in comparison to other options. For example, brushing brows with a clear gel will give you a fluffy brow look, but usually these gels have a soft hold, which means that it will only have a temporary effect.”Can I get brow lamination if I have sparse brows?
You certainly can! But ideally, you should pair the brow lamination treatment with a tint. Robin explains why: “If you’re someone who naturally has sparse areas in your brows, then brushing brow hairs upwards can sometimes expose these areas, so if you want to try brow lamination, I would recommend getting a tint as well.”What’s the difference between soap brows and laminated brows?
Soap brows and laminated brows both produce a feathered brow look, but the process of lamination is more permanent as opposed to soap brows, which are quite temporary. To create soap brows, the method entails wetting a spoolie with product— either soap, brow gel, or pomade— and brushing your brows upward to produce a sculpted brow. “Soap brows are great but they’re a temporary fix," says Robin. "If you’re looking for something that will last for days on end, brow lamination provides a longer-lasting effect, and it also gives you a more polished look.”Is brow lamination painful?
Lamination is a non-invasive treatment, so it’s meant to be a painless process. However, Robin warns of a couple of caveats to this statement: “Lamination shouldn’t cause any pain, unless you have extremely dry and sensitive skin, or if you’re using Retin-A, a prescription medication used to treat acne.” Overall, make sure to communicate with your brow stylist about any problems that you may have with skin sensitivity, or any medications that might interfere with the brow lamination treatment.Read More: 8 Mistakes You’re Making When You Fill in Your Eyebrows
Are DIY brow lamination kits safe?
“Before using a DIY kit or trying brow lamination on your own, I would suggest getting a professional lamination treatment first so that you can become more familiar with the process,” says Robin. “The chemicals used in brow lamination kits are pretty minimal, and if you’re following the prescribed directions, you should be fine.” However, if there’s one thing you should keep in mind while embarking on a DIY brow lamination experience is that you should never keep the treatment on for longer than prescribed, as this can cause excessive irritation.Are there any products that people can use to achieve a laminated look without having to go through the treatment process? Yes! A few of Robin’s favorites are Sencha Skin’s The Original High Brow Lamination Kit, Kosas’ Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, and R+Co’s Magic Wand Brow Gel, all of which have a relatively strong hold (so your brows will maintain the laminated look throughout the day).
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