What Is Brow Lamination? Read This Before Your First Appointment
Ever since society moved past the overly tweezed eyebrows of the 1990s, it's become evident that thicker and fuller eyebrows are decidedly "in." Unfortunately, many people have tweezed their brows into oblivion, leaving them searching for ways to achieve perfectly groomed brows. If you're one of those people, you might have heard about brow lamination. Read on to find out more about this popular treatment, as well as the best products for nourishing your brows naturally.
All About Brow Lamination
Brow lamination is a non-invasive, perm-like hair treatment that involves styling the eyebrow hair into the desired shape, making it look polished and sleek. The process helps the eyebrow hair stay in place and helps unruly brows hold their shape. The treatment can sometimes be paired with a brow tint to give you the look of bushy brows. The chemicals used to achieve laminated brows are similar to those of a lash lift.
The brow lamination (or eyebrow perm) technique is suggested for people suffering from thinning or unruly eyebrows, as well as those who want to wear less makeup and save time in the mornings before leaving the house.
"Lamination is perfect for keeping the shape of the brows longer and for nourishing the hair on the brow area regardless of the amount of hair one has," said beauty manufacturing expert Rosi Ross. "Similar to the lash lift, applying treatments to the brows can help the hair to [look] longer."
Ross explained that this technique is a great option if you like that laminated look without filling in your brows daily. The brow lamination cost runs between $30 and $150 and can vary by location, quality of products or the experience level of the esthetician performing the brow services.
Read More: Top 5 Tips If You're “Losing” Your Eyebrows
The Brow Lamination Process
Living your life with perfectly groomed brows 24/7 sounds pretty great, but what is the brow lamination process?
"First the hair is washed with special brow soap and dried," said Ross. "Then a lifting cream is applied on the brows to 'lift' up the hair strands. Afterward, the hair is brushed upward to help pull it in a uniform direction. Last, a neutralizer is applied to help seal the product into place."
Some people might prefer a brow lamination treatment over other popular brow treatments like microblading, which can be painful for some. Brow lamination is touted as a pain-free semi-permanent treatment, but because it uses harsh chemicals, there can be some drawbacks.
Ross explained that you want to be very delicate with your skin leading up to your day in the salon. "Remember that lamination is a chemical process so you should not apply any exfoliating, harsh serums or peels after the treatment, as this might [cause] a rash or burn."
Ross also suggested getting a patch test with your esthetician if you think you might be allergic to the chemicals used in the brow lamination process. "Ask your esthetician for the products they use for the brows. Make sure [they are] vegan, gluten-free, paraben free and most important, that they all formaldehyde-free," she said. "Formaldehyde is a common trigger for allergic contact dermatitis."
GRO Brow Serum Is My Secret To Beautiful Looking Brows
Brow Lamination Aftercare
When it comes to aftercare for eyebrow lamination, there are a few things to be mindful of. Ross warned that nourishing oils are not the best option to soothe skin. "Some beauticians use a nourishing oil after the application," said Ross. "Oils tend to strip the wax from the chemical applied to the brows, so applying products water-based instead or a mist is much better to nourish rather than [using] oils."
Ross also warned that you want to leave those brows alone after the process is complete. She explained that brows shouldn't be cleansed or come into contact with makeup remover for at least eight hours. "If you can wait 24 hours before being in contact with removers or cleansers, that's much better," she said.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Saving Thin Eyebrows
Why Eyebrow Lamination is Trending
While brow gel, brow filler and even microblading can give you the look of fluffy brows, Ross explained that brow lamination is trendy because it's aligned with other minimalist makeup trends.
"This treatment has become more trendy since the glassy, dewy, no-makeup makeup trend came up last year," she explained. "Now everyone is asking how can I look groomed and stylish without a single touch of makeup?'"
Ross explained that there is a shift towards a more natural look right now with people opting for good skincare over covering imperfections with makeup. According to her, the rise of brow lamination is a product of that movement.
Read: GRO Brow Serum Is My Secret to Beautiful Looking Brows
How Long Does Eyebrow Lamination Last?
How long the lamination lasts will depend on a few factors the quality of products used and the technique used by the esthetician. The length, density and quality of brow hairs can also factor into this.
"For coily, small, uneven and thin brow hair it can be harder to keep the work for three weeks or more," explained Ross. "On hairy, thick and big eyebrows, the technique can look better and last longer."
The lamination effects last for the duration of the natural brow hair growth cycle, which is around 90 days.
If you have sensitive skin or any skin conditions that may be aggravated by harsh chemicals, look for a product that is also nourishing to the hair follicle. While most lamination products are manufactured equally in quality, Ross said that products containing vitamin E, biotin, HA or oils are more beneficial to the eyebrows and can prevent skin irritation. Using high-quality products during lamination reduces the need for washing, cleaning and nourishing the brows during aftercare, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
A Natural Way to Get Thicker, Fuller Brows
If you want fuller brows with more volume, a brow serum can help grow (or regrow) your brows. There are plenty of brow serums on the market, but not all of them are natural. Many contain minoxidil, but VEGAMOUR'S GRO Brow Serum is 100% natural and cruelty-free. This brow serum is fast, safe and effective. The natural, vegan formula contains a Polyphytobase Complex with active phytomolecules, zinc and biotin, which is essential for healthy hair follicles.
The Takeaway
If you're researching salon brow treatments, brow lamination might be a good option for you. The average cost of microblading in cities like Los Angeles ranges from $300 to $600, so while brow lamination is more expensive than brow gel or brow serums, it's far cheaper than microblading. Keep in mind that microblading lasts more than two years while lamination treatments need to be refreshed every couple of months to wrangle those stray hairs back in place.
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for your brows is to nurture them with natural products that care for the hair follicles and surrounding skin. If you want the fluffy soap brow look without having to use harsh chemicals, a brow serum is the key to getting thicker, fuller brows in no time!
More From VEGAMOUR
- Shop: The Best Natural Products for Brows
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- How to Do Your Eyebrows Based on Their Natural Shape
- 10 Tips for Thicker Brows
Photo credit: dimid_86/iStock
