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Frequently Asked Questions

Permanent Makeup & Microblading

Permanent Makeup also commonly known as micropigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, is a unique form of tattooing in which uses specifically formulated pigments that are inserted into the superficial layers of the skin using fine pre-sterilised needles. This technique give the illusion of perfectly applied make-up in soft natural tones or hair-like stokes to create a natural brow look.

Topical aesthetic can be used to ensure the treatment is as pain free as possible, meaning most clients will experience very little discomfort.

Near the end of the all our treatments the area will begin to feel tender which is totally normal.

A £50 non-refundable deposit will be required after pencilling in your treatment appointment, as you can understand we are booking on average 2-3 hour time slots for your procedure. If a client doesn’t show we are not able to rebook another client in that time. We will however transfer your deposit to another time slot with 3 months if you give us 48 hours or more notice before your procedure, unless of course an emergency arrises on the day and you cannot attend.

The deposit is deducted from the total price of the procedure, and this can be paid using bank transfer or cash.

Most procedures take between 1.5- 3 hours depending on the specific treatment you require.

With the correct aftercare permanent makeup lasts an average of 18 months to 3 years or longer, depending on various factors such as your skin type, sun exposure and skincare products and services.

Light or very natural coloured hair strokes will only last one to two years.

It is likely you will need a colour top up before the permanent make up  has faded fully and this to maintain the ideal colour and shape.

On the day of your procedure do please wear your normal makeup.

Come as you would normally present yourself to the world so we can decide on the most ideal solution for you.

At each appointment it will be required for you to advise of any medical conditions and medications you think may affect your treatment i.e. blood thinners or a cold sore sufferer prior to coming in.

Avoid :

  • Tweezing, waxing, tinting, electrolysis, one week before treatment
  • Tanning/sunburn of the skin two weeks before treatment, tan will exfoliate the pigments as it fades
  • Vitamin A/Retinol products one months before treatment
  • Excessive exercise on the day of treatment
  • Botox three weeks before (or after) treatment
  • Omega fish oil or Vitamin E one week before treatment
  • Alcohol 24-48 hours before your procedure
  • Coffee before treatment (causes blood thinning)
  • Aspirin and Ibuprofen before treatment (causes blood thinning)

It is preferred that you arrive as natural as possible in terms of eyebrow hair growth, this is because the existing shape of your brows may (or may not) be the most ideal shape for your facial structure. We design your shape based on natural hair, bone structure and face shape.

Excess hairs will be removed (outside of the designed shape) using tweezing during your appointment.

We do NOT shave off your eyebrows like body tattooists shave bodies before a body tattoo.

For each procedure we have a different set of pigments to choose from (usually as soon as you walk through the door we have decided on a colour already!).

A test will be performed to check the colours on your skin, to allow you to see the options available, however we do ask for you to be guided, and trust in the process as their are factors that come into play which can influence the shade/tone of the pigments selected including your skin type, skin undertones, your natural hair colour and even medical conditions. It does get a little more complicated when we are doing correctional procedures and ultimately we do have the final decision on the colour.

With eyeliner most people choose black as it lasts the longest but occasionally a brown or graphite will be selected.

Lip colours range from natural hues to more vibrant pinks, reds and oranges, for lips there is the biggest selection to choose from but we quickly narrow it down depending on what is discussed in the prior consult.

The Pigments that are used are called “Softap” pigments.

All SofTap color pigments contain high quality ingredients including iron oxide and glycerin. Some colours contain titanium dioxide or Carmine. They are hypoallergenic and do not contain any DG&C or D&C dyes. 

These pigments are vegan friendly and cruelty free.

For microblading, the tool that is used is similar to the size of a pen, with the end of the pen being a single row of needles that form a blade. This is not an electronic tool, so the pigment is implanted by dipping the blade in the pigment and gliding the tool in hair stroke like movements over the skin surface. You will hear a light scratching as we work through the skin, this is normal.

 All other permanent makeup procedures are performed with a machine, it is different from a body tattoo machine in shape and size. It is slightly bigger than the size of the pen as the machine is inside the tool, at the end of the tool we place our disposable pre sterilised needle.  The needle is dipped into pigment, where the needles are oscillating up and down in micro movements at a fast frequency then it is placed onto the skin and let the machine do the work while our hand guides the needle direction.

Initially you will find the colour of your finished treatment will look a lot darker than you might have expected. This is all completely normal immediately following a treatment.

Unless you have specifically requested a darker colour, by the end of eight weeks your permanent cosmetics will have settled down into a softer colour.

The treatment area is likely to feel slightly tender for a few days. Swelling is minimal and will usually disappear within 24-48 hours.

Yes. Semi permanent makeup works in a way that it fades gradually over time, meaning the treatment once complete, is low maintenance, not no maintenance. the amount of time a treatment ould need to be topped up varies from person to person depending on how the area is looked after and rate of natural skin exfoliation and how the body breaks down the pigment over time. Anywhere between 12 months and 3 years is normal.

If you are a regular eyebrow tinter then you may notice you wont have to tint them as often now that you have background colour but you may still want to tint them.

Your new eyebrows will also look their best if your natural hairs are shaped to match your tattooed shape, therefore a tidy up of the natural hair may be required.

In the first visit, we tend to work on the cautious side in terms of a lighter colour selection and an ever so slightly smaller shape as “less is more”.

It is very hard to predict the healed results for each individual because everyone is so different from skin type through to lifestyles.

After the first visit you may decide that you would like the colour to be darker, the shape to be a little thicker or there may just be a few patches of missing colour that we need to address.

The second session is so important, we cannot stress it enough, your procedure is not complete until your two visits are completed.

Definition Brows

‘Definition Brows’ is a procedure that is performed in 7 steps, which involves eyebrow tinting, waxing, threading and make-up application to give the illusion of beautifully defined brows.

Your face shape and colouring will be assessed before creating a bespoke brow. No two sets of Definition Brows should ever be the same.

Definition brows should not be seen as a one-off treatment, it’s best viewed as a longer-term course of treatments.

As part of your Definition Brows appointment, make-up may be used to either to fill in any gaps in your brows or possibly to make them look thicker and more defined than they naturally are. You must remember that this make-up will wash off, so if you’re keen to replicate the look we achieve in the salon, you can buy the products which will enable you to replicate the look at home.

Definition Brow appointments typically lasts around 40 minutes in contrast to an eyebrow wax or thread appointment which will last about 10 minutes. A Definition Brow appointment is a much more detailed, comprehensive appointment than a standard brow reshape appointment. Methods such as face-mapping will be used to create and measure your Definition Brow shape, whereas a standard brow reshape will be measured by eye.

Definition Brows also involves the use of make-up products at the end of the treatment, which will serve the purpose of masking any redness caused by waxing or threading, as well as using colour either to fill in where your natural brows may be patchy or to help define your brow shape.

If your brows are already in great shape, then a Definition Brow appointment may not be necessary, and you may only need an eyebrow wax or thread plus a brow tint, or possibly henna of you would like a only term option.

If you’re unsure about whether to book in for a normal brow reshape or Definition Brows, please speak contact Anne-Marie at The Cosmetic Ink Clinic to discuss. 

It would be so helpful if you could grow your brows back in for as long as possible before your treatment, ideally a minimum of 4 weeks to get the best results. If you have less regrowth, you will be limiting the results we can achieve.

You should also have a think beforehand about what kind of brows you would ultimately like to achieve. For example, would you ideally like thick, thin or tapered brows? Do you have an ideal shape in mind, such as arched, flat or curvy? And what overall look would you like for your brows? Dramatic, glamourous or natural? Recommendations will be made but your input is important. 

No, like standard eyebrow shaping and tinting appointments, Definition Brows are a semi-permanent treatment, where results will last for 3 – 6 weeks. Over that time, your brow hair will grow back and you’ll need to come back to have it reshaped. Likewise, because the tint is semi-permanent, it will fade over apron 1-2 weeks and you will need to get your brows re-tinted at each Definition Brow appointment, if you would prefer a longer term option Henna Brows last on the brows for 6-8 weeks on the brow hair.

Brows can be made to look thicker at your first treatment by tinting them and improving their shape. We can also help make your eyebrows appear thicker by teaching you clever make-up techniques using a range of Definition Brow make-up products.

Make-up will be applied to your brows during the treatment and the products will available for you to buy  to replicate the look at home if you wish.

It’s possible that we can try and help you achieve the brow look you want over a period of time, including thickening your brows up.

However, you should be aware that it may take 5 or 6 treatments to achieve the desired look and you will have to follow advice given, which will include no plucking etc in between treatments.

We also advise you on a  brow regrowth products which with the correct use should encourage your brows grow back thicker and bushier over time.

Yes, you need a patch test at least 24 hours before your first Definition Brow appointment. Even if you have had patch tests or Definition Brow treatments carried out at other salons in the past, we will still need to perform  a patch test prior to your first Definition Brow treatment at the clinic.

Treatments will not go ahead without the required patch test.

A typical Definition Brow appointment at the Cosmetic Ink Clinic will last for approximately 40 minutes.

Henna Brows

Henna brows are a form of eyebrow tinting that is used to stain the skin beneath the brow hairs and the actually brow hairs. The purpose is to cast a shadow or create the illusion of depth and fullness to the brows, visually filling in any sparseness. 
Henna is a natural permanent dye taken from the leaves of the henna plant.
Henna has been around since ancient Egyptian times when it was used for many purposes such as dyeing hair, clothes, fabrics and make up. 

The henna brow treatment will give your eyebrows a fuller and defined look which most women get by applying makeup products on their brows. One of the best things about this treatment is that henna eyebrows seem quite natural.

What’s more, you do not have to reapply it after washing your face or taking a swim, since it is not removed as easily as regular makeup products.

The treatment is quite similar to any other brow dye treatment.

24/48 hour before your 1st appointment a patch test will be required.

Step 1: Shaping the brows

This step includes threading, waxing or plucking your eyebrows, making them well-shaped beforehand.

Step 2: Cleaning the skin

Removing dirt and dead cells from the skin and eyebrows is of key importance since the cleaner the skin, the longer the henna will stay. Afterwards, the skin around the brows will be well dried. The cleaner and more degreased eyebrows and skin, the better the henna tint can penetrate the skin.

Step 3: Choosing the suitable color

Brow henna is offered in different shades, from blonde to dark brown. 

However, you should know that the color might develop differently on different skin types. This is why it is probably best not to go too dark the first time you get brow henna applied. The final decision about the shade should be made by your eyebrow specialist though and, if needed, she/he will mix two colors in order to get the perfect shade.

In addition, you might be offered an ombre effect, which means your eyebrow specialist will color the head of your brows (the front part) using a lighter shade and a darker one for the rest of the brows.

After the color decision, henna powder and water are mixed together to create a paste which is then applied to the brow area. Unlike with other eyebrow tints and dyes, no chemical process, that is no oxidant is necessary before the henna tint is ready for use. In turn this significantly reduces a possibility of an allergic reaction.

Step 4: Applying brow henna

Henna is applied to the brow area using a special brush, stamping and pressing the henna evenly into the skin. In case you do not wish the full eyebrow look, you could only get your brow hairs dyed avoiding the skin area.

Any irregularities will be removed quite easily and swiftly using a cotton swab possibly with some tint remover. Afterwards, you will be left to relax with a thick layer of henna paste on your eyebrows.

Step 5: Color development

Brow henna should sit on your brows and skin for at least 20 minutes. The longer the henna absorbs, the deeper it penetrates into the skin and, thus, the longer it lasts.

Step 6: Removing the colour

The henna will be removed by soaking with cotton pads and slowly wiped away leaving the stain visible beneath.

Tinting will last around 1-2 days on the skin and 7-10 days on the hair, whereas henna brows will last up to 14 days on the skin and 6-8 weeks on the hair. 

Approximately 45min -1 hour

In addition to the allergy test which is performed 24/48 hours before your appointment, it is a good idea to scrub your eyebrows before the henna brow treatment (the evening before the treatment), thus removing dead skin cells and ensuring the brow henna penetrates your skin better.

Henna brows will last up to 2-14 days on the skin and up to 6-8 weeks on the hair.

Henna is a natural permanent dye and it will fade only as the skin regenerates a new epidermis which is our outermost layer of the skin.

Oily skin will have less retention than dry skin.

You should be aware that henna powder is not mixed with hydrogen peroxide and therefore, hardly ever causes allergic reactions.

To ensure that henna eyebrows last for as long as possible, it would be a good idea to avoid:

  • Wetting your brows for the first 24 hours after the treatment. During this time the henna is still adhering to the skin and hairs and by leaving it for 24 hours, you are maximizing the length of time your henna brows will last on your skin.
  • Going to the gym or any sport for 24 hours after the treatment. Sweat, just like water, will remove the henna from your skin and hairs.
  • Using a lot of cleansing products on your eyebrows.
  • Applying a lot of cream or oil on the brow area.
  • Exposing the eyebrows to the sun.

The henna brow treatment is a semi permanent one. However, it does give you a couple of weeks off from using makeup products on your eyebrows.

If you would like to reapply the brow henna, book another treatment when you would like to add some additional color to your henna eyebrows. After all, the treatment is quick, efficient and painless.

The beauty of the henna brow treatment lies in the fact that it is the least invasive, since most ingredients are natural and thus the treatment drastically reduces a possibility of an allergic reaction.

However, the henna brow treatment might cause:

  • Reddish eyebrows and skin,
  • Too dark eyebrows in the first few days,
  • Quick pigment fading (oily skin),
  • Allergic reaction (swollen eyebrows, redness, soreness, itchiness).
Henna Brows vs Traditional Brow Dye

Some people prefer henna brows to other eyebrow tintings since it is a natural and safe alternative to tints and dyes. It is vegan friendly and free from peroxide activators, but still leads to semi-permanent results. Eyebrows are said to look more matte and fluffier than when regular tinting is used.

Traditional hair and eyebrow dyes tint the hairs effectively. However henna sticks to the skin quite successfully, thus producing longer lasting results.

Henna Brows vs Microblading

If you are still not ready to tackle any permanent eyebrow technique such as microblading, you might opt for Henna Brows as an alternative.

Brow Lamination

Generally, Brow Lamination lasts from four to six weeks. Depending on how well you look after your brows, it can last up to eight weeks. After the four to six-week period, it’s recommended that you get your brows re-laminated in order to maintain the look over a longer period of time.

A Brow Lamination  treatments including tinting and/or waxing of brows lasts approximately 30-40 minutes.

Consultation: A full consultation including medical history, skincare questionare. Mapping of the brows to discover your perfect brow style. 

Step one: After cleansing the brows, the brows will be placed in an upward position using Brow Fix to ensure all Brow Lamination solutions target the brow from the root to the tip. This solution holds the brows in place throughout the treatment.

Step two: Brow relaxing solution is applied to the brows. This cream creates a chemical process that breaks down the bonds in each hair, allowing them to be manipulated into a new shape. Solution is left on the brows for a predetermined time depending on the condition of the hair.

Step three: Brow Setting solution is applied the brows. This solution sets the hair in its new position. Solution is left on the brows for a predetermined time depending on the condition of the hair.

Step four: Optional Tinting. Brows can be tinted to add colour to the brows and to enhance the results of the treatment. 

Step five: All traces of the products above are removed from the brows, then Brow nourishment (a specially developed brow serum with keratin) is applied to the brows to hydrate and condition the hair.

Step six: The brows are brushed into their desired position – this position is adjustable depending on the look you would like to achieve. Brows can be brushed up or brushed into a more natural shape. 

Brow Lamination is almost like a perm for your eyebrows; similar to the well-known lash lift treatment. They are both ways of enhancing what you already have by manipulating the hairs with chemicals. The treatment is often paired with a brow tint for a bolder enhanced look.

Yes. All Lamination solutions use in the process must be tested on the skin at least 24 hours before your appointment.

If you also require tint, this must also be tested at the same time.

Lamination treatments will not go ahead without a negative patch test.