Does Brow Lamination Really Give You Thicker, Perfectly-Groomed Eyebrows? Let's Find Out

Brow lamination is essentially a gentle perm for your brows. It’s a less permanent (and less painful) alternative to microblading. “Brow lamination is a nice service for those who want to groom their brows into more of a perfect shape, especially if you have unruly brows or curly hair. It just helps you straighten them and gives you a fuller look,” says Dmitrenco. “Brow lamination is also a great service to combine with brow shaping, brow Henna, stain or tinting,” she tells us.

Since my brow hairs are already dark and don't need tinting, I decided to just add some brow shaping to my treatment. I hadn’t gotten my brows done in a while, so it was time for a complete makeover but I asked that my eyebrows still look as natural as possible.

What Are the Benefits of Brow Lamination?

Brow lamination can change the look of your brows. As mentioned, if you have some unruly (or fine) hairs, this treatment can lay them down better. With smoother brows, you'll be able to reshape them better and enhance your arches a bit more easily to create a fuller look.

I’m Middle Eastern, so my eyebrow hairs are naturally on the thicker side, but they thinned out a little after years of over-plucking them in high school (seriously, why did we ever think that was a good idea?). My hair is also curly so my eyebrows can be unruly at times and always need a good trim. I was intrigued by the idea of brow lamination—although after looking at some photos online, I was worried my brows would look like they were electrocuted. Still, I decided it was worth a try.

The three-step procedure took about 45 minutes from start to finish.

1. First, your brows are wiped clean and a lifting solution is applied to relax the hairs. Then, a piece of cling wrap is placed over your brows while you let the solution sit for about 10 minutes or more, depending on the thickness of your brows. Since my brow hairs are coarse, Dmitrenco let it sit for a few extra minutes.
2. Next, a fixing solution is applied before the brows are brushed upwards (the same you'd apply a brow gel). The cling wrap goes on again for another 10 minutes, while the fixing solution closes the hair follicles and stops them from processing any further.
3. Finally, Dmitrenco shaped my brows using tweezers and applied a nourishing cream to give my brows that extra shine.

How Long Does Brow Lamination Last?

For best results, you should avoid getting your brows wet for the first 24 hours. After this, Dmitrenco recommended applying a castor oil or squalene oil to hydrate the brows, then brushing them upwards using a spoolie or brow comb regularly. If properly maintained, brow lamination can last anywhere from four to six weeks.

Brow lamination can run anywhere between $75 to $150, depending on the salon. This service usually comes with brow shaping, brushing and tweezing (or waxing). There’s also the option to try your hand at DIY brow lamination. Dmitrenco actually has her own brow lamination product line with about 8 to 10 treatments that costs $150. According to her site, she recommends taking her virtual brow lamination course, especially "if you have never performed this procedure or would like to perform this procedure as a professional."

If you're not into dabbling in DIY, there are plenty of products out there to give you the "brow lamination effect." There are brow gels (like Kosas Air Brow) and brow waxes (like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze) that have given us some fluffier brows, too.

Are There Any Risks to Brow Lamination?

The great thing about brow lamination is that there is no downtime or side effects to the procedure. “You just have perfectly ready brows right away,” says Dmitrenco. Another bonus: While other procedures like microblading can be painful (it is a semi-permanent tattoo, after all), brow lamination is a great alternative to getting fuller brows without any pain.

However, some experts note that the chemicals used in brow lamination can change the texture of your hair over time. Overprocessed brow hairs can become brittle, and in the worst case scenario, become prone to shedding for some people. It can also be irritating for some skin types, leading to redness or bumps. Overall, it's important to get this service done by a professional and limit how often you get it.