I first learned about brow lamination through Instagram, when my feed was flooded with influencers flaunting their perfectly manicured, yet impossibly fluffy brows. Essentially a perm for your brows (more on that later), brow lamination is a beauty treatment that originated in Russia and made its way to the U.S. over the last few years. As I started to do some initial research, I discovered that the semi-permanent treatment can instantly make your brows look so full even Cara Delevingne would be jealous. Read on to learn everything you need to know about brow lamination—from its benefits (and downsides) to how much it costs and if it's really worth the hype.
Does Brow Lamination Really Give You Thicker, Perfectly-Groomed Eyebrows? Let's Find Out
Including before/after pics of the process
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Published Jan 30, 2024
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Meet the Experts
- Katya Dmitrenco is the founder and owner of KD Brows in Studio City, California. She has been in the beauty industry for over 11 years offering brow lamination and other brow services like microblading, staining and brow shaping. Her previous clients include Carmen Electra, Lisa Osbourne and Shanna Moakler.
- Alixandria Capparelli is an expert brow artist and founder of Hairy Little Things, a salon that offers brow, lash and lip services in California. She has more than 13 years of experience, specializing in makeup and skincare. Her previous clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Paris Hilton, Robin Roberts and Katharine McPhee.
Instagram: @LeilasList
What Is Brow Lamination?
Brow lamination is essentially a gentle perm for your brows that's less permanent (and less painful) than some other treatments like microblading. The point of brow lamination is that "it's 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 [can also be] combined with brow shaping, Henna or brow tinting,” she tells us.
Since my brow hairs are already dark and don't need tinting, I decided to just add some shaping to my treatment. I hadn’t gotten my brows done in a while, so it was time for a complete makeover, but I still wanted them to look as natural as possible.
Instagram: @LeilasList
What Does The Brow Lamination Process Entail?
The three-step procedure took about 45 minutes from start to finish.
- 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.
- Next, a fixing solution is applied to stop the hairs from processing any further. The brows are then brushed upwards (using the same kind of spoolie brush you'd use with a brow gel). The cling wrap goes on again for another 10 minutes, while the fixing solution stops the hairs from processing any further.
- Finally, Dmitrenco shaped my brows using tweezers and applied a nourishing cream to give them an extra shine.
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 help lay them down. With smoother brows, you'll be able to reshape them 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 brows are often in need of some grooming. 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.
Are There Any Risks to Brow Lamination?
The great thing about brow lamination is that there's virtually 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 hairs can become brittle, and in the worst case scenario, become more prone to shedding for some people. It can also be irritating for some skin types, leading to redness or bumps. In short, it's important to get this service done by a professional and limit how often you get it.
Who Should Get Brow Lamination?
According to the experts, those looking for a fuller shape should consider brow lamination. This treatment is also great for those with curly, sparse and/or thin brows. "Brow lamination is pure magic. It gives us the ability to create a different and fuller shape with the client's natural brow hair. It's also a great gateway into semi-permanent makeup, which allows clients to see how they feel waking up with a little bit more brow definition, fullness and darkness (if they add the tint as well)," explains Capparelli.
Instagram: @LeilasList
How Long Does Brow Lamination Last?
If properly maintained, your newly laminated brows can last anywhere between four to six weeks.
How Much Does Brow Lamination Cost?
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).
Can Brow Lamination Be Done At Home?
There are mixed views on this. According to Capparelli, you should always rely on the professionals for this type of service. "I don't think it's a good idea to perform brow lamination services on yourself at home. If you've ever had a brow lamination before, and you smelled [its] signature smell, you know it [involves] a pretty harsh chemical," says Caparelli. "If brow laminations are done incorrectly, [they] can result in chemically frying your brows hair off, so I really would recommend leaving it to the pros!"
Dmitrenco, on the other hand, is a proponent of DIY and actually has her own brow lamination product line. However, she recommends taking her virtual brow lamination course beforehand, especially "if you have never performed this procedure or would like to perform this procedure as a professional."
And if you're still on the fence about the treatment, there are plenty of products out there to give you a similar effect. There are brow gels (like Kosas Air Brow) and brow waxes (like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze) that have given us comparably fluffy results in the past.
How to Prepare for Brow Lamination
"The good thing about brow lamination is that you don't need to do much to prepare for the actual service. It's a low-key service that provides WOW results!" adds Capparelli.
Caparelli suggests skipping any retinol or retinol-based products for five to seven days before your appointment. "These products can make your skin very sensitive to the chemicals in the brow lamination procedure, and in extreme cases, can result in chemical burns," she says. One more thing: You want to make sure your brows are completely clear of any tint or makeup, so give them a good wipe with micellar water or use a gentle cleanser beforehand.
Brow Lamination Aftercare Tips
To keep your brows fresh, our experts recommend doing the following:
- Keep your brows dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. "If you get your brows wet before the 24 hour mark, you are completely deactivating the lamination and your brows will not take," explains Caparelli. On that note, your brow specialist may provide you with a face shield, so you can shower without messing up your brows at home—or you can buy a pack of them online. "[Ideally,] we try to get our clients to commit to 48 hours [of keeping their brows dry], as we found the lamination tends to last longer then."
- Use moisturizing brow products. Dmitrenco recommends applying castor oil or squalene oil through your brows and brushing them upwards using a spoolie or brow comb regularly. Do this at least twice a week to keep them moisturized.
- Allot for recovery time. "Depending on your hair type and texture, you want to wait between six to eight weeks [before your next appointment]. If you don't wait the full recovery time, your brow hairs can be compromised," says Capparelli.
Is Brow Lamination Worth It?
Pros
- creates a uniform look
- elevates your natural brows
- offers an uniformed look
Cons
- it's a chemical-based treatment
- costly
- time-consuming
At first glance, I was surprised at how thick and healthy my brows looked—it was as if my high school brows had come back to life. Dmitrenco explained that if I didn’t like my brows brushed upwards, I could always brush them to the side, so when I got home, I did just that. I found that I preferred them this way, as they looked most natural.
While it initially took some getting used to, I really liked the final results. I normally use a clear gel to groom my brows, but no longer had to because the lamination gave the same effect—without any crunchy residue. My brows also felt a lot softer after the treatment.
Overall, I think brow lamination is a great service, especially if you have thin brows that have lost their shape. The treatment gives the illusion of thicker, well-groomed brows, and it’s semi-permanent, so if you don’t like the results, the solution will wear off in a few weeks.
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