Microblading is still the first thing most people search for when they want fuller, natural-looking brows. It was the standard for years, and I'm often asked for it by name. But I no longer offer it, and I want to explain why, because the look you're after is still very much available.
What microblading is
Microblading cuts fine strokes into the skin with a handheld blade, and pigment settles into those cuts to mimic individual brow hairs. Done well on the right skin, it can look lovely when it's fresh.
The problem is how it heals and ages. It suits a narrow range of skin types, and on oilier or more mature skin the strokes tend to blur and fade unevenly, so crisp hairs can soften into a patchy, smudged shape over time.
What I do instead: machine hyper realism
I work with a machine. Hyper realism, also known as Soft Hair Effect or fluffy brows, builds fine, individual strokes that follow the direction your own hairs grow, so the shape and fullness are hard to tell from natural brow hair, even up close.
The machine gives me far more control over depth and pigment placement. That means brows that heal more predictably, hold their shape for longer and fade more evenly, particularly on oily or mature skin.
So if the look of microblading is what you want, hyper realism is the modern version of it, and it's what I'll usually recommend.
You don't have to choose a style
Hyper realism is one of four effects I work in, alongside pixel, powder and combination brows. You don't need to pick one before you book. Everything is offered as one appointment, the Bespoke Brow Tattoo, and we decide the technique together on the day, once I've looked at your skin, your natural hair and the shape that suits your face. Often it's a blend rather than one or the other.
Bring photos of brows you like. They're a useful starting point, and I'll tell you honestly how that look would heal on your skin.
Had microblading before?
If you've had microblading or brow tattooing elsewhere and it's blurred, faded unevenly or changed colour, it can often be worked over, but it needs assessing first. Send me clear photos before you book. Depending on how dark and saturated the old work is, one or more laser lightening sessions may be recommended first, to give your new brows a clean base.
What it costs
Brow tattooing starts from £375 for both sessions: £275 for the first and £100 for the second, 6 to 12 weeks later, which is where the colour and shape are finished.
If you're weighing up microblading, book a consultation and we'll work out the right approach for your brows together.