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Jul 08, 2023

Microfeathering Is The More Natural Alternative To Microblading

Eyebrows have become a consequential step in the everyday beauty routine, with

Eyebrows have become a consequential step in the everyday beauty routine, with popular trends emphasizing thick and feathered brows. Embracing the full-brow look is certainly an improvement for people with naturally thick brows; though, not so much for those with sparse or nonexistent brows. And unless the new year is expecting a revival of the questionable twig-thin brows of the 90s and early 2000s, it is likely that the full-eyebrow look is here to stay. Although brow pencils are helpful for completely transforming thin or sparse eyebrows, there are more efficient and permanent methods for maintaining your brows, including popular semi-permanent makeup procedures such as microblading.

While microblading is an excellent solution for thin brows, this semi-permanent makeup is not for everyone, especially for people who already have a decent amount of brow hair to work with, per Hairy Little Things. Thankfully, the beauty gods are generous and wise, for there is a new technique that's quickly becoming a favorite, and it's called microfeathering. But what exactly is microfeathering, and what makes it different from microblading? Here's what you need to know so you can decide if microfeathering is a better option for your brows.

According to Microblading L.A., microblading became popular around 2015 when beauty trends began to stray from pencil-thin brows and veer toward thickly arched brows. While brow pencils are life-saving beauty tools and certainly get the job done, the time and precision it requires to draw on your eyebrows can quickly become tiresome. Understandably, this is why microblading has remained so popular since its initial uptick back in 2015.

So, how does microblading work? The actual microblading procedure involves the use of a tattoo machine to implant ink underneath the skin, per Candid Cosmetics. An esthetician will use a tattoo pen with a thin needle to manually create thin strokes and mimic the appearance of individual hairs. This form of semi-permanent makeup is perfect for filling in severely thin brows, whether that be from over-plucking or genetics. Microblading typically requires several sessions until the desired look is achieved, after which the ink can last anywhere from one to three years.

Similar to microblading, microfeathering is also a form of semi-permanent makeup. Both microblading and microfeathering require the use of a thin tattoo needle, though the size of the needle will vary depending on several factors such as your esthetician, the thickness of your natural eyebrow hairs, and your desired look (via Acacia B. Brows & Beauty). For microfeathering, however, an esthetician uses light, feathery strokes with the tattoo needle. This specific technique also tends to focus on certain areas of your brows, as opposed to tattooing all over, per Lita Brows. The main appeal for microfeathering lies in the ability to create brows that appear natural yet full by filling in the gaps in your natural brows. Microfeathering, therefore, aims to make your brows appear full enough for you to rock a natural eyebrow look whenever you want to ditch the brow pencil (via Lita Brows). A subtle look is key for this technique, especially since the focus is on lightly filling in sparse areas.

Both microblading and microfeathering are game-changing beauty innovations that are designed to boost your confidence and make your life a whole lot easier. So, which one should you choose? There are two key differences between the two that should be considered before you make your appointment.

The most important distinction between microblading and microfeathering lies in the application technique, as they both create a vastly different look. For instance, microblading can help you achieve fullness so you can wake up with perfectly-shaped brows that, generally, don't require any touch-ups (via Lita Brows). However, if you prefer natural-looking brows that you can either leave as is or fill in depending on your desired makeup look, then microfeathering is your best bet. Microfeathering is perfect for people who prefer sport simple makeup looks that emphasize light, feathery brows.

Another important factor to consider is the shape and thickness of your eyebrows. If you currently have thin eyebrows that lack definition or shape, then microblading will be the best option. On the other hand, if you already have a fair amount of eyebrow hair, or you simply want to fill in certain gaps to enhance your natural brows, then microfeathering is a better option for you, per Hairy Little Things. If you're still unsure which technique is right for you, remember that beauty trends are fickle. Microblading and microfeathering are semi-permanent beauty treatments, so regardless of which technique you choose, you're not stuck with one look forever.