frequently asked questions

Machine Hair Strokes is the latest, most natural permanent makeup technique that uses a machine with a single needle to create fine hair strokes. This procedure produces very minimal trauma to the skin with little to no bleeding. Microblading is also a hair stroke-based technique however, because it uses a blade to cut and implant pigment into the skin, this technique is considered more traumatic and is not ideal for many skin types. Our studio has transitioned to exclusively offering machine hair strokes because the results are fine, hyper-realistic and will age beautifully over time.

Also known as "Ombré Brows", this technique uses a machine with a single needle to create a softly shaded brow. Our approach to Powder Brows is airy and borderless, which we find to appear to be the most natural looking. When healed, Powder Brows resemble a light veil of your perfect brow color behind your natural brow hairs.

All of our permanent makeup techniques involve a machine pen that uses a single needle and it is minimally invasive. Most clients describe the sensation as a "light scratch" and for the vast majority of the procedure, we do use a topical anesthetic to numb the brow area. Response to anesthetics vary and comfort levels differ as pain threshold is personal. During the procedure, we do our best to explain each step and to check in every so often to ensure the client is not in discomfort.

Yes and no. Primary numbing alters the texture of the skin and can cause the needle to create excess trauma to the skin. To avoid this, we do not use primary anesthetic for the first pass to create the least amount of trauma possible. Once we start working on the skin, for the second and third passes, we use secondary anesthetic (5% lidocaine) to keep the client comfortable throughout the rest of the procedure.

Each procedure is done in a clean and sanitary space. We only use disposable needles and blades and the item(s) that will come in contact with the procedure area will be displayed to you prior to use.

Permanent makeup is a safe and reliable procedure that is suitable for most people. Prior to booking any permanent makeup service, clients must review the Pre-Care Guidelines page to ensure no contraindications apply. Clients that have any concerning health conditions should consult with their doctors and receive clearance prior to booking an appointment.

• Pregnant or breastfeeding • Under the age of 18 • Taking immunosuppresion medication/have been diagnosed with an immune disorder (requires doctor's clearance) • Chemotherapy/Radiation (requires doctor's clearance) • Epileptic/Has experienced faint spell or seizure • Have any transmittable blood related conditions or diseases such as Hepatitis or HIV/AIDS • Have any active infection (including a UTI) • Taking blood thinning medication, Adderall, painkillers, narcotics, topical steroids • Noncompliant with precare/aftercare instructions • Diabetic (requires doctor's clearance) • Suffers from alcoholism • Taking krill oil/fish oil/vitamin E • Have an undiagnosed/untreated heart issues • Have taken antibiotics in the past 30 days • Have had peels/laser/microneedling within the past four weeks • Have been on Accutane in the past year • Have had laser resurfacing in the past year • Have had Botox injections on the forehead within 3 weeks • At high risk of infection • Diagnosed with Trichotilloma • Diagnosed with Glaucoma • Skin conditions/issues present on face • Have skin conditions such as eczema/psoriasis around treatment area • Have tendency to develop keloids • Have any skin allergies to pigments or makeup (glycerin, propylene, glycol, alcohol water, antioxidant formula, non-toxic pigment blend) • Most people who have had their brows tattooed in the past will be turned away. Please contact Jenn (email thebrowrista@gmail.com) with a photo of your brows to see if she will take you as a client If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact us. Thank you.

Depending on how saturated your previous permanent makeup work is, we may need to start fresh by removing the previous pigment first. If the previous work has faded enough and the shape is workable, we may be able to work over them. Our biggest priority is to create natural looking healed results, so if they are too dark/saturated, we will refer you to a laser removal clinic as this will be the best initial step towards acquiring natural, realistic brows. If you have previous permanent makeup work and need guidance on next steps, you can email us a picture of your current brows to thebrowrista@gmail.com (thebrowrista@gmail.com)and/or request to book a consultation.

Microblading generally lasts 1-2 years and Powder/Ombré Brows generally last 1-3 years. These are rough estimates as retention varies per each client. Factors that affect retention include: skin type, lifestyle, age and aftercare following your procedure. Following your initial procedure, a 4-6 week touch-up is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. After the touch-up, clients may return on an annual basis* to maintain the color and shape of their new brows. * Frequency of touch-ups will vary depending on the client's skin type, aftercare and lifestyle.

Allergic reactions are very rare, but we cannot guarantee how your body will respond. We use Beauty Angels pigments and they are of highest quality in the industry. Beauty Angels pigments are hypo-allergenic, vegan-friendly and yield great retention. If you experience an allergic reaction or any negative side effects, please consult with your doctor ASAP.

When working on your brow shape & color, we rely heavily on your existing features: eye shape, brow shape, bone structure, brow/hair color, etc. There is some room for us to incorporate your personal preferences (i.e., the length of your brow, the prominence of your arch, the lightness/darkness or your brow color, the saturation of your brow color, etc.). Prior to procedure, the final shape and color will be shown to you for approval.

A typical session begins with a consultation where we discuss your skin type, lifestyle, your daily brow routine and your brow goals. Next, we map/shape your brows, which can take up to 1-1.5 hours. The final shape and color will be shown to you for approval. Following the brow mapping is the permanent makeup procedure (i.e., Microblading, Microblade & Shade, Powder/Ombré Brows, etc.). All throughout the procedure, we will be checking in with you to make sure you are comfortable and update you on our progress. Lastly, we will provide you with our aftercare kit and review the aftercare instructions. Once you leave our studio, we will continue to check-in to make sure you are doing well on your healing journey. We are always available to answer any questions/concerns you may have.

Each procedure takes approximately 4-5 hours (depending on the service). Please provide yourself ample time for the procedure as we want to avoid rushing. Thank you.

Once the procedure is complete, you will be provided with an aftercare kit that will contain everything you need for a successful healing journey. All steps will be carefully explained to you and we will be checking in on your progress every few days! Healing time varies for everyone, but generally, you will find yourself tending to your brows for 7-10 days. The brows may go through a phase of becoming lighter in color, but the saturation is expected to return. We like to give your brows up to 1 month to complete the full healing process. For this reason, your touch-up appointments are encouraged anywhere between 4-6 weeks post procedure.

Touch-up appointments (a.k.a., follow-up appointments) typically take place between 6-8 weeks after your initial procedure. We do not perform touch-ups earlier than 6 weeks as the brows need up to a month to fully heal. Once your brows have fully healed, you may notice some gaps and/or faded strokes. The purpose of a touch-up appointment is to fill-in and reinforce these areas. Your 6-8 week touch-ups is essentially a repetition of your initial appointment, except we are only addressing areas that need more pigment. The touch-up procedure will take between 1.5-2 hours. After the 1st touch-up, the client may return for additional touch-ups on an annual basis. The frequency of touch-ups will vary depending on the client's skin type, aftercare and lifestyle.