Difference Between Microblading vs Powder Brows

Permanent makeup, or also commonly known as cosmetic tattoos, offer a variety of techniques. The most common terms are probably microblading, ombre / powder brows, and nano brows. Some terms are interchangeable in the industry and some are considered newer techniques that have gained its popularity in the last decade or so. We’ll walk through some of the common technique terms and explain the main differences.

Microblading -
Is a technique in which the artist uses a needle configuration with the needles grouped together in a single file line and makes a shallow incision to the skin in order to implant ink. This technique is most suitable for normal to dry skin as the ink may bleed in oilier skin types and leave a thicker hairstroke line as it heals. This technique provides a crisp and clean hairlike stroke and lasts about 1-3 years, depending on your color retention as well as your artist technique.

Nano Brows (feather brows) -
Are done with a tattooing machine, much like powder / ombre brows. This technique, however, is very similar to microblading in regard to its healed results. Slow and controlled movements are necessary to make shallow scratches on the surface of the skin to implant ink and create realistic hairlike strokes. The main benefits of nano brows are often its gentle nature (of how the ink is implanted), therefore, a more desirable healing process, as well as the fact that it is suitable to all skin types, including oily skin type. Nano brows last about 1-3 years, dependent on the client’s color retention as well as artist technique.

Powder/Ombre Brows -
Powder / Ombre / Shading are all interchangeable in the world of permanent makeup. There may be subtle differences in how each artist categorize the technique but the general understanding of these types of brows is that they use a machine-based technique to implant soft, powdery pixels of color to mimic a look of brows with makeup done. Typically, artists use a gradient style to implant a softer & lighter color to the front (bulb) of the brow and gradually saturates the brows to be darker as it approaches the end (tail). It is a technique that is extremely popular, especially for clients who do their makeup daily and want to minimize the time/effort spent everyday to put on their makeup. The powder/ombre brow lasts about 2-3 years dependent on the client’s color retention, saturation, as well as artist technique.

Microblading, nano brows, and powder/ombre brows are the most popular techniques that are out in the industry today and each have its own merits as to why they have gained popularity and momentum. If you are unsure which technique may best suit you, many artists offer free consultations to help clients make an informed decision in their permanent makeup journey.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions and we hope to see you at Miae Beauty (: