Brow lamination lifts and sets the brow hair you already have, with no needles and no pigment, and lasts about 6 to 8 weeks. Microblading is cosmetic tattooing: fine strokes of pigment are placed in the skin to look like hair, so it can fill gaps, lasts one to three years and needs healing time. If your brows are reasonably full but unruly, lamination is usually the place to start.
| Factor | Brow lamination | Microblading |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A lotion treatment that softens and resets your own brow hairs | Semi permanent cosmetic tattooing, with pigment in the skin |
| Best for | Unruly, downward growing or medium to full brows | Very sparse, patchy or over plucked brows |
| How long it lasts | About 6 to 8 weeks | About 1 to 3 years, with touch ups |
| Downtime | None, keep brows dry for 24 hours | Usually 1 to 2 weeks of healing and flaking |
| Commitment | Low, it grows out on its own | High, the pigment stays in the skin |
How Brow Lamination Works
Brow lamination uses a gentle lotion to soften the structure of each brow hair, so your therapist can brush the hairs into a fuller, more even shape, usually upward and outward, and then set them there. A second lotion fixes the new shape, and the brows are finished with a nourishing step and a groom.
It works only with the hair you already have. It will not add hair where none is growing, but brushed up, uniform hairs cover more of the brow and make it look thicker and tidier. The effect softens gradually over about 6 to 8 weeks as your hair grows and goes back to its natural pattern.
How Microblading Works
Microblading is a form of cosmetic tattooing. A technician uses a fine hand held blade to place pigment into the upper layers of the skin in small, hair like strokes. Because it adds colour to the skin itself, it can create the look of hair where there is little or none, which is why people with sparse brows or gaps often consider it.
The pigment fades over time, usually lasting somewhere between one and three years depending on your skin and aftercare, and most people need a touch up to keep the colour even. We do not offer microblading at our studio; if you are considering it, choose a licensed, experienced cosmetic tattooist and look at photos of their healed work, not just fresh results.
Cost Compared
Brow lamination costs less upfront but is repeated every 6 to 8 weeks. Microblading costs more at the start but lasts much longer.
- Brow Lamination: $81 for 30 minutes at our studio.
- Brow Sculpt and Lamination: $109, adding a shaped brow line.
- Brow Sculpt, Lamination and Tint: $119, adding colour to the hairs.
- Brow Sculpt, Lamination and Hybrid Dye: $139, for a deeper colour that also lightly tints the skin.
- Microblading: usually several hundred dollars for the first session in Melbourne, with a follow up touch up a few weeks later and further touch ups over the years. Prices vary widely between studios, so ask for a written quote.
See every brow price on our brow services page.
Pain, Downtime and Healing
Brow lamination is not painful. Nothing breaks the skin, and most people find the lotions and brushing relaxing. You can go straight back to your day, as long as you keep your brows dry for the first 24 hours.
Microblading breaks the skin, so a numbing cream is normally used first. Afterwards the brows can look darker and sharper for about a week, with some redness and mild swelling, then flake as the skin heals, usually over one to two weeks. The final colour settles once healing is complete.
Which Skin Types Suit Each
Brow lamination suits most skin types. It is not done on sunburnt, broken or irritated skin, or over active eczema, and you should pause retinol and exfoliating acids on the brow area beforehand. If your skin is sensitive, book our free patch test first.
Microblading depends more on your skin. On oily skin or skin with large pores, hair strokes can blur and soften faster, so many artists suggest a different technique for those skin types. A good cosmetic tattooist will check your skin before booking you in.
Aftercare for Each
- After brow lamination: keep brows dry and away from steam for 24 hours, skip makeup on the brows that day, then brush them into place each morning. A nourishing brow oil a few times a week keeps the hairs soft.
- After microblading: follow your tattooist's healing instructions closely. These usually mean keeping the brows dry, avoiding sweaty workouts, swimming and makeup on the area, and not picking at flakes until the skin has healed.
Which One Is Right for You
Lamination is usually the right first step if:
- your brows are reasonably full but grow downward or in different directions
- you want a fuller, brushed up look for an event or the season
- you would rather avoid needles, healing time and a long term commitment
Microblading is worth discussing with a cosmetic tattooist if:
- your brows are very sparse or patchy, or have areas where hair no longer grows
- you want a filled in look that lasts for years without regular appointments
If you have a few small gaps rather than bare patches, try a gentler step first. Pairing lamination with a brow tint or hybrid dye colours the finer, lighter hairs so they show, and a hybrid dye also lightly tints the skin underneath, which softens small gaps for a week or two. It is a needle free way to see how a fuller brow suits you before you commit to pigment in your skin.
Brow Lamination in Hampton
Our studio at 591 Hampton Street offers brow lamination on its own or with sculpting, tint, hybrid dye or henna, and a free brow consultation if you are not sure which suits your brows. You can see real client results in our portfolio, and if you are deciding how to shape your brows first, our guide to eyebrow threading vs waxing covers the next step. Clients who come back every 6 to 8 weeks can save with our brow packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get brow lamination if you already have microblading?
Usually, yes. Lamination works on the hairs, while microblading pigment sits in the skin, so the two can sit together. Wait until any microblading has fully healed, and tell your therapist about it at your consultation so they can check the area first.
Which looks more natural, brow lamination or microblading?
Lamination uses only your own hair, so it looks natural by design, with a soft, brushed up texture. Well done microblading can also look natural, but the result depends heavily on the artist and on how your skin holds the pigment over time.
Does brow lamination damage your natural eyebrow hairs?
Done properly and not too often, lamination should not damage healthy brows. Space treatments at least 6 weeks apart, keep brows conditioned with a nourishing oil, and skip lamination if your brow hairs already feel dry or brittle.
Is brow lamination or microblading better for thin, sparse brows?
For very sparse brows with bare patches, microblading can add the look of hair that lamination cannot. For thin brows that still have hair across the shape, lamination with a tint or hybrid dye often gives a fuller look without needles, so it is worth trying first.