What You’ll Learn
- Map brows with tiny dots for start, arch, and tail before styling, it gives a precise roadmap so gel and micro-strokes land exactly where you want.
- Back-comb hairs before brushing them up to coat both sides of each strand, trapping product for noticeably longer hold and a more uniform lift.
- Brush the front hairs straight up, then gradually angle them toward the temples for a lifted front and a sleek, tapered tail instead of a one-way sweep.
- Pick a tint one shade lighter than your natural hair and use short, micro-brush strokes at the front to keep the look soft and avoid a blocky finish.
- After the gel sets, use the comb tip to push down the top edge, creating a crisp upper line that cleans stray hairs without killing the fluffy lift.
- Expect pro lamination to last about 4 to 8 weeks and cost roughly $50 to $150, and avoid water for 24 hours plus oil-based products to prevent early breakdown of results.
You probably don’t need us to tell you that social media can catapult beauty trends into the mainstream in the blink of an eye. Ombré brows, siren eyes, no-makeup makeup—all gained popularity thanks to platforms like TikTok and Instagram. One trend that’s picked up serious steam lately is eyebrow lamination. Devotees claim it’s the secret to achieving full, lifted arches—and if you’ve seen brow lamination before-and-afters, you’ll likely agree.
But that still leaves one big question: What is brow lamination, exactly? We’re here to break it down. Ahead, we’ll explain what eyebrow lamination does, highlight some of the treatment’s biggest benefits, and share how you can recreate the look at home using products you probably already own. Keep reading for the full scoop—and get ready for your boldest brows yet.
What Is Eyebrow Lamination?
Remember soap brows (another trend that’s been all over TikTok for a while)? Eyebrow lamination is like the semi-permanent version of that. The treatment, which is done by a professional, involves straightening your brow hairs, brushing them vertically upward, and setting them in place with a special (brow-safe) chemical solution. This technique results in smooth, defined brows with a distinctly lifted look. Because it’s relatively long-lasting, brow lamination is sometimes referred to as an eyebrow perm. However, that term can be a bit misleading—laminated brows typically last a few weeks to a couple of months, not forever.
What does brow lamination do?
Brow lamination works by temporarily breaking down the hydrogen bonds in your brow hairs—these are the chemical bonds that give each strand its natural shape. Once those bonds are loosened, your technician can brush the hairs into a new position (usually upward and outward for a lifted, fluffy effect). A setting solution is then applied to lock the hairs in place as they reform their bonds, allowing them to hold their new shape. The result is fuller-looking, more symmetrical brows that stay put for weeks. It’s a great option for anyone with uneven, curly, or sparse brows who wants a more polished look without having to reach for a brow pencil every day.
What are the benefits of eyebrow lamination?
Professional eyebrow lamination has several benefits, including:
- Gives brows a flattering, lifted and defined look
- Helps streamline your makeup routine—since it’s semi-permanent, you won’t need to style your brows daily
- Helps make the brows look fuller and denser
- Ideal for taming and defining sparse or unruly brow hairs
Brow lamination aftercare
After your brow lamination, there are a few things you’ll want to be mindful of. First and foremost, you’ll want to avoid getting your brows wet for at least 24 hours post-treatment. You’ll also want to steer clear of oil-based skincare or makeup around your brows, as oils can break down the setting solution and shorten the longevity of your results. And, as tempting as it may be, try not to touch your brows—doing so can interfere with how long your laminated eyebrows last. Keep in mind, however, that these are general guidelines. After your treatment, your technician should provide you with aftercare instructions. It’s important to follow their directions to ensure the best (and longest-lasting) result.
Can You Laminate Your Brows at Home?
If you’re interested in laminating your brows, you may wonder whether you can do it at home. The short answer: It’s a professional salon technique—not a DIY. While at-home brow lamination kits exist, we strongly recommend leaving this treatment to a licensed pro. The process involves using chemical solutions to break down and reset the structure of your brow hairs, and applying them incorrectly can lead to uneven results or irritation to the skin around your brows. A professional technician will know how to tailor the treatment to your specific brow type and ensure it’s done safely. For the best—and safest—results, it’s worth booking the appointment or faking the look with brow gel.
How To Get a Laminated Eyebrow Look at Home
While we don’t recommend trying actual brow lamination at home, you can achieve a similar look with makeup—and the best part is, it’s surprisingly easy. Below, we’ll walk you through how to recreate the appearance of full, lifted brows right from your bathroom vanity.
Step 1: Gather the essentials
First, assemble your brow kit. To recreate the laminated brow look at home, you’ll need just three products: a clean spoolie brush, a long-hold brow gel like The Brow Glue Crazy Lift Brow Lamination Gel, and a tinted brow pen, such as our Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen.
Step 2: Determine your ideal brow shape
Next, use your brow pen to draw small dots where you want your brows to start and end, as well as where you want your arch to be. These dots will serve as a roadmap, of sorts, when you’re shaping your brows with your brow lamination gel. If you need a more in-depth guide to mapping your brows, check out our article Eyebrow Mapping: How To Find Your Perfect Brow Shape for a step-by-step breakdown.
Step 3: Brush your brow hairs upward
Using a clean spoolie brush, comb your brow hairs upward, following the natural shape of your brows (or the shape you mapped out in step two). Focus on brushing the front section vertically for lift, then gradually angle the hairs toward your temples as you move toward the tail for a sleek, tapered look. Once your brows are in place, lock them in with The Brow Glue Crazy Lift Brow Lamination Gel. The clear brow gel comes in a tube and boasts its own comb applicator designed to coat, lift, and lock every single brow hair in place for up to 24 hours.
Pro Tip: For extra staying power, back-comb through your brows before brushing them up. This will help coat both sides of your brow hairs for a stay-all-day laminated brow look.
Step 4: Fill in your brows
Once your brow gel dries, uncap your Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen. The pen’s flexible micro-brush tip allows you to draw hair-like strokes for a naturally full effect, which is exactly the look we’re going for. Use a shade slightly lighter than your natural brows to draw short, thin strokes wherever you want to add depth or definition.
Step 5: Blend out any harsh lines
To ensure a natural, wearable finish, gently blend out any excess product using a clean spoolie or brow brush. Pay special attention to the front of your brows, where pigment can sometimes look too bold. Using light, upward strokes will soften the tint and create a seamless gradient, leaving your brows looking both natural and defined.
Step 6: Brush down the top of your brows
Lastly, reach for your brow glue once again. Use the tip of the comb to push down any unruly hairs at the top of your brow and create a clean, defined brow line.
Brow Lamination FAQs, Answered
Still have lingering questions? Keep reading to find answers to some of the most common eyebrow lamination-related queries.
What Is The Difference Between Brow Lamination and Microblading?
When it comes to brow lamination vs. microblading, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Yes, both can help you achieve fuller, more defined-looking brows—but the former is a temporary treatment to straighten and tame your brow hairs, while the latter is, essentially, a semi-permanent brow tattoo.
How Much Does Brow Lamination Cost?
You can typically expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $150 for brow lamination. This number can vary wildly from place to place, though, and doesn’t include combo services like brow lamination and tint. As such, we suggest doing your research before taking the plunge.
How Long Does Brow Lamination Last?
A brow lamination treatment will usually hold up for somewhere between four and eight weeks. But this timeframe can vary depending on a range of factors, including your hair type and how quickly your hair grows. If you try lamination, the brow pro doing the treatment may be able to give you an estimate that’s specific to you. They can also give you tips on the best brow lamination aftercare to keep your arches in tip-top shape (pun intended).
Next: How To Fake Microbladed and Nanobladed Brows with Makeup.
We’d love to see how you use our brow products to create laminated brow looks. Share a selfie on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics
PRODUCTS USED
LIFT & SNATCH! BROW TINT PEN
Micro-brush tinted eyebrow pen
THE BROW GLUE INSTANT BROW STYLER
Long-hold eyebrow glue
Micro Brow Pencil
Precise Eyebrow Pencil
The Brow Glue Crazy Lift Brow Lamination Gel
A 24-hour strong-hold brow lamination gel that delivers a non-crunchy, flake-proof, and sweat-resistant hold.
