You probably don’t need us to tell you that social media has the power to catapult beauty trends into the mainstream in the blink of an eye. Blush contouring, siren eyes, soft girl makeup—all were made popular thanks to platforms like TikTok and Instagram. One trend that’s picked up a lot of steam as of late is brow lamination. Devotees claim it’s the secret to full, lifted arches (and if you’ve seen a brow lamination before and after pictures, you’d probably agree). But that doesn’t really answer the question at hand, which is: What is brow lamination, exactly? We’re here to answer just that.
Ahead, we’ll teach you what brow lamination does and clue you in on some of the treatment’s biggest benefits. You’ll also learn how to mimic the look at home using products you probably already have in your makeup bag). Keep reading for a full crash course on eyebrow lamination.
What Is Brow 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) mixture. This technique results in smooth-looking, defined brows with a distinctly lifted look. Because it’s relatively long-lasting, brow lamination is sometimes referred to as an eyebrow perm. However, we’d argue that’s a bit of a misnomer: Eyebrow lamination isn’t actually permanent. It usually lasts a few weeks to a couple of months.
What Are The Benefits Of Eyebrow Lamination?
The main benefit of brow lamination is the appearance: Laminated eyebrows are lifted, full, and well-defined, which is a look that we’d argue is nearly universally flattering. Also, because it’s semi-permanent, getting your brows laminated can help cut down on the time you spend doing your brows. That makes it a great option for those looking to streamline their daily beauty routine, as well as anyone who’s after sleek-looking brows (sans elbow grease).
Can You Laminate Your Brows At Home?
If you’re interested in laminating your brows, you may be wondering whether or not you can do it at home. The answer: It’s a professional, salon technique, not a DIY.
How To Mimic Laminated Brows With Eyebrow Gel
While we don’t recommend attempting brow lamination at home, you can also achieve a full, lifted look with makeup—and best of all, it’s really easy. Here, we’ll break down how to recreate the look from the comfort of your bathroom vanity.
Step 1: Gather Your 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 Instant Brow Styler, 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 glue. 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
With The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler, begin brushing your eyebrows upward. The hairs should be brushed up vertically at the start of your brows for a lifted look. Once you reach the mark you made indicating where you want your arch to start, adjust the wand ever so slightly. Then, brush the tail of your brow toward the top of your temple to help create a defined, tapered shape with up to 16 hours of non-sticky hold.
Pro Tip: Want to help your brows lay flat all day? Try rolling a clean spoolie wand (the actual handle, rather than the brush) over your brow hairs in an upward motion to help them set.
Step 4: Fill In Your Brows
Once your brow glue 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 after here. Use a shade slightly lighter than your natural brows to draw short, thin strokes wherever you want to add depth or definition.
Step 5: Brush Down The Top Of Your Brows
Lastly, reach for your brow glue once again. Use the attached wand to push down any hairs at the top of your brow and create a clean, defined brow line.
Need more guidance? Watch this video to learn how to rock a laminated brow look with Mark Anastasios, head of digital artistry and global storytelling for NYX Professional Makeup.
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: Complement a laminated brow look with soft, subtle makeup. Learn how in our article This 5-Minute No-Makeup Makeup Look Will Be Your New Go-To.
PRODUCTS USED
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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
