Polish and Pearls

Difference Between Microblading vs. Ombre Brows

Today’s cosmetic tattoo industry has become better and bigger than ever before. The hottest trends no longer look as obvious and harsh compared to the outdated permanent makeup that was popular during the 80s and 90s.



You may be familiar with microblading but how about ombre brows?

The main purpose of brow tattoos is to save you more time every morning. It takes the guesswork off thinking where to draw your brows. You also don’t need to worry that your makeup will melt off or people will see you browless.

However, brow tattoos are not made equal. It is important to choose the right method according to your preferences and skin type.

Read on below to learn the difference between microblading vs. ombre brows.

Key Differences of Microblading and Ombre Brows

Back in the day, the popular tattooed brows were permanent but looked unnatural. Microblading and ombre brows are both semi-permanent. It means that these will fade away after some time. But these treatments are not like tattooed brows because they create natural-looking eyebrows that are in vogue these days.

These two techniques, however, are not only done differently because they also give results that are quite different in more ways than one.

What is Microblading?

During microblading, micro incisions are manually made on the skin’s surface and are then filled with pigments. Each hair is made individually, resulting in fashionable eyebrows that look natural. This process is ideal for people who have dry skin. But if you have oily type skin, you would be better off with ombre powder brows. Microblading is also perfect for people who want to achieve more solid brows.

person in black leather gloves

What are Ombre Brows?

The ombre powder technique is similar to brow tattooing because this consists of the application of thousands of small dots of pigments that are inserted into the skin. What makes it different from traditional tattooing is that this procedure is only done on the skin’s epidermis layer, which makes it less permanent.

This results in solid-looking brows that look powdered and fuller. This method is called ombre since the brow’s tail is always darker compared to the head. When you opt for this procedure, your brows will also look like you are wearing makeup.

Microblading and Ombre Brows: Difference in Cost

Microblading treatment costs $400 on average, and the price can reach up to $1,000, depending on the competition and location, as well as the popularity of the artists and the service provider. There are also extra costs of touchups that may cost approximately $100.

Ombre brows also have quite similar costs priced at $500 on average. Similar to microblading, ombre brows also require follow-up appointments that may cost extra money. Considering that your eyebrows are among the most prominent facial features, this is not something you should be saving money on.

It is also common that the price will be higher if well-known and experienced artists perform the treatments. But despite the additional cost, you can have peace of mind knowing that the job will be done right.

This means that price alone must not be the determining factor when trying to decide which aesthetician you will choose.

Microblading and Ombre Brows: Difference in Healing Process

Both procedures have quite similar healing processes. it often takes 2 to 3 weeks before the redness disappears, for the scabs to fall off, and your eyebrows to achieve the desired appearance. There are several aftercare rules you need to remember, and a follow-up appointment is also required after that.

After every treatment, you may feel a bit disappointed since your brows will look too dark, and scabbing will soon start to follow. Unlike microblading that has patched scabbing, ombre brows scab in a few large pieces or a single big piece. You should avoid touching them in the meantime and follow all the tips that the artist gave you so you can achieve the best results.

Microblading and Ombre Brows: Difference in Pain Levels

No matter what procedure you choose, you can be sure that you won’t suffer significant pain since the treated area will be numbed first before the procedure. But microblading may feel a bit more uncomfortable because it involves some blood.

It is because of the incisions made during the process of treatment. However, there is no need to worry because the resulting pain is bearable and is almost the same as the discomfort you feel every time you pluck your eyebrows.

Microblading and Ombre Brows: Which Lasts Longer?

As stated earlier, both microblading and ombre brows are semi-permanent brow treatments that have their own set of pros and cons.

Thankfully, none of them lasts forever, which means you can easily change your looks if ever new trends show up or thinner eyebrows make a comeback. This makes these treatments great if you don’t like anything that stays on your face for good.

But although tattooed brows last relatively longer, these will still fade away after some time and leave behind green or blue pigment.

Microbladed brows can last for a maximum of two years, while ombre brows last a bit longer, typically up to a maximum of 3 years. As expected, as long as you follow the steps that the artist gave you and you look after your brows correctly, microbladed and ombre brows will both look good and last for a long time.

Microblading and Ombre Brows: Which is Better for You?

If you feel dissatisfied with your brow shape and you feel like you need a total makeover, microblading is your best option. Ombre brows are more recommended for people who have brows already but wish to fill in the gaps to make them look as if they put on makeup. Since ombre brows are fuller and resemble tattooed brows, they are best suited for women with darker hair.

Now that you know the difference between microblading vs. ombre brows, be sure to talk to the artist before the procedure to set expectations.