Microblading and Minimal Make-Up

This year I will be 35…..THIRTY F-I-V-E.

Thirty five is the age that doctors call you “geriatric” if you get pregnant. I mean why don’t doctors just hand us all clocks when we arrive at this age, as if I can’t already hear it ticking. However this is the only life I’ve got and it’s a good one! I had a thought this week that even if I could, I wouldn’t turn back time. I would never trade wisdom and life lessons for youth, even if the effects of wisdom are shown more in the tiny wrinkles around my eyes. Women are born with the desire to feel beautiful; there is nothing wrong with that. But beauty is much more than what meets the eye, it’s a collection of characteristics: kindness, love, having an open heart and confidence in your worth. That however does not mean you can’t take care of what you got! Self-care is so important. So last week I did a little bit of that self-care, I invested in myself and a new beauty method called “Microblading” with Ciao Bella.  I did a little Q & A with myself about microblading and minimal makeup. I hope you find it helpful if you’re trying to decide if microblading is for you. If you decided to book with Ciao Bella mention my name CHRISSY POWERS for 20% off!

• What is Microblading? Microblading is also called eyebrow embroidery and originated in Asia. It is done by using a unique hand instrument with a small row of very fine needles that deposit pigment into the dermis with slicing, feathering strokes (I know sounds scary but it’s not bad at all). The pigment is implanted in the basal membrane, which divides the epidermis from the Dermis layer of the skin. In the end it creates very crisp, fine hair strokes that don’t blur after healing. These strokes actually look like my own brow hairs. You would never know it was semi-permanent makeup. In fact I had lunch with a friend 4 days after my procedure and halfway into lunch I told her I had my eyebrows microbladed to which she replied, “oh is that what I’m looking at? I had know idea I just thought your makeup looked really good.” Yes! That’s exactly what I was hoping for.
• How long does it last? Up to 3 years with yearly touchups. But everyone is different so it may vary.
• Does it hurt? Yes a little. It felt much like a cat scratching my eyebrows but when you know it’s going to happen it’s not scary and easy to breath through the painful parts. It’s a gentle procedure and they do apply a numbing cream that absorbs into your skin within seconds. So totally worth any pain or discomfort you may feel.
• How long does it take? The treatment takes about 2 hours and consists of consultation, drawing the shape you want, numbing cream, pigment applied with manual tool, pigment absorbed, cleaning the brow area and applying healing cream and then checking out your new brows.
• Did I have any reservations? Yes, the only reservation I had was could I trust someone with my brows. I knew I could handle the pain since I have a small tattoo on my left foot and gave birth twice. But eyebrows frame the face so trust was a big deal for me. Amie from Caio Bella in Leucadia preformed my treatment and she was so comforting. She allowed me to be a huge part of the planning and designing process, allowed me to pick my color (we both recommend going darker then you would think) and she explained to me what was happening every step of the way.
• How has it helped you minimal makeup routine? It’s amazing not having to put eyebrow makeup on everyday. I feel put together even if all I throw on my face is foundation and mascara. It’s a game changer.
• What else do you use on your face? I have a very minimal routine because the older I get the more I realize “less is more” applies to beauty. My makeup routine consists of starting with a clean face, applying Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation with a beauty blender sponge (it literally stays on all day and covers my dark spots), Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift concealer (a must), a brown eyeshadow like this one called “bamboo” by Laura Mercier for my eye crease, then I apply a cream blush in rose from e.l.f., Subversion lash primer from Urban Decay, a volumizing mascara, Glossier boy brow, and I top it off with a little highlighter from Tata Harper and eos lip balm mixed with my cream blush.This is a BEFORE photo of how my brows look even without any other makeup on one week after microblading. 
  *All photos by the talented Paloma Lisa.

Shop my look:Savannah Overalls by Loup (Shop Similar Here), Boho Blouse by English Factory (Shop Similar Here), Striped Shirt by Target (Shop Similar Here), Mules by Madewell (Shop Similar Here).

*All Jewelry handmade by Kelsey Overstreet of Giusta Jewelry.