What’s the Difference between Microblading, Microshading & Nano Brows

Nano Combo Brows, Ombre Brows, Microshading Brows
Which Brow Do I Book

Hey there! You’re here because you want to know what’s the difference between Microblading Microshading and Nano Brows. You’re either ready to get permanent brows or you’re thinking about it. But you’re unsure as to which brow technique you should get. Or maybe you’re already booked and just want to be extra prepared for your appointment. You hear all of these terms thrown around. Microblading, Microshading, Ombre, Nano, Combo. OMG, what the heck is the difference? No worries, I’m here to help. Let me start off by saying if you know for a fact you want permanent brows and like all of my work, it doesn’t matter if you know the difference. I’ll explain it to you at your appointment and let you know what I think is best for you based on your skin type. You can book your appointment and trust that you are in safe hands!

But for those who say nawww I need all the info, let me in on it. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? Keep reading cause we’re about to dig in.

What’s the difference between Microblading versus Microshading and Nano Brows

I’m going to keep the descriptions short because super detailed descriptions are in my FAQs page and I know yall don’t want 72 paragraphs to get the answer you’re after. 

Microblading: A cosmetic brow tattoo that uses a handheld tool to make tiny cuts in the brow

Microbladed Brows
Microbladed Brows offer a hair-like look.

that are the width and shape of a hair. Microblading gives the illusion of more hair in the brow. This technique is suitable for normal, to dry youthful skin types only.

 

What’s the Difference Between Nano Brows and Microblading:

Nano brows are very similar to microblading in look. This technique resembles hair. The difference is in the

Nano Brows Chicago
Nano Brows are a hair stroke only look.

execution. Nano is a cosmetic brow tattoo that creates hair-like strokes in the brow using a tattoo machine. The hair strokes are created slowly and methodically through pixelation vs tiny cuts. This technique takes longer to create for the artist and is considered an advanced technique. Nano brows are suitable for all skin types

 

 

What’s the Difference Between Ombre Microshading, Ombre Brows  and Mircroshading:

These terms are often used

Ombre Microshading brows Chicago
Ombre Microshading, the front of brow is softer.

interchangeably. Ombre is microshading but microshading isn’t necessarily ombre. Ombre brows are microshaded brows, a cosmetic brow tattoo that uses a tattoo pen style machine to create a more filled in look similar to soft brow tint or soft brow pencil once healed. So the term, ombre simply means the fronts of the brows are done lighter than the arch and tail of the brow. Full microshading just means the entire brow has equal darkness in color. This technique is suitable for all skin types.

 

Combo Brows:

This is a mix of microshading and microblading or a mix of nano and microshading. The nano

Nano Combo Brows Chicago
This is a Nano Combo Brow. It’s a combination of nano hair strokes and microshading.

combo is suitable for all skin types. The microblading combo is suitable only for normal to dry youthful skin types. These two techniques look very similar but the execuition is quite different as stated above.

 

Most people say I want MICROBLADING. Like they’re 1000 percent sure that’s what they want but they will show me pictures they like and it’s all OMBRE MICROSADING or combo. So then I say, let me see how you normally wear your brows and it’s almost always done with pencil or they religiously get them tinted. 

Please Don’t Give Me Sharpie Brows

The biggest fear most clients have with all cosmetic brow tattoos, especially microshading is

Healed Ombre Brows Chicago
Healed ombre microshaded brows after only one session.

that they will have sharpie eyebrows,
consequently leading them to think microblading is the better option, when in fact, it’s usually NOT the best option. Honestly, if I’m doing your brows, that sharpie look is not going to happen. Why? Well first of all my technique, second of all, because all brow styles fade into a nice natural look throughout the healing process. Even shading and combo brows look extremely natural once healed. Even more so than microblading. Microshading techniques and nano are the best option for almost everyone right now and long term. It’s suitable for all skin types. It lasts the longest. It’s less invasive AND heals naturally! So those are the facts and I hope you have now learned the difference between Microblading Microshading and Nano Brows. But ultimately the choice is yours! Click here to book a personalized virtual consultation.

If you want to see gallery of photos and video of all works done by Angela Patrice at brows Blades and Babes please click here.

Written by:
Angela Patrice

Owner of Brows Blades & Babes

What Happens in a Microblading/ Microshading Session?

What to expect at your microblading session
I’m New to Microblading, What Should I Expect?

It’s quite common for potential clients new to cosmetic tattooing to be nervous about booking microblading or ombre brows. In fact, it’s actually more unusual to not be nervous. You’re worried if it will look right, if you don’t have enough brows or you’re scared your eyebrows are too thick brows. You’re worried about if they will look even or if you will end up with sharpie brows or possibly an angry villain. I’ve heard it all. Clients generally have the exact same concerns as the clients before them. There’s no concern that unusual. To ease your worry, I’m going to go over the steps involving your new microblading/ microshading brow journey.

  1. Once you have arrived to your appointment, you’re greeted by me, Angela Patrice. We then go over your brow goals and you tell me about your brow journey throughout the years. Did you shave them off and they never grew back. Do you have alopecia? Are you someone who’s simply just tired of filling them in or getting them tinted? Either way it goes, we’ll do a quick consult and I’ll advise you on the best brow style for you skin type and lifestyle.
  2. Next, I will take photos and we will begin brow mapping. In short, brow mapping means I will draw on your new brows. However, its a bit more technical. I’ll be using measuring tools, pencil and mapping string to custom design a brow that fits YOUR FACE and YOUR BONE STRUCTURE. Your new custom shape must be approved by you before moving forward. Usually at this point, almost every single client is at ease and has moved from nervous to over the moon excited!IMG 5090 2 Once the shape is approved–if you’re getting microshading ombre brows, I will quickly but efficiently secure your
    Creating Microshaded Ombre Brows
    Creating Microshaded Ombre Brows

    new brow shape with my machine. This takes about two minutes per eyebrow. Once secured, I will apply numbing agents to keep you nice and comfortable during the remainder of the microshading, microblading procedure. While numbing agents are working their magic, I will present you with an after care kit. The kit will contain products and instructions on how to care for them over the next 10-14 days. I will throughly explain each step outlined on your aftercare card and give you the opportunity to ask any questions.

  3. Next, I will be working my magic, tattooing your new microbladed or microshaded ombre brows. I will be using every tool and all the knowledge I’ve encountered through experience to make your new microbladed or microshaded brows look gorgeous!
  4. Finally, I will show you your new microbladed or microshaded ombre brows. Then I will take after photos. I will ask if you have any more questions and then take payment! If you desire to schedule your second session we will also do so at that time.

This process is really not as scary as you may believe! One of my strong suits is explaining. I talk my clients through the entire process so they leave knowledgable and confident about their Microblading/Microshading eyebrow journey! Book now to get permanent brows that don’t wash off!

Click the link below ?  to see a 30 second video of what eyebrow mapping looks like!

What does Brow mapping look like?

Why is Microblading so Expensive?

Good Microblading is an Investment
Why are Permanent Brows so Expensive?

I’m sure this is a question you asked yourself while conducting your research on the best artist to choose for your new

Ombre Browsby Angela Patrice
Ombre Brows by Angela Patrice

permanent makeup journey. I totally understand if and why you may be someone who feels discouraged by the price of cosmetic tattooing. But here’s the thing, if you think microblading, microsading, combo brows, powder brows, ombre brows or any cosmetic tattooing is too expensive–that just means you have yet to see the value! I’m here to explain it to you. I was just like you when I first heard of microblading. I was given a quote of $800 the very first time I inquired 7 years ago. I was FLOORED by the price. However, when I started researching and learning about the process, how long it lasts and so-forth it began to make more sense.

Fact! Other Services Cost More

Let me break it down for you. Are you someone who tints your brows? Yes, no, sometimes? If you visit the salon to get your brows tinted every two weeks at $30, you’ve now paid about $1500 on brows in a total of two years. This does not take into account traveling and how valuable your time is. This also does not account for those who pay $50 every two weeks or even $75. 

Do you get your nails done every two weeks? If you spend about $75 on your nails every two weeks, over the course of two years you have now paid $3,600 just on nails. This does not include pedicures. 

Have you ever gotten your hair done? Let’s say for instance braids– If your braids cost $300 and if you get them done three times a year. You have now spent $1800 over the course of two years. This DOES NOT include more expensive braiders, other hairstyle services such as regular maintenance appts, color jobs, extensions, etc. The price on hair maintenance alone will increase far past $1800 over a two year time frame. Lash extensions can easily cost $130-200 for a full set with biweekly maintenance of $80. All of these services we happily pay for and not one of these things lasts two years. So I respectfully ask you, how can you expect to get something done to your face for the world to see every day, something that doesn’t wash off or  wipe off while simultaneously expecting it to be priced low?

Your Time is Valuable

I know you can imagine waking up looking flawless, without having to worry about driving to get your brows tinted or fumbling with your brow pencil to get them even. You can happily workout and go on vacation and not wonder if your brows are still on your face. Because baby those eyebrows are THERE and they look GOOD!

Microblading, Microshading, Ombre Brows Last Years

It lasts about 2 years on average and up to 4 years. Therefore, hello, I will see you twice and I won’t see you again for years.

Ombre Brows
Ombre Microshaded Brows by Angela Patrice

Unlike your lash artist, nail tech or your hair stylist they see you every few weeks or every few months. However, microblading and microshading artists never build a clientele because our artistry lasts so long that we usually spend tons of money on marketing to bring in new clients consistently! This is not a bad thing! It means we are doing our jobs right and our clients are listening to our aftercare instructions!

This Skill is not Easy to Learn and Even Harder to Master

Microblading, Powder Brows, Ombre Brows, Microshading, all cosmetic tattooing is an art form. No we aren’t just jumping at you with tattoo guns and slapping two lines on your face. It takes time. We as permanent makeup artists have to understand your skin type, your bone structure.We must understand how to bring balance to the face although none of us are actually symmetrical.  We must understand needle knowledge, color theory and how to insert the pigment at the exact depth into your skin to make it look stunning, last a long time while looking as natural or as bold (within reason) as the client desires. We have to take expensive courses, continuing education classes as techniques are always evolving. It’s not wise to just go to anyone because they are cheap.

Good work is NOT CHEAP!
Why is microblading so expensive
Why is microblading so expensive?

Good work is not cheap and cheap work is not good. Not to criticize newer artists, because we’ve all been there but this artistry takes time, experience, practice and education to become extremely skilled. You have to learn how to navigate every skin type, every skin tone over and over again before you can say you are truly skilled. The only way to encounter all skin types and every skin tone is through experience. This takes time. In order to get that experience, fees are priced lower to attract new clients to gain that experience! 

With all of this said, microblading, ombre brows, combo brows and all cosmetic tattooing is an artform that takes time and experiences to master. To understand the price is to understand the value. When you’re ready to make that leap for this luxury service known as microblading or microshading ombre brows, you have decided to make an investment. You will immediately thank yourself!