If full and dramatically dark is your ideal brow style, chances are you’ve tried microblading before. The semi-permanent technique, which uses tattoo needles to shape and fill the brow, was once the gold standard treatment. As trends shifted, eyebrow lamination became more popular to deliver a fluffier appearance. Now, with the natural aesthetic topping the trends, a new technique has emerged. Soft style microblading doesn’t just give you naturally shaped and perfectly filled arches—it also gives you a look that lasts. To learn more about the trend flooding social media feeds, we spoke with two brow experts. Below, they share what to know about soft style microblading, including how long the results last and how much it’ll cost you.
Featured experts
- Danielle Vincent is a celebrity makeup artist, brow expert and founder of KIMIKO
- Ramon Padilla is the founder of Evertrue Microblading Salons
What is soft style microblading?
Soft style microblading is exactly what it sounds like. Like the original technique, it offers a semi-permanent look but has a much softer appearance. “As a variation of microblading, it’s meant to be undetectable,” says Danielle Vincent, a celebrity makeup artist, brow expert and founder of KIMIKO. It still uses a fine row of needles to create hair-like strokes, but it is designed to enhance your brows rather than paint them on, thanks to fewer strokes. “Soft style microblading uses about 15 strokes per brow, which is less than half that of regular microblading, creating a soft, natural look,” says Ramon Padilla, founder of Evertrue Salon, where soft style microblading is the popular treatment. In that vein, he adds that the treatment is most effective for clients with some existing hair, including men seeking naturally defined, not overdone brows.
The draw to microblading was its bold look and longevity. With 30 or more hair-like strokes per brow, Padilla says that the results are always detailed and intense. However, while many people enjoy not having to touch up their brows for months, the technique has begun to fade. Soft style microblading allows you to achieve a more subtle look that can last anywhere from six to 12 months, compared to the regular technique, which can last for one to two and a half years. Since it doesn’t impart as dark a color, it begins to diminish much quicker, creating a more natural look. It also means that it takes less time to achieve and to heal. According to the pros, a soft style brow can be achieved in a single session without follow-up or touch-up appointments.
How much does soft style microblading cost?
Much like traditional microblading, the soft style version can vary in cost, depending on your location and the salon or artist you choose. At Evertrue, Padilla shares that the service begins at $450. However, Vincent says that you can expect to pay on average of $800 per session and up to $1800 to $2500. Given that soft style microblading is one of the newer brow trends, it’s best to find a technician who understands the technique and how to deliver the desired look.
What kind of aftercare is required?
“The healing process takes about six to eight weeks for the color to completely settle,” says Padilla. Having an aftercare routine in place is key to making any microbladed brow last, especially a soft style with less pigment. “Following your appointment, it’s recommended that you keep the area dry and avoid heat, sweat and humidity for at least a week,” says Vincent. Excessive sun exposure is also ill-advised as it can affect the healing time and pigmentation of your new brows. “Keep your brows protected from the sun with a hat and a physical sunscreen to give pigment the best chance of settling in and not fading,” says Vincent. To keep the area clean, she recommends using a gentle antibacterial soap and skipping exfoliating skin-care products like retinols, acids or any physical exfoliators for at least two weeks. “Typically, this should be enough to settle your new brow pigment, but the full healing period can take up to four weeks, so you should continue to avoid excessive heat, swimming and continue to wear sunscreen to maximize your results,” she adds.
