SIMPLY GORGEOUS, LLC | MICROBLADING PERMANENT MAKEUP |
SIMPLY GORGEOUS, LLC | MICROBLADING PERMANENT MAKEUP |
Please reach us at shelly@simplygorgeousbyshelly.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
What is Microblading?
Microblading is a tattooing technique and form of permanent makeup in which a small handheld tool made of several tiny needles is used to add pigment to the skin. Microblading differs from standard eyebrow tattooing, as each hairstroke is created by hand using a blade which creates fine strokes in the skin. Microblading is typically used on eyebrows to create, enhance, or reshape their appearance in terms of both shape and color. It deposits pigment into the upper region of the dermis, so it fades more rapidly than traditional tattooing techniques, which deposit pigment deeper into the skin. Microblading is also sometimes called embroidery, feather touch, microstroking, 3D eyebrow embroidery, or hair-like strokes.
How long will my microblading last?
The microblading procedure is a semi-permanent tattoo. Like all tattoos, microblading can fade, depending on multiple factors, including the quality of the pigment used, UV exposure, elements found in skincare products, and/or medications. The treatment generally lasts from 12 to 18 months, although it can sometimes last for up to 3 years. A touch-up session is encouraged 8 weeks after the first microblading procedure, and every 12-18 months thereafter.
Is Microblading safe?
Safety is SimplyGorgeous by ShellyGambill’s top priority. She makes sure everything is spotless – following strict hygiene protocols and all of the needles and materials are one time use and disposable.
She is well-known for her high standards. She is licensed, insured and certified. She uses only top quality permanent makeup pigments and needles.
If you have any health conditions, inform Shelly before the appointment. If you have any allergies and you think you might be allergic to the pigment used, Shelly can do a patch-test before the treatment.
Serious complications from microblading are uncommon. It is essential to verify that the technician holds the appropriate licenses and registrations for the provision of tattoo services, as well as inquire about the technician's standard of training. Procedures performed by technicians like Shelly, who has completed a comprehensive course of instruction, can minimize the risk of unwanted outcomes and client dissatisfaction.
She has been fully trained and certified in PMU services that include brows, eyeliner, and lips. She has taken blood borne pathogens safety training and has also been trained in saline removal, which can remove pigment in small, lighter colored areas. She is fully insured and is regularly inspected by the health department, which requires updated scores to be posted in a visible area of her studio upon each inspection. To her knowledge, she has never had any of the above mentioned situations or issues, but feels education is key to making informed decisions.
What can I expect my appointment to be like?
Shelly will first ask you questions about what you want and expect, chatting through your style preferences. She’ll often ask what you like and dislike about your existing brows. She will draw the brow shape onto your brow bone and show you what she has planned, giving you the opportunity to provide additional input before she ever begins the process of microblading. She gives you a mirror and discusses each point of the brow shape with you, making minor alterations if requested. Next, she’ll prep the skin and apply a topical numbing cream, letting it numb for 20-30 minutes. When she finishes the microblading process, which takes 30-45 minutes, she again hands you a mirror to do a final check of your brows before cleanup and discussion of your aftercare.
Is Microblading a tattoo?
Microblading is a type of tattoo, but it’s not as permanent as true tattoo. Not only do the two use different “inks”—traditional tattoos use concentrated tattoo ink, while cosmetic tattoos use smaller pigment particles—but they’re also applied differently. With microblading, the pigment is applied superficially to your skin (so your body eventually metabolizes it until it fades away), rather than placed into your skin’s deeper layers (where it becomes permanent).
Because of the pigment used and the way it’s applied to the skin, microblading produces a semi-permanent “tattoo” that looks soft and subtle, instead of opaque and bright as with traditional tattoos. Over time, the pigment on your brows will also lighten a shade or two from its original color, whereas a tattoo on your body can have a blue-green tint on the edges when it starts to fade.
We do not want blue or green brows, which occurs when pigment is implanted too deeply. Shelly began Microblading in 2016 and is well-trained and practiced in proper application of pigment during Microblading to achieve the desired look and color.
Am I a good candidate for Microblading?
A good candidate for microblading isn’t necessarily based on how little or how much brow hair you naturally have—it’s more based on your skin type. Is your skin super reactive and sensitive? Do you have keratosis pilaris on your forehead? Do you currently or consistently deal with breakouts or cystic acne around your brows?
Then you may not be a great candidate at the moment, since microblading will initially cause some inflammation that can exacerbate skin conditions and affect your tattoo’s healing process. Similarly, oil can make microblading fade faster, so you’ll get less time with your microbladed brows if your skin is very oily. Also, Shelly does not microblade pregnant or breastfeeding clients to avoid risks of infection (sry!). Clear it with your doctor first, and wait six weeks after giving birth and stop breastfeeding before booking your appointment. You also need to wait until after finishing Accutane to get microblading because it makes your body prone to excessive sensitivity and bleeding. If you are uncertain if you’re a good candidate, contact Shelly for a free
What if I do not like it?
As with all cosmetic procedures, individuals should not make their choices lightly. We always recommend clients do their research, understand the procedure and compare different artists' work and portfolio when making their decisions. Our brow technicians will do their utmost to shape and style the eyebrows to the clients satisfaction prior to the procedure. Every effort will be made to achieve an even appearance, but please realize our faces are never perfectly symmetrical. Uneven appearance can be fixed during the touch up session. Pigment discoloration and color correction can also be fixed during the the touch up session. Microbladed brows will eventually fade away if no additional touch ups are done.
What happens if I am unhappy with my microblading?
As with all cosmetic procedures, individuals should not make their choices lightly. It is recommended that clients do their research, understand the procedure and compare different artists' work when making their decisions. Consider hygiene practices and the professionalism of various technicians, and also compare their work on previous clients before choosing one. Your artist should have plenty of her new work available for you to see, as well as healed results. Shelly welcomes all questions and comments. She does her utmost to shape and style the eyebrows to the client's satisfaction prior to the actual microblading. While doing the pre-drawing, she will discuss your desired results and give you a mirror to get your approval of the design BEFORE the actual microblading begins. At this point, if the design isn’t quite what you have in mind, you will have the opportunity to request changes to achieve the shape you desire. This confirmation is a critical step on achieving your desired result. Speak up! She values your input. Every effort will be made to achieve an even appearance, but please realize our faces are never perfectly symmetrical. The touch up session will further correct minor imperfections.
When done properly, microbladed brows will eventually fade away if no additional touch ups are done.
Is microblading only good for thin brows?
Microblading can be great for those with thin, sparse brows to get some definition and fullness, but it might not look as natural as someone who does have hair behind the draw-on strokes. If you’re worried about your microbladed brows looking too drawn-on, Shelly can add shading behind the hair-like strokes so the empty spaces between the strokes aren’t so noticeable. This is called stippling, and uses tiny dots of pigment (not noticeable by the naked eye) to create a more “filled in” look.
What are benefits of microbladed eyebrows?
Eyebrows are one of the most prominent features of the face and perform a number of functions. They help to accentuate your eyes, shape your face and even play a powerful role in your communication, your eyebrows are a vital asset to beauty, expression and to your overall confidence. With this in mind and in a world fuelled by the cosmetic altering of appearances and full of plastic surgery options, it is no wonder that microblading has gained the popularity it has in such a short period of time.
Is Microblading painful?
The level of pain you may feel will depend on your own natural pain tolerance. The upside? Shelly adds numbing gel before she begins, and may also add an extra layer of numbing gel between each pass as needed. The pain of microblading has been compared to a cat scratch, noting that “on a scale of tweezing your brows to getting a bikini wax, microblading is more like tweezing your brows.” Basically, expect the pain to be a little uncomfortable, but not unbearable.
Topical anesthetics used may contain lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine and epinephrine.
After the procedure, redness and slight swelling in the area is normal. Clients describe the area feeling similar to a light sunburn. Clients can take Tylenol but not aspirin or ibuprofen.
What is permanent makeup? Is it really permanent?
Permanent makeup is a form of cosmetic tattooing. It is also known as micropigmentation. In fact, it is semi-permanent and the effects last from 1 to 3 years, depending on the treatment and maintenance.
The pigment is inserted into the dermal layer of the skin, it does not go as deep as with the traditional tattoo and that is the reason it starts fading after some time.
How do I prepare for my microblading appointment?
Not absolutely critical, but Shelly asks clients to not groom their brows for 6-8 weeks so she can do a full reshaping along with microblading. You should also stop using retinol, chemical exfoliants, and physical exfoliators at least one week before microblading, since they can make your skin extra sensitive.
Clear skin is crucial during Microblading due to increased risk of infection from a pimple located nearby. If you have a breakout, it’s wise to simply let Shelly know and reschedule for a later date.
You’ll also need to skip anything that could have a thinning effect on your blood, so avoid taking aspirin or vitamin E for 48 hours before your appointment, and skip drinking any caffeine or coffee the day of. Not only that, but if you're on antibiotics, you'll need to wait 14 days after your final dose before getting microblading, as antibiotics can make the pigment change color while healing.
How do you decide on a color for my brows?
Shelly can create the appearance of naturally full brows on any skin tone with any shade range, if you’re worried about the color not looking natural. For her clients, Shelly creates a custom color using shades that match your natural hair color, so your brows will look multidimensional and ~real~. She uses high quality pigments and tools that are tried and true within the PMU industry. Still, don’t be alarmed if your brow color looks extremely dark right after your appointment—it’ll fade to its final, softer shade in about 10-12 days and the true color they will be “blooms” in approximately 30 days as the skin has healed and the color “settles” in your skin to where it will remain.
When can I return to work?
You can continue with your normal activities immediately after the treatment.
The most noticeable day is the next day. Your tattoo will be dark and a little bit swollen and you will have to be careful not to sweat. If you don’t feel comfortable about it, take a day off after the treatment.
But, if it does not bother you, you can go to work the very next day.
How long do microbladed brows take to heal?
Microbladed brows will fully heal in about a month, but how well they heal will depend on how well you follow Shelly’s aftercare instructions. Slight redness, slight swelling, and minimal scabbing are may occur after microblading in the first 5-7 days, so don’t be concerned if you experience them. Despite how tempting the flaking may look, never pick at them! You risk potential infection, pigment loss, and prolonged healing. Cleanliness is crucial so keep your hands off. Shelly is always easy to contact if you are worried about anything during your healing process.
What is the aftercare like?
Microblading aftercare is very important if you want a good result. You shouldn’t sweat heavily or be in the sun for seven days after getting microblading. Basically, now’s the time to hit pause on your workouts. If you are in this category, discuss it with Shelly for best results. She has had good results with athletes.
Make sure to avoid using any acids or retinoids until your brows fully heal, since they can fade the pigments.
As far as Shelly’s specific aftercare regimen, she uses A-W-M, or absorb, wash, and moisturize. After your microblading session, you will receive verbal and written instructions and an aftercare kit with all needed items. On your paperwork, you’ll also receive tips to get the best healing results possible.
Will I still have to tweeze after microblading?
Yes, you will still have to tweeze your eyebrows after microblading, if you’re someone who prefers a clean, groomed look. Your eyebrow hairs will continue to grow like normal, so if you like to touch-up stray hairs or shape your brows, you’ll still need to tweeze, razor, wax, or thread.
For those who say you aren’t good at doing your own brows, after microblading you will have the desired shape tattooed, so all you have to do is clean up your own brows with tweezers or a brow razor. Shelly will teach you how to do this! You now have a “template” of sorts so that you won’t mess up the shape of your brows! Many of Shelly’s clients have told her that they have never really known HOW to do their brows…so after Microblading you’ll know. It’s that easy. Shelly is a retired teacher and loves to teach her clients the easiest brow care after microblading.
How do I determine the best artist for me?
Shelly likes to educate potential clients on how to chose the right artist, whether or not she is the one. Although price is a consideration, it should definitely not be the determining factor. A couple hundred dollars difference upfront is way cheaper than choosing a poorly trained or poorly skilled artist. Poorly executed brows (placement, shape, color) can cost loss of self esteem and thousands of dollars on removal. Choosing the right artist for YOU is extremely important. Check out the reviews. Go to the artist’s website and social media. Look at her work on other clients. Is it beautiful to you? Do you want a natural look or a makeup look?
You don’t have to like every brow, but in general you should like most of the artist’s work and realize that some brows are per client request. The client may have requested a more dramatic brow or a darker brow. They should not all look alike, because faces are unique and “one brow fits all” is a hard no. Shelly would rather a potential client choose another artist rather than be unhappy with her/his final brows that she creates. She’s very passionate about her work and takes working on your face very seriously. She aims to please. She will advise you to choose another artist if she feels she’s not the right artist for you. It’s your FACE…choose wisely. It’s that simple.
How long is the appointment?
It takes 2-2.5 hours, with most of the time spent discussing client expectations, drawing the eyebrow shapes, numbing, and going over colors. The microblading portion lasts 30-45 minutes.
How do I make an appointment?
You can contact Shelly through Facebook Messenger at @SimplyGorgeous by ShellyGambill or @Shelly Preston Gambill, or call or text 606-369-1580 for the fastest reply back. If she’s working, you’ll have to leave a message.
What are the pre and post care procedures?
In order to achieve the best results, it is best to follow the pre and post care instructions.
Prior to your procedure, clients are advised of the following:
Can I get permanent makeup if I have Juvederm injections/fillers?
It is recommended to get permanent makeup first, or ask your Juvederm specialist for clearance.
Can microblading hide/cover my scars?
It's great for that! But Shelly recommends sending her a photo of your eyebrows without makeup so she can review and let you know whether you’re a candidate for microblading.
Does microblading work on all skin tones and skin types?
Yes! Microblading works on all skin tones and colors. If you have oily skin, large pores, Keloid disorder, Microblading is not recommended.
Can you microblade over previous eyebrow tattoos?
Shelly is selective when working over existing tattoos and other tattoo artists' work. If you have had your eyebrows previously tattooed, she requests that you text 606-369-1580 or email her at simplygorgeousmicro@gmail.com with clear photos of your brows for approval.
Is the touch up/perfecting session necessary?
Yes! A touch up session after 6-8 weeks is necessary as everyone heals differently and outcomes will vary. Certain areas may not heal out after your first session and will need to be touched up. Pigment color can be adjusted. Individuals with oily skin often require a deeper shade during the touch up session as the oils tend to lighten the pigment. Most importantly, your touch up session is when Shelly refines and perfects your brows to ensure they are on fleek and retain the color for the whole year!
Do I need a consultation before my appointment?
Consultation is not obligatory. However, if you have a lot of questions about the procedure, feel free to book a free consultation. Shelly understands the procedure can be daunting and wants to make sure all her clients feel comfortable with their decision.
She will be happy to give you all the answers to your questions, either in person, by phone, or by texting. You will find out everything about the treatment itself, pre-care and aftercare, and get to be informed about the products she uses.
I am unsure about the right design and color.
Do I need to book a consultation before an appointment?
Not required, Shelly will chose the shape and color during your appointment after chatting with you about your expectations and desires. You will have a chance to see and approve the shape before she starts the actual Microblading portion of the procedure. She will listen carefully to your goals and recommend shapes and colors. This way you can choose your best look.
Also, she will be seeing you for a touchup appointment in the following months so you may “fine-tune” your design and make adjustments to shape and color. The end result will be the shape you are most satisfied with.
Can I get my touch up session sooner than 6 weeks?
Touch up sessions should not be done earlier than 6 weeks after initial microblading session as pigment color has not fully settled into the skin. Most importantly, this is to prevent scar damage as the tissue requires time to completely heal.
Who is not suitable for Microblading?
Microblading is not suitable for the following candidates:
How do I know when I need a touchup?
Besides the first touch up, which is included in your initial price, all the other touch ups will prolong the life expectancy of your cosmetic tattoo. When the color starts fading, but before it fades completely, is when you should contact Shelly for your next appointment.
The frequency of touch ups will depend on the speed of fading, and it depends on your skin type and lifestyle. It’s your decision, but Shelly always recommends waiting at least a year.
How Long Does the Microblading Touch Up Process Last?
Microblading touch ups usually last half the time of the first treatment or about an hour. The touch up won't last as long as the initial treatment because only certain areas need to be fixed and the drawing and alignment were decided at the first session.
Final thoughts
If you want a break from filling in your brows—or if you want to experience what full brows look like for the first time in your life—microblading might be your answer. It’ll cost ya some cash, several days without the gym, a morning without caffeine, and a week of healing. But if you’re the right candidate, you may want to try it out. Call it “maintenance money” that’s well spent, because YOU’RE worth it!
~Shelly Gambill
You can contact Shelly through Facebook
or Facebook Messenger @SimplyGorgeous by ShellyGambill or @Shelly Preston Gambill
or
Call or text 606-369-1580 for the fastest reply back.
If she’s working on a client, leave a message and she will return your call as soon as possible.
Simply Gorgeous, LLC by Shelly
78 Gambill Dr, Hazard, Kentucky 41701, United States
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