If you’ve been researching ways to achieve fuller, more defined brows, you’ve probably come across two of the most popular brow treatments: brow lamination and microblading. While both deliver stunning results, they work in completely different ways—and choosing the wrong one for your goals can leave you disappointed.
As the esthetician who introduced brow lamination to Dallas back in 2019, I’ve helped thousands of clients navigate this exact decision. The truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right treatment depends on your natural brow hair, your lifestyle, your commitment level, and what you’re hoping to achieve.
In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about brow lamination versus microblading so you can make the best choice for your brows (and your budget).
What is Brow Lamination?
Brow lamination is a semi-permanent treatment that restructures your existing brow hairs to create a fuller, more uniform, brushed-up look. Think of it as a perm for your eyebrows—but instead of creating curls, we’re setting your brow hairs in an upward, feathered position.
How Brow Lamination Works:
During a lamination treatment, I apply a gentle chemical solution that temporarily softens the bonds in your brow hairs, allowing them to be repositioned and styled. After your brows are brushed into the desired shape and set, a neutralizing solution locks them into place. The result is fuller-looking, perfectly groomed brows with a natural, feathered texture.
The key requirement: You need to have natural brow hairs to laminate. Brow lamination works with what you already have—it enhances, lifts, and restructures your existing hair.
What Brow Lamination Can Do:
- Tame unruly, stubborn brow hairs
- Create the illusion of fuller, thicker brows
- Lift and open up your eye area
- Give you that trendy, brushed-up “soap brow” look
- Correct asymmetry by repositioning hair growth patterns
- Reduce your daily brow routine to nearly zero
What Brow Lamination Cannot Do:
- Fill in areas where you have no brow hair
- Create hair where it doesn’t exist
- Change your natural brow color (though we can add tint!)
- Permanently alter your brow shape
What is Microblading?
Microblading is a form of semi-permanent makeup (also called permanent makeup or PMU) that uses a manual handheld tool with tiny needles to deposit pigment into the skin. The result looks like individual hair strokes that blend seamlessly with your natural brow hairs.
How Microblading Works:
Using a specialized blade made of tiny needles arranged in a row, I create fine, hair-like incisions in the superficial layers of your skin and deposit pigment into those cuts. Each stroke is meticulously placed to mimic the appearance of natural brow hairs, building dimension and fullness where you need it most.
The key benefit: Microblading creates the illusion of hair where there is little to none, making it ideal for sparse or over-plucked brows.
What Microblading Can Do:
- Fill in sparse areas and gaps
- Rebuild brows that have been over-plucked or lost due to medical conditions
- Create entirely new brow shapes
- Add dimension and realistic hair-like texture
- Provide long-lasting results (1-3 years)
- Reduce or eliminate your daily brow routine
What Microblading Cannot Do:
- Change the texture or direction of your existing brow hairs
- Create a “brushed-up” laminated look
- Work well on extremely oily skin (consider powder brows instead)
- Be easily reversed (it’s semi-permanent)
Brow Lamination vs. Microblading: The Key Differences
Let’s break down the main differences so you can see which treatment aligns with your goals:
1. What They Work With
Brow Lamination: Works with your existing brow hairs. You need to have natural hair for this treatment to be effective.
Microblading: Works on the skin underneath your brows. Creates the illusion of hair where there may be little to none.
2. Longevity
Brow Lamination: Lasts 6-10 weeks on average. Results gradually fade as your brow hairs return to their natural growth pattern.
Microblading: Lasts 12-18 months (sometimes up to 3 years) depending on your skin type, lifestyle, and aftercare. Requires a touch-up session 6-8 weeks after the initial treatment, then optional annual touch-ups to maintain.
3. Cost
Brow Lamination at Arch + Skin:
- The Lifted Arch: $145
- The Complete Arch (lamination + tint): $170
- The Baby Lami Arch (softer approach): $95
Microblading at Arch + Skin:
- The Feathered Arch (microblading): $750 (includes initial perfecting session)
- The Powdered Arch: $750
- The Combination Arch: $900
Cost over time: While microblading has a higher upfront cost, lamination requires maintenance every 6-10 weeks. Over 18 months, you’d spend approximately $1,160-$2,320 on lamination (8-16 sessions) versus $750-$900 for microblading with one touch-up.
4. Pain Level & Downtime
Brow Lamination:
- Virtually painless—you might feel a slight tingling sensation
- Zero downtime
- Mild pinkness that fades within an hour
- Can return to normal activities immediately
- No numbing required
Microblading:
- Mild to moderate discomfort (we use numbing cream to minimize this)
- Minimal downtime, but you’ll experience some redness and tenderness
- Healing process takes 7-14 days with visible flaking
- Must avoid certain activities (swimming, sweating, sun exposure) during healing
- Two-part process with a perfecting session required
5. Commitment Level
Brow Lamination: Low commitment. Results fade naturally over 6-10 weeks, so if you don’t love the look, you’re not stuck with it.
Microblading: Higher commitment. While it’s technically “semi-permanent,” microblading lasts for months to years. Removal or correction is possible but complicated and expensive.
6. Maintenance
Brow Lamination:
- Simple daily brushing with a spoolie
- Conditioning serum recommended
- Avoid harsh exfoliants directly on brows
- Rebook every 6-10 weeks
Microblading:
- Strict aftercare for first 7-14 days (no water, no makeup, no touching)
- Long-term: avoid retinol and exfoliants on brow area
- Use SPF to prevent fading
- Touch-ups needed every 12-18 months
7. Best For
Brow Lamination is Best For:
- People with naturally full brows that are unruly, sparse-looking, or grow in different directions
- Anyone wanting a trendy, feathered “fluffy brow” look
- Those who aren’t ready for a long-term commitment
- Clients with sensitive skin who want to avoid tattooing
- Anyone wanting to enhance their natural brows without permanent changes
- First-time brow treatment clients testing the waters
Microblading is Best For:
- People with sparse, thin, or over-plucked brows
- Those with gaps or bald spots in their brows
- Anyone who has lost brow hair due to medical conditions, aging, or over-plucking
- Clients wanting long-lasting results without daily maintenance
- People comfortable with a semi-permanent commitment
- Those seeking to completely rebuild or reshape their brows
8. The Look & Aesthetic
Brow Lamination:
- Creates a soft, natural, feathered appearance
- Gives you that trendy “brushed-up” or “fluffy brow” look
- Works with your natural brow texture and color
- Results in a more editorial, effortless aesthetic
- Brows still look and feel like your brows, just better behaved
Microblading:
- Creates crisp, defined hair-like strokes
- Delivers a more polished, “makeup-ready” look
- Can dramatically change your brow shape and fullness
- Results in a structured, precise aesthetic
Can You Get Both? Absolutely!
Here’s a question I get all the time: “Can I get brow lamination if I have microblading?”
The answer is yes! In fact, brow lamination can be a beautiful complement to microblading. If you have microbladed brows but still have natural brow hairs, lamination can enhance the overall look by lifting and styling those hairs to blend seamlessly with your PMU.
A Pro Tip for Fading PMU: Brow lamination combined with tinting is actually one of my favorite tricks for concealing fading permanent makeup. As microblading naturally fades over time, the color can become patchy or uneven. Lamination lifts and repositions your natural hairs to camouflage those faded areas, while tinting helps blend your natural hair color with the remaining pigment in the skin. The result? Your brows look cohesive and full again while you decide whether you’re ready for a color boost or want to let your PMU continue fading naturally.
Important timing considerations:
- After microblading: Wait at least 4 weeks (until fully healed) before getting lamination
- Before microblading: Get lamination done at least a few days before, or wait 4 weeks after
Lamination can actually help freshen up older microblading that’s starting to fade, giving you a refreshed look while you decide if you want a color boost or full touch-up.
Which Treatment is Right for You?
Choose Brow Lamination If:
☑ You have naturally full brows that need taming or repositioning
☑ You want a low-commitment, temporary solution
☑ You love the trendy, brushed-up brow look
☑ You’re on a tighter budget or prefer spreading costs over time
☑ You want to test out a new brow shape before committing
☑ You have sensitive skin or concerns about tattooing
☑ You enjoy having flexibility to change your look seasonally
Choose Microblading If:
☑ You have sparse, thin, or patchy brows with visible gaps
☑ You’ve over-plucked and the hair won’t grow back
☑ You want to completely reshape or rebuild your brows
☑ You’re ready for a 1-3 year commitment
☑ You want to wake up with perfect brows every day
☑ You don’t mind a healing process and aftercare requirements
☑ You want the most cost-effective solution long-term
Consider Both If:
☑ You have microblading but also natural hairs that could use styling
☑ You want maximum fullness and definition
☑ You’re willing to maintain both treatments for optimal results
The Bottom Line
Both brow lamination and microblading are incredible treatments—they’re just designed for different needs and goals. As someone who has performed thousands of both services, I can tell you that the “best” choice is always the one that aligns with your natural brow situation, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences.
My honest recommendation: If you’re unsure which treatment is right for you, start with brow lamination. It’s lower commitment, lower cost, and will give you a sense of what fuller, more defined brows feel like. If you love the look but wish it lasted longer, then you know microblading might be your next step. If you discover you love switching up your brow look, lamination is your friend.
And remember—you don’t have to choose forever. Many of my clients do lamination for years, then decide to add microblading. Others get microblading and add lamination later for extra dimension. You’re not locked into one path.
Ready to Transform Your Brows?
Whether you’re Team Lamination or Team Microblading (or both!), I’d love to help you achieve the brows of your dreams. At Arch + Skin, we specialize in creating brows that are customized to your unique face shape, bone structure, and personal style—because your brows should look like you, only better.
For Brow Lamination: Book your appointment directly and we’ll get you scheduled for your transformation.
For Microblading or Any Permanent Makeup: Due to the current removal epidemic in the PMU industry, I require all first-time permanent makeup clients to complete either a Virtual Brow Consult ($30) or an In-Person Consult ($50) before booking your microblading appointment. This ensures we’re on the same page about your goals, face shape, and realistic expectations—so you get brows you’ll love for years, not brows you’ll regret.
Not sure which service is right for you? Book a consultation and I’ll personally guide you to the best choice for your unique brows.
Looking for more brow guidance? Follow us on Instagram @browsbylomuns for daily brow + skin inspiration and before & after transformations.
