10 Things You Want To Know About Microblading, And Why Larissa Decker Is Your Gal

 

Disclosure: I received a discounted service in exchange for my honest opinion, including the opinion I have that my eyebrows are now the favorite thing on my face. 

 

Eyebrows.

I get it…this, for me, is a first-world problem and I’ve ignored my growing anger and disappearing brows for a very long time. But, here I am, pushing 40, and penciling in eyebrows daily was getting seriously frustrating, annoying, time consuming…you name it.

First-world, again, I get it.

But, the thing with eyebrows is, they change your face. When someone is missing eyebrows, we naturally see a face as missing something. My mother hated this, as she went through chemo. Is it the end of the world? No, not even close. But eyebrows not only are purposeful in preventing debris and sweat from falling in our eyes, they’re essential to human communication.

Nope. Not making this stuff up. Our eyebrows play an important role on our face, and I was becoming increasingly aware that mine were disappearing and it mattered to me.

So, that was important.

I had heard about microblading somehow, someway. And intriguing as it was, I saw the price tag and basically set it aside, while silently drooling over the Instagram microblading transformations I was stalking online.
And one day, I saw a local mom who was absolutely killing it and decided to reach out.

She was super excited to partner with me in showcasing the magic that is microblading. I did receive a reduced rate for my microblading session in exchange for the beauty that are eyebrows, on my face.

Meet Larissa Decker.

Larissa is the owner and operator of Brow Artistry by Larissa, located in Atwater Village here in Southern California. I made an appointment with her for the soonest possible date I could, which happened to be two days later. And in that time period, I went through a plethora of emotions, including a strong desire to back out.

I’m so glad I didn’t. So, so glad.

Meeting Larissa face to face made my worries subside. She was super confident and clearly had been doing this for a while and gave me no indication that I should be weary in any way. She let me know what to expect every step of the way and off we went!

Before I get into the process of what microblading is and the 1o things I think you’d like to know about it, let me tell you I am so incredibly happy that I did this and I’d do it again, absolutely.

So, let’s do it. Let me list 10 things you’ll want to know about microblading.

 

10. Microblading is not the same as cosmetic tattooing. 

The biggest difference you’ll see in tattooed eyebrows vs micro bladed ones, is in the appearance. Microblading is done with a super fine hand tool (needle/blade) where each ‘hair’ is drawn in by hand to resemble actual hairs. The ink used in microblading is different and is deposited in the second layer of skin and is, therefore, not like a traditional tattoo that goes much deeper and stays forever. Microblading can last up to a year, sometimes more and sometimes less. This depends on factors like skin type and ink used.

Just so you know, this process is done by slicing little “hair” like lines into your brow and filling them with ink.

9. The procedure is an investment.

Microblading is not cheap. It just isn’t. But after having gone through this, I can clearly see why this procedure costs what it does. There is so much detail and preparation that goes into this, having most of your appointment spent on getting them ‘drawn in’ exactly as you want them. And truly, this pigment can last a full year. What you’re paying for here, is the time you’ll save and the confidence you’ll gain. My husband asked me after this was done, if I thought it was worth the 500-1000 dollar price tag. And I said, “Absolutely, yes.”
For me, the difference having eyebrows has made, is worth it.

 

8. You will need a second appointment for your touch up.

You will absolutely need a second appointment and most of the time, this will cost and additional (but reduced) fee. The point of this follow up to to get a clear picture of what your brows look like fully healed. This appointment should take place 4-6 weeks post session. At this appointment you’ll let your artist know what you’d like to see touched up. I know headed into mine, I could clearly see one brow was missing a few strokes and that was going to be taken care of then. Shading is also an option, if you’d like them filled in a bit here and there. This is a completely custom approach to getting the look you want. You are the boss!

Larissa says “Certain areas may not pick up during first session and will need to be refilled.  Pigment color may need to be adjusted, brow thickness and more strokes can be added. 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 we refine your brows.”

7. It’s not entirely pain-free. 

This is where I will get real. Yes, you are numbed with a topical anesthetic. But, please know that there will be places your nerves sit closer to the skin than others. There’s also the fact that everyone’s pain tolerance is different and just understand there is some discomfort. I’d say that in 80% of the process, I felt nothing. In about 15% it was annoying like a paper cut and there were a few times I was talking to Jesus.
For me, it was completely worth the few seconds of discomfort for what the outcome was. I am so extremely happy with the results, I’d do it again…minimal pain and all.

Having said that, I had zero pain walking out of my appointment. None.  As in I walked to my car thinking, ” I can’t believe what she just did to my skin and this doesn’t hurt”…what the what? It never hurt after. It did itch and I had to resist, but no pain post microblading for me.

 

6. . Microblading sessions last up to 3 hours. 

Most of your appointment time will be prep. As an artist, Larissa spent about an hour and a half with me talking about what I wanted, drawing the on and re-drawing as I was figuring out what I wanted the final thing to look like. She answered every question I had and most of our time together was prep. The actual procedure probably took 45 minutes.

5. You will go through a series of emotions post procedure, and they’re all totally normal

You’ll walk out thinking, “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I love my brows!”  Then suddenly, they’ll look so dark you think you made a mistake. (You didn’t). The crazy part of healing starts about day 5 or 6…they are scabbing over and falling off (Don’t touch!). This is where you’ll start to see the truer color and you may even think the color is falling off. (It’s not). The next step after they are perfectly healed is the touch up session where they are perfected and you will get exactly what you wanted all along. There’s a process…let it work!

 

4. The healing process will be awkward to look at, but don’t touch! 

Remember how I just mentioned the scabbing? It is SO IMPORTANT that you don’t pick off the scabs. They fall off pretty quickly but your skin doesn’t need your help. Touching and picking could have an effect on scaring and healing. Here’s a few things you can expect after getting this done:

• • Tenderness around the area
  • Pink or redness
  • Some swelling
  • There could be thickening or some darkening around the area
  • Moderate to thick scabbing 3-4 days after the procedure (mine was minimal)
  • Scabs that will begin to flake off anytime between days 5 – 10
  • After scabs flake off, pigment color and strokes will look light, grey, and blurry
  • After area is fully healed (4 weeks after procedure) the pigment will return to full color

3. How long Microblading lasts will depend on a few things.

Microblading procedures should last anywhere from 1 to 3 years. Microblading is not meant to last forever and will definitely require touch-ups when the pigment begins to fade. Your skin will actually determine how long this will last. For example if you have super oily skin or dry skin, that plays a part. As well as the skill of your artist and the type of ink they use. (So, use Larissa and you’ll have no problem!)

2.  You will not be able to stop staring at your new amazing eyebrows. 

You won’t. I still can’t believe I can get up in the morning and have eyebrows on my face!!

1.   I highly recommend Brow Artistry By Larissa 

I always go into a review hoping I really love the product or service I’m receiving. This was absolutely the case with my microblading experience. There are so many artists out there doing this, but I will always go based on word of mouth referral. Always. Larissa is a beautiful local mom of 4 who’s experienced, kind, attentive, confident and honest. She’s very good at what she does.

That is my honest to goodness word of mouth referral!

And take a look here on her Instagram to see more of her amazing work! 

Larissa has a fantastic SoCal location in Atwater village. She’s located inside The Atwater Parlour
3407 Glendale Blvd LA 90039. 

To contact Larissa on any questions you might have or to actually book your appointment, visit her website at BrowArtistryByLarissa.com. 

Prices vary and sometimes she’s running fantastic specials! Take a peek at her website for current pricing.