Thursday, September 17, 2015

Miami Brows: Eyebrow Tattoo vs. 3d Embroidery/Hairstrokes

Eyebrow Embroidery uses small "hairstrokes" to look incredibly realistic
(hairstrokes by Christopher Drummond, Miami Brows)
Classic eyebrow tattoos are solid, dark (potentially changing color over time), and not very natural looking!

                What is 3D EYEBROW EMBROIDERY?

I get asked this all of the time.  I think there is a lot of confusion between eyebrow embroidery and traditional eyebrow tattoos (since both are called eyebrow tattoos).  So, I will try to demystify what a 3D Hairstroke/eyebrow embroidery/featherstroke tattoo is and how it differs from the "sharpie tattoo" that everyone dreads.

First,   While both traditional eyebrow tattoos and 3D Hairstrokes are technically "tattoos" there are a few MAJOR differences.  The major difference is that a traditional tattoo (the kind NOBODY wants to have---you know what I'm talking about....the ones that look like you drew them with a sharpie permanent marker...)  this tattoo goes deep into the skin, and permanently colors your flesh.  This means you will have it for 10-25 years or MORE!  
A Hairstroke tattoo (also called 3D hairstroke, eyebrow embroidery, and featherstroke) only goes into the top layers of skin.  This means it fades in only a few years.  This is why hairstrokes are called semi-permanent.  This type of tattoo is great if you are scared of committment, and don't want something that will last for the rest of your life!  If you did not get a hairstroke tattoo touched up, it would disappear fully in about 3 years.  :)

Next, Eyebrow Embroidery is considered a cosmetic procedure, while a traditional eyebrow tattoo is not.  Hairstrokes use different ink, and usually a different type of machine that what they use to apply the heavy dark solid tattoos.  It is a much more forgiving ink, that is created to work with different skin tones, and made to look like facial hair.  Traditional tattoo ink comes in very basic colors (black, brown, red, greeen, etc), whereas cosmetic ink is created for the face.....so, it looks much more natural.  Also the ingredients in cosmetic tattoo ink is more gentile, and made with organic pigments.

Finally, 3D Hairstrokes/eyebrow embroidery/featherstrokes (like the ones done here in my Miami studio at Miami Brows---sorry for the shameless plug) are typically made to be softer looking, more natural, and much less "obtrusive" than a solid tattoo.  When done correctly, hairstrokes do not look like a tattoo.  They have texture and color and depth, unlike a solid tattoo.

So, the days of the "old school" tattoo are numbered.  Look around in your area for a CERTIFIED hairstroke artist (like me!).  Do your research.  Make sure they have credentials, have been certified, and that they have a lot of pictures of their work.  There is very little regulation for eyebrow embroidery in Miami, so be sure the person knows what they are doing.  And don't look for the cheapest.  Remember, you get what you pay for, and you don't want cheap looking EYEBROWS!!!!

I hope this helped those of you looking into getting eyebrow embroidery here in Miami, or anywhere else in the US!

Christopher Drummond


Christopher Drummond is a 20 year veteran in the beauty and skincare industry, is a pro celebrity makeup artist, licensed medical esthetician, and certified in SofTap permanent Makeup and Hairstroke tattoo art.  He is based in Bal Harbour (Miami Beach), FL  

TAGS:  Miami hairstroke tattoo, miami eyebrows, eyebrow embroidery miami, eyebrow tattoo miami, christopher drummond makeup, christopher drummond beauty, eyebrow enhancement, eyebrow alopecia, eyebrow hairloss tattoo, eyebrow tattoo for men