Something About Eyebrow Shapes and Permanent Makeup Techniques You Should Know

Finding Your Perfect Brow Shape

Eyebrows frame the face, but not everyone is born with the eyebrow shape they desire. This is where professional eyebrow tattooing comes! Let's take a look at three popular eyebrow shapes to help you find the best solution.

1. Hair Stroke Brows 

Just like its name, hair stroke brows refer to imitating the growth direction and shape of real eyebrow hairs to achieve a natural and realistic look. When sculpting hair stroke brows for customers, PMU artists use extremely fine needles to draw or prick individual lines on the skin. The result? The lines of the eyebrows are distinct, they look natural from a distance, and exquisite up close. Hair Stroke Brows has distinct individual hairs, like they’ve always grown that way.

Perfect For:  

• Individuals who prefer a “natural look” and seek an extremely natural, lifelike effect. 
• Neutral or slightly dry skin.
• Individuals with decent eyebrow foundation but sparse or unruly hair in certain areas require eyebrow shaping. 

2. Powder Brows/Ombré Brows

Imagine softly shaded brows with a subtle gradient, making someone who looks like she/he wearing makeup. The eyebrow artist uses a dense, dot-like coloring technique to evenly apply color to the eyebrow area, creating a gradual, blurred, powdery effect.

The effect? The beginning area is the lightest and most blurred, while the tail is the darkest and most defined. Powder brows are delicate and fashionable. The eyebrow shape is defined with clear yet natural boundaries.

Perfect For:  

• Individuals with sparse or no eyebrows.  
• Oily skin (better retention of the misty effect).  
• Scar-prone skin (smaller and more uniform puncture wounds).  
• Individuals who do not seek a hyper-realistic simulation effect.  
• Individuals who prefer to wear makeup daily or favor western-style makeup.

3. Combination Brows/Hybrid Brows

The best of both worlds. Combination eyebrows blend the natural look of line eyebrows with the makeup effect of mist eyebrows, achieving a perfect balance of realism and fullness.

The lines follow the natural muscle contours, ensuring that the eyebrows remain expressive even when facial expressions change.

During the procedure, the eyebrow artist first uses a line technique (machine or manual) to create distinct individual hair strands, particularly along the eyebrow ridge and areas requiring emphasized hair flow.

Then, mist technique is layered over portions of the eyebrows to enhance density, uniformity, and color saturation.

The ratio of the two techniques can be adjusted based on clients‘ needs and the natural state of the eyebrows, making it a more flexible option.

This is currently the most popular eyebrow tattooing technique. You must have seen it in advertisements, and there must be reasons for that. The effect of the combination of eyebrows closely resembles perfectly drawn eyebrows.

Perfect For:

• Most people(seriously, it’s wildly versatile!)
• Those with sparse eyebrows who want natural-looking, full eyebrows and strive for the perfect shape.
• The highest technical requirements for technicians

Type of technique

1. Microblading

Microblading is a manual eyebrow tattooing technique that relies entirely on the tattoo artist’s handheld tools, wrist strength, and skill. The tattoo artist uses a handle fitted with disposable blades or needles to control the angle, depth, and speed of insertion, implanting pigment into the skin.

The essence of microblading lies in its high flexibility and artistic nature. The technician can adjust their technique on the spot to achieve more personalized customization.

Manual puncturing causes controllable skin trauma, making it particularly suitable for those with thin or sensitive skin. 

The recovery period is typically shorter, but longevity (especially on oily skin) is slightly inferior to machine-based techniques.

Manual technique heavily relies on the technician's technical expertise and aesthetic sense, making it a choice that embodies craftsmanship.

2. Machine Eyebrow Tattooing

Machine eyebrow tattooing technology is the mainstream technique that uses professional electric tattooing equipment. The device resembles a precision pen and is equipped with a high-speed micro motor that drives disposable needles (single or multiple needles) to perform vertical puncture movements at a controlled frequency, precisely implanting pigment into the epidermal layer of the skin.

INKin Lavelle PMU Pen provides a specific mode for different microblading projects, including scalp micropigmentation.

Why choose tech?

Stability, efficiency, and pixel-perfect precision. The electric device ensures uniform consistency in needle penetration depth and speed, minimizing the tremors and uneven pressure that are inevitable in manual operations.

Machine-based techniques are efficient and offer better pigment retention rates and longer-lasting makeup effects for individuals with oily skin, thicker skin, or a tendency to scar easily, making them the current mainstream choice in the market.

3. Needle Choice

In mainstream machine eyebrow tattooing, the choice of needles is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects. INKin REVO PMU is well-suited to meet market demands. Guess what? It can achieve all three types of eyebrow shapes mentioned above!

How does it achieve that?

The advanced stabilizer cap minimizes needle wobble and enhances tip control, ensuring every stroke is smooth, steady, and consistent. This feature provides greater confidence for fine lines, delicate shading, and ultra-detailed work.

What’s more, each REVO round liner is designed with a center positioning system that keeps the needle perfectly aligned within the tip. This core-centered design delivers ultra-consistent ink flow and pinpoint precision, helping artists achieve ultra-sharp lines and crisp dotwork with confidence.

The matte surface within the cartridge is designed to hold a larger volume of ink, resulting in a significant extension of ink flow during the tattooing process.

4. Your Perfect Brow Tattoo Starts with YOU

When selecting different types of eyebrow tattooing, your own condition is a key factor.

Skin type significantly affects longevity and healing. For oily skin, acne-prone skin, or scar-prone skin, nano brows or powder brows are recommended. For dry or normal skin, various techniques are suitable.

Additionally, the natural state of your eyebrows serves as a reference for choosing the eyebrow shape. The better the foundation of your eyebrows, the more suitable they are for emphasizing lines; conversely,  the more sparse your eyebrows are, the more they require a shaded effect to enhance density.

A skilled PMU artist bridges your dream brows and reality. Their technique is the core, as eyebrow tattooing is a combination of their aesthetic sense, technical skill, and experience.

Before choosing an eyebrow artist, be sure to review their extensive, clear, and authentic portfolio, especially cases similar to your desired one. A portfolio is the most direct reference when selecting a PMU artist.

Communication with the artist is also crucial. Share your preferences for makeup style, daily habits (including whether you regularly wear makeup), and your expectations for the eyebrow. 

Besides, exchanging professional advice thoroughly is inevitable.

A good artist will design the most suitable plan based on your facial structure, features, skin type, and hair condition.

 plan based on your facial structure, features, skin type, and hair condition.