Feather Stroke, also known as Microblading, Brow Embroidery, Brow Feathering are all forms of permanent makeup.

Instead of using a traditional tattoo machine, a manual hand tool is used to create strokes which resemble tiny hairs on the brows, giving it a natural ‘3D’ look. With this method almost any look can be created varying from a very natural light finish or a high definition brow. Every set of brows are designed and tailored to each individual's needs, considering their face shape, skin tone and hair colour.

This technique is intended to define your brow shape and enhance your natural features thus, creating a "wake up ready" look.  However, those who like to wear more make up can always add brow products to amp up the intensity of their brows rather than have "make up ready" brows that may not suit an everyday face. Remember it’s about “low maintenance, not no-maintenance”.

Feather Stroke brows can last upwards of 6 months to even 2 years. Factors can included skin type, general lifestyle, exposure to sun, medication/skin products. This is generally a 2 step procedure and only the first 2 sessions are included in the fee. An additional touch up is available for those who need extra refinement, touch fees will apply.

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 ​Suitability / Contraindications

• Please disclose ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS before making a booking, I may require extra information from your GP to bring along to your consultation.

• Oily skin does not hold pigment as well as other skin types. Strokes may not heal as crisp and client may experience less pigment retention. An additional session may also be required to perfect it.

• Those with previous tattoo work MUST MENTION this and send a photo through before booking. Whether Feathering is suited or not depends on how saturated their old PMU is.

The following are contraindications to this procedure as we DO NOT TREAT:

• Pregnant women.

• People under 18 years old.

• Presently or soon do to undergo chemo or radiation treatments.

• Long term use of aspirin, ibuprofen and some herbs which reduce clotting times. This will result in increased bleeding and bruising  and will affect the implantation of pigment and delay healing times.

• Undiagnosed rashes or blisters on or around the site to be treated.

• Those with transferable blood conditions such as Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

• Those with blood disorders (such as haemophilia, sickle cell anaemia and platelet disorders).

• Those with healing disorders, uncontrolled high blood pressure or had mitral valve disorder.

• Those on any skin medication such as ro-accutaine, antasure, steroids which thin and oversensitive the skin.

• Those suffering from keloid or hypertrophic scarring.

• Those suffering from epilepsy.

• Those suffering from diabetes.

• Allergic reactions are rare but you may request a skin sensitivity test beforehand (note: costs applies for an additional appointment)​.

Consultation

• Upon arrival client will fill out a client registration and waiver form.

• Custom ordered Numbing gel will be ordered in preparation for the procedure day.

• Discussion of  what's involved in the procedure and what to expect during the healing phase, how to care for your permanent makeup and the possible healed results.

• Discussion of desired look, colour options and client expectations.

• Time for any client questions.

• 'Before’ photos are taken.

• Decide whether the procedure is right for the client in regards to everything discussed in the consultation.

• Book for the procedure.

• Please note: It is NOT recommended to have the procedure done within 14 days prior of any occasion/holiday/event that you need to attend. In this period, the brows are likely to scab and the flakiness can result in a less desired look while they are healing.  Make up cannot be used over the brows at this point. Strict aftercare must be followed until the scabs have fully exfoliated.​

Pre-Procedure Guidelines

​For optimum results, please follow these guidelines to prep the skin ready for the procedure. Failing to do so may cause contraindications and affect the overall healed results.

• Avoid 30 DAYS prior:

  • Any forms of facial peels

  • Sun tan/ spray tan on the face

  • Discontinue use of Vitamin A/Retinol products

  •  Any Botox surrounding the treated area

• Avoid 7 DAYS prior:

  • Tweezing, waxing or tinting brows so Maree can see exactly what you have

  •  Electrolysis on the face

  • Discontinue taking fish oils /  Vitamin E

• Avoid within 24 HOURS prior:

  • Taking any pain killers unless directed by your doctor.

  • Taking any blood thinners (ibuprofen, aspirin, warfarin, nurofen unless directed by your doctor).

  • Working out before procedure as it will increase blood flow.

  • Consumption of caffeine (coffee, redbull) or alcoholic beverages.

• Coming to your appointment:​

  • OPTIONAL:  For extra comfort, you may choose to pre-numb for your appointment. Over-the-counter numbing cream can be purchased from any local chemist. Products are: Numbit or Emla, ($8 - $15) smallest tube is enough for 2 treatments. Apply a VERY THICK LAYER and COVER with cling wrap 1 hour before your appointment. Some clients may find the first pass of the procedure uncomfortable, Pre-numbing will help take the edge off.

  • Upon booking your procedure, you would have been prompted to order your Mid-Procedure numbing. This will be your main pain relief and it is important that you order at least 1 week prior to your appointment to have it compounded and delivered in time for your procedure.

  • The order form will be attached to a link in your appointment confirmation email. 

  • You are welcome to wear your normal everyday make up to your appointment. Maree will design the most suitable brows based on your everyday look.

The Procedure

• Brows are cleaned and 'Before' photos are taken.

• Client reconfirms what look they are after and Maree will start drawing  the brows.

• Designing the brows will be specifically tailored to your individual face and your overall desired look. Great consideration will be given on the shape, arch , thickness, length and colour.

• Maree will make recommendations on what she feels will best suits you and you are also encouraged to express any feedback or concerns you have with everything that is designed/ chosen.

• Procedure will not start until BOTH parties are fully happy with the look.

• Topical anaesthetics will then be applied during the procedure.

• Once the procedure is completed, aftercare instructions are given and your 6-8 week perfecting session is booked.

• Please allow 2.5 hrs for this appointment. The procedure itself will only take approximately 45 mins however the numbing, design and discussions are given the most time and consideration.

Healing & Aftercare

• Following the procedure, minimal (if any at all) redness and swelling may occur and should subside within hours. If you have ruddy or very sensitive skin you may experience slightly more reaction.

• Straight after the procedure the strokes will appear sharp and precise. This is because the pigments is fresh and still sitting 'on the skin'. Please note that strokes will slightly blur and soften as they heal 'in your skin'. The client's skin type is a major factor in how much 'blurring' to expect.

• Please EXPECT that overnight, the colour WILL GET DARKER (up to 70% depending on your colour) as it dries and may form into a scab. DO NOT STRESS as this is perfectly normal and is a part of the healing process. This is NO indication of how it will heal. Make sure you strictly follow the aftercare.

• Your brows will start to exfoliate the scabs after approximately 3-4 days. Expect that it may look patchy as dark areas show where the scabs remain and light areas are where the new skin has formed. It will continue to exfoliate until 7-14 days.

• Do not be alarmed if some strokes are missing or the brows appear lighter than expected. The pigment is still adjusting in the skin and colour tends to 'bloom' at weeks 3-4 to show its true healed results. This is why touch ups are not done any sooner as we need to wait until the full healing period has completed to see the true healed results.

• Remember, this is a 2 stage process and any fine tuning can be done at the perfecting session. It is important that we do not want to overwork the skin as it will affect retention and healing.  

Healing Phase

•  Outer healing: Outer layer is considered healed 1-14 days later or when the area has stopped scabbing and peeling.

•  Inner healing: After a week or so things only ‘appear’ healed. This is because the body heals from the outside in. New skin tissue is pink in colour which can be misleading to the untrained eye and has an impact on how the results appear. While the pigments are also adjusting in the new skin, the appearance can change from day to day. As such, we do not do any touch ups before 4 weeks after the treatment.  

After care instructions

• Do not wet the brows until the scabs have fully exfoliated (may be 7-14 days). While showering, it is recommend to  wash your hair and body separately to keep your brows from getting wet.

• Avoid any activity that causes sweating.

• Apply the aftercare cream with a clean Q-tip 3 times a day. Give the brows a gentle wipe to avoid build up before applying a new layer. Only a thin film is needed, do not drown the brows in the cream.

• Your brows will feel itchy as thy heal, avoid picking or scratching as it would remove pigment and leave patches.

• Chlorine, exfoliation creams, and exposure to the sun will cause colours to fade, and failure to follow post-procedure instructions may cause loss of pigment, discoloration or infection. 

Read this blog to hear the experience from a clients perspective. Its a must read if you want to see and know the full experience up front.

Click on this link! 'The Real Experience'

As the tattoo ages, many factors can cause it to fade and discolour. It is recommended to have 'refreshments' annually to keep them looking their best. Refreshment charges will be applied accordingly to the time lapse however after 2 years its considered a New Brow Procedure. If your pigment and colour is retaining well, you should wait until it fades out until booking for a refreshment. During this period you may need to fill in your brows where its needed. It is not recommended to have work done if the skin is still saturated.

Sun exposure, certain medication, skin products,  skin types, general health and lifestyle and all factors will may cause the tattoo to age differently.

PLEASE NOTE: Brow Refreshments are calculated from the initial (first) appointment, not the touch up appointment. When booking for your Annual Refresh, please ask Maree which 'Monthly' category applies to you.

​Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does the tattoo last?

Feather Stroke brows can last upwards of 6 months to even 2 years. Factors can included skin type, general lifestyle, exposure to sun, medication/skin products.

2. How long are the appointments?

Generally speaking, consultations appointments are 30 mins, initial procedure appointment are 2.5 hrs, touch up appointments are 1.5 hrs.

3. Does it hurt?

Applying numbing cream before your appointment will provide the most comfort for your procedure (Refer to Pre-Procedure Guidelines above).

Every person's pain threshold and response to numbing is different therefore everyone's experience will be different. Some may be more sensitive while others feel nothing at all. For those with lower pain tolerance, some discomfort may be felt at the beginning (on a scale of 1-10, usually a 0-3),  and it should only last about 1 minute per brow until mid procedure numbing may be applied. What you feel during the procedure can be likened to a rough eyeliner pencil or brow tweezing. 

 4. Can I wear make up?

Following the procedure you can wear make up as usual however you cannot apply make up over your brows until they have fully healed (7-14 days). Everywhere else is ok.

​5. Is there any down time?

This is a minor procedure and should not affect your ability to go to work. However, the healing stage can be noticeable therefore people who want to be very discreet may need to strategically plan their appointments around work/social events (Refer to Healing & Aftercare section above).

6. Is it safe?

With proper hygiene and sterilisation, permanent make up is very safe. We use industry best practices and use fully disposable needles and casings and all disposable cups. Any dispensed pigment will also be disposed. We comply with the Australian Infection Control standards and we are a fully registered premises or skin penetration and beauty treatments with the council.