Perfect eyebrows can frame your face, accentuate the eyes, and transform your look from subtle to striking. On days I don’t wear makeup, I only choose to fill my brows. But the irony of filling in your brows, whether straight, arched, rounded or S-shaped, is that we prefer them to look bushy yet natural. The seemingly easy process is anything but. If not done correctly, the brows look unnatural let alone enhance your face. Fortunately, there’s a solution. Enter, nanoblading.
Nanoblading is a semipermanent makeup procedure that mirrors the illusion of individual hairs. Unlike microblading that’s done with a thick needle, nanoblading uses a finer one to offer precise, natural-looking strokes. The added fullness and wake-up-and-go ease of nanobladed brows are part of why they are incredibly popular. And no one has nailed this art than nanoblading artist Arti Bagga, behind @BrowsByArti. The globe-trotting eyebrow expert, who shuttles between the Middle East and India, is the most in-demand eyebrow artist.
She has spent over a decade fine-tuning the method, which is carefully tailored to suit a client’s individual needs every time. Her artform has earned her hundreds of patrons across the world. Her handiwork can be observed in the statement brows of A-list celebrities such as Khushi Kapoor, Isha Ambani, Tripti Dimri, Malaika Arora and Jacqueline Fernandez many others as her clients.
What exactly is nanoblading? How is it different from microblading?
Microblading is a technique for creating semi-permanent strokes on the upper layer of the skin using a handheld manual pen. But nanoblading uses a tattoo machine to create a tattoo that goes deeper into the second layer of the skin. The micro needles on the machine is dipped into colour pigment to create hair-like strokes that are finer and wispier strokes than microblading. It can generally last 1-2 years with most clients.
Who is a good candidate for it?
Microblading and nanoblading is safe for everyone except individuals that are prone to keloid scarring or on very strong blood thinning medication. I don’t encourage it if you are pregnant or suffering from an auto immune disease that effects your skins healing process. I always do a patch test for clients with a sensitive skin.
Why should brides consider nanoblading?
This is the perfect treatment especially for a bride as on the big day you have the perfect canvas to work with. Post the ceremony, waking up with shaped waterproof brows is the best feeling. Swim-proof brows on honeymoon!
What are the destinations and clinics that you’re affiliated with?
My main base is in Dubai, where I work with a semi-permanent clinic called Brau. I come almost every month to either Mumbai at The White Door, New Delhi at Blliiss By Ravissant and Hyderabad at Zennara. Brides can follow my Instagram account where I update my dates and plan.
What can one expect on the day of the appointment?
First, I consult the client on what she would like to enhance on her brows and advise the best possible outcome. Then, I clean the excess stray hairs either by threading or shaving. A numbing cream is then applied for 30 minutes, during this time we discuss the colour. Usually, I tend to keep it as close to the natural hair colour as possible. Once numbed, it’s time for pre-draw. I first measure the symmetry points of the brows according to the eyes and brow bone and draw on a shape using an eyebrow pencil.
Once we are happy with the shape I begin the blading process. Lightly depositing the pigment onto the surface of the skin with hair-like strokes. This is repeated a couple times. I apply a half way numbing gel throughout, so the client does not feel any discomfort. Lastly, I add a layer pigment on the brows for 10 minutes to ensure the pigment is deposited evenly on all the strokes that have been created and then we are done and left with beautiful natural fluffy brows!
How long does it take?
The treatment can take about 1.5 hours total. This includes every step, including numbing, consultation, pre-draw, treatment and aftercare.
How does it feel? Is it painful?
Nanoblading is almost a painless procedure. And that’s the best part. I have clients that come on their lunch break and go back to work with amazing brows. It’s not so invasive as you would think, as we only work on the upper layer of the skin. There is no downtime required so you can go back to your daily routine. You can describe the feeling of the procedure as light as cat scratches to not feeling anything. After the procedure, slight redness in the area is normal but it goes down after a couple of hours.
How long before the big day should a bride get it done?
It’s best to do your treatment 4/6 weeks before the occasion.
What results can a bride expect?
Expect enhanced, more fuller, darker and defines brows. This is also easier to thread for those with a good growth. Nanoblading will also create a fantastic a base to apply bridal makeup.
What about post-care?
Aftercare is crucial for 7-14 days after the treatment to ensure you get perfect healed results. The first day you just clean the brows with cotton pads soaked in water to remove any lymph and excess pigment a few of times throughout the day. The healing balm provided needs to be applied twice a day for 7-10days. Don’t let your brows get wet for 14 days so be careful when washing your hair, no water activities, spa treatments and also no intense sweating. No makeup on the treated area for at least 10 days as this can affect the healing process and cause irritation on the brows. The brows may feel itchy after a few days so be careful not to rub or pick any scabs.
How long does it last?
When done correctly by a trained professional, nanoblading should last up to a year. It’s a semi-permanent procedure as the hair like strokes aren’t as deeply ingrained into the skin and the pigment used is different from the pigment used for tattoo. Results generally last for a year for most people, depending on the skin type (the ink fades faster on oily skin), products, and lifestyle.
What about touch-ups?
Usually when it’s your first time I recommend a retouch as its usually a 2-part process and then it should last up to a year.
Any insider tip?
Not every nanoblading artist is the same. Choose your artist wisely. Before your appointment, read reviews, and look at images of before and after. It’s best to get a recommendation from a friend and ask for a consultation. Once you commit, go with reference pictures of shapes and colours of brows you prefer. You can then work with the brow specialist to create the perfect brows.
For more information:
Arti Bagga
Instagram: @BrowsByArti
Phone: +971585167580
