FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OMBRÉ POWDER BROWS, COMBO BROWS VS. MICROBLADING & NANO?

Microblading: Just hair Strokes

  • Very Natural

  • Will need 2nd session

  • More touch-ups

  • Not for all skin types

  • Hand tool tiny needles

  • Not good for cover ups

Nano: Just hair Strokes

  • Very Natural

  • Will need a 2nd session

  • For all skin types

  • Machine hair strokes

  • Not good for cover ups

  • Not as invasive as Microblading

  • Nano & Microshading (Combo Brows): Hair strokes and shading

  • Hybrid of hair strokes and shading

  • Great for extra density


Ombre' Powder Brows: Shading that is lighter at the front and darker towards the tail.

  • Makeup look

  • Less touch-ups

  • Good for all skin

  • Good for coverups

Microblading is an advanced technique of cosmetic tattooing that is done by a process of implanting color pigment beneath the surface of the skin with a row of micro sterile, disposable needles that form a blade shape which will produce the appearance of hair where there isn't any, or add more to enhance and create fullness where hair already exists. This is with a manual hand tool, not a machine. This technique is best suited for normal to dry skin types with minimal appearance of pores.

  • Semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing is often a two step process, which includes an initial insertion of pigment, followed by a touch-up 6-10 weeks later. Sometimes a third or fourth session is necessary depending on your skin type or not following through on aftercare instructions.

  • Results vary based on lifestyle, health, skin type.

  • Results should evaluated after the touch-up application is completed.

  • Microblading is not recommended for mature clients or those with large pores or oily skin.

Nano & Microshading “Combo brows” is a beautiful blend of hair strokes and powder shading that creates an added polish and makeup look to hyper-realistic hair strokes. This is a beautiful option for clients who wish to achieve a “fluffy” look at the fronts of their brows, but need a bit more density through the body of brow.

Ombré Powder Brows (also known as Powder Brows/Microshading) is the newest and one of the most advanced machine techniques in semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing. The technique is described by its name, soft and light in the front and gradually darker towards the tails. Ombré powder brows can be applied with a soft, natural-finish or can be built up to resemble the look of darker makeup. The intensity of the ombré effect is contingent on how much existing brow hair there is, thus results vary per person. If you have darker hairs or patches in the front of your brows, you will likely need more a fuller powder-filled brow style so your natural brow hairs blend seamlessly. Ombré is great for all skin types, but especially those with previous semi-permanent makeup, oily & mature skin.

WHAT IS A SEMI-PERMANENT TATTOO VS. A REGULAR TATTOO?

The purpose of semi-permanent makeup tattooing is to enhance the natural features of a client. Permanent makeup is softer and more subtle – it is meant to be a natural-looking enhancement. Traditional body tattoos use ink while cosmetic tattoo procedures involve pigments. These pigments are designed to gently fade over time. Fading is desired as it allows the artist to make changes to color and shape over the years as client’s natural coloring and facial changes occur.

HOW LONG DOES PERMANENT MAKEUP LAST? 

Permanent makeup can last for 1-3 years. A touch up is required 6-10 weeks after the initial appointment. Clients that choose a soft ombré or microblading application, light color shade or did not follow the after care instructions may require more touch up appointments. 

Factors that will cause your permanent makeup application to fade faster include: tanning bed/sun exposure, exfoliating, oily skin, profuse sweating, medical conditions. We recommend a yearly "color boost" touch-up to maintain the procedure’s color integrity, but always advocate holding off for as long as possible to maintain skin integrity.

WHERE IS THE STUDIO LOCATED?

Our studio is located across the street from Ozone Pizza. 1202 E. Gonzalez St. Pensacola FL, 32501.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT? 

  • Do not drink alcohol or caffeine 24 hours prior to your procedure. Do not drink alcohol in excess after your procedure as it will slow down your healing process. 

  • Do not take an Aspirin or Ibuprofen, Niacin, Vitamin E, B6, Omega 3, Gingko Biloba, St. Johns Wort, evening primrose one prior to your procedure, unless medically necessary. You may resume immediately after the procedure, but these will thin the blood and compromise pigment retention in your skin.

  • Bring any photos of the look that you want to achieve.

  • Avoid booking during your menstrual cycle as it can increase pain sensitivity.

  • Do not wax, tan or tint the eyebrow area 3 days before your appointment.

  • No anti-aging treatments such as microdermabrasion, retinol, chemical peels, laser, facials 2 weeks before your appointment.

  • No facial injections one month prior to procedure.

  • On the day of your appointment avoid caffeine/exercise and wash your hair prior to since hot showers are not recommended.

CAN I WEAR MAKEUP AFTER MY PROCEDURE?

The tattooed area is a healing wound, so proper aftercare is critical. Therefore, absolutely no makeup is allowed on the treated area, makeup at a safe distance outside the tattooed area is fine with careful application. Do not tint your lashes or brows and avoid any products that contain active skincare ingredients, like Retin-A. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to reach out to FCB. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAL?

The immediate healing process takes about 7-10 days, however, the brow area takes 3-4 weeks for your new eyebrow tattoo to shed completely and the pigment to surface to its true color.

Proper aftercare is an extremely important aspect of the long term success, effectiveness, health, and overall satisfaction with your new ombré powder brow tattoo. You must follow the below instructions in order to achieve the best possible results from your procedure: 

Skin sensitivity, redness and swelling is to be expected for up to 2 days after the procedure and will go away with proper aftercare

Before every ointment application, take a dry, clean Q-tip and wipe off any existing ointment on your brows, Dampen another Q-tip and with water and gently wipe clean. Pat dry with a tissue and reapply the ointment.

Do not exfoliate or use a washcloth/wipe on the brow.

Do not pick, itch, or scratch the tattoo as it can remove pigment.

Avoid hot tubs, steam rooms, pools, long hot showers, sweaty exercise for one week.

Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds for 2 weeks.

Avoid putting makeup on the area for the 10 days.

Avoid facials for 4-6 weeks.

Do not use any anti-aging products on or around the brow area.

Alcohol consumption in excess can slow down healing.

While your skin begins to shed, your brow tattoo may appear to be extremely faint. Don't worry, the pigment will resurface when your skin is completely healed in 4-6 weeks.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR MY APPOINTMENT

If you’ve ever hired a professional painter, they will tell you that “it’s all in the prep.” Professional painters know that they get the best results when they spend extra time sanding, filling holes, making sure everything is perfect and smooth before applying primer.  With Ombré powder brows or Nano / Microblading the prep process can be approached similar way, with much better results when you do!

It all starts with a good canvas! The eyebrow area must be healthy, strong, non-sensitive, and non-irritated.  

PERMANENT MAKEUP 

Here’s how to get your skin ready for your microblading/combo brows/ombré powder procedure:

  • Do not thread/tweeze/wax/perform electrolysis one week before the procedure.

  • Do not drink alcohol 48 hours prior to your appointment.

  • Do not drink coffee 24 hours prior to your appointment.

  • Do not tan two weeks prior to the service, or have a sunburned face.

  • Do not have any type of facial 2 weeks prior to the procedure.

  • Do not work out the day of the procedure.

  • Wash your hair the morning of your appointment, healing tattoos cannot get wet for the first 72 hours, so you will need to avoid washing your hair too soon.

  • Do not have Botox or fillers 3 weeks prior to the procedure. Please inform us of any current injections.

  • Do not take Fish Oil or Vitamin E one week prior to the procedure (they are natural blood thinners). You may resume taking your vitamins 72 Hours after.

  • Do not wax or tint your eyebrows 3 days prior to the procedure.


The day of your appointment: Wash your hair in the morning as you will need to avoid hot showers for several days after. Baths are recommended. Pigments during microblading are not implanted as deep into the skin as a traditional tattoo. This allows for healed results of very fine, thin and crisp hair lines, however, results do not last as long as traditional methods. A touch-up may be required 12 months or sooner for oily skinned clients, those who tan often or often expose the brow area to certain chemicals (facials, chemical peels, chlorine, anti aging products etc). Pigment retention varies depending on skin type, age, after care, immune system, medications.

 

BROW SHAPING, TINTING & HENNA

  • Not required, but we recommend exfoliating your brow skin are 1-2 days prior to your appointment. This will help the retention and outcome of the tint or henna.

  • Wash your hair that morning - we recommend not to get your brows wet for at least 24 hours after tinting or henna.

  • Please do not arrive with any open wounds or sores in the brow area. 


LASH LIFTS & PERMS

All makeup should be removed and eyes should be thoroughly cleansed prior to arrival (a $5 makeup removal fee may apply, should you arrive with makeup, as this takes away time from your appointment).

  • Contacts to be removed prior to arrival.

  • Wash your hair that morning - because you can't get your eyes/lashes wet for the first 24 hours.

  • Please do not arrive with a sty or any eye infections.

I’VE HAD PREVIOUS EYEBROW TATTOOING, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR COVER-UP, CORRECTION, CAMOUFLAGING OR REMOVAL WORK?

All clients with previous microblading or brow tattoo work from another studio MUST first send a photo of your makeup-free brows to firstcitybeauty@gmail.com prior to booking an appointment. 

For cover-up or correction work, the best candidates are those with previous tattoos that have faded 70-80%, however, we still need to make sure by analyzing a photo of your bare brows. Any cover-up, correction or camouflaging work will incur an added rate of $100 due to the additional time, supplies and skills needed to sufficiently neutralize the existing brow tattoo and apply the new design and pigment.

Additionally, we also offer non-laser tattoo removal using Li-FT, which is an all-natural saline pigment removal solution. Li-FT contains no chemicals and no acids.

Li-FT Ingredients: Sterile Water, Sea Salt, Orange Flower Extract, Lemon Extract in Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calendula Extract, Hydroxyethyl cellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Li-FT is made by Li Pigments. a highly credentialed, inspected and licensed cosmetics manufacturing lab located in New Jersey, USA. Li Pigments has been researching, developing and formulating tattoo and permanent makeup lightenining products for over 15 years and regarded as one of the industry's most experienced, ethical and responsible manufacturers.

COVER-UP & CORRECTIVE WORK

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Corrective work starts at an additional $100 on top of the artist’s base rate.

  • Corrective work requires client’s patience, realistic expectations and dedication.

  • If you are in need of color correction of a previous tattoo, camouflage work may require multiple sessions depending on the severity of the discoloration. The average color correction requires at least 2-3 sessions. 

  • Corrective work is a case-by-case basis, and while we hope you are a good candidate for our ombré powder brow procedure, we need to make sure by first reviewing a photo of your bare brows. 

  • If you are seeking mild shaping correction, this can be addressed with an updated brow drawing and correcting with the new shape, but may still require mild camouflaging to blend the old and new tattoo together.

  • Due to the amount of work, product and time involved in color correction, the rate for this service is non-negotiable and we cannot guarantee a cost or how many sessions you’ll require. 

ADDITIONAL TOUCH UPS

Touch ups are not mandatory. We advocate for skin integrity, and encourage you to hold off on any unnecessary touch ups to maintain the integrity of your skin for as long as possible.

Your results are contingent on these key factors:

1) Adherence to aftercare instructions
2) Your body’s tolerance of pigment and the implantation process
3) Lifestyle, skincare products you use, and health.

ADDITIONAL BROW TOUCH UPS  - EXISTING CLIENTS ONLY.

2nd session required for all Microblading / Nano / Combo Brows optional with Ombre Powder Brows 10-12 weeks touch up: $200
$250* Touch Up (Within 4 months 11 - months from initial session) 
$300* Touch Up (Within 1 year - 2 years from initial session) 

After 2 years it will be full price

IMPORTANT: Touch ups are only reserved for existing clients. We do not touch up another artist’s work. We require clients with previous tattooing to send a photo of the area they wish to update to firstcitybeauty@gmail.com

Who is not an eligible candidate for Microblading/Microshading/Ombre’ Powder Brows?

  • Pregnant or nursing

  • History of keloids or hypertrophic scarring(No Microblading)

  • Diabetic (requires doctors clearance)

  • Chemotherapy (consult your doctor)

  • Viral infections and/or diseases

  • Epilepsy

  • Pacemaker or major heart problems

  • Organ transplant

  • Skin irritation or psoriasis near the treated area (rashes, sunburn, acne, etc.)

  • Botox in the past month.

  • Accutane in the past year

  • Heart Conditions, uncontrollable high blood pressure, poor general health.

  • Any treatments, medications, or illness that compromises the immune system/healing would make you not a good candidate for microblading procedure.

PERMANENT MAKE-UP Q & A

Q. Does it hurt?

A. Yes and no. Some people say they feel "scratches" on the skin but don't really find it unbearable. It really depends on your pain tolerance.

Q. What kind of numbing do you use?

A. 5% Lidocaine balm. I also use Topical Analgesic liquid once we open the skin. 

 

Q. How long does Microblading last?

A. The initial session is what we like to call the "foundation" session. This session is almost like a spot test, for us to see how your skin reacts to the pigment. How well it is retained and how the color heals on your skin. The second session is the "perfecting" session. This is really where you will see the complete look. Using before and afters for your file we can complete your look. We can adjust depth, needle types, pigment darkness and stroke technique in order to successfully achieve the look you desire.

Q. What if it doesn't last?

A. Unfortunately we are unable to promise any results and are unable to determine how your skin will take pigments. If the pigment doesn't last on your skin, there are other techniques that may work better such as "Ombre" technique. Also known as a shadow technique. This gives the illusion of filled brows vs. the natural stroke look with Microblading or Nano. 

Q. How often do I need a touch-up?

A. On average, touch-ups are needed every 10 months with Microblading. After the 2nd session. Nano on average every year - 2 years. Ombre every year to 3 year depending on skin type, age, etc. Your aftercare also plays a big role in how you heal and how long your brows will last. Ultimately you are your biggest judge when it comes to how many touch-ups you desire.

Q. How long does the process takes?

A. A typical Microblading session is about 3 hours. This includes numbing & mapping. It also depends on each person and how much work your brows need. Ombre 4 hours this also includes consultation going over aftercare and mapping and numbing. Nano on Average 5 - 6 hours same process however each hair stroke is tattooed and mapped out.

 

Q. What can I expect in the healing process?

A. Immediately after the procedure some clients experience slight swelling and redness in and around the procedure area. The pigment inside your brows will appear much darker than what your healed outcome will be. Healing time can be anywhere from 7-15 days depending on your skin type. You can expect some slight flaking and mild itching from your healing brows but rest assured, it is very normal.

Fist City Beauty is Licenses by the Florida Health Department & is a Licensed Tattoo Establishment

We are Certified and Insured

WAXING INFO

Waxing when to be cautious

Users of Reti-A, Renova, Differin or Isotretinoin are advised to not have waxing performed; these medications tend to weaken the skin and tearing of the skin may occur when the wax is removed.

If you use powerful exfoliators on your skin Salicic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid, white willow bark, white willow bark extract enzymes all strip cells from the skin. It's all too much exfoliation combined with waxing and could make skin red, bleed or even turn scabby. It’s recommended to stop using these products in the area getting waxed for a minimum of 2 weeks. If the alpha-hydroxy is over 8% then you may have to wait months before safely getting waxed.

Real or fake sun exposed you must wait 3 days or longer if you got sunburned.

Dermabrasion must wait a minimum of 3 months.

Any place you’ve recently gotten Botox or Collagen injection in the last 7 days can not be waxed.

You can NOT get waxed if

You currently take Accutane or have stopped taking it less than a year.

You are taking any prescription acne medication.

You have lupus or Aids.

You’re in cancer therapy getting chemotherapy or radiation.