Tweak of the Week is Citizen Femme’s in-depth beauty treatment and tweakment review series, featuring the CF team’s tried-and-tested recommendations for facials, massages and injectables.
This week Citizen Femme’s beauty editor, Becki Murray reviews Stephanie Jackson’s SJ Brows Microblading treatment, which promises long-lasting, perfectly-groomed brows, but with a more natural finish than traditional microblading. Read on for the full review.
What is Microblading?
Microblading is a brow-defining and shaping technique that involves a specialised type of semi-permanent tattooing of the skin. Hair-like strokes are created to maximise your existing brows, using a narrow-nibbed pen, made up of tiny needles, which implant pigment into the skin’s dermal layer.
The idea is that after microblading you won’t have to laboriously fill in and shape your eyebrows with brow pencils and gels. Instead, you’ll have realistic-looking, groomed brows for up to a year, without any damage to your natural hairs. The treatment can also address brow unevenness both in terms of sparseness and positioning.
Traditionally though, the drawback of microblading is that until you reach the end of your treatment process – which tends to last between ten and 12 weeks – you can have very prominent and dark eyebrows that look unnatural, as well as patchiness throughout the healing process.
That’s exactly what Stephanie Jackson, the founder of SJ Brows, focuses on limiting, with her version of SJBrows microblading.
What makes Microblading by SJ Brows particularly exciting?
If you’ve always been interested in microblading but hesitated because of the fear of overly-dramatic brows, Microblading by SJ Brows is the beauty editor-recommended option for you.
Situated a mere minute from Gloucester Road tube station, the SJ Brows clinic is an inviting little alcove, set up by the experienced semi-permanent makeup artist Stephanie Jackson. As a testament to her popularity, she’s so in-demand that her appointments get booked up months in advance. New slots are released on the 1st of every month, so you have to be quick to get one.
The main reason behind that popularity – and why her reviews often reference years of returning clients – is that Stephanie is known for her natural approach to microblading. One that means you can even leave the clinic straight after your treatment without the embarrassment of overly bold brows, especially if you don’t normally wear lots of makeup.
Stephanie is also known for her friendly, hands-on approach, guiding you through the full 10-week process so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. From advising you about the best shape and colour to choose for your brows, to offering top-up appointments so that you are totally happy with your finished look, every part of the service takes the stress out of your microblading journey.
Tried and tested: what is it like to experience Microblading by SJ Brows?
Your microblading experience with Stephanie starts with a consultation during your first appointment. To help you achieve the natural finish that’s right for you, this is an opportunity to discuss your desired brow shape and shade. Stephanie will also trace an outline so you can check and approve it before she starts.
The concept of semi-permanent tattooing may sound painful, but we can assure you it isn’t. Once you’re lying on the treatment bed, Stephanie applies numbing cream, so the most you feel is a slight scratch and the pressure of each stroke. While it’s not massage levels of relaxing it’s not an unpleasant way to spend up to an hour of your time during your first appointment.
Once the initial appointment is over, you’ll be able to inspect your brows and – as mentioned – walk out of the clinic with brows that are darker than your final finish (a lot like when you get them tinted), but that won’t embarrass you in public. In fact, especially if you don’t tend to do much with your brows, you’re likely to get compliments about their definition.
You’ll also leave armed with all the knowledge you need to tackle the substantial amount of aftercare required for the best results. Otherwise, this part could easily cause you the most anxiety through the process. The brow shields – designed to help you avoid getting your brows wet – are a godsend, particularly for anyone who finds it difficult to not to wash their hair. So is ointment you are given to help soothe flaking or itching. This tends to start from around day 5 post-treatment, but its also more minimal than you might expect.
At the end of the first appointment, you’ll book in for your touch-up session, 8 weeks later, which takes 45 minutes to an hour. Here Stephanie will correct any unevenness or fading – which is totally normal – as well as giving you an opportunity to discuss any tweaks to shape, colour and intensity. You’ll be surprised how many people, even the most timid, decide to go for more definition at this stage, with Stephanie’s encouraging experience.
There are drawbacks to microblading – not being able to do physical activity or have facial treatments for at least four weeks is definitely restrictive – so you need to be aware and willing to compromise throughout the 10 week process. This can be really difficult, but Stephanie does everything to support you; it’s for that reason that you’ll finish your microblading journey with brows you really couldn’t be happier with.
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Who is the treatment suitable for?
Stephanie will assess your brows at your first appointment to check that microblading is indeed right for you, but, broadly speaking, it’s suitable for most people looking for fuller-looking brows. Stephanie also does corrective work, but requires clear images beforehand.
If you have allergy concerns, you can request a patch test, but you shouldn’t proceed if you have a known allergy to ink or similar substances; cystic acne, psoriasis or eczema around the eye area; if you are pregnant or breastfeeding due to the risk of infection; and if you have had Botox up to three weeks before your appointment. You’ll need to wait until the end of the process to have the injectable again too.
Finally, the different skin types may find their experience with microblading varies. For individuals with sensitive skin, redness around the brows is more common, while flaking is enhanced in dry skin. On the other hand, oily skin should be extra careful to avoid steam and water during the healing process, as this skin type can be most prone to fading.
What is the pre-care and aftercare advice?
As with all microblading treatments, pre-care and aftercare are incredibly important – and there’s also quite a lot of it. That means you really need to factor your microblading journey into your plans, especially the two week healing time after your appointments.
Pre-care: One week before your appointment, Stephanie will send you a ‘prep email’ that outlines:
- Your hair should be freshly washed, so you can leave a minimum of 48 hours before your next hair wash
- Avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours, as this could trigger inflammation
- Don’t fake tan up to 72 hours before your appointment
- Stop using retinoids and AHAs to ensure the treatment area is not peeling or sensitised
Aftercare: You’ll receive a very thorough aftercare booklet after your first appointment, which provides all the detailed steps you need to take:
- Importantly (and inconveniently), you can’t get your brows wet for two weeks. That means:
- Limiting hair washes
- Being very careful about steam and water splashes in the shower
- Avoiding steam from cooking and the dishwasher
- Wearing the effective, if not attractive, brow-guards in the shower
- Apply the given brow ointment as instructed to avoid excess scabbing
- Limit the use of eye cream, makeup, retinoids and AHAs around the brows
- Avoid all gym activities, saunas, pools and outdoor spots
- Do not book chemical peels, lasers or facials for two weeks
- Limit sun exposure for at least 4 weeks, including sunbeds and wear SPF50
- Do not itch your brows, as this can lead to gaps and possible scarring
As mentioned, there’s lots to think about, but what sets Microblading by SJ Brows apart is the guidance you receive. Stephanie is on hand over WhatsApp throughout, so if you are concerned about scabbing and fading, or need advice about whether an activity may hamper your results, you can quickly get your answer.
How long does it take to see results?
Including the first appointment, touch-up session, and aftercare instructions, the full Microblading experience takes at least 10 weeks, plus any needed top-ups, so it is a long process that you do have to stay committed to. That said, you can then enjoy your perfectly-groomed brows for up to a year.
Moreover, due to Stephanie’s natural approach, you can see many of microblading’s benefits from the first day of treatment, which does help you stick to the limitations placed on you. In particular, from day one you can go about your daily routine with brows that are noticeably defined but not laughable, and after two weeks you’ll be getting complimented on how naturally groomed your brows appear. Even the fading and patchiness that can occur between your appointments is kept to a minimum due to Stephanie’s aftercare plan, so you can enjoy fuller, well-shaped brows that are easy to style and upkeep as quickly as possible.
Why is it Tweak of the Week worthy?
Lead photo credit: Zana PG via Unsplash
Any Questions or Tips to add?