Brow Services Explained 2025: Lamination vs. Henna vs. Permanent Makeup

Your eyebrows frame your face, express emotion, and can dramatically change your overall appearance. With so many brow services available today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Should you get brow lamination? Try henna? Invest in permanent makeup?

As a certified brow artist and permanent makeup specialist with over 5 years of experience, I help clients navigate these choices every day. In this guide, I’ll break down the most popular brow services so you can make an informed decision for your unique needs.

Quick Comparison Overview

Now let’s dive deeper into each service.

Brow Lamination: The “Brow Lift”

What Is Brow Lamination?

Brow lamination is often called a “brow perm” or “brow lift.” It’s a chemical treatment that restructures your brow hairs to lie in a uniform direction, creating that fluffy, brushed-up look you see everywhere on social media.

How It Works

1. Lifting solution is applied to break down the hair’s bonds
2. Setting solution reforms the bonds in the new, lifted position
3. Nourishing treatment conditions and protects the brows
4. Optional tinting can be added for enhanced color

The entire process takes about 45-60 minutes.

Who Is Brow Lamination Best For?

• Those with unruly or downward-growing brow hairs
• Anyone wanting a fuller, fluffier brow appearance
• Clients who want low daily maintenance
• Those with naturally full brows they want to enhance
• Anyone following the “fluffy brow” trend

Who Should Avoid Brow Lamination?

• Those with very sparse brows (lamination works with existing hair)
• Anyone with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis in the brow area
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (due to chemical solutions)
• Those allergic to hair processing chemicals

Aftercare & Maintenance

First 24-48 hours:

• Keep brows completely dry
• No steam, saunas, or swimming
• Don’t touch or brush excessively

Ongoing care:

• Brush brows into place each morning with a spoolie
• Apply brow oil or serum to keep hairs conditioned
• Schedule maintenance every 4-6 weeks

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Instant transformation
• Works with your natural hair
• Creates fuller appearance
• Low daily maintenance
• No needles or permanent changes

Cons:

• Doesn’t add hair—only enhances what you have
• Chemical treatment may not suit sensitive skin
• Requires regular maintenance appointments
• Results depend on existing brow hair quality

Henna Brows: Natural Color That Lasts

What Are Henna Brows?

Henna brows use plant-based henna dye to tint both the brow hairs AND the skin underneath. This creates a fuller, more defined look that lasts longer than traditional tinting.

How It Works

1. Brows are cleansed and shaped (if included)
2. Henna paste is mixed to match your desired shade
3. Application on hair and skin, building intensity
4. Processing time of 10-20 minutes (longer = darker)
5. Removal and reveal of finished brows

The process takes about 45-60 minutes.

Who Are Henna Brows Best For?

• Those who want defined brows without daily filling
• Anyone with gaps or sparse areas (skin staining fills them in)
• Clients who prefer natural, plant-based products
• Those who want to test a bolder brow look before committing to PMU
• Anyone who reacts to traditional synthetic dyes

Who Should Avoid Henna Brows?

• Those allergic to henna (patch test recommended)
• Anyone with very oily skin (stain fades faster)
• Clients with skin conditions in the brow area
• Those wanting extremely long-lasting results

Henna vs. Regular Tinting

Aftercare & Maintenance

First 24 hours:

• Avoid water on brows
• No oil-based products near brows
• Skip face washing in the brow area

Ongoing care:

• Avoid exfoliating products on brows
• Oil-based skincare speeds fading
• Touch-up every 4-6 weeks for best results

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Natural, plant-based formula
• Fills in sparse areas with skin staining
• Lasts longer than traditional tint
• Creates more defined shape
• Good trial run before PMU

Cons:

• Fades faster on oily skin
• Requires regular maintenance
• Temporary solution only
• May not work well with certain skin types

Permanent Makeup (PMU): Wake Up With Perfect Brows

What Is Permanent Makeup?

Permanent makeup (also called cosmetic tattooing) uses a specialized machine to deposit pigment into the skin, creating natural-looking brows that last 1-3 years. Popular techniques include:

• Nano Brows / Hair Strokes: Ultra-fine strokes that mimic natural hair
• Powder/Ombre Brows: Soft, filled-in makeup look
• Combo Brows: Hair strokes + powder shading combined

How It Works

1. Consultation to discuss shape, color, and style
2. Numbing cream applied for comfort
3. Custom mapping to design your perfect brow shape
4. Pigment application using specialized PMU device
5. Healing period of 4-6 weeks
6. Touch-up session at 6-8 weeks to perfect results

Initial session takes 2-3 hours. Touch-up takes 1-2 hours.

Who Is PMU Best For?

• Those who want to eliminate daily brow makeup
• Anyone with sparse, over-plucked, or missing brows
• Clients with alopecia or hair loss conditions
• Busy professionals who want low-maintenance beauty
• Athletes and active individuals
• Anyone tired of brows sweating or rubbing off

Who Should Consider Carefully?

• Those prone to keloid scarring
• Anyone with certain skin conditions (consult first)
• Clients on blood thinners or certain medications
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Those who change their brow style frequently

The Healing Process

PMU healing happens in stages:

Days 1-3: Brows appear bold and dark (this is normal!) Days 4-7: Flaking and peeling begins (don’t pick!) Days 8-14: Color lightens significantly Weeks 3-6: True color emerges as skin heals

Your brows will look about 30-50% lighter once fully healed than immediately after the procedure.

Aftercare & Maintenance

First 7-10 days:

• Keep brows completely dry
• Apply provided aftercare ointment as directed
• No makeup on the treated area
• Avoid sun exposure, swimming, saunas
• No picking or scratching (let flakes fall naturally)

Long-term:

• Apply SPF to protect color from fading
• Touch-up every 1-2 years to maintain vibrancy
• Avoid strong exfoliants and retinols directly on brows

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wake up with perfect brows every day
• Lasts 1-3 years with proper care
• Eliminates daily brow routine
• Waterproof and smudge-proof
• Can correct asymmetry or reshape brows
• Life-changing for those with hair loss

Cons:

• Higher upfront investment
• Healing period requires patience
• Requires touch-up to maintain
• Semi-permanent (fades but doesn’t disappear)
• Not easily changeable once done

Side-by-Side Comparison: Which Service Is Right for You?

Choose Brow Lamination If:

• You have naturally full brows you want to enhance
• You love the fluffy, brushed-up trend
• You want low-commitment results
• You’re okay with monthly maintenance

Choose Henna Brows If:

• You want color AND shape definition
• You prefer natural, plant-based products
• You have gaps you want to temporarily fill
• You’re considering PMU and want to test a fuller look first

Choose Permanent Makeup If:

• You want to eliminate daily brow makeup
• You have sparse or missing brow hair
• You’re committed to a specific brow shape
• You want the longest-lasting results
• Low daily maintenance is a priority

Can You Combine Services?

Absolutely! Many of our clients layer services for optimal results:

• Lamination + Tint: Fluffy brows with enhanced color
• Henna + Shaping: Defined shape with lasting color
• PMU + Lamination: Permanent shape with textured, fluffy finish

During your consultation, we’ll discuss which combination might work best for your goals.

What We Offer at The Lash and Brow Beauty Bar

At our Vestavia Hills studio, we offer:

• Brow Lamination - $85 (4-6 weeks results)
• Henna Brows - $50 (2-4 weeks results)
• Brow Shaping - $25
• Brow Tinting - $25
• PMU Nano/Powder Brows - Starting at $400 (includes touch-up)
• PMU Touch-Ups - Custom pricing based on assessment

All services include a thorough consultation to ensure we create your perfect brow look.

Ready to Transform Your Brows?

Whether you want fluffy laminated brows, defined henna color, or the convenience of permanent makeup, I’m here to help you achieve your brow goals.

Book your consultation at The Lash and Brow Beauty Bar to discuss which service is right for you. We serve clients throughout Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, and Mountain Brook.

Call (205) 881-0531 or visit our booking page to schedule your appointment.

Brittany Roper is a certified permanent makeup artist and brow specialist at The Lash and Brow Beauty Bar in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. With over 5 years of experience, she helps clients find their perfect brow solution for every lifestyle and preference.