Brow Guide
Choosing Your Permanent Brow Style
Powder, nano and microblading brows all fall under the permanent makeup umbrella — but each technique creates a different finish, wears differently on different skin types, and suits a different lifestyle. Here's how to decide which one is right for you.
The three main types of permanent brows
At a high level, permanent brow techniques break down by how pigment is placed into the skin: as soft, shaded dots (powder), as fine crisp lines mimicking hair (nano and microblading), or as a hybrid of both.
Powder Brows
Powder brows are created with a digital machine that deposits thousands of tiny pigment dots, giving a soft, shaded finish that looks like a beautifully filled-in brow. The result is even, matte, and long-lasting.
- Best for: oily, mature or sensitive skin
- Finish: soft powdered / makeup-look
- Retention: typically 2–3+ years before a color refresh
Nano Brows
Nano brows use an ultra-fine single needle on a digital machine to draw hair-like strokes into the skin. Because the tool is machine controlled, the strokes are crisp, uniform and gentler on the skin than traditional microblading.
- Best for: most skin types, including combination and slightly oily skin
- Finish: natural, realistic hair strokes
- Retention: typically 1–3 years, depending on skin and lifestyle
Microblading
Microblading is a manual technique that uses a hand-held blade to press pigment into the skin as fine strokes. It creates a very natural look but is best suited to dry, normal skin — on oily or mature skin, the strokes can blur over time.
- Best for: dry to normal, non-mature skin
- Finish: delicate, hair-stroke natural
- Retention: typically 1–2 years before a touch-up
How to choose the right technique for you
- Skin type first. Oily or mature skin holds powder and nano beautifully; microblading tends to fade faster on these skin types.
- Desired finish. Want a soft, filled-in makeup look? Powder. Want to look like you have more natural hair? Nano or microblading. Want both? Ask about a combo brow.
- Lifestyle. Sun, sweat and skincare (retinols, acids, exfoliants) all affect longevity. Nano and powder generally age more gracefully.
- Maintenance comfort. All permanent brows need a touch-up 6–8 weeks after the first session and a color refresh every 1–3 years.
Not sure which style is right for you?
Every face and skin type is different. The best next step is a consultation with Riley — she'll assess your skin, brow shape and goals, then recommend the technique that will look and wear best on you.