faq - waxing & brows

How is a Brow Shaping different than a brow wax or clean-up?

         Usually, a brow wax or clean-up involves removing excess hair surrounding an already existing brow shape. A Brow Shaping is more in-depth and design oriented. Design is a major factor when shaping - I use a technique called Brow Mapping to aid in the process. I ask all new clients to not touch their brows for 4 weeks before booking their first appointment with me.

 What is Brow Mapping?

         This is a method used by many of my favorite brow artists (Anastasia Soares refers to it as the Golden Ratio) and training companies. I will go in depth during the consultation, but to put it simply: I find where the brow should start, arch and end by measuring specific points on the client's face. After finding these points, I use them to draw an outline over and around the existing brow, using it as a guide to determine what hair I will remove and what hair will be left behind. Clients who are looking to grow out their brows into a new shape will go through the same process, known as Brow Rehab.

 What is Brow Rehab?

         Over tweezed, over waxed or threaded? Brows too thin, two different shapes or full of holes? Let's get you into Rehab!

Rehab clients are Brow Mapped at each appointment for consistency and receive a full Brow Shaping service at each appointment. I ask all of my Brow Rehab clients to leave their brows alone completely in order for me to work more effectively.

Brow Rehab can take 1-3 years to complete, depending on the severity and method of the client's follicle damage. It is usually a slow but steady process. 

 What is follicle damage and what causes it?

         The hair follicle is a small organ located in the dermal layer of the skin. It is responsible for creating and nourishing hair cells all over the body. When a follicle dies, it will no longer produce hormones or peptides needed to produce hair cells, resulting in permanent hair loss at that site. Some clients may experience permanent hair loss due to health conditions, medication, drug use, infection, side effects from medication as well as mechanical friction, such as tweezing, threading or excess rubbing or pulling.

 Can a damaged follicle be repaired?

         Potentially, depending on the severity of the damage. After much research, I have found topical ingredients that are beneficial to aiding in healing hair follicles. My signature conditioning brow treatment is 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free. It contains powerful anti-inflammatories such as horsetail (plant) extract and CBD oil which allow nutrients to penetrate the hair shaft and root. The result is faster growing, stronger, shinier, healthier brows.

 I tend to break out after waxing. What causes this and what can I do to prevent it? 

This is very common! Dirt, oil and free radicals (pollution from the air or cigarette smoke) get trapped behind the hair follicle underneath the skin. When the hair is removed with warm wax, the follicle is left open and impurities like dirt and oil come to the surface, causing a small white-head. This is in fact not a pimple, it is a small infection in the follicle. This happens mostly to clients with oily skin or those who work out a lot. To help prevent these little bumps, treat the waxed area with an antiseptic cream or solution for the first few days after your service and only use extremely clean brushes or sponges to apply makeup.

 I use Retinol, Alpha Hydroxy Acid or Glycolic Acid in my skincare routine. Can I wax? 

I usually recommend not to wax when using Retinol, AHA or Glycolic products. If the Retinol product you use is prescribed by a dermatologist, I absolutely won't wax you - it will remove your skin - but we can always tweeze! Over-the-counter Retinol is much weaker but can still cause irritation. Retinol is used to increase cell-turnover and as a result, makes the skin thin and prone to damage from waxing. Other ingredients that need to be brought to my attention are AHA, BHA (hydroxy acids), Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide or ANY treatments for Acne. I want to make sure everyone's skin leaves in the best condition possible so please communicate with me about the products you use! Skin can also be more irritated while using antibiotics or during or a couple days prior to menstruation.