Try Powder Brows for a Subtler, Softer Version of Microblading (2025)

Eyebrows can be both the necessary base and the final touch to your makeup look. You can have a full face done, but forget your eyebrows and feel incomplete. Inversely, you can have no makeup on, but incredibly fierce eyebrows and feel on top of the world.

But amongst threading, microblading, and waxing, there is a new technique that has us raising our own brows in curiosity: powder brows.

“Picture this! You wake up, look in the mirror, and your brows are already perfectly shaped, softly defined, and beautifully full—no pencil, no pomade, no stress,” says Tanishka Thomas, brow expert and founder of The Brow Connect. “That’s the power of powder brows!”

For those who want a wake-up-and-go kind of eyebrow look, then this technique might be for you. But as with any new beauty treatment, it’s important to do your research before making an appointment. Check out InStyle’s powder brow guide below.

What Are Powder Brows?

So what are powder brows, and do they actually involve powder? To get that question out of the way, the answer is no. Powder brows, much like other techniques, involve tattooing.

“Powder brows, also known as ombré brows or microshading, are a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo technique that creates a soft, powdered effect that mimics the look of filled-in brow,” says Krystal Cummings of Browstress. “Unlike microblading, which uses hair-like strokes, powder brows give a more shaded and gradient appearance, making them a great option for those who want a fuller yet natural look.”

Thomas explains that the look comes from tiny, pixelated pigments to create “a soft, airbrushed effect—kind of like a perfectly blended brow tint or a light makeup finish.”

Microblading vs. Powder Brows

So when it comes to picking a technique, how do you know which is right for you. Jonathan Paul sums up the difference perfectly. “Microblading is fine, crisp hair strokes that mimic natural brow hairs," says Paul. "Powder brows use soft, shaded definition that looks more like a filled-in makeup effect.”

He also adds that different techniques might suit different skin types.

“Powder brows tend to heal better over time for some people, especially for oily or mature skin, because they don’t rely on tiny cuts in the skin like microblading does,” says Paul. “And let’s be real—some skin types just don’t want to hold onto microblading strokes nicely which is why nanolading and powder brows are great.”

The Process

When going in for your powder brows, it’s important to know what to expect. Just like getting a tattoo, you wouldn’t just walk into a shop and have an artist start drawing randomly.Thomas says that the first step is always planning.

“First, we start with a consultation to talk about your brow goals—whether you want something super soft and natural or a more defined look,” she says. “Then comes brow mapping, where I shape and outline your brows to ensure they’re perfectly symmetrical and tailored to your face.”

After a shape is defined, it’s time to prep the area.

“I apply a numbing cream to keep you as comfortable as possible. Then, using a tattoo machine, I deposit tiny pixelated dots of pigment into the first layer of the skin with a soft shading technique,” says Thomas. She explained that this is what gives it the gradient look, “where the front of the brow is lighter and gradually deepens towards the tail.”

Aftercare

When you first step away from your appointment, don’t be worried if your brows look darker than you expected “As they heal over the next couple of weeks, the color will soften into a gorgeous, natural-looking shade," says Thomas.

As with almost any beauty treatment, aftercare is key to keeping the look healthy and fresh. “Clients should avoid getting their brows wet for the first seven to 10 days, including sweating, tanning, swimming, and steam,” says Cummings. She also recommends an aftercare ointment and says picking at scabs is a no-no, as it can lead to a patchy look. “After the initial healing, a touch-up is recommended in six to eight weeks to perfect the shape and color,” she adds.Helena shares that you should also avoid makeup in those first few days of healing.

Another key to keeping your brows looking great long term? Sunscreen. Just like with the rest of your skin, keeping them safe from the sun is important to longevity.