Eyebrow trends come and go, and the list just keeps growing. From overplucked skinny brows to microblading and microshading, our preferences are always evolving. Brow lamination, in particular, has skyrocketed in popularity over the past couple of years. The treatment uses chemicals to semi-permanently set eyebrow hairs in a vertical direction, creating a brushed-up, lifted look.
With makeup trends veering away from the heavily contoured cheeks and cut-crease eyeshadow looks of the 2010s in favour of more dewy textures and neutral shades, there's never been a better time to opt for the natural-looking brow treatment. Plus, unlike some other brow treatments, it’s completely pain-free and delivers one of the most natural-looking, beautifully enhanced finishes. Here's everything you need to about brow lamination…
What is brow lamination?
The name may sound familiar – like laminating card – and the technique is not that dissimilar. It seeks to smooth and lock down brows that have been brushed up vertically, laying them flat so they appear fuller and applying a formula (kind of like a straight perm) that enables them to keep the lifted shape semi-permanently.
The chemical used in the treatment softens the hairs so you can reshape and reset them how you like. It uses the brow hairs you already have, so there's no needles or blood in sight, like in microblading. It's a great option if you have unruly brows that grow in all different directions, or if you want to cover gaps from over-plucking.
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Can I laminate my eyebrows myself?
Yes, you can achieve fluffy, salon-worthy laminated brows at home. While professional brow lamination services typically cost between £150 and £300 per session, at-home kits are a budget-friendly alternative, averaging around £30 for up to six treatments. With so many options available, it’s important to choose wisely. Our top pick? The Sassy Saint At-Home Brow Lamination Kit. Each kit includes six treatments, delivering sleek, lifted brows that last up to eight weeks — meaning one kit could see you through an entire year. Plus, it's suitable for all brow types and comes with beginner-friendly video instructions to guide you through the process.
What should I do before brow lamination?
It's best to stay clear of active ingredients like retinol, AHAs and other exfoliants for around 48 hours beforehand as they can create sensitivity and react with the brow lamination chemicals. Likewise, it's best to avoid plucking, waxing or threading the area for a couple of days before the treatment as this can aggravate it. Bear in mind that a patch test is required at least 24 hours prior to the treatment being conducted, to ensure you can tolerate the solution.
What happens at a brow lamination consultation?
Your brow expert should use brow mapping to figure out your perfect brow style. You will also be asked how you usually style your brows: what colour and shape you prefer and what you expect the final result to look like. This gives a clear picture of how you want it to look. It’s also a good idea to take in an image of your ideal brow for the technician to match.
How long do results last?
You can enjoy results for up to six to eight weeks depending on your natural brow hair.
Are there any risks or side effects?
All reputable practitioners will give you a patch test ahead of your brow lamination treatment, to check you won't have an adverse reaction to the solution used. You may still experience a little bit of redness around the brow shortly after the treatment, but that's about it.
As for your brow hairs, they'll go completely back to normal after the six-to-eight week time period. You should never have another brow lamination during this period, as you could damage or weaken the hair.
Professional brow lamination review
GLAMOUR's former Senior Visual Editor Chelsea Hughes headed to Lash Perfect Beauty Bar to try out the treatment for herself.
“The treatment itself takes around 45 minutes, sometimes longer if you have thicker brows,” she says. “I’d say the volume of my brows are naturally average and I was in the chair for around an hour and a half. It’s a very relaxing treatment and it comes in six steps…”
Step one: After a thorough cleanse to remove makeup, grime and bacteria, brows are placed in an upward position using Brow Fix to ensure all of the brow lamination solution targets the brow from the root to the tip. This solution holds the brows in place throughout the treatment. You really need to sneak a peek during this step, as it looks hilarious.
Step two: Brow Style is then applied to the brows. This softens the bonds in your brow hairs, making them more malleable, so your brow expert can shape them in the desired direction.
Step three: The Brow Set is applied. This solution sets the hair in its new position and is left on the brows for a predetermined time, depending on the condition of your hair.
Step four: This is the time for optional tinting, where brows can be tinted to add colour and enhance the results of the treatment.
Step five: Now all traces of the products are removed and Brow Nourish (a specially developed brow serum with keratin) is applied to hydrate and condition the hair.
Step six: Finally, the brows are brushed into their desired position - this position is adjustable depending on the look you want to achieve. You can either have them brushed up or brushed into a more natural shape.
Is there any aftercare needed?
The first 24 hours after the treatment are vital – you mustn’t get your brows wet or moist (so avoid showers, steam rooms or strenuous workouts) and they should be kept brushed into your desired look. After 24 hours they can be treated as normal.
Are there any downsides to brow lamination?
The chemical process required to shape brows is pretty powerful – and just like hair perms or bleaching, it can damage the hairs over time if it's repeated too regularly. The treatment can last between 6 and 8 weeks, but it's best to space out treatments much further apart and keep an eye on their condition and health so brows don't become over-processed, brittle or prone to hair loss.
Also, if you suffer from skin sensitivity, or conditions like eczema or psoriasis, the treatment can exacerbate irritation, so might not be the best option.
What are the results?
“The final look of my brows was honestly more than I could ever have hoped for,” says Chelsea. “I couldn’t believe that I was looking at my own hairs with absolutely no product! Now in the mornings I only have to quickly brush them upwards and they’re done.”
It’s saved me at least four minutes every day, which adds up to over an hour and a half of extra time each month. I’d say if you’re not happy with your brows in their natural state, definitely give this treatment a go – they can make even the thinnest of brows look fuller and natural. If you still want more from your brows, it might be a good idea to look into microblading for an even thicker effect.
Here's everything you need to know.
