FAQs
What is microblading, nano brows, and powder brows?
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Short answer:
These are types of semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing that enhance brow shape, fullness, and symmetry.
Details:
Microblading: Hand-held tool creates fine hair-like strokes by scratching lines into the skin.
Nano brows: Machine-based, ultra-fine strokes for natural-looking brows.
Powder brows: Soft, shaded effect, like a subtle eyebrow fill with pencil.
Results typically last 1–3 years depending on skin type, pigment, and aftercare.
How are microblading, nano brows, and powder brows different?
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Are brow tattoos safe?
Can I remove or correct brow tattoos if I don’t like them?
Short answer:
The main differences are in technique, tools, and the final look.
Details:
Microblading: Hand tool, creates hair-like strokes, however Nano Brows are a better, more updated technology and I am no longer recommending this service!
Nano Brows: Machine, precise strokes, lasts slightly longer, minimal trauma to skin.
Powder Brows: Soft, filled-in look, so that you can “wake up with makeup”
How long do brow tattoos last?
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How do I choose between microblading, nano, or powder brows?
Short answer:
Most semi-permanent brows last 1–3 years, with yearly touch-ups recommended.
Details:
Longevity depends on skin type, sun exposure, lifestyle, and skincare products.
Oily skin fades faster; dry/normal skin may hold pigment longer.
Touch-ups restore color, shape, and definition. If you don’t get a touch up, the color gets lighter and lighter until it fades away
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Does it hurt?
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Who is a good candidate for brow tattooing?
Can I get brow tattoos if I have oily or sensitive skin?
How do I prepare for my brow tattoo appointment?
Short answer:
Preparation ensures the best results and healing.
Details:
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and blood-thinning medications 24 hours before.
Do not tweeze, wax, or tint brows for 2 weeks before your appointment
If you normally fill in your brows, arrive with brows filled in how you are used to seeing them.
What happens during the procedure?
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How should I care for my brows after the procedure?
Do I need a touch-up, and when?
How much does brow tattoing: microblading, nano brows, or powder brows cost?
What should I expect during healing?
How do I care for my brows after the procedure?
When can I go back to exercising or swimming?
Will the color fade or change over time?
Why does brow tattooing cost so much?
Short answer:
I don’t use numbing for the first layer (the tattoo is built up in layers of color), but apply a fast-acting gel afterward, making the rest of the appointment comfortable. Most clients rate the first few minutes as a 4/10, and breaks are always available if needed.
Details:
Sensation varies by technique and individual pain tolerance. Powder technique often feel less intense than Microblading or Nano Brows.
Topical numbing creams need 20+ minutes to take effect and can soften the skin, making the first layer difficult to tattoo.
After the first layer, the skin is slightly open, allowing a quick-acting numbing gel to penetrate and work in just 2 minutes. This method ensures the first layer heals perfectly while keeping the remainder of the session virtually pain-free.
Short answer:
Yes, when performed by a trained professional using sterile tools and high-quality pigments.
Details:
Always ensure the artist uses single-use needles and follows strict sanitation standards.
Certain medical conditions (pregnancy, chemotherapy, Accutane, antibiotics) may require waiting.
Allergic reactions are rare but possible; patch tests can help prevent issues.
Short answer:
Most healthy adults are eligible, except for specific medical restrictions.
Details:
Any one on chemotherapy, blood thinners, immunosupressants, or antibiotics must receive pre-approval before booking.
Those with severe skin conditions, certain medications, or active infections may need clearance from a healthcare provider.
You may not get receive this service if you are pregnant or nursing
Short answer:
Yes, but skin type may affect longevity and pigment retention.
Details:
Oily skin may require more frequent touch-ups, and does best with the powder brow stule
Sensitive skin may bruise or scab more easily; proper aftercare is critical.
Short answer:
Your brows will first be shaped and tweezed. This is followed by a 45-minute consultation during which we discuss your ideal brow shape and map it directly on your skin. The tattoo planning process may take up to one hour, and the tattooing itself takes approximately 45 minutes (plan for an hour and 45 minutes)
Short answer:
Follow your aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing.
Details:
Avoid touching, scratching, or picking the area.
Avoid soaps, heavy sweating, and makeup on or near the brows for the first 2 weeks.
A little water from the shower is fine, but don’t submerge your head in lake or pool water for 2 weeks.
Gently wipe the brows morning and night for the first 2 weeks. Apply provided healing cream if they get dry and flakey.
Short answer:
Yes, most clients require a touch-up 6–12 weeks (2-3 months) after the initial procedure. Once you’ve done your touch up, expect to come back every 1-3 years to maintain the shape and color.
Details:
Touch-ups help perfect shape, color, and longevity.
If you don’t get a touch up, the pigment just gets lighter and lighter. Your brows will not turn red!
Short answer:
In general, prices vary based on technique, artist experience, and location.
Current pricing
Microblading, Nano Brows, Powder Brows all have the same rates:
New client /Cover Up (first appointment with me) : $600
6-12 week touch up: $350
3-8 month touch up: $400
Yearly touch up (9 months + since last session): $450
Short answer:
Your brows will appear darker for the first 5 days, then lighten and soften during week 2. The final results will be visible by week 6.
Details:
Flaking, scabbing, and slight color lightening are normal for a first session. Cosmetic tattooing looks the most natural when it is built up over 2 sessions.
Avoid picking or scratching to protect healing and color retention.
Short answer:
Follow your aftercare instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and lasting results.
Details
Avoid swimming, saunas, and heavy sweating during initial healing.
Apply recommended ointments as instructed.
Avoid makeup on or near the brows and harsh skincare on the area for 3 weeks.
Short answer:
Light activity is fine, but avoid heavy sweating or swimming for 2 weeks. Protect your investment to make sure it heals beautifully!
Short answer:
Yes. The pigment will get lighter and lighter over time, but will not turn red.
Details:
Sun exposure, skincare products, and skin type affect fading.
Annual touch-ups help maintain color and definition.
Short answer:
The price most often reflects the skill of the artist, and time they have spent doing this art form.
Details:
Artists spend years training and perfecting technique.
High-quality pigments, single-use tools, and sterile environments are essential.
Professional care ensures long-lasting, natural results.
Short answer:
Choice depends on your desired look, skin type, and where your brow hair grows. Please text photos for a complimentary pre-booking consultation (213-290-3274)
Details:
Microblading: I keep this service listed because people don’t know that there is a better, more updated version of this service! (nano brows).
Nano: Ideal for people who want a brow tattoo that looks like real hair.
Powder: Perfect for people who want to “wake up with makeup”
For those who feel especially nervous or are unsure whether brow tattooing is right for them, I recommend booking a Consultation Only appointment. These are in-person, 45-minute sessions during which I can draw a realistic preview of what your brows would look like once healed.
If you already know you’d like to move forward with a tattoo, you may book any brow appointment. We’ll discuss your goals together and determine which tattooing technique will best achieve your desired results, with flexibility to adjust the approach during the appointment.
Short answer:
Yes! Removal is easy and affordable with laser. I recommend Fresh Cosmetic Tattoo in North Austin, or Clean Slate ink in South Austin.
Emergency removal can be performed within 72 hours with a special solution that soaks into the skin and prevents the pigment from adhering to the skin. Text photos to 213-290-3274 for approval before bookinh.
Details:
Minor corrections or color adjustments are usually done with touch-ups.
Complete removal may require laser treatments.
Always consult a professional before attempting removal.
Appointment Policies
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Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Any client who does not show up for a scheduled appointment will forfeit their deposit and will be required to pay a new deposit to book a new appointment. After two no-shows, we will refuse you service.
No children under the age of 18 are allowed in the studio, however, there is a waiting room in the lobby. Please do not bring small children to your appointment.
If you show up to your appointment and have a previous cosmetic tattoo that wasn’t approved before booking your appointment, you will be turned away and your deposit will be forfeited.
We have the right to refuse service to anyone.
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All new client appointments require a deposit. The deposit is non-transferable and non-refundable.
Any cancelations or no-shows within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment will forfeit their deposit and be required to pay a new deposit.
If no deposit was taken, a $75 fee will be required to pay before re-booking.
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You do not need to arrive more than a few minutes early for your appointment. Please take into account travel time and parking. There is ample parking available in front of Grapevine Salons.
Any client 20 minutes (or more) late to their appointment, regardless of unforeseen circumstances that may arise, will forfeit their deposit and be required to re-book a new appointment with a new deposit.
If you are running late, even a few minutes, it is expected that you text or call the studio to inform your artist. The phone number can be found in the “Contact Us” section of this website.
General FAQs:
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Microblading, Nano Brows, and Powder Brows are all considered semi-permanent cosmetic tattoos.
Why is it semi-permanent? Because unlike a body art tattoo, touch-ups are required to maintain the shape, and the pigments are designed to fade. This is so that clients can adjust the shape and style of their brow tattoo as time goes on.
With each of these three styles of cosmetic tattooing, 2 sessions are needed, spaced 8-12 weeks apart with additional follow-ups every 1-3 years to maintain the shape. Please refer to the services page to familiarize yourself with each style of tattooing offered.
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This treatment is considered semi-permanent and will fade over time.
Two sessions are needed (spaced 6-12 weeks apart), and then the client will come back every 1-3 years for a “yearly follow-up” appointment.
Occasionally, one appointment is sufficient and the client may wish to come back at a date later than the typical 6-12 week touch-up.
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Pricing can be found under the “PRICING” tab at the top of this page. All services are non-refundable & non-transferable.
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This treatment is considered semi-permanent and will fade over time. Typically, clients get two sessions, spaced 6-12 weeks apart and then come back every 1-3 years for a follow-up or “Yearly Touch-Up” session
The frequency of follow-ups depends on a number of factors including:
The pigment color used (lighter colors fade faster)
Lifestyle (sun exposure, excessive and frequent sweating, frequent swimming in salt or chlorinated water)
Iron deficiency (in this case your body absorbs the iron oxides in the pigment)
Any chemical peels, skincare such as retinol, or anti-aging products or treatments
Laser therapy to treat skin conditions, scars, or for hair removal that may zap the tattooed area
Oil; please do NOT use any products with oil on your face
Touch-up appointments are normal for cosmetic tattoo procedures. The pigment is designed to fade over time, which allows the client to adjust the shape/color as the years go on.
*Please note that final results cannot be guaranteed as each unique skin type will hold pigments differently and can break down at different rates. We will evaluate how your skin has retained the pigment at your follow-up appointment and make any necessary adjustments.
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Microblading:
To keep the experience as pain-free as possible, we use a maximum-strength topical numbing cream at two different points in the appointment. Although pain varies from person to person, most clients experience little-to-no pain during the procedure.
Pain is often rated as a 4 out of 10, and this is just for the first few minutes. The actual microblading portion of the appointment is very quick (under 10 minutes), so there is no prolonged pain or discomfort. Some clients may even feel nothing at all!
Nano/Powder Brows:
The first pass of the tattoo is done without numbing. Clients experience minimal pain (some areas may feel like a 4 out of 10). After this first pass, a topical numbing is applied that will make the experience much more comfortable! As the appointment goes on, the skin will feel more and more numb. Some clients even fall asleep!
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Your semi-permanent makeup will appear darker and bigger than expected for the first few days. This will gradually lighten during the healing process. Please view the detailed aftercare card provided at the end of your appointment.
If you are nervous about this, please do not schedule your appointment within 2-4 weeks of a big event.
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While the brows are darker and thicker the first 4-7 days after your appointment, your tattoo will start to flake off. If you have more oily skin, there may be no flaking that occurs.
After the first 4-7 days, it can appear as though the tattoo has completely disappeared.
Don’t worry! This is because when the top layer of the tattoo flakes off, a brand new layer of skin forms on top of the skin. This new layer covers up the deeper tattooed skin, making it appear as if the tattoo is gone or significantly lighter— almost as if there is a “film” or “filter” on top of the brows.
After about 4-6 weeks, that deeper tattooed skin will rise to the surface and the strokes will reappear. At the touch-up appointment, we will assess the color retention and make adjustments as necessary based on your preferences.
Everyone heals differently and at different rates, so please be patient during this time. If your cosmetic tattoo does not heal perfectly the first time, do not worry! We can always go darker and add more density/strokes at your next appointment.
This process can feel a bit like a rollercoaster. So hang in there while we build up to perfect brows! Cosmetic tattooing requires patience and understanding of the healing process.
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Absolutely NO botox (or any paralytic) or fillers in your face for 30 days before or after any cosmetic tattooing appointment.
If you show up to your appointment having had Botox in the last 30 days, your appointment will be canceled and your deposit forfeited.
It is recommended that you do not get any facial injections (fillers or paralytics) for 30 days after your touch-up appointment.
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I do not work on clients with previously tattooed brows without prior approval.
You must text well-lit, and in-focus photos of your brows for approval to book an appointment.
Please take the following photos with the back side of your camera (not the selfie side), or have someone else take them so that they can focus the camera:
A photo of each eyebrow
A full-face photo with your eyes closed and forehead relaxed
A full-face photo with your eyes open
The tattoo needs to be at least 70-80% faded in order to be eligible to book my services. Tattoo cover-ups are often more time-consuming than regular touch-ups for existing clients, and thus the rate for a first-time cover-up is the same as a New Client Appointment.
If your tattoo is too saturated or not in a symmetrical shape, I recommend getting a couple of laser sessions with the Picosure laser machine.
I recommend going to Clean Slate Ink.
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You must avoid heavy, sweat-dripping workouts for the first 5-7 days following your cosmetic tattoo appointment. Light exercising is allowed (no sweating), but you MUST clean the tattooed area with lukewarm water as soon as you are done exercising.
The salt and oil in the sweat will fade the pigment very quickly and give you poorly healed results. You do not want bacteria from your sweat getting into a freshly healing tattoo. Plus, we can tell by how they healed if you did not follow this guideline :)
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Similar to any beauty service, tipping is appreciated but not required. A 15-20% tip of the total cost of the appointment is typical for each time you receive a service.
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Pricing reflects the artist’s skill level, operating expenses (supplies, studio rent, medical waste disposal, insurance), and taxes taken out.
Furthermore, those who are self-employed pay a huge percentage of their income in taxes!
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You must be 18 years old to get any cosmetic tattoo service. Parental consent is not accepted.
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You may bring one guest with you to your appointment. No children are allowed, and all other guests must wait in the waiting room.
What are the contraindications?
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Do not consume alcohol or blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, Niacin, etc) 48 hours before your procedure to avoid excess bleeding.
No caffeine the morning of your appointment.
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If you have any allergies or are being treated for a health condition, please check with me PRIOR to booking an appointment. I can provide you a list of ingredients of all products used, and schedule you to come in for a patch test.
If you have a serious autoimmune condition, are being treated for cancer, or are on any blood thinning or immunosuppressants, a doctor’s note approving you for cosmetic tattooing may be required.
Again, please check in about this PRIOR to booking.
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Typically no. But, if you have a history of keloid scarring, please send an email or text to chat about this more BEFORE booking an appointment. Sometimes keloiding is the skin’s response to a specific injury and not your skin’s typical response.
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You must be off antibiotics for at least 2 weeks before being eligible for an appointment.
If you are on a long-term dose of antibiotics for a condition such as Lyme disease, please email Sophie to discuss further as it may be possible to be seen with a doctor’s note.
YOU MUST RESCHEDULE WITHIN 48 HOURS NOTICE IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON ANTIBIOTICS IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT.
This is a non-negotiable studio policy, and your deposit will be forfeited if you do not provide 48 hours notice.
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No, you cannot be tattooed if you currently undergoing chemotherapy or treatment for cancer.
A doctor’s note may be permissible if you are on a long-term oral immunosuppressant and have been declared in remission from cancer by your doctor. This must be cleared with Sophie before booking.
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No. Per the laws in the state of Texas, I cannot work on anyone who is pregnant or nursing.
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No, you must have been off Accutane for at least 9 months. If it has been less than 9 months, a doctor’s note may be acceptable, but you must check in with Sophie prior to booking your session.
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You MUST stop using Retinol 2 weeks prior to your appointment and avoid using it for the 2 weeks following your appointment.
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You should NOT use any product near the brows that contains any type of oil, retinol, AHA, or any anti-aging product. Oils will fade your brows very quickly and cause microbladed or nano brow strokes to become blurry.
If you sweat a lot, always make sure you wipe your brows off after your workout. Sweat contains oils from your skin and this can cause your brows to fade at a faster rate. If you are a regular swimmer (multiple times a week) either in chlorine or the ocean, make sure you wipe your brows with a mild soap and warm water afterward.
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, it is best to wear a hat to protect your brows from the sun as it will fade them faster. Sunscreen is also great, but using a daily sunscreen on your brows is not recommended unless you are actually in the sun long enough to get a tan or sunburn. Anything you put directly on your eyebrows can impact the ink.
If you are planning a chemical peel, laser treatment, or other medical procedure, please inform the technician that you have had a cosmetic tattoo. Careful application must be taken to avoid affecting the tattooed area.

