I don't usually write reviews but had to make sure I shared my experience to hopefully prevent…read moresomeone from going through the same thing. I visited Sara Holmes at Illuminated Skincare for a microblading session, trusting her expertise after 15 years in the industry. Unfortunately, my experience was nothing short of a disaster, and I strongly advise anyone considering her services to proceed with extreme caution. Here are a few reasons why:
1. No Clarity:I showed Sara a reference photo for my microblading session, but she went beyond what I asked for. Without me asking, she used a tattoo gun to shade my eyebrows, leaving them too dark, too thin, and uneven. The result didn't resemble the photo at all, and I immediately knew something was wrong.
2. Dismissive Attitude During the Session:When I pointed out the issues at the end of the session, Sara denied there was a problem and insisted the brows looked good. She assured me that the brows would fade and any imperfections could be fixed during the "perfecting session." I trusted her, but the damage was already done.
3. Ignored Aftercare Requests:After the session, I messaged Sara to express my concerns, but she left me on read. I gave her the benefit of the doubt, hoping the brows would fade over time. They didn't. I reached out again months later, and again, no response. It wasn't until I found her email, almost a year later, that I finally got a reply.
4. False Apologies and Half-Hearted Corrections:When I finally reconnected with Sara, she admitted the brows were too dark, uneven, and thin and apologized. She offered to correct them for free, which I accepted. However, the correction process was painful, time-consuming, and drawn out:
* I had to have three lightening sessions before we could even begin fixing the brows.
* I was hesitant to proceed, fearing she'd mess up again and I'd have to start the lightening process all over.
* The entire experience felt like a waste of time and money, not to mention the emotional toll of walking around with messed up eyebrows for nearly a year and scars after every session.
5. Inconsistent and Unclear Aftercare Instructions:
Sara's aftercare instructions were inconsistent, even for the same procedure. For one session she said to keep them dry for at least 48 hrs, but another session she told me it was okay to wet my brows. This lack of clarity added unnecessary stress and confusion to the healing process.
6. Unprofessionalism and Lack of Communication:Before my appointment, I tried to ask questions via text to ensure I understood the process and my options. Sara became defensive and refused to discuss anything until my appointment. When I asked about the ink being carbon-free (since my brows had turned gray), she snapily responded that she would no longer be providing me with services. She even complained about the free corrections she offered, which felt incredibly unfair.
7. Hygiene and Professionalism Concerns:Sara's fingers always smelled strongly of cigarettes, even after washing. As a non-smoker, this was off-putting and raised questions about her hygiene practices. Additionally, she seemed disinterested and like she didn't want to be there, which made the entire experience uncomfortable.
I was really hoping to work with Sara and have my brows corrected. I put my trust in her and highly regret it. Sara did help me get my eyebrows lighter but they still look gray and uneven. Sara's work was sloppy, unprofessional, and lacked basic communication skills. Despite her 15 years of experience, the results were subpar, and her attitude was dismissive and unaccommodating. If you're considering microblading, do your research thoroughly and ensure you choose an artist who listens to your concerns, respects your wishes, and communicates clearly.
I do not recommend Sara to anyone, especially those who are more quiet or may struggle to advocate for themselves. Save yourself the stress, time, pain, embarrassment and money.
