I waited until all of my brow touch ups were completed and healed before writing this review so I…read morecould give good feedback. This review is long because getting a tattoo on your face is a big decision.
If you're curious about why I chose Oxana and all the details about the tattooing and healing process, read on, but if you just want the short story, I'm extremely happy. I went from having virtually no eyebrows, to getting compliments on them all the time. My makeup routine in the morning has been cut by 15 minutes, and I'm comfortable leaving the house with no makeup on because my brows look so perfect that it makes my face look more lifted, more framed, and more "done" even without mascara and lipstick on. Be prepared for multiple treatments, and know that it will be a couple months before you get the result you want, but once it's complete, you will be satisfied. I couldn't be happier, and I only wish that these were completely permanent. Now, for the long story...
BACKGROUND
I researched permanent brow tattooing for almost a year before I finally made my appointment. I consulted with different brow artists, including some outside of Colorado. I don't have any tattoos and the thought of getting one on my face was a little scary, and I wanted to be sure that I was choosing a reputable and skilled artist who knew what they were doing and wouldn't leave me with something on my face that I wished I could erase. I also wanted to make sure it was a safe process. I looked at FDA and health department regulations, the educational and training requirements, and the reviews for the training centers people went to.
OXANA & MILE HIGH MODERN BEAUTY
Rest assured that Oxana operates a very high quality operation. Her facility is spotless, she uses very stringent cleanliness procedures and is certified by the health department. She's been trained all over the world, and uses a safe, high quality ink. She's extremely good at color matching, and making sure that she uses ink that won't turn weird colors when they fade.
I narrowed my list down to the top 3 artists, one from New York, one from Los Angeles, and Oxana. After researching and reviewing their work, I felt most comfortable with Oxana, because I've seen her work in person and felt confident in her ability to draw brows that fit each person's face. I also felt more comfortable with an artist in my own state because it's easier to get to touch up appointments and to visit her if something went wrong (though nothing did).
PROCEDURE
I had my brows touched up twice (for a total of 3 procedures).
The first time, I was anxious that it would be painful, but it wasn't. Your brows will be numbed with a cream, but it wears off. When they're numb, you pretty much don't feel a thing. When it wears off, you feel scratching similar to a safety pin scratching you very lightly at a 45 degree angle. It's not relaxing, but it doesn't hurt.
My first appointment took about 3 hours. The 2nd and 3rd to an hour and a half.
5 days into the healing process, they peel, flake off, and fade away. I knew this was expected, but I wasn't prepared for the beautiful design of my brows to disappear as much as they did the first time. I emailed Oxana in a panic thinking I was a bad candidate for tattooing and considered cancelling my second treatment. She reassured me that the amount of fading was normal, and that they would darken over the next several weeks, which they did. It took almost 3 months to complete the process, but it was SO worth it.
HEALING PROCESS
I was meticulous about the healing procedures. I kept my brows clean, didn't get them wet, and bathed in the sink for 5 full days to avoid humidity and splashing. I avoided the sun, going outdoors only with a hat on, if at all, didn't work out for 10 full days, and tried my hardest not to sleep on my face. The second treatment I learned to sleep with a neck pillow, and this kept me from ending up on my face at all, even if I turned on my side.
RESULT
People are constantly complimenting my brows, asking if I just had them waxed because they always look like I just walked out of the salon, or like I just walked out of the makeup artists chair because they are so perfectly matched to each other and to my face.
I never have to think before I wipe my face when I work out, or sweat, or go to the beach, wondering if I remembered to take my makeup off or if I'm about to wipe one brow off.
Sometimes people say things like "Your face looks really good, did you do something different?" and I tell them my eyebrows are tattooed on, and they are always surprised because they don't look harsh or fake or "in your face" like people expect them to. They just look like I am really, really good at putting on my makeup (which I'm not).
I really couldn't be happier, and I highly recommend Oxana if you are considering getting your brows done. You will not be disappointed, and you can be assured that you are going to get a top quality result.
