Here is a brutally honest review that like another Yelper mentioned, I feel somewhat bad leaving because Tinel is a very nice person. However, I think its only fair when so much money is involved for a procedure, that people have a fair understanding of a business.
I started going to Tinel in 2014 when she was in Studio City at the Bronzed Bunny for her to do my brows. Admittedly, they are a mess and over-tweezed from the late 90's. Nonetheless, she was always professional and did a good job and I was happy with going to see her.
When she left Studio City and started The Highbrow in Newport I was so happy and cheered her on. When I saw that she offered microblading services I was like "Ok, her IG pictures are great and she is a nice person. I am willing to make the hour+ drive to have her do this for me."
She drew on the desired shape of my brows and while I was a bit apprehensive after seeing most microblading artists use measurements to ensure symmetry, I trusted her process of free hand drawing them on. I had done research and I knew a second appointment was necessary in order to complete the procedure. So when my brows still looked a mess after my first appointment, I didn't think too much of it. I went back for my second appointment and she did her thing again. I waited 4-6 weeks and it was clear that my brows were uneven. Noticeably uneven. I still have to spend a good amount of time penciling them to get them to not be.
Seeing how Tinel reached out to another Yelper saying that she never wants a client to be unsatisfied, I texted her to let her know that well, I am unsatisfied and asked her what could be done. That was on a Saturday. I waited all weekend and on Monday I texted again following up. On Tuesday I got a text back saying that they could pass the message on to Tinel and to send pictures. I sent pictures a couple hours later. The response was "I can't see the difference they look great to me but I will show Tinel." Why thank you mysterious person who I *thought* was Tinel originally (as I had been texting Tinel for 4 years using that same number) thank you for discounting my concerns.
I asked who I was corresponding with and she said it was the receptionist. Weird how any other texts I sent to make appointments were Tinel but the first time I text regarding an issue its not Tinel. My last correspondence was 2 days ago. It has now been almost a week and still have not heard from Tinel. I also have no confidence that I will and at this point I am considering this a loss for me and moving on.
I know Tinel is working and in town because I follow both the Highbrow and her personal page on Instagram. There is no reason why in the past 6 days I couldn't have received a phone call or even a text from Tinel.
While I have no problem paying someone for their work, I do have an issue that I spent $500 for a total of 2 hours of work from Tinel (1 hour each appointment). When someone charges a premium for their time, its because of the investment they have made in themselves to be a professional and the best in their industry. I believe Tinel does a good job for people with full brow shapes who want a fuller brow. I do not believe she has the skills to take sparse brows and make them fuller. The instagram pictures are all directly following an appointment. However, after the brows are healed, they look completely different.
So buyer beware. If you already have full brows and want them even more full, I believe Tinel can help you. If you are looking for even brows, I suggest you do your homework before dropping $500 and not even getting the courtesy of a call back. read more