And like when one gets a perm or relaxer, the stylist is able to reform and reshape the strands to their liking. In hair treatments, that means straightening the hair or adding curls. In brows, that means brushing them to add volume, moving them to cover gaps or scars, fluffing them out to make them wear wider, or redirecting stray strands. It’s like using an extra-strength brow gel that doesn’t go away with a face wash. In fact, brow lamination can last up to eight weeks with proper care (more on that soon). Of course, this poses some tricky situations: You can’t sweat, so do your best to avoid workouts and sweltering heat. You also need to be careful about showers and washing your face. We recommend sticking to body showers, skipping makeup (so you don’t need to remove it with a thorough wash), and then cleansing your face with towelettes or micellar water and cotton pads so you can more easily avoid the bow area. Other than water, she also notes you should skip any retinol or exfoliation product for the first 72 hours. (This includes any physical scrub or a chemical exfoliator, like AHAs or BHAs.) But once you’ve made it through those tricky first few days, you should be good to go, says Marris. “You can continue with everyday activities like working out, showering, and so on after the initial treatment period,” she says. “The amazing thing about brow lamination is that it’s a treatment that can work for everyone. Those with sparse, skinny brows can suddenly achieve fuller-looking brows, and even those who already have full brows love the defined, fluffy style that can be achieved with brow lamination, but it’s best to confirm with your technician that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients used in the brow lamination service,” says Marris. However, Benefit Cosmetics global brow expert Jared Bailey has a cool step-by-step guide to mimicking the look in the comfort of your bathroom. All you need is a clear brow gel (like their Benefit Cosmetics 4-Hour Brow Setter or Beautycounter’s Brilliant Brow Gel in Clear) and perhaps the clean handle of a makeup brush or a clean fingertip:
