FASHION & BEAUTY
HYPERREALISM BROWS YOUR BROWS BUT BETTER
By Lauren Naylor
S
After spending most of the last year tinting, testing brow products, laminating, plucking – you name it, I started thinking of something a little more permanent. My usual brow lamination, which, don’t get me wrong is something I love, gave the illusion of fuller and darker brows but was exactly that – an illusion. After two weeks the deep brown colour faded, and I was left with my former (result of the noughties overplucking trend) barely-there brow. Something I’ve become truly obsessed with, thanks to working from home is how I appeared on Zoom, facetime and other social ‘face facing’ contact methods. Even if I looked a little rough round the edges my groomed brows kept me looking human and I always enjoy the way darkened fuller brows opened up my eyes and framed my face.
o, when brow artist to the stars, Tracie Giles announced a new technique in-house: ‘Hyperrealism’ brows, I was certainly intrigued. In short, it’s a new permanent make-up technique from Russia with love, to give realistic fuller brows, which only a handful of brow technicians can do worldwide – one of those being Miri at Knightsbridge salon, Tracie Giles. Now, I’ve tried all the brow treatments: microblading, lamination, tinting, threading, HD brows, or just the original micro-needling tattoo brows. All of which I have been grateful to experience although microblading was my least favourite. Hyperrealism offers an ‘undone’ brow effect which is achieved by using a cosmetic tattoo-ing device with a needle just slightly bigger than an acupuncture needle. The needle distributes light pigment in a ‘W’ pattern to create a 3D effect to give fuller, thicker looking natural brows thanks to the crossover of hair strokes rather than a one directional straight stroke. The intensity is built in the middle of the brow – just as a natural brow would behave to give realistic, fluffy brows akin to those after a fresh lamination. A shape was determined, upon presentation of the mirror I was getting big and intense vibes as well as super dark, but it is merely a template to work around. At this point I just fully trusted Miri and didn’t even question the fact I could potentially end up like the dad from Schitt’s Creek. Miri uses your natural skin tone to decipher the tone for you – and I went for a deep ashy blonde over a warm deep brown (which was drawn onto my forehead pre tattooing). After almost two-hours and some mild soreness (thanks to previous scarring) and some wiry pre laminated brows, I almost burst into tears of
BEFORE
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happiness. Yes, my brows were super dark (this is very normal immediately after tattooing), but they were so natural, so realistic, fluffy and they looked like MY brows. A top up is advised up to 12 weeks later, as the first session deciphers how the pigment and brow settles – the top-up will elevate and secure the strokes giving the brow better longevity. In terms of how long your new brow would last – you’d be looking at 9 months to 2 years, and as with anything aftercare is paramount – as you would protect your skin with SPF – the same must be said for your brows (sunlight can fade the brow). I can honestly say this is the best eyebrow technique I’ve experienced – for me personally I want natural, fluffy unique brows – they are so realistic thanks to the 3D effect – nobody would know! Hyperealism Brows, Tracie Giles London, from £995.
AFTER