Lamination is no longer just a reference to that shiny finish your first-grade teacher applied to an important piece of paper. The concept has made its grand return to our adult lives with the latest brow trend. Here’s everything you need to know about the service.

What is Brow Lamination?

An innovative technique called brow lamination originated in Russia, and it's quickly making its way west. You may have noticed pictures of full, slicked-up brows with a high-shine finish taking over your Instagram Explore page. Well, that's brow lamination.

No matter what your brow concern is—gaps, thinning, overplucking, unruliness—brow lamination is an amazing solution and a great microblading alternative.

The Process

According to Irina (the guru of brow lamination at SALT), brow lamination is basically a perm for your brows, as it gives them a set, uniform shape for an extended period of time. Instead of curls, a setting lotion helps brow hair stay brushed up and lifted upward for about four to six weeks, depending on how you take care of them, according to Irina.

The actual process starts off by painting a lifting cream onto the brow. Next, the brow hairs are brushed up into place and a neutralizer is applied to force them into their new shape. Then, a nourishing oil is added to the brows to replenish their moisture after the chemical treatment process. From there, the brows may be tweezed, waxed, or tinted, depending on the look you're going for.

My Experience

Going into the service, I wasn’t quite too sure what to expect. Will my brows look a little too furry? Will I be able to pull it off? However, I was over the moon with my results. At first, I was a little shocked by how much wider my brows were (which Irina warned me about), but within 10 minutes, I couldn’t stop staring in my rearview mirror to get a glimpse of the final result.

It’s been a few days since my service and I’ve already noticed that it takes less than half of the time it took me before to pencil in my brows. Now, it takes mere seconds.

Tips from a Professional

Professional Tip No. 1 | Avoid At-Home Kits

I always have wanted to try out lamination at home, but during my service, I learned it’s a dangerous game to play. Irina explained to me that the problem with at-home solutions is that they are a one-fits-all product, meaning that this product doesn’t tailor to each consumer’s needs. Some may have more sensitive skin than the average person, or even an allergy to the product. Some consumers may not follow the directions precisely, like leaving on the product for much longer than directed, which can permanently ruin your brows. Plus, professionals are trained in this. Irina told me that as an Esthetician, you learn secrets for performing this service that they don’t tell you on the box.

Professional Tip No. 2 | Handle with Care

It's easy to care for your brows following a lamination treatment. For the first 48 hours, you should treat your brows with care, avoiding getting them wet, which includes getting into steam baths and saunas. After this time, you can treat them normal, simply brushing into place every morning with a spoolie.

Professional Tip No. 3 | Everything in Moderation

While it’s important to maintain your brows after the service, Irina says it’s important to take a break after two lamination services. While this service has its perks, it shouldn’t be overused. Harsh chemicals—similar to those involved in a perm—are being applied to your brow hair and skin. After two services, it’s time to let your skin breathe a bit so you don’t go too overboard.

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The SALT Experience: Brow Lamination