insideKENT Magazine Issue 71 - February 2018 | Page 100

FASHION+BEAUTY
MICROBLADING cont.
eyebrows every morning the trend only looks set
to grow. I personally have been using a variety
methods including microblading to tattoo people’s
eyebrows for over 20 years. As an artist, I select
the appropriate method based on skin type, desired
result and lifestyle. Both microblading and the
more commonly known machine method can
achieve beautiful results in the hands of a skilled
artist.
I ASKED FOR KEIRA'S EYEBROWS
AND I GOT THEM!
What do people need to look out for when
buying these procedures?
Research your artist, ask where they trained and
to see a portfolio of their work. Also, it’s a common
myth that brow hairs need to be shaved off for
microblading and permanent cosmetics
treatments, so stay clear of anyone who suggests
this. The only time brow hairs may need to be
removed is if there is any errant growth which
needs tidying up, either through tweezing or
plucking. I also recommend you bring your
favourite brow pencil as it can be useful to see
what colour tones you have been using as part of
your everyday makeup routine.
What should people selecting a
microblading/permanent cosmetics artist look
out for?
• Insurance: Your artist MUST be insured, and must
have been inspected by their Local Authority.
• Testimonials: What have people said about their
treatment with this artist? How does it look 3, 6
and 12 months later? Ask to see your artist’s
portfolio; before and after images are a great
indication of their work.
• Training: When did the artist train, with whom,
and how long was the course? Have they kept
up to date with recent developments in
microblading and permanent makeup? Your
artist should always be learning, and a refresher
course never hurts!
• Relationship: The best client-to-artist relationship
is one built on trust and communication where
you feel relaxed and able to express your
expectations. Make sure you have a consultation
prior to treatment and be honest throughout.
colour match for you (which she has an
inherent knack for getting spot on; fittingly,
I’m a blend of ‘Milan’ and ‘Ibiza’), and then
sets to work adding one stroke at a time.
Your next question will undoubtedly be ‘does
it hurt?’ And the answer is a resounding ‘no’.
All you feel is the pressure of each gentle
scrape. In around 90 minutes, we were done.
So interesting was the chat I was having
with Karen throughout my treatment (she
does a remarkable amount of work with
people with alopecia and those who are
experiencing chemotherapy, or have other
health conditions leading to hair loss) that
I was quite disappointed when it finished.
I was absolutely not disappointed with the
end result however – I couldn’t believe how
flattering and natural my new Knightley-
esque brows looked and I still can’t believe
it now. Third to my husband and children,
I’m pretty sure they’re the love of my life.
100
Although Karen Betts is undoubtedly an
artist of her trade, had she been a painter,
she’d have been Caravaggio – her attention
to detail and the realism that she achieves
using a faultless instinct for what suits each
individual client’s different facial features,
structure, and skin tone is honestly
breathtaking. Anyone considering
microblading should look no further than
No. 1 Harley St, it’s a highly rewarding
experience from root to tip.
Q&A with Karen Betts
Have you seen an increase in people
wanting semi-permanent make up?
Microblading in particular is becoming
increasingly popular; anyone who cares
about fashion and beauty is talking about
the procedure and as women become
increasing frustrated with drawing on their
How long do the results last?
This varies from person to person because skin
type, diet, genetics and environmental factors can
all contribute to how long the pigments will be
retained. As a guide, it could be anything between
one to five years before a new treatment is required,
although refresher colour boosts are
recommended for maintenance during this time.
Once the colour starts to change you will know
that you are ready for your refresher colour boost.
Karen Betts Professional
1 Harley Street
London
W1G 9QD
0844 801 6838
www.karenbetts.co.uk
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