How to Create Laminated Brows Without a Perm

By: Katya Bychkova

The laminated brow trend is everywhere. Less permanent and expensive than microblading, we see the perfectly-shaped arches that stay in place no matter what from fashion runways to celebrity Instagram feeds and even the streets of big cities.

While it takes time to find the lamination specialist you trust,  these tips and product recommendations can help you create a laminated brow look without perming your brows or even leaving your house!

Step 1: Find Your Perfect Brow Pencil Shade

To create a natural brow look, start with a brow pencil that perfectly matches your natural brow color. Analyze your brows from a perspective of a cool or warm undertone. The undertone is cool if your natural brows are pitch black or platinum blonde. You are on the warmer side if your brows are warm brown or caramel blonde.

As a next step, browse the shelves of Sephora, Ulta, or a beauty store near you to find the brow pencil shade that perfectly matches your natural brow color. Pay attention to the packaging as it will have a mention of the undertone as part of the shade name. 

For instance, everyone’s favorite Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Eyebrow Pencil comes in Medium Brown and Dark Brown shades. If you read the product description carefully, you’ll notice that Medium Brown is for people with warm undertones on brown brows. In comparison, Dark Brown is for cool undertones for brown brows.

Nothing reveals you are a makeup newbie more than brows that are too dark or when your brow pencil is in a wrong undertone. Take your time to find the right shade, and it makes it easier to create a natural-looking lamination brow.

Step 2: Create the Lower Brow Line First

Start by brushing your brows upwards with a clean brow brush. That will move away all the loose hairs that get in your way while creating a perfect lower brow line.

Draw a line on the bottom of your brow using a brow pencil. Put the softest pressure to ensure you don’t apply too much of a product.

Keep in mind the following “don’ts” while filling in the lower brow line:

• Don’t fill in the lower inner corner of your brows; start from about 1/4 of an inch away from the inner corner. Usually, your brow hair is thinner in that area, so the brow pencil is more visible.
• Don’t go too far away with your outer brow corners. For a natural effect, stop a bit before and blend the product with a flat-angled brush instead to create the most natural brow “tail.”
• Don’t fill in the top line of your brow at all. It makes your eyes look heavier and typically looks unnatural.

Step 3: Apply a Brow Gel

Begin by brushing your hair upwards with a lamination brow gel. Many brow gels with a lamination effect leave gooey marks on the skin. So my number one advice would be to do your brow makeup first and then move to complexion products. You can remove the brow gel residue without ruining your foundation.

Looking for a new laminated brow gel? Consider one of my personal favorites:

• Patrick Ta Major Brow Lamination Gel, a liquid version of the Major Brow Shaping Wax, is the product that started the laminated brow trend. The gel has better lasting power, comes with a handy applicator, and is easier to work with than an original wax.
• Anastasia Beverly Hills BrowFreeze Styling Wax will secure even the thickest and coarsest brow hair. Remember that it dries out quickly, so you must act fast. With this product, a little goes a long way and it will last you forever. But you’ll need to purchase a separate product applicator for seamless application.
• Benefit Cosmetics Brow Setter Brow Gel with Lamination Effect is the most beginner-friendly on the list. This clear gel features a dual-sided applicator that you can use to tame your brows and secure them for an entire day.

A few tips on how to apply lamination brow gels and waxes:

• Brush your hair upwards. Start from the bottom, where you previously applied a brow pencil. You will notice how the brow gel gently moves the product upwards. Don’t worry: that’s the exact effect we want to achieve!
• When you feel that the product starts to dry out on your brows, use the handle of your makeup brush or a fingertip to “glue” your brows to your forehead.
• Brush your brows up again, without adding more product, to ensure that your brow hairs face the same direction.
• Finally, slightly tame the top browline with the same applicator, so the top edge of your brow is directed toward the ear, not sharply upwards.

Step 4: Fill In the Gaps with a Brow Pomade

When your brow gel is on and has dried, it’s time to correct any gaps with a creamy product. Technically, you can still use the same brow pencil you picked in Step One. But when it comes to the laminated brow look, it’s easier to work with a creamy product as we apply it on brows that are already fixed in place.

In need of a brow pomade? Some great choices are Tarte Frameworker Brow Pomade and L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Frame And Set. The latest also comes with a brush you could use for brushing and applying brow wax.

Apply brow pomade with an angled flat brush with the smallest amount of the product. The laminated brow should look as natural as possible!

Step 5: Conceal the Lower Brow Line

Finish your laminated brow look with concealer applied on the bottom brow line with a flat concealer brush. You could skip this step for an everyday look when you only wear brow makeup and a bit of mascara. But if you are going out with a full-glam look, adding that extra definition to your brow will make your entire makeup feel complete.