It’s more or less a fact that bold brows are going nowhere fast.

We saw bushy, Brooke Shields-inspired arches at JW Anderson, Chanel and Philosophy to name but a few shows. Charlotte Tilbury made a case for the ethereal look too, brushing the models’ hairs up and out at Alice Temperley, while makeup artist Hiromi Ueda went for a precise brow at Molly Goddard.

But if your eyebrows are more sparse than catwalk-worthy, try nanoblading. It’s the newest cosmetic treatment on the block and might be what exactly you’re looking for. It promises picture-perfect, amped-up brows and is a technique that’s currently taking over social media and beauty clinics up and down the country. So we’ve put all the questions you have about this new brow grooming treatment to the experts. 

What is nanoblading?

Nanoblading combines a microblade - a handheld tool with a blade (or group of closely packed pins) and a digital device - with a needle. It’s similar to a conventional tattoo machine, but not as aggressive. Using a blade instead of a single needle, it manually creates the effect and look of hair strokes, explains Tracie Giles, founder of the Tracie Giles Bespoke Permanent Makeup Clinic.

What’s the difference between microblading and nanoblading?

Nanoblading is a much gentler form of semi-permanent makeup and is less likely to cause trauma on the skin, says Giles.

“With microblading, the pins that form the blade are rigid, whereas the pins used for nanoblading that are inserted into the device are super fine (hence the word ‘nano’) and also flexible,” she says. “Nanoblading delivers the beautiful, crisp and supernatural results that both permanent makeup and microblading can achieve and it’s also suitable for a greater range of clients than microblading, which can fade quickly in some skins.” 

Does it hurt?

We hate to break it to you, but nanoblading isn’t completely pain-free, but no pain, no gain, right?

Giles uses a topical anaesthetic during the procedure to minimise discomfort and once complete, you’ll often see small scabs formed from the pigment in the needle.

“30-50% of your brow colour will fade as the scabs fall off within 7-10 days,” explains Laura Kay, founder of Laura Kay London, “but don’t pick them because you don’t want to pull any pigment out of your skin prematurely.”

Got it.

How long does the treatment take and how long does it last?

The initial treatment takes two hours, followed up with a retouching session that lasts an hour.

“Everyone’s skin is different, but generally the pigment lasts in the skin for 2-3 years without retouches,” explains Giles.

How much does it cost?

Prices start from £395, according to Laura Kay, but even though it’s not the cheapest option, it delivers long lasting, natural results that will save you filling in and shaping your brows for up to three years. Which is the dream, right?

What should you look out for?

Avoid any permanent makeup mishaps by thoroughly researching clinics that offer the service because removal solutions can be costly.

Giles recommends finding a specialist that is well-established, certified by a recognised training provider and fully insured. Her top tip? “Request to see pictures of other work that they have done before booking in for the treatment.”

Images: Getty / Tracie Giles