Fluffy, brushed-up brows are everywhere, and there are three ways to get fuller-looking brows: brow lamination in a salon, a laminating brow gel at home or permanent brows such as nanoblading. We offer all three at Soulu, so here is an honest comparison.
Quick Comparison
| Brow lamination | Laminating brow gel | Nanoblading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Chemically reshapes the hairs | Holds the hairs in place | Adds hair strokes with pigment |
| Fills gaps? | No, styles existing hairs | No, styles existing hairs | Yes |
| Lasts | Up to 6–8 weeks | One day per application | 1–2 years |
| Daily effort | None | About a minute each morning | None |
| Price at Soulu | $150 (with tint & shaping) | Product price | $750 – $1,700 |
What Is Brow Lamination?
Brow lamination uses a professional solution to reshape the brow hairs so they stay brushed up and in place without styling. At Soulu we combine it with a custom tint and precise shaping in one appointment.
- Result: fuller, fluffier, perfectly defined brows tailored to your face.
- Lasts: up to 6–8 weeks.
- Price: $150 for Brow Lamination, Tint & Shaping.
Is Brow Lamination Worth It?
Yes, if you have enough brow hairs and want weeks of zero-effort styling, for example before a vacation, a wedding or a busy season. It is less useful if your brows are sparse: lamination styles the hairs you have, it does not add new ones.
Brow Lamination vs Brow Tint
Lamination changes the direction and shape of the hairs; tint changes their color. Tint makes light or gray hairs visible; lamination makes hairs look fuller and brushed up. That is why we do both together.
What Is a Laminating Brow Gel?
A brow gel with a lamination effect holds the hairs in place instead of chemically reshaping them. Soulu Brow Gel has a two-sided brush, for thick and for fine hairs, and dries without a greasy or sticky feeling.
- Result: the brushed-up look, styled the way you want each day.
- Lasts: all day; you apply it in the morning.
- Hair health: no chemical reshaping, so it is gentle enough to use every day.
Read the step-by-step guide: how to use brow gel.
Brow Lamination vs Brow Gel: Pros and Cons
Lamination pros: no daily styling for weeks; includes tint and shaping at Soulu. Lamination cons: frequent repeats can dry out the hairs; you cannot change the shape until it grows out.
Brow gel pros: gentle for daily use; change your style any day; low cost per use. Brow gel cons: you apply it every morning.
Many clients do both: lamination for special periods and gel the rest of the time.
Brow Lamination vs Microblading and Nanoblading
Lamination and gel only style existing hairs. If you have gaps, over-plucked areas or very sparse brows, they cannot fill them. Permanent brows such as nanoblading add hair strokes where hairs are missing and last 1–2 years. Compare permanent techniques in nanoblading vs microblading vs powder brows.
Can I Use Brow Gel After Lamination?
Yes. Once the lamination has set, a brow gel helps keep the hairs neat and in place. Follow your brow artist's instructions for the first day after lamination.
Lamination, Gel and Permanent Brows
- While permanent brows heal: no lamination, tinting or brow products until fully healed. See the eyebrow healing stages.
- Once healed: brow gel makes permanent brows look fuller by styling your natural hairs over the pigment. Lamination works too; tell your brow artist that you have permanent makeup.
Which Should You Choose?
- Enough hairs, want zero effort for weeks: brow lamination.
- Enough hairs, want flexibility and healthy hairs: brow gel.
- Gaps or sparse brows: nanoblading or powder brows, then gel to style.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does brow lamination last?
Up to 6–8 weeks. As new hairs grow, the brows gradually return to their natural direction.
Is brow gel as good as lamination?
A laminating gel gives a similar brushed-up look for the day without chemically reshaping the hairs. Lamination lasts for weeks without daily styling.
Is brow lamination better than microblading?
They do different things. Lamination styles the hairs you already have for up to 6–8 weeks; microblading and nanoblading add hair strokes that last 1–2 years.
Can I laminate my brows after nanoblading?
Only after the brows have fully healed. Avoid lamination, tinting and brow products while they heal.
How much is brow lamination at Soulu?
Brow Lamination, Tint & Shaping costs $150.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nadia Afanaseva
Founder of Soulu, AAM-certified permanent makeup trainer
Nadia has worked in permanent makeup for more than 15 years and performed over 20,000 procedures. She leads the Soulu studio in Edgewater, NJ and trains new artists at the Soulu Academy.
