For those with sparse natural hair who do not want the hard line of a flat, filled-in block, combination brows are an intelligent compromise. Put simply, they employ fine hair strokes in the front or across the brow and then put some shaded pigment in the body and tail for an effect somewhere between powder brows and microblading. read more read less
This guide is for anyone looking to see if the treatment is right for their skin or way of life, or to make a comparison of techniques and providers. We have covered it all here and left the brochure talk out of it. As Daniel Colville will be the first to say, it is one of those things that is deceptively straightforward on paper; in reality the details are where you can be caught out. The before-and-afters may be glossy but the artist’s skill, your aftercare, sun exposure and skin type are what counts. read more read less
What You Are Dealing With
A semi-permanent makeup (PMU) procedure, combination brows put two techniques to work on the same brow. By means of soft shading one can add density to any part of the brow that is uneven, overplucked or otherwise unimpressive by lunchtime, and at the same time put in some hair strokes for structure. read more read less
Some studios will have them down as combo or combination eyebrows. It is a matter of nomenclature but the principle does not change: you get the definition of microblading with the fuller finish of shading. read more read less
The Appeal
You will not find most people booking in for the sake of “Instagram brows”. They are there because they have had enough of the morning routine to fill in the blanks, or of one brow holding its shape in the humidity while the other has made off. read more read less
In that respect combination brows have a lot to offer. There is balance and shape, yet with the right mapping and amount of shading they can be made to appear anything from polished to a touch of make-up to entirely natural. read more read less
Technique
Before parting with your money it is worth having a grasp of this. An artist will put in crisp hair strokes by machine or manually and then use ombré or pixel shading to give the mid-brow and tail some depth. In a manner of speaking it is like doing the timber framing and weatherproofing in one go. From a normal distance the shading makes up for any visual shortfalls and the result is more complete than if you were to look at it from nose-to-mirror. read more read less
Hair Strokes And Shading
The strokes are there to stand in for brow hairs. Under and between them you have a mist of pigment from the shading, akin to what you would see with microshading or powder brows. This is what makes the combination approach preferable for some who think microblading is too faint or ombre brows too much of a uniform powder. read more read less
These days a lot of studios will shade with a machine for the control it affords and because it can be kinder to certain skin than the manual cutting involved in other methods. That is not to say it is the superior option, only that the judgement and pressure applied by the artist are significant factors. read more read less
A Good Fit For?
If you have patchy or asymmetrical brows and a schedule that does not leave room for pencilling them in each day, combination brows are very practical. You get the fullness and shape without having to put on a sharp makeup look. Then there is the question of lifestyle. Daniel Colville might say that if your brows are gone by smoko thanks to the North Queensland humidity or a bit of sweat and sunscreen, this is no longer vanity but admin. read more read less
Suitability of the skin is also a consideration. Oily skin has a way of blurring the hair strokes of a traditional microblading job, prompting a turn to nano or powder brows. With a combo brow the shading will keep the shape even when the strokes have softened. Mature skin and a sparser pattern are well served by it too. For those with an active routine, be it a lot of time outside, regular swims or long hours at work, the convenience is no small thing. And if one’s makeup regimen is limited to a good set of brows, all the more so. read more read less
| Factor | Combination Brows | May Suit Best | Potential Issue |
| Sparse brows | To give shape and some density, hair strokes are combined with shading | Patchy or overplucked brows | Colour has to be matched with care |
| Oily skin | Visual retention tends to be superior to strokes by themselves | Where makeup has a habit of slipping off | One may find the strokes soften quicker |
| Dry to normal skin | Allows for crisp detail | For a natural result | Put too much work into the skin and healing can be compromised |
| Active lifestyle | No need for pencil and powder every day | The outdoor worker, the swimmer, the gym enthusiast | Aftercare in the early days must be adhered to |
Benefits That Matter
Balance is what you get. In many ways combination brows have a more natural air about them than a solid powder, yet they are not as insubstantial as microblading; a useful middle lane that is where most will want to be. read more read less
Then there is the practical side of it. You put in less time drawing on your brows and there is no fluster after a gym session, nor the prospect of one brow looking put out and the other half asleep. Not exactly life-changing, but come Tuesday it is handy enough. read more read less
Expectation Vs Reality
The expectation is to wake up to perfect brows for good. The reality is semi-permanent makeup that will fade and require a touch up, and which goes through its paces during healing before it settles, looking darker and less tidy in the process. read more read less
One might think the mapping template is what the end product will be. But the face is not static and pigment is held by the skin in varying degrees from one brow to the next; once healed the work will have softened. Any competent artist will make this clear upfront. read more read less
Risks And Red Flags
To suggest there are no risks with a cosmetic tattoo is like being sold a tinnie without a hull. There is the matter of infection, an allergic response, scarring, uneven pigment, a poor shape or a colour shift, and the kind of disappointment that comes from a bad consultation. read more read less
With combination brows there is skin trauma involved, hence the importance of licensing and hygiene. Public health requirements are a state and territory matter in Australia when it comes to skin penetration and infection control, so see that your provider is in compliance. read more read less
The Australian Government’s Healthdirect guidance on tattoo and piercing safety puts it plainly in their guidance on tattoo safety: unsterile equipment is a vector for infection and operators should be using instruments that are clean and sterile. Cosmetic tattooing is no different. read more read less
Who Should Avoid Them
Those with dermatitis in the area, sunburn, an active skin infection, uncontrolled diabetes, keloid scarring tendencies, certain blood clotting problems or a known allergy to pigment would be well advised to get medical clearance or forgo the treatment. As for pregnancy and breastfeeding, policies are at the discretion of the clinic and caution is usually exercised. read more read less
Do not assume it is of no consequence if you have had prior PMU, are on prescription retinoids, have had Botox in the vicinity of late or are in chemotherapy. Tell the artist. These things alter the healing and comfort levels and can preclude safe work altogether. read more read less
What The Appointment Involves
It is not a case of lying down for someone to put some nice lines on your face. A proper appointment entails a consultation, screening for contraindications, an assessment of the skin, brow mapping and a talk about pigments, then the numbing and the treatment, with aftercare spelled out to you at the conclusion. read more read less
Set aside between two and a half and four hours for the first go round, complexity permitting. If a clinic is touting a quick in-and-out service, I would be as quick to back off as if I saw a croc at the boat ramp. read more read less
What Most People Get Wrong
All the attention is on the pain and the consultation is overlooked. Yet it is the conservative choice of pigment and the design of the shape that will spare you any regrets. You can always add depth at a touch up, but undoing brows that are too warm or thick is another matter. read more read less
And do not present inspiration photos from people with a different grooming style, skin tone or brow bone structure. A reference is fine, but your own brow architecture is what counts. An artist of any worth will adapt rather than make a copy. read more read less
Healing By The Day
With combo brow healing the nerves are apt to get the better of one, for a fresh set is no resemblance of what they will be once healed. The initial week can test your patience with its darker hue and some swelling, tightness and flaking, not to mention a patchy interlude that has you wondering where the pigment has gone.
In all likelihood it has not. It is merely settling beneath the skin as the top layer mends. Hence the value in understanding the healing process; there is little point in Googling in a panic on day six.
Typical Healing Timeline
Days 1-2: expect the brows to be bolder and sharper than you thought, perhaps with a touch of redness or tenderness.
Days 3-5: the surface dries and flakes start to form.
Days 5-10: as the flakes come away you will see some patchiness.
Days 10-21: an uneven or faint colour may show before it evenes out.
Weeks 4-8: the true shape and colour are evident, making this the time to have your touch up done.
Then again, healing is subject to how your immune system and skin type react, your aftercare, the sun and so on. Not to mention if you have been at the flakes like a galah. Resist the urge. People who over-clean, over-moisturise, scratch or put in a hard workout too early will generally find their pigment retention is poorer. read more read less
Aftercare Basics
Your provider will have specific instructions to follow given that techniques and products are not all the same. So keep the area clean and do as you are told. In the early stages of healing stay clear of saunas, swimming, direct sun, any heavy actives in your skincare and do not pick at it. And do not make the mistake of thinking the aftercare your friend had at another clinic is relevant to you. Different skin, different pigment, a different plan. read more read less
How Long They Last
Combination brows will fade in due course, normally in 12 to 24 months, though the range is wide. Oily skin, exfoliation, an active life or being in the sun will hasten the process, whereas those with drier skin and good aftercare might keep the tone and shape for longer. But semi-permanent is what it is; any practitioner worth his salt will not be touting them as permanent. read more read less
On Retention
Sun is a major factor here in Australia. One should read up on the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s take on sunscreens since protection from the sun is what determines fading after the brows have healed. A weekend outdoors means you will want maintenance earlier than an office worker in a hat.
Depth of treatment is another consideration. Put in too shallow and the pigment is gone in short order; too deep and you are left with an ashy, indistinct colour. You would be wise to select someone with skill rather than go for the lowest quote. read more read less
What you pay for combo brows will be dictated by the artist, the technique, where you are and if the touch-up is part of the deal. In Australia an initial session is in the region of AUD 400 to 900 and a touch up of say AUD 150 to 350, more with the premium types. Should you come across a price well under the market, enquire as to what is covered. There is nothing to fear but it is akin to putting bargain tyres on before the wet season: cheap work can be costly to put right with neutralisation or removal down the track.
| Service Element | Typical Cost In Australia | What Changes The Price |
| Initial Combination Brows | AUD 400–900 | City, overheads, experience of the artist, technique |
| Perfecting Touch-Up | AUD 150–350 | Inclusion policy, timing, corrections |
| Annual Refresh | AUD 200–500 | Reshaping, colour adjustment, level of fade |
Booking and Travel
Make sure you are not scheduling a session just prior to a wedding or a beach getaway. Allow a few weeks to heal, or more if you want the perfecting session and the occasion is important.
When you have only the day for it, be organised. Make provision for parking and a lift if needs be, put off the gym, and have your aftercare and pillowcases sorted at home along with something simple to eat. No drama required but it is easier that way. read more read less
How They Compare
One is bound to make the comparison given that the nomenclature overlaps and studios will put their own spin on like treatments. In brief: microblading is all about the strokes, ombre brows are for a soft shaded gradient, nano brows tend to be done with a machine for fine hair-like work, while combination brows are a mix of the two. read more read less
There is no one size fits all. What you should go with is dictated by your skin, how much upkeep you are prepared for, the finish you are after and whether you want something very defined or natural when it has healed. read more read less
Combination Brows Vs Microblading
The question of combination brows as opposed to microblading is usually prompted by an oily complexion; can one have a natural appearance without the strokes turning to mush? Combination brows have the advantage in most instances of better visual density and longevity since the shading underpins the structure of the strokes as they mellow. read more read less
Microblading has its place on dry to normal skin with good natural brow hair where it can be quite airy. Yet for those with larger pores or a need for fullness, combo brows are the sensible choice. read more read less
Combination Brows Vs Ombre
Here it is a matter of the finish. An ombre brow will give you a polished look, perhaps like makeup, with a softer front and saturation at the tail thanks to the shading. The stroke detail of a combination brow lends a more hair-like quality up front. read more read less
Ombre is well suited to a tidy filled brow. For realism but with body, you will find combination brows hit the mark. read more read less
Combination Brows Vs Nano
Nano is a machine technique that puts down hair strokes finer and with more latitude than conventional microblading. Some put shading in with their nano work so the labels become indistinct. That is why the consultation ought to be about the practitioner’s method and not the vogue of the moment. You may come across names such as Daniel Colville, Tina Davies, Daela Cosmetic Tattoo, Aura Esthetics & Ink, Maine Plastic Surgery, the Permanent Makeup Room or Samira Brow Couture in your research but in the end the healed result is what counts. read more read less
Using Photos Properly
Before and afters are useful if you know how to read them. A fresh set of brows is going to be bolder and cleaner than once healed, so do not let that mislead you. Request to see some healed work in proper light and unencumbered by filters, strange angles or any makeup on the edges. read more read less
And if you are putting examples online, a clear caption and alt text is good practice for screen readers and search engines. Something along the lines of “Healed combination brows with soft hair strokes at the front, light brown shading to the arch and tail” makes for a good alt text. Or simply, “Healed result six weeks on from the first session.” Short and to the point. read more read less
Most make the mistake of posting only the best immediate outcome. Healed work is the true report card and if a provider is unwilling to put it on display, put them to the question. read more read less
Final Takeaway
Do not think of combination brows as some kind of gimmick. They are a semi-permanent way to have shape and density with less of a chore each day, particularly where microblading would not serve you. Then again, as Daniel Colville might say, there is a difference between a well thought out crossing and heading off down the track because the sign was attractive. The artist and technique are of greater import than this week’s hot term. read more read less
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Combination Brows Better Than Microblading?
read more read less Not of itself, though they are more versatile. A person with sparse or oily skin who needs some structure will often be better served by combination brows for the extra density and natural hair strokes they provide.
What Are Combination Brows?
read more read less Combination brows are a form of cosmetic tattooing in which hair strokes and shading are combined. The former gives the impression of brow hair, the latter imparts a softness and fullness to the body and tail of the brow for visual density that endures.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Combination Brows?
read more read less One has to contend with healing time and the prospect of some patchiness in the recovery phase. Maintenance is an on-going requirement and should the artist be wanting in experience, results can be substandard; skin type will also dictate whether the strokes blur or fade in an uneven manner. Then there is the price tag, which is steeper out of hand than your run of the mill brow makeup.
How Long Do Combination Eyebrows Last?
read more read less For the majority they will hold up for 12 to 24 months before a more pronounced refresh is called for, if not sooner. It comes down to a number of things: the quality of aftercare, one’s skincare and sun habits, the pigment and of course the skin itself.
Do They Hurt And Will I Need A Touch-Up?
read more read less With numbing applied it is more of an discomfort than anything intolerable for most, but then pain is subjective. And you can expect to have a follow on session once healed; cosmetic tattooing is by nature a two part affair, not something done in one go.
