When it came to microblading, the idea of having anything tattooed on my face was enough to make me hesitate. I mean, what if it went wrong? What if it hurts? What if I ended up looking permanently surprised? But after years of filling in my brows every single morning, I finally decided to take the plunge. My biggest inspiration? Myself, ofc – and more specifically, the laminated and tinted eyebrows I had done for my mum’s wedding. My brows were effortlessly full, even if I do say so myself, framing my face perfectly; essentially, it was the exact look I wanted from microblading.
Case in point:
Unsure of wtf microblading actually entails? Np, Cosmopolitan UK spoke to Karen Betts, permanent make-up artist and owner of Karen Betts Clinics, to get the lowdown on everything to know about microblading.
What is microblading?
"Microblading is permanent makeup performed with a hand tool and tiny blades made up of a grouping of pins. Depending on how the pins are grouped together, we can create hair strokes or shading, or a combination of the two, depending on what look the client is trying to create.
"Microblading is the generic term for all treatments performed with the hand tool method, whether it be hair strokes or shading. Specific looks will have different names depending on what the technician/clinic wants to name them. For example, a fully-shaded brow with no hair strokes may be called an ‘Ombre’ brow. Strokes with some shading may be a ‘Combination’ or ‘Fusion’ brow."
What's the difference between microblading and tattooing?
"Microblading is a tattoo, and sits in the dermis just like a tattoo. The difference is the techniques and ink used. Unlike traditional tattoos, which use a tattoo gun, microblading uses a blade-shaped tool with a row of tiny, barely visible needles to create hair-like strokes along your brows while depositing pigment into your skin.
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"Traditional tattoos use ink, and microblading is done with pigment. Inks have smaller particles than pigment, which are stronger and brighter, and last longer in the skin, but will ultimately migrate (travel or blur) over time and change to undesirable hues of colour."
How long does microblading last?
"Overall, the treatment will look its best for one year, after that, it may start to fade and those that prefer a darker or more defined look will require a top-up. I refer to the treatment as permanent because often some of the pigment will always remain in the skin so clients need to understand that unless they choose to have it removed, microblading is a low maintenance treatment, not a no-maintenance treatment." So, in order to keep your permanent cosmetics in perfect condition, Karen recommends the following tips:
- It may be necessary to have a maintenance procedure around every 12 – 18 months, though this will vary for each individual. This is because as the area is healing, some parts may not ‘hold’ as well as others and you may have a few patches that need more colour. This is completely normal, and everyone heals differently. Whatever the case, we advise you always to come back to the clinic for a 15-60 minute touch-up appointment.
- To avoid pigment fade for as long as possible, avoid excessive exposure to the sun or UV rays
- Take care when using moisturisers and other skin products that contain glycolic or acids as these can fade permanent make up.
Now that we've got the basics down, let's get into the review...
My microblading review
Where I went
When it comes to a commitment like eyebrow tattooing, you have to be thorough with finding the right place that works for you. After some research, I landed on Karen Betts, a name that kept coming up as one of the best in the business. With decades of experience and a reputation for natural-looking brows, I knew I was in safe hands. I visited Karen in her Mayfair studio, which was super convenient, very central and easy to get to.
Microblading at Karen Betts Clinics starts at £395.
What happened
The process started with my brows being drawn on with a pencil to map out the perfect shape. Karen did this using a tiny microscope, to ensure the perfect shape. Once I was happy with the shape, a numbing cream was applied and let me tell you, the cream was a lifesaver!
I could still feel a light pressure of the needle on my skin, but nothing unbearable. The only thing that caught me off guard was the scratching sound as the pigment was applied. It’s not painful (thanks to the numbing cream), but hearing tiny strokes being etched into your skin is definitely... an experience.
I also got to choose the perfect shade to match my natural brow colour. The goal was having a soft, defined look that wouldn’t fade into an odd, unnatural hue over time.
Aftercare
After the treatment, my brows looked dark – much darker than I expected. But I was assured this was completely normal and that they’d fade to a softer, more natural shade as the flaky skin fell away. The aftercare was strict: no touching, no sweating, and absolutely no water on them for a week, so, I would recommend doing this a few weeks before going on holiday.
Scabbing and flaking were all part of the healing process, helping to shed the initial darker layer. To make things easier, Karen provided me with plastic visors to wear in the shower, keeping my brows dry, along with an incredible healing balm that I applied evenly whenever they felt dry or itchy. One important rule? Avoid any cleansers, serums, or moisturisers containing actives like AHAs, which could interfere with the healing process.
The results
A week later, my brows settled into a shape and colour I really loved, no more eyebrow pencil was needed! I still use my brow gel for that bushy effect though. But one thing to note: If you’re on your period, the pain might feel a little more intense... I wish I’d known that beforehand!
Since my first session, I have noticed some fading, which is completely normal – that’s why a touch-up is needed after a couple of months to perfect the final look. Overall, I would definitely recommend getting microblading! It’s an investment, but waking up every day with perfect brows is 100% worth it.
Jaime holds the position of UK Art Editor at Cosmopolitan, overseeing all things digital design across the brand. Her role encompasses the art direction of our digital covers, the animation of our forthcoming video franchises, designing Cosmo's social media presence and the curation of the visual identity across Cosmopolitan UK. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Jaime has gained experience working with renowned brands including ELLE, Stylist Magazine, and Woman's Health. Notably, her contributions to the world of design were recently recognised with the prestigious BSME's 2023 Designer of the Year award. Find her on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
