![Sassy Saints the DIY at home brow lamination kit](https://static.independent.co.uk/2022/07/26/09/Sassy%20brow%20.jpg)
The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Even complete newbies like our tester can perfect the on-trend look with these kits
Eyebrows are a funny thing to be “on-trend”. But, from the Nineties’ thin strip to today’s bold and bushy (yet precisely pruned) caterpillars, there’s no denying that they’re one of the most apparent beauty fads. And one of the easiest to get wrong.
So far this decade, we’ve seen soap brows, shadow brows, windswept brows and a handful of others dominate. Laminated brows are now leading the way. If you’ve not heard of them before, chances are you’ve seen them and they may well be part of the reason you’re so drawn to that chic Instagrammer, trendy Tesco cashier or even the woman sitting across from you at work.
First popping up around 2019, it’s a much more subtle look than previous perfectly plucked or big and bushy styles – think Cara Delevigne crossed with Posh Spice – and this year, it seems to be booming.
Essentially, it’s like an eyebrow perm – a term which some people use instead of laminated – which weakens the hair so that it can be pulled upwards in one direction and flattened. The results are semi-permanent and hope to make eyebrows appear fuller, larger and more uniform with no need for micro-needling or colouring. Think of good brow gel results but in a semi-permanent state.
As with most treatments, an average London salon price falls anywhere between £40-£120 according to Treatwell, which is no small sum. So, we’ve rounded up the best at-home kits for a cheaper, possibly more hassle-free alternative to get your eyebrows on fleek in no time.
At-home brow lamination kits are few and far between at the moment, with only a handful of reputable brands offering them online. But, we got out hands on as many as we could to give them a thorough IndyBest testing. Our tester was a complete beginner in at-home beauty treatments of this level, only trusting themselves to wax or paint their nails and leaving everything else to the experts. So newbies are also encouraged to give this a go.
Each kit has (almost) everything you need for the treatment, consisting of very similar creams and tools, and a full set of instructions – which we followed meticulously. Ease of use, feel of the treatment, price and results were all on our list for testing, and each kit was ranked accordingly. But please do note, our tester does have thick, big and bushy eyebrows, so always opted for the maximum time recommended if specified on a kit. These are the ones that came out on top.
Working similarly to a hair perm, a chemical solution is applied to the brows to break down the bonds making them malleable. From here, the weaker hairs can be brushed into shape, set with a neutralising solution and topped off with a nourishing oil to re-hydrate. The result should be thicker, fuller brows that point in an upwards direction, removing the need to fill or gel your eyebrows everyday.
Some things to note for those unfamilar with the treatment is that firstly, your brows don’t stay rigidly straight. They can be easily moved and brushed up or down depending on how strong you want the final result to be. Secondly, to achieve a perfectly sharp-looking brow you most likely will need to wax, pluck or trim to get the desired shape – just be sure to do this once the brows are fully dry to avoid any hair breakage or further irritation. And thirdly, it’s always advisable to do a patch test on any new product around 24 hours before to check for any sensitivity.
As our tester learned all too well, there are definitely risks that come with brow lamination, whether done at home or in the salon. Although the treatment is non-invasive, the chemicals used in the solutions can be strong and irritate the eyes and skin (especially if it is sensitive).
The main risks include redness, itching, irritation, swelling and bumps, according to Healthline, so it isn’t recommended for those who have sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema or contact dermatitis without consultation with an expert practitioner first. And, being so close to the eye area, there is also risk associated with product entering the eye and causing damage. So please do proceed with caution and be sure to patch test 24 to 48 hours prior to application.
Depending on who you ask or what kit you go for, results are claimed to last anywhere from a few weeks to six months. Our tester personally found the former, although there are some tricks you can do to try and extend the longevity for as long as possible.
Firstly, cover your eyebrows with clingfilm for the first two steps of each process – each kit usually does recommend this, although clingfilm is not always included. This locks in the heat and allows the product to work through.
Secondly, don’t get your eyebrows wet with water, sweat or anything else for at least 24 hours post-treatment – 48 is even better.
And thirdly, be sure to regularly condition your brows with a brow oil or nourishing conditioner every few days to prevent them from drying out. Few kits come with enough oil to do this, so our tester again learnt this the hard way after their eyebrow hairs started snapping and falling out.
Our tester, who had never tried any sort of brow treatment before other than the ocassional wax, now fully understands the appeal of the laminated brows and may well continue the up keep of the trend at home. It does take a little while to get used to and practice is key, so you may well want to opt for a cheaper kit at first to get a taste for it, and give the Revolution or NYX temporary gels a try to check you like the style.
But, for those of you who are fully sold on the look and are able to splash the cash, we can’t recommend Sassy Saints or The London Brow Company enough.
From liquid formulas to pencils, we’ve found the best eyeliners that won’t budge