Brow FAQ: microblading, powder, combo & nano brows

We offer microblading, powder brows (powder/ombré brows), combo brows and nano brows. We also do brow lamination and tint, brow tint, brow cleaning and pigment removal. We no longer offer henna or microshading: microshading was replaced by nano brows.

Microblading is fine, hair-like strokes made by hand. Powder brows are a soft, shaded powder finish that looks like filled-in brow makeup. Combo brows blend hair strokes at the front with soft shading through the arch and tail. Nano brows are hair-like strokes made with a machine and a very fine nano needle.

You don't have to guess. María chooses the technique after she sees your skin and the brow hair you still have, and you approve the drawn shape before any pigment goes in. You can also ask for a free consultation in person or by video call.

For oily skin we usually recommend powder brows or nano brows. They tend to heal more evenly and last longer than manual microblading, which can blur on oily skin. María will tell you before she starts.

It depends on your skin and the look you want. Microblading looks more like individual hairs; powder brows look more like soft, defined makeup. On oily, mature or sensitive skin, powder brows usually give a better result.

Yes, they are the same machine shading technique. They can be done with an ombré effect (lighter fronts fading to darker tails) for a natural look, or with more even, saturated color if you like a bolder brow.

No. Both create hair-like strokes, but microblading is done by hand with a blade and nano brows are done with a machine and a nano needle. Nano brows are often the better choice for oily or mature skin.

Nano brows give a hair-like texture, with fine strokes that follow the direction of your natural hairs. Powder brows have no strokes: they are a soft, makeup-like shaded fill. If you want the look of hairs, choose nano; if you like a filled-in brow, choose powder.

Combo brows use microblading strokes at the front and soft shading through the arch and tail, so they look fuller and more defined than microblading alone. They are great for sparse or uneven brows if you like a made-up look. María only recommends them if your skin can hold both techniques.

It is semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing. The pigment gradually softens over months and years, which is why touch-ups keep the color and shape fresh. It is not a traditional tattoo that stays the same forever.

Yes. The design is mapped to your face shape, bone structure and natural hair, and you approve the shape before we start. You can choose a very natural look with fewer strokes or a more defined one.

Of course. Check the gallery on our website and our Instagram @modernbeauty_aca, where we post real client results.

Microblading, powder brows, combo brows and nano brows are $500 each for first-time clients. That includes a personalized consultation, a design made for your face and high-quality pigments. The first touch-up is separate ($160).

Because it's more than pigment: it includes a consultation, a design made for your face, high-quality pigments and the work of María Rivera, a micropigmentation master who won second place in microblading at WULOP USA 2025. A good design is what keeps brows looking natural for years.

First touch-up (between 6 and 8 weeks after the procedure): $160; if you miss it, up to 6 months after the procedure: $200. Annual touch-up: $300. 18-month touch-up: $350. 2-year touch-up: $400. Exact timing and price depend on how your skin holds pigment; we confirm it at your visit.

No, the first touch-up is a separate $160 service. We recommend it to perfect the color and shape once your skin has healed.

Yes. To book, you leave a deposit of 30% of the service price; for example, $150 for a $500 brow service. You can pay by Zelle at 609-635-2326 or by card through a Stripe link.

By Zelle to Modern Beauty at 609-635-2326, or by card through a secure Stripe link we send you on WhatsApp. You can also call to pay by card or stop by the studio.

Yes, the deposit is part of the price: it comes off the total and on the day of your appointment you only pay the balance. For example, for $500 brows you leave $150 and pay $350 at your visit.

You can pay with cash, card or Venmo.

You can reschedule by letting us know at least 24 hours in advance on WhatsApp or at 609-635-2326. If you don't show up for your appointment, you lose your deposit.

Most clients keep it for 12 to 18 months. It depends on your skin type, sun exposure, skincare routine and aftercare. The touch-up between 6 and 8 weeks helps set the color.

Powder brows last 1 to 3 years, and on oily skin they usually outlast microblading. As always, it depends on your skin, sun exposure and aftercare.

Nano brows last 1 to 3 years, like powder brows, and on oily skin they usually outlast manual microblading. The exact time depends on your skin, sun and aftercare.

Combo brows last 1 to 3 years, the same as powder and nano brows. The exact time depends on your skin, sun exposure and aftercare.

The pigment gradually softens, and how fast depends on your skin, sun, products like retinol or acids, and aftercare. That's why we recommend maintenance touch-ups to keep the color and shape defined.

Over the years pigment can shift in tone because of sun, skin type or the pigment that was used. María chooses the shade for your skin so it fades naturally, and a maintenance touch-up refreshes the color. If you have brows from somewhere else that changed color, send us a photo.

Yes. Your final healed color shows around week 4, and between 6 and 8 weeks after the procedure you come back for your touch-up to perfect the color, shape and symmetry. It's best to book it before you leave the studio.

The first touch-up is between 6 and 8 weeks after the procedure and costs $160. If you miss it, you can still get your touch-up up to 6 months after the procedure, but it costs $200. After that, the maintenance touch-ups apply: annual $300, 18-month $350 and 2-year $400.

After the first touch-up, most clients refresh the color every 12 to 18 months, or up to 2 years depending on how their skin holds pigment. We offer an annual ($300), 18-month ($350) and 2-year ($400) touch-up.

Message us on WhatsApp at 609-635-2326 and we'll send you the available days, or book it directly on Vagaro.

A touch-up is shorter than the first appointment because the design is already done. It heals the same way as the first session, so you follow the same aftercare.

We use a topical numbing cream to keep you as comfortable as possible. Most clients describe it as minimal discomfort or a light tingling. Sensitivity varies from person to person.

With numbing cream both techniques are usually very tolerable. Many clients find the machine (powder and nano brows) a bit gentler than microblading strokes, but it depends on your skin.

Plan for about 3 hours for microblading, powder, combo or nano brows: that includes the design, numbing and the procedure. These appointments start no later than 2:30 PM.

Yes. The consultation is free, in person or by video call. On the day itself the design is drawn first: you see the shape and approve it before any pigment goes in.

Yes, if you have the time. They are separate services, each with its own design and aftercare, so tell us when you book so we can block enough time.

One week before, stop retinol, acids and exfoliants, and avoid sun and tanning. Don't wax or tint your brows for 3 days before, and skip alcohol and caffeine 24 to 48 hours before. No Botox or fillers in the brow area for 3 weeks before, and no facials or peels the week before. Arrive with clean skin and no brow makeup.

Yes, avoid aspirin and blood-thinning supplements like fish oil for one week before. If you take a prescription blood thinner, don't stop it on your own: let us know and check with your doctor.

During the first week it's normal for brows to look thick and dark: that's the pigment oxidizing, and the thickness and color will come down. In the second week the color looks quite light or patchy. Your final color shows at week 4, and between 6 and 8 weeks you come back for your touch-up.

That's normal: in the second week the color looks quite light or patchy while the skin finishes healing. Your final color shows at week 4, and the touch-up at 6 to 8 weeks evens it out and perfects it.

30 minutes after your appointment, wash your brows with warm water, pat them dry and dab on skin candy. Repeat that wash every 2 hours for the first two days. From day 3 to 7, wash them twice a day and apply the cream we gave you 1 to 3 times a day, as your skin needs. If you have questions, call Mary directly at 609-635-2326.

For the first 10 days: no creams or facial products on the brows, no sun, no makeup, no pool, beach, sauna or steam, and no exercise. Don't put your brows directly under the shower stream, don't scratch, and sleep on your back.

Sleep on your back for the first 10 days. If your appointment was in the afternoon, sleep that night with cling film over your brows to prevent scabbing, and do your cleaning routine as soon as you wake up.

Yes, in fact you wash them with warm water as part of your aftercare. What you shouldn't do for 10 days is put your brows directly under the shower stream, or go to the pool, beach, sauna or steam room.

Skip exercise for the first 10 days, along with the pool, beach, sauna and steam. Sweat and heat can affect the pigment while it heals.

Wait 10 days: during that time, no makeup, creams or facial products on the brows, and avoid the sun. A cap or hat helps if you have to be outside.

Wait until your brows are fully healed before waxing, threading or tweezing near the area. After that you can clean up stray hairs outside the design; we also do it with our brow cleaning ($30).

Yes, when it's done by a certified professional with strict hygiene. We use disposable tools and sterilization protocols, and we give you prep and aftercare instructions for good healing. If you are prone to keloids or have a health condition, tell us beforehand.

It's best to wait until after the baby is born and you've finished breastfeeding. In the meantime, you can enjoy our Exfoliating Pregnancy Facial ($90), designed for this stage.

We don't recommend it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with recent Accutane (isotretinoin) use, during chemotherapy, if you are prone to keloids, with uncontrolled diabetes, or with irritation, sunburn, infection, eczema or psoriasis on the brow area. If you have dye allergies, take blood thinners or have another health condition, tell us: sometimes a doctor's clearance is needed.

Yes. Send us a photo of your brows without makeup on WhatsApp at 609-635-2326. María will check whether you qualify, which technique fits and give you the right price, since it depends on the pigment you already have.

Often yes, but María needs to see them first. Depending on the case, they can be covered (for example with powder or ombré shading), softened or refreshed; sometimes the old pigment has to fade or be removed before anything new goes on top. Send us a no-makeup photo so we can give you an honest plan.

In many cases yes, especially if the microblading has already faded. María checks the color and skin first to decide whether we can work over it, wait, or remove first.

Yes. Removal or lightening of unwanted brow tattoo or pigment is $150 per session, and several sessions may be needed. Send us a photo so we can evaluate it.

For the first 48 hours, don't get the area wet and don't touch, rub or put any product on it. From day 3, apply the yellow ointment every 2 to 3 hours during the day; around days 5 to 7 a thin scab may form, so don't pick it, and itching for 2 to 3 days is normal. After day 7, use the white ointment 3 times a day, and for 14 days avoid pools, saunas, steam, brow makeup and products with alcohol, acids or exfoliants (and no drinking alcohol for 7 days).

We're at 2 S Delmorr Ave, Ste 498A, Morrisville, PA 19067, in the shopping center across from Dairy Queen. Once you're there, we're all the way to the left, a little toward the back.

Yes, there's plenty of parking at the shopping center, across from Dairy Queen.

We're open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, by appointment. Closed Sunday and Monday.

No, every service is done at our only studio in Morrisville, PA. We're about 10 minutes from Trenton and Yardley, 15 from Levittown and Newtown, and about 30 from Northeast Philadelphia.

Book online on Vagaro, or message or call us at 609-635-2326 (WhatsApp too). A deposit confirms your appointment. Saturdays fill up first.

Yes. Your whole visit can be in English or Spanish, including the explanation and the aftercare instructions you take home.

Yes. Every time you refer someone and she gets her brows done with us, you get $50.

Lamination doesn't put pigment in the skin: it sets your own brow hairs in a lifted, brushed-up shape so they look fuller and neater. With tint it's $120 and lasts about 6 to 8 weeks. If you want shape and color that last for years, microblading, powder, combo or nano brows are the right choice.

Brow tint is $60 and is repeated every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the color. Brow cleaning (shaping and hair removal) is $30.

No, we no longer offer henna. For temporary color, we recommend our brow tint ($60) or brow lamination and tint ($120).

Yes. María Rivera teaches in-person microblading, powder brows and lip blushing courses, plus online lash lifting and brow lamination courses, in English and Spanish, with live-model practice. See details and dates on our training page or message us.

30 minutes after, wash your lips very gently with warm water, pat dry with gauze and apply a light layer of skin candy. Repeat every 1 to 2 hours the first day; from day 2 to 5, wash twice a day with skin candy, and after the first week apply skin candy twice a day until it's finished. For the first 7 days avoid pools, beaches, saunas, steam, sports, sun, touching and lip makeup, and no alcohol for at least 72 hours.

For one week before your touch-up, moisturize your lips every day with skin candy or Vaseline.

30 minutes after, rinse your eyes to remove any leftover pigment and pat dry with a clean tissue. Wash the skin around your eyes morning and night with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser (like Cetaphil or baby shampoo) and, for thick eyeliner, apply the ointment 2 to 3 times a day for up to 7 days (skip it for lash enhancement). No eye makeup, hot saunas, hot yoga, swimming or sweaty workouts until all the scabs have come off.

Yes. Swelling and redness are normal for up to about 3 days, especially in the morning; actively blinking for 2 minutes and applying ice helps. Scabs look dark and thick and fall off on their own in 7 to 10 days; don't pick them. Once they're gone the color is 30 to 50% lighter, and the touch-up perfects the shape and color.