Full Brow Lamination Is Out, But "Baby Brow" Lamination Is In—Here's the 411

There are a few beauty trends that I believe firmly define 2023. They include the cowboy copper hair color, "clean girl" makeup, and laminated eyebrows. And when I say "laminated eyebrows," I mean it in the intense, brushed-up, and not-a-single-hair-out-of-place way. 

As is inevitable with all trends, the fully laminated look might be on its way out, but that doesn't mean people are giving up brow lamination altogether. Instead, they're using it in a less obvious way. Let me introduce you to "baby brow" lamination—the 2024 way to create polished, yet more natural-looking brows. "Baby brow lamination is just like your regular brow lamination process, but it only treats the first inch or inch-and-a-half at the start of the brow," says Autumn Estelle, Benefit's U.S. national brow and beauty authority. "The rest of the brow is left untreated, creating a baby lamination effect (hence the name!). It's trending because it makes styling your brows easier and offers a much more natural, fluffy look compared to a full brow lamination." 

As a beauty editor who's constantly brushing up her brows but also appreciates a natural look, this trend was like music to my ears. So, I decided to try it out for myself. Keep scrolling to see my before-and-after pictures and learn how to get the look for yourself!

For context, this is what my brows look like when I haven't touched them. I'm not wearing any makeup, and they're not tinted or laminated. I took this picture about 30 minutes after I woke up, so this is as real as it gets. 

Unfortunately, it's not easy to find professional brow lamination services in my hometown, so I decided to try an at-home kit—the Brow Code Lustre Lamination Kit ($80) to be specific. I'd seen these kinds of lamination kits all over the internet (and especially on Amazon); this is just the first one that I had access to. I appreciated that it had everything I'd need to complete the process, including a lamination comb, a perming solution, and a fixing lotion. I followed the instructions, and I was done in about 15 minutes.  Editor's Note: I honestly recommend seeing a professional over DIYing it, but at the very least, I recommend following the instructions. The effects of brow lamination last for weeks, so you want to be sure you're happy with the result and you're using the kit safely. Luckily, this one comes with detailed instructions that are easy to follow. All it took was three steps: priming solution, fixing lotion, and a nourishing aftercare product.

This is what my brows looked like immediately after I finished the lamination process. As you can see, I only laminated the first half of my brow. I tried to only laminate the first third, but it was the first time I'd ever tried an at-home lamination kit, and I fumbled a bit by getting the perming solution too far into my brow. Oh, well, now I know to use less of it next time.  I liked how my brows looked brushed-up and shapely without looking too over the top. Leaving the tail of each brow untreated toned down the results, and I loved it. This is definitely a trend I can get behind in 2024. 

After a few hours, my brows looked even subtler because the lamination sheen wore off and the brow hairs looked like they were settling in place—especially the hairs at the front of my brows that tend to be stubborn and unshapely. "Baby brow lamination can work on any brow, thick or thin, especially if you're looking to add some extra fluff to the start of the brow," Estelle says. "Also, if your brow hairs are curly or unruly in a specific area, then a baby brow lamination can help tame those hairs as well."  Estelle says baby brow lamination should last anywhere between six and eight weeks and aftercare is incredibly important. "Like the hairs on your head, once your brows have been chemically treated, it's important to keep them hydrated to encourage optimum health," she says. "I always recommend incorporating a nourishing brow oil into your nightly routine post-lamination." 

This is the brow oil she recommends incorporating into your nightly routine post-lamination. 

"You'll also want to use a brow gel (clear or tinted) to help easily set and style your brow hairs each day," she says. This is her favorite one. 

This brow pencil creates super-fine, hair-like strokes.

If you want a laminated look without the, well, lamination, this strong-hold gel is your ticket. 

I love that this growth-boosting serum can be used on lashes and brows. 

This pencil has a slanted edge that easily fills sparse spots. 

This tinted gel makes my brows look full and fluffy. 

These are the best tweezers. 

I love magnified lighted mirrors when I'm tweezing my brows. They help me catch hairs I would have otherwise missed. 

Here's another lamination-faking brow gel I love. 

from Who What Wear