Microblading ft. Ellebrow NYC

Let's talk about one of the biggest trends, microblading. I naturally was not blessed with eyebrows so of course, I did not even hesitate to jump on board with the latest trend of microblading. I never knew how to draw in my eyebrows without it looking incredibly fake or uneven so this was such a deal breaker for me. I have been long overdue for sharing my experiences with semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing and have been asked many questions. So here it is! All of the frequently asked questions I am asked about microblading eyebrows!

Where Did I go?

elleBrow based in NYC and conveniently located on the east side of midtown Manhattan.

What is Microblading?

Individual hair stroke eyebrows are drawn in manually by the technician using a micro-needle hand tool with specialized pigments placed into the outer layer of the skin. The result is an ultra-natural almost 3-D look. This is also known as eyebrow embroidery, micropigmentation, 3-D eyebrow tattoo and other terms which all essentially mean the same thing.

Who was my technician?

Ant is the woman who does it all! She I believe is the only person at elleBrow actually performing the procedures with the help of her assistant. Don't underestimate how much one person can do. She's amazing, professional, highly detail oriented, and the best there is. 

How long does it last?

I would honestly say 1-3 years before it almost completely fades away. I had my first microblading session by Ant back in early 2016. I came back a few months for a minor touch up in a small area. But other than that I did not come back until 2018 to have my brows done again and have a new look because I was blonde when I first came in and now I have dark brown hair. However, if you go in for retouches regularly at least 6 months then these babies can last you a LONG time. Since I live in Boston it was a little challenging coordinating mini trips to NY but alas elleBrow is the BEST out there and worth the trip. Below is a photo from my very first microblading session back in early 2016.

Before microblading (top),  Immediately after microblading (middle), 6 months after (bottom)

Are they easy to take care of?

Absolutely yes! The first week is the most tedious where you have to clean it and apply the cream she provides very frequently. A formal guide and needed materials are provided before you leave. After the first week you really just want to avoid too much sun exposure or facials on the brow area for that can cause the tattoo to fade away faster.

How much do they cost?

The prices have changed a lot from when I first came to elleBrow but I do believe that their regular price is $850 but currently on promotion for $750. I know it's a little on the pricey end compared to many upcoming places that offer this service but don't be fooled because getting your brows done at elleBrow is worth EVERY penny. The professionalism is of the highest, Ant is highly skilled and detail oriented and will not rest until she designs the best shape and color for your own personal desires.

After 2 years before microblading (Top) and immediately after microblading (bottom)

Overall Experience?

Eyebrow microblading is worth it! The techniques crafted by Ant looks so natural and blends in with your existing eyebrow hairs perfectly (and if your brows are sparse, it can substitute for what is missing). You won't find more natural looking semi-permanent eyebrow work anywhere. The aftercare is a little tedious the first week or so but once the peeling ends your brows look amazing! I am currently at my 5/6 month mark after getting the second session done I still see the fine lines clearly and do not feel the need to add any extra shading.

Thank you ElleBrow for keeping my brows perfect all of these years! If you guys have any question at all please feel free to reach out with any questions at all!

Interview with Boston Voyager Magazine.

I just wanted to share my most recent interview with Boston Voyager Magazine. I haven't been able to work on too many creative projects this past year but I am hoping to do so this summer. This magazine conducts interviews and creates articles to share all of the hidden gems and local business in the Greater Boston Area. I had the honor of sharing my story with them. 

Emily, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

When I was 16 years old, I started a blog and youtube channel more focused on beauty, fashion and lifestyle. Things blew up quickly for me, but by the time I was 18, I realized that my deeper passion was for photography. I didn’t go to school for photography but I worked on teaching myself every detail including understanding the mechanics of photography and cameras. I allocated every Saturday to be mentored and shadow well established Los Angeles based photographers which inevitably led me to professional pursue photography part-time. My inspirations and why my work is so bright and overexposed are Emily Soto and Yuna Leonard. When I first moved to Boston, I started fresh with my work and worked with local Boston boutiques like Crush Boutique, Pinkyotto, and Bobbles and Lace. And aside from that, I worked closely with Maggie Agency for my more creative photo shoots that I would shoot for publications. They all provided wonderful opportunities for my work to truly grow...

Read the full article here.

self love + mental health awareness

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month

As a public health graduate student, mental health is something I am truly dedicated to advocating for. Mental health is significant and should not be taken lightly. If you or anyone you know is suffering from any mental health conditions, take action and get help. I grew up in a household that did not believe in mental disorders or illnesses like anxiety and depression. When I was younger I was always raised with the mentality that if you were sad that it was a sign of weakness. If you were anxious or depressed it just meant that you did not try hard enough to not feel that way or overcome it. As I grew older and experienced more I have learn that it is okay to have those feelings. The thoughts and feelings never truly went away and I didn't understand why. Not everyone experiences anxiety and or depression on the same level but there are many people out there like myself, that experience it on a day to day basis. It is difficult but manageable and there are resources available to help. The topics I would like to focus on today in honor of Mental health Awareness Month is Depression and Anxiety. 

I choose mental disorders as my topic of choice for my graduate research. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. For some individuals, major depression can result in severe impairments that interfere with or limit one’s ability to carry out major life activities. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the prevalence of major depressive episode was higher among adult females (8.5%) compared to males (4.8%) and the prevalence of adults with a major depressive episode was highest among individuals aged 18-25 (10.9%). The NIMH is an excellent resource that aims to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

My story? I did not realize I suffered from depression and anxiety until early college. At my lowest points, I would just imagine what everyone's life would be like if I did not exist in it. The thoughts progressed to the point where I couldn't control it and I would go days just staying at home and crying. These thoughts did not come often but did so during my darkest hours and felt like a disease with no cure. It sounds so extreme but the thoughts and emotions were so amplified when in that state of mind and getting through it felt almost impossible. In high school, I did not realize that having panic attacks was where I was short of breath and feeling so nervous and scared. These were early signs of anxiety I did not realize I had. Today I am living with my depression and my anxiety has been diagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Clinical Depression (MDD).

How to live with it? Acceptance is so much easier said than done. I have found a few outlets that enabled me to channel and somewhat manage my anxiety and depression. I know that you might hear these things often but I mean it, hobbies help so much. I have been doing photography for quite some time and even though I do not have the time to shoot as often, every time I am able to shoot I feel so at peace. When I am depressed I feel as though I lose my sense of creativity and there is a void I feel where I am unable to be creative or even productive. However, overcoming the sadness is incredibly difficult but doable. Exercise has been one of the greatest outlets recently when I am unable to endure the dark moments. Something about pushing myself while at the gym has given me the feeling of self-fulfillment and accomplishment even if it meant just being able to do one extra push up or adding an extra weight to my workout. Finding your own outlet is important but I never realized how having a strong support system truly helped. I always felt like I was a burden and that people would become overwhelmed by my problems. I love my family, boyfriend, and friends to pieces because they have stuck right by my side, pushed me to better myself and help me continue to grow and move forward. 

I know that there are a lot of self-help books out there but here are a few books that have helped me overcome some difficult time and that I cannot recommend enough: Moments of Being by Virginia Woolf, Salt. by Nayyirah Waheed, Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, and She Felt Like Nothing by r.h. sin.

I am working so hard on loving myself and being the best that I, personally can be. There is no cure and I have come to terms with that. I am living with this and I am doing the best that I can by myself and with the support of those close to me.

Some resources + additional information:

National Institute of Mental Health

Mental Health America

4Mind4Body Challenge

National Alliance on Mental Illnesses