How Much Does Microblading Cost?
- Average Cost:
- $450
- Range:
- $172 - $650
Microblading costs $450, on average, but prices typically range from $172 to $650, according to hundreds of recent reviews on RealSelf.
Because this semi-permanent makeup procedure requires extreme precision and skill, some very in-demand brow artists charge $2,000 or more.
Here, we break down why prices can vary and whether reviewers think getting their eyebrows microbladed was worth it.
Is microblading worth the cost?
Eyebrow microblading has a 86% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf. So while not everyone loves their results, most reviewers are happy with their investment.
Satisfied customers cite natural brow shapes, tiny hair strokes, and shades that created fuller, more youthful and symmetrical brows. They also note manageable healing periods with little scabbing. Some credit their new semi-permanent eyebrows with dramatically shortening their morning makeup routine.
Those who say microblading was “Not Worth It” felt their results looked too dark, “dated,” “masculine,” or “angry.” One unhappy reviewer said her technician poorly performed dense microshading instead of the traditional microblading procedure she requested, leaving her with “old-fashioned tattooed brows.”
Others reported that their once-precise hair strokes turned blurry and smudged over time, or that their microbladed brows had faded quickly, sometimes leaving weird, unflattering hues beyond their natural eyebrow hair.
Microblading pigments naturally fade, and having oily skin can hasten the process. Using skincare products that contain retinol or alpha and beta hydroxy acids have also been linked to premature fading, so it's best to avoid them in the brow area.
The bottom line: If you have sparse brows due to over-tweezing and want to stop spending so much time every morning meticulously enhancing your brow shape, it may be worth the money to have fuller-looking brows for 18 to 24 months.
Just be sure to thoroughly research your provider and their technique, and ask to see long-term before-and-after pictures before you open your wallet.
What affects the cost of microblading?
These are the top factors that impact what you’ll pay.
1. Who performs your microblading procedure
The qualifications and credibility of your microblading artist are one of the biggest factors in how much your cosmetic procedure costs.
In some states, microblading eyebrows is considered to be a medical procedure, meaning that only nurses, physician assistants, and doctors can perform it. If the person tattooing those hair-like strokes of pigment into your skin is a physician, you can expect to pay a premium.
Some celebrity makeup artists, cosmetic tattoo artists, or certified estheticians who are famous for performing microblading and other forms of permanent makeup are also likely to charge more.
Also keep in mind that medical professionals rarely expect or accept gratuities, but it’s standard practice to tip makeup artists and aestheticians at least 20%. So even if their base price for the service is lower, you may not actually save much by choosing a brow artist with a beauty background vs. a medical one.
Microblading results are generally long-lasting and very visible, so it’s important to do your homework and find a reputable microblading expert who can give your new brows a natural look while also tailoring the procedure to suit your style and skin type. (Savvy microbladers are more likely to vary their pigment choice according to your skin type—using glycerin-based ink on drier skin and water-based hues on oily complexions—to ensure the most authentic and durable results.)
2. The location of their practice or salon
As a general rule, eyebrow tattooing costs more in major metropolitan areas where there’s more demand and higher overhead costs for providers. Microblading artists in New York City might charge upwards of $2,000, whereas $600 might be on the high end for brow techs in Jacksonville, Florida.
You'll also pay more in neighborhoods with higher rents, so if you’re looking to save, it’s worth the effort to compare price quotes from several qualified providers within a manageable radius.
3. Whether the initial cost includes touch-ups
Most microblading artists include touch-ups in the initial price of microblading, since this is actually a two-part treatment.
- During your first session, your brow tech will discuss your goals, map out your brows, and do the initial round of microblading.
- Then you’ll come back for a mandatory touch-up four to six weeks later, once healing is complete. The tech uses this visit to correct any imperfections, refresh the pigment, and add finishing touches. Not all microblading artists include this first touch-up in their price structure, so ask about their policy during your consultation.
You’ll likely need another touch-up after the first year (or sooner, if you have oily skin). This should cost less than your initial service; think of it like a “fill” appointment for lash extensions or acrylic nails.
5. The products, tools, and equipment they use
Think about everything a microblading artist needs to create a beautiful result—from the single-use blades, to a wide selection of safe pigments, to various mixing and measuring instruments, to alcohol wipes and sterilization equipment. The cost of these essentials (which varies based on their quality) gets passed along to you.
If your brow artist employs an assistant, this, too, will be reflected in their fee.
And if they include any “complementary” extras, like an aftercare kit (with products that aid healing and protect the pigment), you’ll likely pay more for their service.
6. Special offers or discounts
Some providers offer seasonal microblading deals. Before you book through a deal website, be sure to find out who will be performing your procedure. Then read reviews and see photos of their patients.
Ending up with botched brows (that may need another procedure to correct) isn’t worth saving a few hundred bucks.
Why is microblading so expensive?
When you get microbladed brows, you’re paying someone who has been licensed to safely and skillfully perform a very specialized, semi-permanent service, like a tattoo.
You’re paying for their time and know-how, and for their artistic expertise in wielding tiny needles to create individual hair strokes and precisely symmetrical eyebrow shapes.
Are there cheaper (or better) alternatives for eyebrow enhancement?
There are more affordable alternatives to microblading treatments, but none that last as long.
- Makeup, such as microfilling pens, tinted eyebrow gels, powders, or stamp kits, is the cheapest option.
- Professional brow tinting (essentially dying your eyebrow hair) is usually more affordable than microblading, but results are short-lived.
- Brow lamination, a kind of “eyebrow perm” that ensures all of your brow hairs fall in the same direction, is another painless way to maximize the hair you have. It typically costs $50 to $85 for results that last six to eight weeks.
- Latisse, a topical prescription medication that stimulates new brow hair growth, costs about $150 per month. That makes it more expensive than eyebrow tattooing, but it produces a softer-looking result that some people prefer.
- Eyebrow transplant surgery is the most expensive alternative. A hair transplant surgeon can extract hair follicles from other parts of your body and transplant them to your natural eyebrows to create thicker, fuller natural brows. The only downside apart from the cost: You’ll have to regularly trim those new hairs, so they don’t get too long.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Better Brows, from Tints to Tattoos