4 Fundamental Components To Brow Shaping: Shelly Nguyen’s One-Of-A-Kind Technique
When it comes to getting ready in the mornings, many women share an age-old desire: Being able to walk out the door looking effortlessly beautiful and feeling confident without applying makeup. Once seemingly unattainable, this dream has become a reality thanks to permanent makeup.
Shelly Nguyen, owner of Brows By Shelly, a permanent makeup studio based in Long Beach California, has made it her mission to enhance the natural beauty of her clients with permanent makeup services, specifically focusing on Ombre Powder Brows. What sets Shelly's studio apart is her attention to detail, dedication to her clients, and the unique self-taught approach she implements.
So what’s Shelly’s secret to beautiful brows? She shared her four fundamental components to achieving one-of-a-kind brows.
1. Ombre Powder Technique
Shelly's skillful approach to permanent makeup includes applying thin layers of pigment — specifically, ombre powder — with a tattoo gun. However, it's the needle that deposits the pigment. She achieves a makeup-like or powdery finish by delicately placing tiny pixels onto the skin.
“The needle used in the procedure is so small that it penetrates the dermal papillary layer, which lies just underneath the skin's surface,” Shelly explains. “This is how the pigment remains in place.”
Shelly’s technique — which is suitable for all skin types — lasts up to three years depending on skin type, lifestyle, and how well the client takes care of the brows after the procedure.
2. Skin Tone & Color Theory
Shelly prioritizes choosing brow colors based on her client’s skin tone and type. She considers their natural undertones and always considers how the color will appear over time since brows tend to fade. By selecting the right color for a specific skin type, the pigment lasts longer and eventually fades into a more natural shade.
“Skin tone, which generally remains constant unless significantly tanned, is a key factor in our color selection process,” Shelly explains. “We go the extra mile by custom mixing colors to ensure they perfectly match both the client's skin tone and undertones.”
3. The Art Of Brow Shaping & Mapping
Since every client’s facial structure and features are different, no two eyebrow shapes Shelly creates are identical. She considers the client’s bone structure, nose shape, eye placement, and temple area, making sure to consider the natural shape of their eyes.
“I dedicate a significant amount of time to meticulously mapping out their features, allowing me to create a shape that harmonizes with their face. Furthermore, each client's hair flow is entirely different, so I work with their existing hair as much as possible.”
Additionally, Shelly always takes the time to provide clients with a visual representation of their finished brows before beginning the tattooing process.
4. Sanitation Standards
Shelly's commitment to safety, cleanliness, and customer satisfaction is unparalleled. Her studio ensures a hygienic environment and follows the licensing requirements mandated by the Public Health Department.
“As a prerequisite, we have a six-month apprenticeship where aspiring practitioners gain hands-on experience in working with bloodborne pathogens, handling bodily fluids, and overall sanitation practice,” Shelly explains. “The health and well-being of our clients is of utmost importance.”
For Shelly Nguyen, creating the perfect brow is an art that fuses elements of color theory, unique tattooing skills, and dedicated time to mapping out facial features. The end product? A beautiful, one-of-a-kind brow shape that