Brow lamination is one of the most transformative treatments we offer at Shapes Glow Studio — but how long the results last depends almost entirely on what you do in the days and weeks after your appointment. Sophie B has seen clients get two weeks from a lamination and clients who look immaculate at the eight-week mark. The difference is always aftercare.
The Critical First 24 Hours
The lamination process restructures the protein bonds within your brow hairs, setting them in a new direction. For those bonds to fully harden and hold, they need to stay completely dry for the first 24 hours after your appointment.
- No water on the brows — shower with your face angled away, and use a dry cloth to wash around the eye area
- No steam or heat — saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga and even leaning over a boiling kettle can soften the bonds before they've fully set
- No touching or rubbing — resist the urge to feel how soft they are. The hairs need to stay in position
- No makeup on the brows — including brow gel, pencil or powder for the full 24 hours
- No tinted moisturiser or SPF over the brows — many of these contain water that can affect the set
Best time to book: Schedule your lamination on a rest day — not before a workout, swim, or event where you'll be sweating or in the rain. Late afternoon on a Friday works perfectly for most of our Vancouver and Surrey clients.
Week One: Setting the Foundation
After the first 24 hours, you can return to your normal routine — but be mindful of a few things that will make a real difference to longevity:
- Brush daily with a spoolie: Every morning, brush your brows upward into their laminated position. This trains the hairs and keeps them looking intentional rather than flat
- Apply a nourishing brow oil or serum: The lamination process, like any chemical treatment, can be slightly drying over time. A drop of castor oil or a brow conditioning serum applied nightly keeps hairs flexible and healthy
- Avoid retinol around the brows: Retinoids accelerate skin cell turnover, which can affect the lamination's hold. Keep these away from the brow area while your lamination is active
Ongoing Care: Weeks Two to Eight
- Cleanse gently: When washing your face, use a soft cloth and gentle cleanser around the brow area. Avoid scrubbing directly over the brows
- Go easy with makeup: If you do fill in your brows, use a light hand — the lamination means you'll need far less product than usual
- Wear SPF: Sun exposure breaks down the lamination hold faster and fades any tint. Apply SPF around (not over) the brow area when outdoors
- Avoid waxing between appointments: If you need a quick tidy, threading is the gentler option and won't disturb the laminated hairs
The nightly habit that makes the biggest difference: Brush brows up with a clean spoolie and apply a single drop of brow serum before bed. Clients who do this consistently are always the ones who message us at week seven saying their lamination still looks fresh.
When to Rebook
We recommend rebooking at 6–8 weeks. By week six, new growth comes in at a different angle to the laminated hairs, which can look slightly unkempt. Booking just before this point keeps you in a constant state of polished, effortless brows year-round.
Brow lamination (including tint and shape) is $109 and available at our Vancouver studio on West 4th Avenue and Surrey studio at 7238 189 St #59, Surrey BC V4N 5M8. Call 604-736-6245 or book online.