Tech Talk #55: Brow Mapping for Cosmetic Tattoo

The key to beautiful brows starts with a beautiful shape. Detailed brow mapping before cosmetic tattooing is essential. But often it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Some technicians ‘freehand’, some have rules of thumb. Nature, which creates most beautiful things, has a rule of thirds. This is often called The Golden Ratio.

The Golden Ratio: Rule of Thirds

In the diagram you can see the rule of thirds in play. In each case, “a” (two-thirds) is twice “b” (one third).

Using the golden ratio to map brows requires a well-defined method - use of mapping string, callipers, mapping pencils, and training. Techniques for mapping brows use facial features as anchors for your measurements and lines to help you achieve balanced brows.

Mapping & Design for Cosmetic Tattooing

Yes, an experienced artist with a good eye may be able to freehand, but it gets complicated because many face are not symmetrical, and adjustments need to follow design principles. The bigger your client base, the more diverse it will be, and the more challenges you’ll find.

A lot of the shapes you see above, are how client's brows naturally grow. Depending on your client's goal from their cosmetic tattoo, there are small tweaks that incorporating the basic principals of shape and symmetry (the golden ratio!) can help to balance their shape to their features. 

Learning in-depth about Brow Mapping for PMU!

THink Aesthetics runs a brow mapping and design class tailored to cosmetic tattooing and includes how to handle facial asymmetry, understanding brow shapes, consulting with your client, and mapping for millimetre precision!