According to some beauty experts (like Anastasia Soare), our eyebrows have a bigger influence on the way we look than just about any other part of our faces. And although the skinny '90s eyebrow has been creeping back into style, the experts say fuller brows are here to stay.

"We’ve seen a surge of the brow lamination trend over the past two years, but it’s definitely here to stay for 2024," says Benefit national Brow and beauty authority Autumn Estelle.

Estelle also calls attention to a new twist on the trend. "'Baby brow lamination, where only the first inch or inch and a half of the start of your brow is laminated, is also starting to become trendy and it will continue to become more popular as another version of brow lamination," she says.

Noted. Ahead, find everything else to know about brow lamination, featuring advice from Estelle, along with celebrity brow artist and facialist René de la Garza and Studio Sashiko owner Shaughnessy Otsuji.

What Is Brow Lamination?

You probably know what laminated brows look like: tall, straight hairs that appear as if they were just brushed up with a spoolie and set with gel. The difference is, laminated brows keep their shape for days on end.

So how do they stay that way? The process "is done using a gentle perm solution, neutralizing lotion, and moisturizing treatment to temporarily relax and redirect your brow hairs upwards and into place," explains Otsuji.

Many like lamination because it can make naturally thin or sparse brows look thicker. "Because the hairs are relaxed, they appear longer, giving the effect of a larger brow shape," says Otsuji. "The hairs also become more pliable after lamination, making this a great service if you are looking for a ‘fluffy’ brow without the need for a brow gel, or if your natural brow hairs are curly, unruly, or point downwards.”

Often, lamination is combined with other brow services to further refine the shape. “Once the solutions have treated the brows, the lifted and laminated brows are groomed by waxing and tweezing to perfection by styling the new shape,” adds Garza.

So why is it called brow lamination? Think back to the lamination machines from grade school. “Lamination is the technique of overlaying a flat surface with a layer of plastic or some other protective material in an effort to keep it in place. In brow lamination, we follow a similar process,” explains Otsuji. “After applying the perm solution and neutralizing lotion to the hairs, the brow area is overlaid with plastic wrap to boost the chemical reaction and achieve the groomed end result. Because the result sees the hairs relaxed into such a uniform position, they appear set in place, or ‘laminated’, once complete!”

What Are the Benefits of Brow Lamination?

In addition to fluffier, fuller looking brows, "Lamination also gives the face a natural lifted effect," says Estelle. Plus, notes the expert, "The service is ideal for nearly all types of brows, from those with fine, thin hair structures to brows that are coarser and thicker."

It also takes a step out of your daily makeup and brow routine. "If you’re someone who likes to be low maintenance with your brows, then brow lamination is perfect for your daily beauty routine," adds Estelle.