Hair-stroke brows so fine that people ask which pencil you use. Microblading and combo brows at Cleopatra PMU are mapped to your face, matched to your skin tone and healed to look like hair, not makeup — by licensed PMU artist Dena Mikhaiel at Sola Salons in Chantilly.
What microblading and combo brows are
Microblading uses a hand tool with ultra-fine needles to place pigment in the skin in hair-like strokes, following the direction your own brow hair grows. The result is a fuller, defined brow that still reads as natural because every stroke is drawn individually.
Combo brows add soft ombré shading between and behind the strokes. The strokes give texture at the front of the brow; the shading gives density through the arch and tail. Combo brows heal more evenly, last longer than microblading alone, and are what Dena recommends for most clients in Northern Virginia who want a brow that looks filled-in from a distance and natural up close.
Both are semi-permanent. Pigment sits in the upper layers of the skin and softens over 12–18 months, so you’re never locked into one shape as your face and style change.
Microblading is a good fit if you have
- Normal to dry skin. Strokes stay crisp on skin that isn’t oily; oily skin tends to blur them, which is when combo or ombré brows are the better choice.
- Sparse or over-plucked brows with some natural hair to blend with.
- A natural, feathered look in mind rather than a bold makeup finish.
- No recent Botox in the brow area (wait at least two weeks) and you’re 18+ and not pregnant or breastfeeding.
What to expect at Cleopatra PMU
Consultation & mapping
Free, and often the same day. Dena measures your face, draws the shape in pencil and matches pigment to your skin’s undertone — including olive, Middle Eastern and deeper skin tones.
Numbing & session
A topical numbing cream goes on before the first pass and is reapplied throughout. Plan on about two hours; most clients describe a light scratching feeling.
Healing
Brows look darker for 3–5 days, lightly flake around day 5–7, then settle over 4–6 weeks. Keep them dry and skip makeup on the area for the first week.
Touch-up
At 6–8 weeks Dena refines any strokes that healed lighter and perfects the shape. This appointment is priced separately.
Healed results
Real client work from Dena’s studio, shared with permission. Every result on this site is her own — nothing is stock.
Pricing
- Microblading — first session $475. Includes consultation, brow mapping, numbing and single-use disposable tools.
- Combo brows (microblading + shading) — first session $375. The most requested brow at the studio.
- Touch-up — $175, booked 6–8 weeks after your first session.
Prices shown are first-session prices. The follow-up touch-up, 6–8 weeks later, is booked and priced separately. Current specials and every service are on the pricing & specials page; booking is through Vagaro.
Microblading questions, answered
Does microblading hurt?
Most clients feel a light scratching sensation rather than pain. A topical numbing cream is applied before Dena starts and reapplied during the session, and the whole appointment takes about two hours including mapping.
How long does microblading last?
Typically 12–18 months before a color refresh. Oily skin, sun exposure, exfoliating skincare and a fast metabolism all shorten that; a yearly touch-up keeps brows crisp.
Microblading or combo brows — which should I choose?
If your skin is oily, mature or you want a fuller, more defined finish, combo brows will heal better and last longer. If your skin is normal to dry and you want the most natural, feathered brow possible, microblading alone is ideal. Dena confirms the choice at your consultation.
Can microblading be done on olive or darker skin?
Yes. Pigment choice is where most bad brows go wrong on deeper skin tones — they heal ashy or grey. Dena matches undertone at the consultation so the strokes heal true to your natural brow color.
Is the touch-up included?
The first-session price covers the initial procedure. The touch-up at 6–8 weeks is a separate appointment ($175) where healed strokes are refined; Dena schedules it with you before you leave.
What if I had microblading somewhere else that I don’t like?
Faded, ashy, red or uneven brows from previous work can often be corrected. Send a daylight photo on WhatsApp first so Dena can assess it — see the correction page.
Related services and reading
Ready for brows you don’t have to draw every morning? Book your first session or send Dena a photo of your brows for a free opinion.
Book on Vagaro Ask Dena on WhatsApp