If you’re a brow permanent makeup artist looking to create soft, powdery or pixelated results for your clients, then you’ve come to the right place!

While there are many different types of technique, these effects are characterised by creating lots of very small pixels on the skin, rather than lines, for a very soft and natural finish.

So what kind of machines work best for pixelated or powder brows? Read on to find out, plus our other recommendations for creating flawless pixels.



What Are Pixel Brows?

Pixelated brows are exactly what they sound like - brows made up from a collection of small dots which create a soft effect when seen from a distance. The density of coverage can vary, but it’s considered ideal for clients with sparse eyebrow hair as it helps to fill in the gaps without the bold look of hair strokes. There’s usually less trauma to the skin through using a shorter stroke length and precise application, and heal times are reduced thanks to that!

What Are Powder Brows?

Powder brows get their name from the fact that they look like they’ve been applied as a powder in a way that’s less natural-looking than pixel brows and more similar to a makeup effect. These tend to have more pigment and may result in more defined brow lines - they’re also a great alternative to microblading as they’re suitable for all skin types and can provide more definition.



PMU Machines for Pixel Brows

The best permanent makeup machines to create these softer pixelated effects on the brows are those which come with a short stroke length - preferably anywhere between 1.8 and 2.5mm.

If you remember our blog all about stroke length in permanent makeup machines, you’ll know that this is the distance the needle comes out of the tip of the cartridge and back in again. It affects the speed at which the needle moves as well as how hard it hits the skin, which is a crucial component in creating soft brow effects.

Shorter stroke lengths like the ones we’re discussing here mean that the needle spends less time in the cartridge, picking up less pigment, so you will need to refresh your pigment more often. However, the gentle hit of a short stroke means that you can go over the same area a few times to build up soft layers without causing trauma to the skin.

The Microbeau Xion S PMU machine comes with two stroke wheels in 1.8 and 2.5mm,  so you can experiment with different techniques at different stroke lengths! It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold, with adjustable needle depth and give alongside the stroke length, making it perfect for not just brows but other areas of PMU too!

Peak’s Astra wireless pen-style machine has an adjustable stroke length across 2.5, 3.5 and 4.0mm, from which 2.5 is the best for pixel brows.

The Microbeau Xion Mini is a classic favourite for PMU artists who want a small, lightweight machine that can work both wired and wirelessly thanks to the easily accessible RCA connection. The Xion Mini has a fixed stroke length of 2.5mm!

Another 2.5mm stroke length option is the Dragonhawk Mast P20, a slim wireless pen-style machine that’s great for both PMU and SMP with a battery life of up to 6 hours.

While technically a tattoo machine, the Peak Solice Pro has an adjustable stroke length over 7 measurements, starting at 2.4mm. Use the Solice Pro wired or wireless with the included battery pack, or upgrade to the Peak Solice Pro v2.

And finally, another tattoo machine, the Microbeau Flux Mini! Coming with either a 2.5 or 3.0mm stroke length (we’d recommend you pick the 2.5 for these purposes), this tiny tattoo machine  works wired and wirelessly!



Pigments for Pixel Brows

Of course getting the right pigments for the soft look of pixel brows is important too!

Paulina Osinkowska’s REACH-compliant brow set made with Perma Blend Luxe has been specifically designed for incredible ombre brows, a very similar technique to powder and pixel brows. 

The Ombre Brows Set contains 6 pigments which are perfect alone or can be mixed together to create a gradient effect in ombre powder brows. They’re made with a hybrid formula meaning a natural-looking brow finish, and they’re suitable for all skin types!

We absolutely love the Tina Davies FADE set - which is available in both REACH and non-REACH formulations - for its innovative ability to fade naturally and softly over time. 

The eight pigments in this set are made with mostly inorganic and iron oxide-based ingredients, which means they heal naturally with a muted, earthy tone. 

This set is designed to fade completely over the next 12-24 months, making it ideal for those wanting to try out a new brow style or colour.

And finally, the Monica Ivani Signature Series in REACH and non-REACH options, which contains just four essential brow pigments that can be used on their own, or combined for custom shades. 

Coming with a colour chart to help with understanding the colour theory behind these pigments, these inorganic pigments are great for softer brow effects.



Don’t forget that you can learn how to create pixel effects for both brows and eyeliner through our Training Course section! The wonderful Gemma Bowers of Gem Ink talks you through everything you need to know for her Pixel Building™ technique.