Why Language Matters in Brow Consultations
One of the most important parts of a brow tattoo appointment actually happens before any pigment touches the skin. And that is the conversation.
I often say that brows are not just designed with measurements and technique, they are designed with language. The reality is that we do not all use words in the same way, and that matters more than most people realise.
We Don’t All Mean the Same Thing
Words like natural, defined or dramatic are used every day in brow consultations, but they do not have universal meanings.
When a client says they want natural, it can mean very different things.
For some, natural means brows that look like they simply grew that way. This is also what I personally mean by natural.
For others, natural means brows that do not look tattooed, but are still clearly more structured than their original brows.
And for some, natural means a soft, day makeup look rather than a completely bare face.
None of these interpretations are wrong. They are simply different. Understanding which one you mean is essential.
When “Defined” or “Dramatic” Means the Opposite
With the demographic I work with, clients often understate their words.
If someone says they want defined or dramatic, they are often actually describing the brows they do not want. Usually brows that feel too dark, too thick, too arched, or too obvious.
If a client genuinely tells me they want dramatic brows, I slow the conversation down and explore their language further. I might ask how they would describe their dress sense or their personal style.
If someone is wearing sequins, glitter, or bold colours and describes their outfit as neutral or bland, that tells me a lot. It helps me understand that my idea of bold is very different from theirs, and that their idea of bold is likely far more intense than mine.
This is how I calibrate language before we ever talk about shape or colour.
Why I Ask So Many Open-Ended Questions
My consultations are conversational by design. I am constantly listening, observing, and connecting dots.
When I show photos of my work, I watch reactions closely. I listen to the words clients use to describe what they like and what they dislike. I pay attention to why they feel that way.
Some of the most important questions I ask are simple ones.
What did your brows used to look like?
Did you love them, or were they always a struggle?
What do you not want?
These answers tell me whether we are restoring something familiar or creating something entirely new. Most clients actually have a very strong sense of what they do not want, and that information is incredibly valuable.
Lifestyle Speaks Just as Loudly as Words
How you live your life often tells me more than buzzwords ever could.
I take into account things like makeup habits, work and lifestyle, how much time you enjoy spending getting ready, hair colour changes, and where you are in your grey hair journey.
All of these details help me understand where your version of “natural” sits on the spectrum.
The Unspoken Fears
Many clients share the same fears, even if they do not say them out loud.
They worry about brows being too dark.
They worry about people noticing they have been tattooed.
They worry about looking obvious or overdone.
Some are also worried about pain.
These concerns are very normal, and they are a big reason why open, honest communication matters so much.
What I Wish Every Client Knew
There are no right or wrong answers in a consultation.
I am here to guide you with my expertise, but that is only one part of the process. I am not here to impose my vision onto you. I am here to help your vision come to life in a tasteful, realistic way.
You do not need technical language. You do not need to know shapes, styles, or measurements. I already know you cannot give me those things.
All I need is a ballpark. How you want to feel. How you want to look. And what you absolutely do not want.
The Goal of the Consultation
My goal is for you to leave feeling like I crawled into your brain, saw the brows you were imagining for yourself, and then gave you structured, honest advice on how to achieve them. That is why language matters. And that is why the conversation is just as important as the tattoo itself.