Dear Answer Angel Ellen: In the past two weeks, two of my friends have told me that their very natural looking eyebrows are actually “permanent” fakes. One says hers are tattooed on and the other had a technician who used microblading.

My natural eyebrows have gradually become thinner — to the point of almost nothingness. I have to spend a lot of time every morning trying to produce realistic eyebrows with makeup that takes time, money and not great (or even consistent) results.

I am intrigued but intimidated. Should I be? Can you enlighten me on the process, the difference between the two and is this a good idea?

--Elizabeth B.

Dear Elizabeth: I’m going to bet that more than two of your friends’ eyebrows are the result of tattoos or microblading, with the results so realistic that you can’t tell them from the real thing. At least that has been my experience -- although my natural brows are doing fine so I cannot tell you about this from personal experience. Here’s what I have learned from friends and specialists who perform these services.

*Do your homework. The internet is filled with information on licensing of operators, salon cleanliness regulations in your locale and more. Take your time. Ask your friends and dermatologists for referrals.

*They’re not cheap and require touch-ups every couple of years and sometimes more often. The initial cost can range from $500 to $1,200 or more with many variables including location (big cities are more expensive), experience of the artist/technician and the prestige of the salon or provider’s office. Touch-ups can run as low as $100 and up to high hundreds. Do not think expensive is necessarily better. Or that a bargain price is the way to go. Remember, these brows are supposed to last a long time so choose carefully, including color.

*Many of the terms — microblading, tattoos, powder brows, permanent, semi-permanent — are pretty loosely applied so ask many questions before you are sitting in the chair undergoing the procedure.

*Tattoos are applied with a machine with a fine needle; microblading uses a manual tool to create hair-like strokes; powder brows are a kind of hybrid that uses a machine to apply powder for a makeup, shaded, ombré effect.

*My reporting says these eyebrow treatments aren’t painful—certainly not compared to waxing for hair removal. Ouch!

Pro tip: During the procedure, occasionally stand face-to-face with your artist so they and you can get an in-real-life view of the, placement, color, dimensions -- not just the artist’s viewpoint of you in a reclined or lying down position. Also, if you’re blond, stay away from any shade even remotely orange. Black or brown hair? Beware of going too dark.

Readers: Share your tips. What would you do differently if you could redo your eyebrow treatment?

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’ve never seen this question in your column but I often think about this issue — admittedly a small one — at holiday time but always forget to ask. Many of my friends have seasonal hand towels in their bathrooms: reindeer for Christmas, hearts for Valentine’s Day, pumpkins for Halloween, etc. I always wonder if they are really meant to be used to dry my hands or are they just for show? The same goes for fancy paper holiday bathroom hand towels.

--Peter B.

Dear Peter: If you have an option to use an undecorated hand towel also hanging in the bathroom, I’d use the undecorated one. But, if it’s made of paper, use it. Paper towels are designed to be used and disposed of in the wastebasket. But, I also go for the regular terry towel in that case too, since those festive holiday paper towels usually are not absorbent. If the option is wipe your wet hands on your pants or shirt or to use a holiday towel of terry or paper, go with the towel.

Angelic Readers

More reader suggestions for Maggie K. in need of advice for giving her thinning, straight hair more body and fullness…

From Arlene G.: “L’Oréal Ever Pure Volume Shampoo and Conditioner (drugstores, $9.97 and up). It really makes a difference.” Marlene M.: Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist ( ulta.com, $30). A bit pricey but you only need five to seven spritzes on medium length hair. One bottle lasts a long time. Put it on after conditioning and before blow drying.” Robin F., an Avon representative, uses Avon PropoliThera Volumizing Leave-in Conditioner ( amazon.com, $19.99). “It leaves hair very smooth and shiny but not frizzy and definitely not flat.” Judy B. likes Garnier Grow Strong Fructis Shampoo and Grow Strong Conditioner (drugstores, $5.29 each).

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