As a microblading professional, you’ve had a lot of training in order to provide this highly specialised service. You’ve invested time and money into a course and completed many, many hours of practice. In order to deliver the flawless and defined look that your clients hope to achieve through microblading, you also need to ensure that you choose the right microblading needles.

Abraham Lincoln once famously said ‘give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe’. Whilst it may sound like overkill, Abe unquestionably had the right idea in terms of ensuring that the tool was suitable for the job at hand. It’s an important reminder that the tools you’re using affect the quality of the work you’re producing – no matter how experienced or skilled you are.

It’s key to keep in mind that one size does NOT fit all – thinner needles are sharper and are suited to those with thinner skin and finer hair, whilst thicker needles work best for those with thicker skin and coarser hair. You should keep in mind that you should be matching the thickness of the needle to the texture of the client’s own hair for the most authentic look.

Flexible needles – covered in plastic - are also an excellent option for clients with thin or sensitive skin, as they absorb some of the pressure. It’s also worth bearing in mind that flexible needles produce a softer and more natural look.
The spacing between each needle on the microblading pen is as important as the size of the needles themselves, as it’s the space between needles that gives the definition and emphasizes the effect of individual hairs. So, whilst it may seem like better value or more efficient to have many needles packed tightly together, that doesn’t necessarily produce the best end result.

Different clients will also have varying preferences in the style they’re looking for; some will want more precise definition and perfect arches, whilst some will want a more feathery, natural effect. U-shaped needles are ideal for achieving curved strokes and filling using a back-and-forth method. The bigger of these are great for outlining, filling, and longer strokes, whilst you’ll want a small size for short strokes as well as touch-ups. For shading, mini shaders are excellent for outlining, achieving a ‘dotted’ effect, and shading smaller areas.
Cluster/bunch-type shaders provide the more opaque powdered effect, and double shaders are highly effective in producing the whole brow ombre look.
It really boils down to ensuring that you have a good variation in sizes types in order to best serve your different clients.

Finally, before starting every treatment, check the position and fixation of the needle with your nail and ensure it doesn’t move – obviously, flexible needles will move slightly at the tips, but shouldn’t move much where they’re anchored at the base.

So, if you’ve ever considered ‘making do’ with a less-than-ideal choice of microblading needle, remember: you’ve worked far too hard to refine your art to let yourself down with the wrong tool. Arm yourself with the best options to make you job easier and to result in a flawless look for your clients.