For most girls, drawing on or filling in your eyebrows is part of the daily routine. I have been dedicated to this for many years- I can't leave the house without 'my eyebrows on'.

Having regularly considered semi-permanent make-up application, I was put off by the potential pain of what is essentially a tattoo.

When the lovely gals at Zest Beauty Clinic offered to perfect my eyebrows and show me how painless the procedure actually is- I was nervous but also very excited!

I had a pre-treatment consultation the day before my appointment with Joanne who made me feel a lot easier about the whole thing- her eyebrows were filled in and they looked fabulous! She drew on my eyebrows using a precision perfect measurement tool and made sure I was happy with how they looked. She then gave me anaesthetic cream to put on my brows half an hour before the procedure to make it as pain free as possible- so I looked pretty silly in the office!

Before the treatment, Joanne explained to me how it would work, what it would feel like and what she would do. She then drew my eyebrows on again as an outline for the ink. Jo continually reapplied the anaesthetic throughout which was great as I experienced no pain. It felt like someone was holding an electric toothbrush against my eyebrows, and then occasionally nipping them- but that was it.

When my eyebrows were finished after about an hour, I was told about the healing process and how to keep my brows looking as good as possible. The top tip for maintaining semi-permanent makeup is to keep the treated area out of the sun. Joanne advised me to use sun block on my eyebrows while on holiday, because UV light can reduce the pigment by 50%. You can't apply makeup to the treated area for a week while it heals, and the worst thing you can do is scratch- even though it will be a bit itchy!

The makeup should last for between two and five years- generally the darker the shade, the longer it will last. While the process is the same as for a life-long tattoo, the needle doesn't penetrate the skin so deeply, which is why it will only last for a few years.

There are two methods of applying semi-permanent makeup to the eyebrows. You can choose block colour, which will give you a defined and striking brow- or hair strokes, which simulate your real hair for a more natural look.

Practitioners must follow stringent rules to ensure the treatment is safe and successful. As needles are involved, a brand new sterilised needle must be used for each client. It's also important to go to an experienced, trustworthy practitioner- Joanne at Zest has encountered many botched jobs caused by people opting for a cheap and unreliable option without realising the risks involved.

It's been six weeks since I had semi-permanent makeup applied at Zest Beauty Clinic and after a final post-treatment consultation with Jo, my eyebrows look amazing.  It's so nice to wake up in the morning and not have to spend time filling them in and  I've had loads of compliments from people who can't believe how good they look.  The best thing is that they look striking when I have a full face of makeup, but also look completely natural when I'm makeup free.

Zest Beauty Clinic specialises in semi-permanent makeup application and Joanne is highly experienced at carrying out the treatment. You won't end up with the 'Scouse Brow' at Zest- so you can be sure you will enjoy great results in a relaxed environment!

Jo at Zest offers semi-permanent makeup treatment at various beauty clinics around Northern Ireland so email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 07740 168 575 to find out where your nearest clinic is.

For more information, visit www.semper-bellus.com or the Facebook Page.

Right: Before pic of Claire's eyebrows

Below: Claire brows after the treatment

Zest Beauty Clinic, 114 Andersonstown Road, Belfast.