The Brow Gal – Jillyan Bevlaqua Sculpts Eyebrows One Stroke at a Time

by Kerri Cooke

For women, and some men, their daily routine includes filling in and shaping their brows.

To respond to demand, there are always new products being developed with innovative applicators claiming to give you natural looking hairstrokes with a few swipes. As with all make-up, applying brow products is a temporary solution that only lasts for a day. Permanent makeup provides lasting results, but not all options are created equal. 

Microblading is a popular procedure to get lasting brows, but it comes with risks that other treatments, such as Nano Brows, are without. Trauma to the skin occurs with microblading due to the use of a manual tool to make incisions in the skin where the pigment will reside.  

Jillyan Bevlaqua, Nano Brow artist with Southern Vanity by Jillyan, says microblading often lasts well beyond six months, even though many artists recommend annual touch-ups to keep hairstrokes looking sharp. The problem is that most pigment hasn’t had time to fully break down within that window. Repeatedly adding more pigment leads to oversaturation, and because microblading uses a manual tool to make tiny incisions in the skin, it also increases the risk of scarring. Over time, this combination can cause brows to appear blurry, blocky or uneven. 

“Skin is like a cup of coffee,” Bevlaqua says. “You have to leave room if you want creamer. The more coffee (pigment) you put in, the less room you’ll have. If you fill the cup, there’s no room for anything else. The room at the top of the cup is similar to what’s required in the skin to allow pigment to be broken down properly over time as it’s designed to do.” Bevlaqua adds she has to send clients to have laser removal of pigment from overdone microblading before she can work her magic. Microblading also isn’t ideal for people with oily and textured skin. 

Nano Brows are a form of cosmetic tattooing performed with a specialized machine designed for precision and softness. Unlike traditional tattoo machines, this device operates at a lower frequency and with a shorter stroke length, which allows for a much gentler impact on the skin. This technique deposits pigment more delicately and in finer layers, resulting in hyperrealistic hairstrokes that mimic the look of natural brow hair. Because less pigment is implanted and the skin isn’t saturated in the same way as traditional body art tattoos, the results gradually fade over time—typically lasting 18 to 24 months. Nano Brows are especially beneficial for those experiencing thinning or sparse eyebrows, offering subtle, buildable coverage without the harshness of older methods. 

Bevlaqua begins by mapping the brow shape and sketching each individual hairstroke before tattooing over them. She emphasizes that Nano Brows deliver consistent, long-lasting results and a natural look that’s fully customized to each client.

As far as discomfort, one client described the sensation as someone rubbing a lead pencil over her brows and Bevlaqua says the pain is a two out of a 10-point scale at the worst. She has numbing cream, but it is rarely needed. There’s also no bleeding with this technique and, usually, minimal redness. 

“Nano Brows are not just a trend. They’re more sustainable, ethical and a client-first approach,” Bevlaqua says. “My goal is to always do things right by the clients so not only their long-term happiness is guaranteed, but so is the integrity of their skin.” She emphasizes that people shouldn’t impulsively decide to get Nano Brows but instead take into consideration that this cosmetic procedure will have a years long outcome. 

Bevalqua stays booked and depending on the time of year, new clients can expect to wait one to three months for their appointments. You can find more information and book appointments from the Southern Vanity by Jillyan Facebook page.