Emily Rudge, a women's rugby league player, has shared her horror after a eyebrow lamination treatment left her with brows she described as quadrupled in size. The procedure, which uses a chemical solution to straighten and set brow hairs in a uniform direction, is designed to create a fuller, brushed-up look. However, for Rudge, the results were far from what she expected.
In a video posted online, Rudge showed her eyebrows before the treatment, which appeared to require only minor neatening. She then revealed the aftermath, initially covering her face with her hand before removing it to display brows that had been brushed up into a thick, bushy shape, particularly heavy in the middle and tapering at the ends. Her expression made clear her dismay, and while music played over the clip, she was seen mouthing, “Oh my god, f**** sake.”
The video attracted a wave of comments, with some viewers offering support while others were less complimentary. One person suggested she could “rock the green face paint and go as Mr Grinch,” while another asked if the treatment had been done “with a Sharpie.” A business owner even offered to “sort these out,” and an aesthetician advised Rudge to find someone to fix the mess rather than hoping the brows would settle on their own.
Rudge had expressed hope that the brows might shrink within 24 hours, but experts suggest that lamination is not ideal for those who already have thick or bushy eyebrows. The process makes hairs more prominent, and on coarse or dense brows it can lead to an overly dramatic or unruly appearance. The chemicals can also cause dryness, brittleness, or breakage, and maintaining the look requires regular upkeep.
Lamination is best suited for individuals with sparse or uneven brows seeking a fuller look, rather than those with naturally bushy brows. For Rudge, the experience has served as a cautionary tale, prompting many to reflect on the risks of cosmetic procedures.
