If penciling in sparse eyebrows is part of your daily makeup routine, you may want to consider permanent eyebrows. Though it might sound like a scary solution, having your eyebrows tattooed will save you time and money while eliminating any chance that eye pencil might smudge or wear off during the day. Once you undergo the procedure, you won’t have to hassle over your eyebrows every day; like any permanent makeup procedure, there are also risks involved.

Before you decide that permanent eyebrows are for you, you should consider your options. The most common method is cosmetic tattooing. Your eyebrow area will be numbed with an anesthetic gel. Then a technician will use a vibrating needle to deposit color under the second layer of your skin. It’s not incredibly painful, but you will feel a stinging sensation. The area will be swollen and red after the procedure, requiring cold compresses and ointment. It is also important to note that your eyebrows won’t fade to their permanent color for three weeks.

Another method is eyebrow embroidery. This relatively new procedure is quick and nearly painless. The technician only deposits color under the first layer of skin, which allows more freedom to design a natural brow look through the use of feathering. One downside is that you’ll probably need to return for touch ups more frequently.

You’ll want to do your research when it comes to finding a qualified permanent makeup artist in your area. This is an expensive investment and you want to get it done right. Faulty work will result in uneven or badly shaped brows—forever.

If you can, ask around for a recommendation for a technician that created a natural eyebrow look. Not only do you want to have eyebrows that are the right color for your skin tone and hair color, but you also want them to feather in a natural shape.

While a permanent makeup solution, you should know that, like all tattoos, your eyebrows will probably fade or need touchups over time.