Expectation 1: I'll Become Rich
Many brow academies, especially those offering Powder Brows, Hairstrokes, and microblading training, use so-called "income models." These models aim to show students their potential yearly income. This approach harkens back to sales tactics used in the mid-20th century. Take, for example, the sale of a pricey washing machine that would cost around $500 back then—or close to $4,000 in today's money. Salespeople would ask potential buyers how long they planned to use the machine, and then they'd claim it would last for 10 years. The daily cost? Just 13 cents. "What can you get for 13 cents a day? It's a no-brainer!" they'd exclaim, making the sale.
Be cautious with such outdated sales techniques. Similarly, many academies tout inflated earnings, employing these questionable methods. They'll say the procedure costs $500, takes about two hours, and you can complete three procedures daily. Then comes the grand reveal: "$500,000 a year, you'll be a millionaire in two years! It's a no-brainer!" However, such projections are often misleading, exaggerated, and downright manipulative. The reasons for this will be explained next.
Stark Reality: Less Than 19% of Students Work in the Field After Two Years
Between 2018 and 2024, over 1740 students and artists have participated in research projects studying that. The sobering fact is that only 18% continue offering Powder Brows, Hairstrokes, or microblading services after the first 18 months. This translates to four out of every five students quitting and no longer making money with the skills they gained during training. Interestingly, this also clarifies why trainers can make such high-income projections. If many students don't offer these services long-term, it artificially inflates the projected market size for Powder Brows, Hairstrokes, and Microblading by nearly five times.
A Closer Look at Those Who Do Make Money
For those who stick with it past the 18-month mark, there are key insights to be gleaned. No matter how we interpret the data, one principle remains consistent among these artists: the 80:20 rule. Simply put, 20% of the artists earn 80% of their income. Despite ongoing research by the team at powderbrows.io to find any shifts in this trend, the ratio has remained incredibly stable over the years.
Putting it All Together: About 3.5% of Students Get Almost All the Money
The numbers paint a vivid picture when you look at all the students training to become potential artists. Only 3.5% of all students capture almost all (over 80%) of the earnings in this field. In simpler terms, out of 100 artists, about 4 are at the top of their game. These few dominate the market, getting the lion's share of all the money made from Powder Brows, Hairstrokes, and microblading in their area. Sure, there might be some ups and downs and personal variations, but this pattern holds firm overall.
Can You Become Rich? Yes, But Only if You're at the Top
So, if you're wondering whether it's possible to become wealthy through Powder Brows, Hairstrokes, or microblading, the answer is a resounding yes. But there's a catch—you must break into that elite top 3.5% students. Artists who've managed this feat confirm its accuracy. They've made enough money to secure their futures, invest in real estate, and more. Yet, they typically only know a handful of peers from their initial class who are still active in the field. And even fewer have Powder Brows, Hairstrokes, or microblading as their primary income source.
