Here in Rexburg, there are many resources to help improve one’s personal image. There are hair salons, nail technicians, massage therapy schools and beauty experts that specialize in different fields of cosmetology. Kenzie Erikson, the owner of Frenzie by Kenzie, specializes in microblading, or semi-permanently filling in an individual’s eyebrows.
Kenzie’s Story
Kenzie began her schooling in Rexburg at BYU-Idaho. After several semesters, she realized she wasn’t happy with her studies and wanted to pursue her passion: beauty.
“I started at Paul Mitchell and I loved it,” she says. “But I wanted to keep exploring more options.”
In addition to the normal curriculum, Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg offers specialized cosmetic classes to teach additional skills. This is where Kenzie learned about microblading.
“I specifically chose microblading because I’ve always been intrigued by the concept,” she says.
Now certified in microblading, Kenzie operates a fully functional microblading business. However, her eye is still on the horizon; her next goal is to open her own salon and offer not only this unique service but also hair, nails, and other cosmetic services.
But at this point, you may be wondering — what exactly is microblading?
What is Microblading?
Classified as semi-permanent makeup, similar to a tattoo, Kenzie explains that the purpose of microblading is to fill in the eyebrows. For many, using normal makeup to produce a similar effect can be time-consuming. Microblading simply makes the list of things-to-do in the morning, one step shorter.
During the process, an esthetician first matches a pigment to the client’s hair color. Then, after numbing the eyebrow region, dips a small blade comprising of several small needles and makes careful, calculated strokes throughout the eyebrow.
“[The strokes] look like little hairs filling in the eyebrow,” Kenzie explains.
Six weeks after the initial appointment, the esthetician then does a quick touch-up. From then on, the semi-permanent makeup lasts one to three years.
“It depends on how you take care of yourself,” Kenzie says of the length of effect. “If you’re in the sun all the time, the pigment can come out a lot quicker.”
Microblading has gained popularity as a cosmetic option throughout the country, and Kenzie hopes to popularize it more in the Rexburg area.
Samples of microblading before-and-after, courtesy of Frenzie by Kenzie.
Look and Feel Your Best
In comparison to big cities where microblading is more popular, Rexburg faces unique challenges. The market is different because of the large number of college students and young families.
Eager to adapt to individual clients’ needs, Kenzie looks for ways to go above and beyond. When booking an appointment, she’ll offer additional complimentary cosmetic services such as a scalp or hand massage. Plus, she is available for in-home visits.
“To see the reactions and hear feedback afterward makes it super worth it,” she adds. “It sounds so simple…but everyone has had the best reaction. We live in a world that sometimes can make us feel very insignificant. That we’re not good enough, we’re not pretty enough. Just a simple thing can make someone feel more confident.”
And for Kenzie, who has worked hard to find this outlet for her love for beauty, confidence is what it all boils down to.
“I’ve really found a passion for it and I really enjoy making that person feel good about themselves,” she says. “And I’d really like to be able to share that with other people.”
You can see Kenzie’s work and learn more about Frenzie by Kenzie by following her on Instagram and visiting her site.