Lay the long hairstrokes with an 18-pin blade first, then switch to the 11C for the short front hairs and fine detail between them.
Near-vertical angle, every pin engaged
As with any curved blade, hold it close to 90 degrees so all eleven pins cut evenly and the short stroke lands whole.
Precision over speed
The 11C places detail. Set each short stroke deliberately against your map — accuracy is what makes fine strokes read as natural.
Firm three-finger stretch
Keep the skin taut so the short blade glides cleanly in tight, curved areas without dragging.
One light, shallow pass
Cut just into the upper dermis in a single motion. Re-cutting a short stroke blurs it fast.
FAQ
Questions artists ask us
What does 11C mean on a microblade?
11 is the number of pins and C is the blade shape — curved. So an 11C is an eleven-pin curved microblade, used for short, fine hairstrokes and detail in manual microblading.
What is the difference between the 11C and the 18C?
Pin count and stroke length. The 11C has eleven pins for shorter, finer strokes and detail; the 18C has eighteen for longer, fuller hairstrokes. Most artists use the 18C for the main strokes and the 11C to detail and finish.
Is the 11C good for beginners?
It is more of a detail blade than a first blade. Beginners usually start on the 18-pin 18C to learn full hairstrokes, then add the 11C for finer work as their control improves. Practise on synthetic skin first.
When should I use the 11C?
For the short hairs at the front of the brow, fine detail between longer strokes, tight or curved areas, and delicate brows where a full-length blade is too long to place cleanly.
What is the difference between the 11C and the 18U?
Two things — pin count and shape. The 11C is an eleven-pin curved blade for short, fine strokes; the 18U is an eighteen-pin U-blade for the sharpest full strokes on demanding skin. Different jobs entirely.
Is the 11C for machine or manual work?
Manual microblading only. It is a hand blade, not a machine cartridge.
Is it sterile, and how do I dispose of it?
Each blade is single use and arrives individually sealed and pre-sterilised. Check the seal before opening. Dispose of used blades in an approved sharps container; in California, never in household waste.
Can I reuse a microblade?
No. Microblades are single-use sterile devices. Reuse dulls the pins, blurs the strokes, and is a cross-contamination hazard that voids certification.
Elite PMU · Since 2012
From California's first state-approved PMU college
Elite PMU Shop is the supply store of Elite Permanent Makeup & Cosmetology College in Los Angeles — the first microblading and permanent makeup college approved by the State of California.
