Though it was first introduced as a semi-permanent makeup option in many high-end beauty salons and cosmetic tattooists several years ago, this is the year ‘lip blushing’ has really gained momentum.
So what does lip blushing involve?
Lip blushing is a semi-permanent makeup tattoo designed for your lips, which allows you to enhance your natural color and shape, or camouflage some minor corrections like asymmetry, scarring, or hyperpigmentation. Lip blushing can create the appearance of a fuller, shaded pout, with more depth of colour, particularly useful to intensify your natural lip colour that can lose pigment with age.
Some people also find an increase in the colour due to lip blushing helps create the illusion of more volume without using fillers.
Similar to other semi-permanent makeup services like brow microblading and tattooed eyeliner, lip blushing offers the ability for a more defined look every day without having to apply cosmetics. Although some practitioners do offer the ability to choose a slightly bolder colour, akin to the look of wearing a sheer lipstick, the best results are achieved using a hue very close to your natural lip.
It is done using a cosmetic tattoo machine with fine needles and dedicated cosmetic tattoo ink, depositing and building up colour in the top layer of skin all over the lip. After healing, you can still wear any other lip products or colours over the top as usual.
Like with microblading, the colour can appear much more intense on application but lightens up with the natural healing process. Depending on lifestyle factors and skin type, the colour has an average lifespan of around 18 months.
There are many different types and names for lip blushing, including lip tattooing, lip contouring, tattooed lip liner, lip blush, and a full tint.
For a great result that heals well it’s important to see an experienced professional that has a detailed consultation process and full health and safety procedures. It’s also good idea to ensure the practitioner you will see has a wide variety of imagery of work they themselves have undertaken on other clients, so you can get a feel for their style and results.
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Is it painful?
Experts say the pain level is different for everyone but as it is a needled procedure akin to other tattoos there is likely to be some discomfort, although this can be minimised with the use of numbing cream prior to application in many cases.
Not keen on needles? Here’s an alternative
If you’re nervous about the commitment, one TikTok hack doing the rounds gives an effect very similar to that of lip blushing with single cosmetic product that lasts all day. To deepen your lip pigment with a long-lasting stain that survives eating and drinking, try applying Benefit’s classic Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain. Once it’s dry add a touch of clear balm over the top. You can also define your lip line with a liner in a similar shade.
