What Is Lip Blushing?

Lip blushing is becoming more and more popular these days, and it’s easy to see why. This natural-looking procedure can help give you the rosy pout you love without the maintenance of lip fillers. Read on to learn more and see if lip blushing is right for you.

What Is Lip Blush?

Lip blush is a form of semi-permanent makeup applied by an aesthetician or permanent makeup artist. Lip blushing is a subtle lip tattoo that uses natural shades of organic pigment to enhance the beauty of your lips.¹ The purpose of lip blushing is to:

Boost your natural lip color
Improve or correct the shape of your lips
Add definition to lip borders
Create the illusion of fullness²

While lip fillers actually add volume to your lips, a lip blush tattoo gives the illusion of volume by adding pigment. Lip blushing delivers a natural-looking finish that may elevate your look in a more subtle way than a lip injection.

How Does Lip Blushing Work?

To apply lip blush, an aesthetician deposits small dots of pigment in the lips using a mechanical needle. This is typically done in layers with different configurations, so the result looks natural and even.³

Who Can Get Lip Blushing?

It’s always helpful to consult your doctor before you get semi permanent makeup work done. You’ll want to make sure that your lips are in the best possible condition before the procedure. If you’ve recently had any of the following treatments, you’ll need to wait at least four weeks.

Any lip injection, like lip fillers
Chemical peels
Other lip treatments⁴

To prevent excess bleeding or bruising, you’ll also want to avoid the following on the day of the treatment:

Alcohol
Caffeine
Exercise
Ibuprofen
Fish oil
Vitamin E⁵

How To Prepare For Lip Blushing

If you go in for a lip blushing treatment, your aesthetician will work with you to decide on the right lip tint shade and shape. Since this is a semi-permanent procedure, you may want to avoid seasonal trends and instead focus on what looks best on your skin tone.

One popular Los Angeles-based technician suggests you try on a range of neutral lipstick colors beforehand. You can bring in a color you love and ask the aesthetician to match it. You can also bring reference photos to share your desired color and shape.⁶

What To Expect From Your Treatment

If you’re ready to try a lip blushing treatment, here’s what you can expect.

The technician will apply a topical anesthetic to your lips. It will take about 20 minutes to start working.
While you’re waiting for the numbing cream to do its thing, your technician will go over your desired lip color and shape. If you brought in reference photos, you would share them at this stage.
The technician will then wipe off the cream and start the cosmetic tattoo process. They will likely start by tattooing the outline of your lips, similar to a lip liner. Then they will fill them in.
Your lips will be pigmented by a mechanical needle that deposits color in layers.
The process can take anywhere between 1-3 hours.^7,8

Does Lip Blushing Hurt?

Because your lips will be numbed with a topical cream, you likely won’t feel more than a slight stinging sensation. Some compare it to the feeling of using a strong lip scrub. If you’re concerned, talk to the technician beforehand for reassurance.⁹

How Long Does Lip Blushing Last?

Lip blushing can last 3-5 years, depending on the desired look. For comparison’s sake, lip fillers require a touch up every 3-12 months.¹⁰

What Can I Expect After A Lip Blushing Treatment?

After your treatment, you may see some of the following changes to your lips:

Swelling
Flaking
Peeling
Dryness
Strong pigmentation (a stronger color than you were expecting)^11,12

These changes will vary from person to person and will likely go away as your lips heal. If you have any concerns, contact your lip technician or doctor.

Aftercare

You will be sent home with aftercare instructions to help with the healing process. These instructions will typically contain advice such as:

Keep lips moisturized with lip balm
Avoid heavy exercise where you sweat
Avoid other activities that may make you sweat, like intense sun exposure
Avoid drinking dark liquids
Avoid using whitening toothpaste¹³

Plan For A Touch-Up

Once your lips have healed, your technician will likely invite you back to the office to make sure you are satisfied.

If you love the color of your new lips, you can plan to go in once a year to maintain your color. Regular, frequent touch-ups are not necessary, which is one of the reasons why people love this procedure.

Is This Procedure Right For You?

You know yourself best. Some people will see that this treatment lasts 3-5 years and think of it as a dream come true. Others may see that time frame and decide to move right along. When weighing your decision, consider the cost, permanence, amount of time or money this would save you, and your own pain tolerance.

If you decide to go for it, shop around for a clean, well-regarded salon and a highly-skilled professional. And don’t forget to snap some before and after pictures.

Learn More:
How To Apply Lipstick On Small Lips
How To Take Care Of Your Lips And Why A Lip Care Routine Is Important
How To Take Care Of Your Skin For A Great Makeup Look

Sources
1. https://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/beauty/lip-tattoo-19191
2. https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/a28806110/lip-blushing/
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/lip-blushing
4. https://fabfitfun.com/magazine/what-is-lip-blushing/
5. https://www.healthline.com/health/lip-blushing
6. https://www.glamour.com/story/what-is-lip-blushing-cost
7. https://fabfitfun.com/magazine/what-is-lip-blushing/
8. https://www.healthline.com/health/lip-blushing#procedure
9. https://www.byrdie.com/lip-blushing
10. https://www.insider.com/lip-blushing-is-the-new-alternative-to-lip-fillers-2019-7
11. https://www.allure.com/story/lip-blushing-lip-tattoo-treatment
12. https://www.insider.com/lip-blushing-is-the-new-alternative-to-lip-fillers-2019-7
13. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/style/story/ready-set-pout-lip-blush-beauty-trend-waiting-68600726