Why TikTok-famous 'lip blushing' is well worth the hype
The dream? To wake up, roll out of bed, and have my face magically ready for the day—no effort required, just full Disney princess perfection. No smudge mascara, no uneven brows, no dull complexion – just effortless beauty from the moment my alarm goes off.
Of course, reality is far less glamorous. But in an attempt to inch closer to that goal, I’ve picked up a few low-maintenance beauty tricks along the way. Regular eyelash and eyebrow tints have become my go-to, adding just enough definition to make me feel put together without a stitch of makeup. But beyond that? I’ve never been one for anything too drastic – until now.
During a mid-scroll on TikTok, I stumbled upon a girl who was getting lip blush – a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo that enhances the natural colour of your lips, giving them a soft, tinted effect without the need for lipstick or liner. Instantly, I was intrigued. Could this be the next step in my quest for an effortlessly polished look? And so, down the rabbit hole I went.
What is lip blushing?
Lip blushing is a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure which consists of implanting pigment into the lip. Using a tattooing technique, lip blush can enhance the lip’s colour, shape and improve any unevenness lips may have. Unlike a normal tattoo the colour is applied very lightly and gently into the lip skin.
While researching the treatment, this was music to my ears. I had noticed in the last few years that I generally had a lack of pigment to my lips, but when I had a lick of colour on them, my confidence shot up. This started a bit of an unhealthy obsession and my lip liner became my best friend. However, with the pretty grim British winter making my lips that bit dryer and causing more friction with the pencil, the semi-permanent procedure seemed like the answer to my lip’s prayers – as well as hopefully saving me that little bit of agg during the day.
Is lip blushing better than filler?
Lip blushing and lip filler are completely different treatments, so it’s not really a fair comparison. Lip blushing enhances your natural lips by adding pigment to areas with less color, but it doesn’t change their actual size or shape. Lip fillers, on the other hand, involve injections that add volume, making your lips fuller.
If you’re trying to decide between the two, consider the results you’re after. If your goal is plumper, more voluminous lips, filler is the way to go. But if you prefer a natural look with a soft tint of colour, lip blushing is your best bet.
But is lip blushing safe?
Lip blush is low-risk treatment, though, as with any procedure that involves breaking the skin, there’s a chance of infection. For this reason, it’s important to do your research and visit someone that is fully qualified and is following the correct sterilisation protocols.
Although rare, it’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to the pigments used. A patch test beforehand can help mitigate this risk.
As for what you should discuss with any artist you're considering using? Talk to them about your skin history – do you deal with any conditions like cold sores or dry skin? – so they can determine if you’re a good candidate. You'll also want to interview them a bit: ask questions like how much experience do they have, what's their approach, and how do they make their colour selections.
How much does lip blushing cost?
Lip blushing can cost anything between £200-£600 in the UK. The top up should be an additional £100-200. I visited Crisp Bristol where prices start at £250.
How long does lip blushing last?
Here's where your investment comes into play. Lip blushing typically lasts anywhere from one to three years. "Usually our clients come for a colour boost every one to two years. That's because, in most cases, lips will gradually lighten over time. Still, anyone considering lip blushing should consider that results may be permanent. If you don't like your results, there aren't many options, aside from waiting for it to fade. The majority of regular tattoo removal processes are too intense for such a sensitive area.
Can you choose your lip blushing colour?
Yes. Numbing cream was placed on my lips for 15 minutes while I decided what colour to go for. Before my appointment I had a scroll through Pinterest and screenshot a couple of images of women with rosy coloured lips and similar colouring to mine.
I also had my go-to lipstick to hand. I showed these both to the practitioner so they could get a good idea of what colour I was after. I was then taken through all the different pigment suggestions, and I selected some which were then swatched on my chin. In the end, I decided on a mix of three pigments for that perfect ‘my lips but better’ shade.
Does lip blushing hurt?
With the process using a tattoo technique, it’s no surprise that it can hurt. However, I found that it is not as nearly as painful as a normal tattoo.
You should also be aware if you aren’t happy with your results it can be very difficult to remove. It can be done through laser removal, but this can be painful and expensive.
A top-up is recommended within 12 weeks of getting the procedure. This is to go over any patches that didn’t pick up the colour so well. You can also decide if you want to change up the shade at all. After treatment, lips are to be kept clean and moisturised using a medical lip balm. Sun exposure, swimming, and strenuous activities are to be avoided for at least seven to 10 days to prevent infection and fading.
What happens during a lip blushing treatment?
A white pencil was used to carefully outline my lips and map out my desired shape. Once that was done, I prepared myself for the tattooing part. Having not had a tattoo before I didn’t really know what to expect but initially it mainly felt like a tickle, feeling slightly more sensitive in certain parts of the lip.
When the needle went over the same area again it did get sorer but nothing unbearable. Overall, I’d rate the pain level a 5.5/10. Straight afterwards, my lips were looking a lot like I had just done the viral 2015 Kylie Jenner lip challenge and if I’m honest, I enjoyed it for the short time it lasted. Combined with the rawness of my lips, the colour was super bold. However, I knew to trust the process.
Lip blushing: The Results
A couple of days after the treatment my lips started peeling. They then seemed to return to their original colour. However, from my research and from speaking to Mollie, who did my treatment, I knew this was common and I continued to religiously apply the medical lip balm I was given and followed my aftercare instructions.
After a week, the colour soon returned revealing a natural pink, rosy shade. The results are very natural looking, which I was hoping for. However, that little tweakment has increased my confidence and has cut down the amount of time I spend applying a lip liner, or lipsticks throughout the day. Now, a quick swipe of lip balm does the job perfectly.
Read next:
'Botox in a bottle' skincare is trending but do these products work?
'I've been using the Lyma Laser for a year, here's my honest review'
Bum spots: here’s 7 ways to deal with blemishes on your behind
You Might Also Like
