Lip Blush

Would you like to know the secret to luscious, perfectly tinted lips that effortlessly enhance your natural beauty? Lip blush, the semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing trend, is taking the beauty world by storm. But what exactly is lip blush, and why is it so popular?

In this comprehensive guide, we'll discuss all the amazing benefits of lip blush, how to find the perfect color, and how to choose the right provider.

Whether you're a beauty enthusiast looking to elevate your makeup game or someone curious about the magic of lip blush, this guide has you covered. Get ready to unlock the secrets of a flawless pout that lasts.

Introduction to Lip Blush

Lip blush is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo that enhances the natural colour and shape of your lips. Your lips will have a fuller and more defined look without the constant need for makeup.

By applying pigment to the top layer of the skin, lip blush creates a natural-looking boost of colour that imitates your preferred lip tint. Unlike regular tattoos, lip blush fades over time. It typically lasts about 2-3 years before needing a colour boost or refresh, which makes it a low-maintenance beauty option.

Benefits of Lip Blush Tattoo

Lip blush does more than just add colour to your lips. It's a transformative beauty treatment that will enhance your appearance and lifestyle.

  • Low maintenance: Once healed, lip blush tattoos significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for daily lip makeup application. Your lips will maintain a fresh colour all day long without needing touch-ups.

  • Long-lasting: With proper care, lip blush tattoos can last 2-3 years, offering a permanent solution to achieving a perfectly tinted pout without frequent touch-ups.

  • Smudge-proof: The semi-permanent nature of lip blush ensures that the colour stays put, even through eating, drinking, and daily activities.

  • Natural enhancement: Lip blush provides a soft, natural-looking tint that complements your facial features.

  • Symmetry correction: Whether you desire fuller-looking lips or wish to correct asymmetry, lip blush can create the illusion of more defined and balanced lips.

  • Customized colours: The colour is fully customizable to match your desired shade and intensity, ensuring a result that complements your skin tone and personal style.

  • Revitalized appearance: For those with pale or faded lips, lip blush tattoos can add vibrancy, giving the lips a healthier, more youthful appearance.

  • Boosts confidence: A lip blush tattoo can boost self-confidence by improving the overall look of your lips, making you feel more attractive and assured in your appearance.

Choosing a Lip Blush Colour

Choosing the perfect lip blush colour is an art. Your permanent makeup artist will work with you to select the ideal lip blush colour based on your lip undertones and complexion. They have been trained in colour theory and will consider your skin tone, natural lip colour, and personal preferences to create a shade that is uniquely yours.

Here are some tips to help you and your artist work together to find the right lip blush colour:

  • Bring your favourite lipstick: We encourage you to bring your favorite lipstick or lip liner to your consultation. These beloved products give us valuable insight into your preferred tonality and help us understand the colours you feel most confident and comfortable wearing.

  • Discuss personal preferences: We also recommend discussing your preferences with your artist. Are you looking for a subtle, natural look or something more bold and impactful? Do you prefer warm or cool tones? These are all essential factors in creating the perfect lip blush colour for you.

  • Trust your artist: Remember, your permanent makeup artist is an expert with experience creating beautiful lip blush colors. Trust their recommendations and be open to trying new shades that they suggest.

Lip Blush Contraindications

While lip blush can be a game-changing beauty treatment for many, specific contraindications could prevent someone from receiving this service. Contraindications refer to specific conditions or factors that make treatments potentially unsafe or unsuitable for some individuals. Discuss your health history and any concerns with your provider to ensure lip blush is a safe option for you.

You may not be a candidate for lip blush if any of the following apply:

  • Pregnancy

  • Compromised immune system

  • Diabetes (approval required with written consent from your physician)

  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure

  • Active skin conditions near the lips, such as sunburn, acne, or eczema,

  • History of keloid scarring

  • Allergy to pigments

  • Accutane use - requires a waiting period before undergoing treatment

  • Active cold sores

It's really important to be transparent with your artist about any health issues or concerns to ensure your safety and the best possible outcome of your lip blush treatment.

Lip Blush and Cold Sores

If you're considering getting a lip blush tattoo, you should know its potential interaction with cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1.

The process of lip blush tattooing involves creating controlled injuries to the lips to deposit pigment, which can trigger an outbreak if you've had cold sores in the past. It doesn't exclude you from getting lip blush, but it does mean your risk of developing a cold sore post-procedure is higher.

It's advisable to consult with your healthcare provider about taking a prophylactic dose of antiviral medication before the treatment to reduce your risk. Keep in mind that even with this precaution, there's still a possibility of developing a cold sore due to lip blush tattooing.

Choosing a Lip Blush Provider

Choosing the right permanent makeup artist for your lip blush tattoo is essential as it can significantly affect the outcome of the procedure and your overall experience. Unlike regular makeup that can be washed off, lip blush tattooing is a semi-permanent treatment that stays on your lips for years. 

The provider you choose is very important! Take the time to research permanent tattoo artists in your area.  When looking for a lip blush provider, take into consideration the following factors:

  • Qualifications: Look for an artist with comprehensive training in lip blush tattoos and permanent makeup. They should have certifications that validate their expertise.

  • Insurance and licensing: Verify that the artist is licensed to perform permanent makeup procedures in your area and has professional liability insurance.

  • Safety and sanitation: Make sure the artist follows strict sanitation protocols and uses high-quality, sterile products. Ask about their safety measures to prevent any risk of infection.

  • Reviews and testimonials: Read reviews from past clients or ask for referrals from friends or family who have undergone similar procedures for a better idea of the artist's skills, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.

  • Portfolio of work: Ask for a portfolio of their previous lip blush work. This will give you a better idea of their style and skill level, helping you determine if they're the right fit for you.

  • Consultation process: A professional provider will offer a consultation to discuss your goals, evaluate your lip tone and skin type, and recommend the best color choices. This session is also an opportunity for you to evaluate their expertise and communication skills.

  • Aftercare: A good artist will provide detailed instructions on how to care for your new lips and answer any questions you may have.

💡Did you know? Co-owner Brittany Wallins is an award-winning permanent makeup artist with 8 years experience in the industry. She and her staff follow strict AB Health protocols, putting your safety above all else. They are constantly educating themselves on the latest techniques to ensure the best outcomes for their clients. 

How To Prepare for Your Lip Blushing Appointment

We recommend the following steps to prepare for your lip blushing appointment and ensure the best possible outcome and experience:

  • Exfoliate and hydrate: Keep your lips exfoliated and hydrated the week before your appointment to promote smoother pigment application and help achieve even color distribution.

  • Avoid blood thinners: For 24 hours before your appointment, avoid taking blood thinners such as alcohol, aspirin, and ibuprofen, which can increase bleeding during the procedure.

  • Limit certain substances: To minimize sensitivity, avoid consuming caffeine and pre-workout supplements on the day of your appointment.

  • Eat before: Eating at least a couple of hours before your appointment is best to maintain your blood sugar levels during the procedure.

  • Wear comfortable clothing: The appointment is about two hours long, so choose comfortable clothing.

  • Consider headphones: To help you relax during the procedure, you may bring headphones to listen to music or podcasts.

  • Take an antihistamine: Some clients find taking an antihistamine before their appointment helps reduce potential swelling.

If you have a history of cold sores, you must consult your doctor before your appointment to discuss taking antiviral medication such as Valtrex or Acyclovir. This is recommended to reduce the risk of developing cold sores after the procedure, which could affect the healing process.

Remember, even if you take preventive measures, there's still a chance that you may experience cold sores if you're prone to them.

The Lip Blush Procedure

Here, we'll walk you through the process and show you how to care for your lips post-tattoo.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the procedure so you‘ll know exactly what to expect:

  1. Consultation: Your lip blush journey begins with a thorough consultation with your semi-permanent makeup artist. You will discuss your goals, preferences, and any questions or concerns about the procedure. Your artist will assess your lip shape, skin tone, and facial features to determine the most flattering lip blush colour and technique for you.

  2. Preparation: Before the procedure begins, your artist will apply a topical numbing cream to your lips to minimize discomfort during the procedure. After the cream is applied, they will outline the shape of your lips.    

  3. Procedure: Once you're happy with the shape and colour, the lip blush procedure begins. Using a specialized tattooing device, they will deposit colour in the top layer of the lips. Some patients feel nothing at all while others find it mildly painful. More numbing cream will be applied throughout the procedure to ensure your comfort. Keep in mind that the color will be bold and your lips may swell immediately after the procedure. As explained in the aftercare instructions below, the colour will change throughout the healing process. So don’t panic if the initial colour seems very bright or too bold. 

  4. Aftercare instructions: After the lip blush procedure is complete, your artist will provide detailed aftercare instructions to promote proper healing and longevity of your results. Following these instructions diligently is essential for optimal results.

  5. Follow-up appointment: Your artist will schedule a touch-up 6-8 weeks following the initial appointment. This appointment is to do minor touch-ups, tweak the colour if needed, and increase longevity.

Lip Blush Aftercare

Proper aftercare following your lip blush procedure is critical to ensure optimal healing and pigment retention. Here are the steps you should follow:

  • Remember, healing takes time. Avoid contacting your technician with concerns regarding the colour, shape, or symmetry until at least two weeks post-procedure. The treated area cannot be touched for a minimum of 4 weeks to prevent scarring. Any concerns you have will be addressed at your follow-up visit.

  • The colour will change several times throughout the healing process. Initially it will be very bright. After a day or two, the colour will appear to fade - don’t panic! This is totally normal. By day 7 you should see the final result. *Remember, “Too bright, too light, just right”.

  • For the initial 4 hours post-procedure, blot the treated area with a moistened cotton pad every 20-30 minutes and reapply the provided aftercare ointment. Apply the provided aftercare ointment to your lips 3-4 times a day using a Q-tip. Don’t overuse the ointment. Your lips will feel very dry, this is part of the healing process. 

  • Use a moistened cotton pad to clean the lips after eating. When you do this, the skin that is shedding will naturally come off. 

  • Do not pick at or peel off any scabs that form, as this may remove the pigment and could lead to scarring.  

  • Avoid hot baths, saunas, steam showers, hot yoga, and Jacuzzis for the first week. Lukewarm water is acceptable.

  • Avoid saturating the treated area with water for at least seven days following your treatment. While gentle cleansing is allowed, do not submerge your lips in water.

  • Stay out of the sun and refrain from using tanning beds until your lips have fully healed. Once healed, apply a sun protection factor (SPF) to maintain the pigment.

  • For the next seven days, use a straw to drink all liquids and utensils to eat all foods to avoid direct contact with your lips. Avoid spicy foods as they may irritate the healing tissue.

  • Exercise caution when brushing your teeth, and avoid whitening toothpaste during the healing period.

  • Avoid strenuous exercise for one week after treatment. If you do exercise, take steps to prevent sweat from coming into contact with the treated area. Keep in mind that gyms can harbor bacteria that increase the risk of infection.

  • Refrain from kissing or any activities that exert pressure on your lips until fully healed.

If you want beautiful, long-lasting results, it's important to be patient and consistent with your aftercare. Avoid looking for aftercare tips on Google. Trust the instructions provided to you by your technician! 

If you notice signs of an infection, such as unusual redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or severe pain in the treated area, seek immediate medical attention. Infections are extremely rare, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Contact your artist, they are there to support you and help you achieve the best outcome possible.

Lip blush healing stages, day one to seven

Lip blush healing stages day 1 - 7

Is Lip Blush Compatible With Lip Fillers?

Yes! Lip blush tattoos and lip fillers complement each other beautifully. While lip fillers adjust volume and shape, a lip blush tattoo enhances the color and outline of the lips.

However, it's important to schedule these treatments appropriately. They must be performed at least four weeks apart to ensure the best results and avoid side effects. This spacing is crucial because having lip fillers too close to a lip blush tattoo can increase the risk of swelling and bruising.

By planning accordingly, you can achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing outcome that combines the benefits of both treatments.

The Beauty Block: Your One-Stop Beauty Shop

Our team at The Beauty Block is committed to providing exceptional service and personalized care. 

You are our priority! 

We want you to feel at ease and confident when you come to our studio. Our goal is simple: Create beautiful, coloured lips that will knock your socks off 😉. 

So what are you waiting for? Book you appointment today! If you are looking for lip blush in Calgary or lip blush near me, trust the experts at The Beauty Block.  

Lip Blush Tattoo FAQ

Is lip blush safe?

Lip blush is safe when performed by a skilled and reputable technician. However, there are risks associated with any cosmetic procedure, so be sure to choose your provider wisely and follow all aftercare instructions.

How long does lip blush last?

The effects of lip blush can vary from person to person, but typically it lasts 2-3 years before you need a colour refresh.

How much does a lip blush cost?

A lip blush tattoo can cost between $500 and $1000. Various factors can affect this, such as location, the expertise of the technician, and any additional services.

Does it hurt to get a lip blush?

Everyone feels pain differently, so we cannot guarantee that you won't feel anything. Some may feel minimal discomfort, while others may experience more intense sensations. The use of numbing cream can help minimize any pain or discomfort. Talk to your technician about the pain management options before the procedure begins.