Makeup lip blushing is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo process that can intensify the color and shape of the lips using natural pigments. The technique creates the illusion of a symmetrical, full lip without actually increasing its size.
Before the process, the aesthetician will first create the line of the desired shape using a lip liner. The outline of the lip can be slightly overlined to make the lip look fuller, and the Cupid’s bow can be reshaped to look pouty. Once the shape is chosen, the client can pick the color they wish to add to the lip. This color is usually a similar nude shade to the lips' natural tone, only a few hues deeper. The color will usually fade and lighten after a few years.
A session can take anywhere from 1-3 hours.
Practitioners first apply a topical numbing cream 20 minutes before the process. Like getting a tattoo, an electronic handheld needling device will be used on the lips to diffuse the pigment evenly. The aesthetician will first outline he border of the lips before filling in the surface. Clients may feel slight pressure or pinching, but it should not cause too much discomfort.
The lips may look very vibrant right after the process, but this usually tones down a bit after the first week of recovery. To combat any swelling or bruising, clients can hold an ice pack to the area for a couple of minutes every day. The lips will scab and flake and may take up to 10 days to fully heal. Patients must avoid getting the area in contact with sweat and only use water to clean the lips.
In some cases, aestheticians may recommend their clients to get a slight touch-up 6-12 weeks later, but the final results usually last 2-3 years. Like most needling procedures, makeup lip blushing comes with some risks. These can include allergic reactions to the pigment, infections, reactivation of herpes, bleeding, keloids, or scarring. For patients prone to getting cold sores, their doctor should prescribe them antiviral medication before the procedure.
