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Jul 10, 2023

Lip Blushing Review: Pros, Cons, with Before and After Photos

Is the viral beauty service is as amazing as it sounds? A tattoo person, I am

Is the viral beauty service is as amazing as it sounds?

A tattoo person, I am not. But when a friend let me in on her little secret—her eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips are all enhanced with permanent makeup—I couldn't help but start to daydream about following in her footsteps. As a busy professional and mom to four young kids, how amazing would it to say "I woke up like this" and actually feel good about it.

So when I had the chance to experience one of TikTok's latest obsessions—lip blushing—you better believe I jumped at the opportunity. But before we get into the good stuff—my before and after, of course—let's back things up a little and talk about the nitty-gritty details of lip blushing in general.

Lip blushing is a form of semi-permanent makeup. It's a form of tattooing in which a semi-permanent makeup artist tints your lips using a cosmetic tattoo gun on a low setting. The goal is to enhance your lips by defining their natural shape for better symmetry and bringing out the natural color for a "bitten lip" effect. When lip blushing is done right, you'll walk away with a soft, shaded-in color that may give the illusion of bigger, fuller lips.

Lip blushing and filler are two entirely separate things, so you can't exactly compare them apple to apples. While lip blushing may enhance the natural shape of your lips by adding pigment to areas of low pigment, it does not actually alter the size and shape of your lips. Lip fillers like Juvaderm, on the other hand, are injections that add volume to your lips.

If you're deciding between the two, think about the results you want. If you truly want bigger lips, opt for filler. If you want natural lips with a kiss of color, choose lip blushing. And good news for those who covet both: You can have your cake and eat it, too—you just have to space the services out by about six weeks on either side.

When performed by an experienced permanent makeup artist, lip blushing is just as safe as getting any other tattoo. Of course, this means it's vital to approach with some element of caution. "When choosing an artist, do your research," says Cori Ryan, an artist and NYC studio manager for Sculpted Studios. "[The artist you choose] not only affects the immediate result, but also the long term result as well," she explains. "[Lip blushing] is a tattoo, so there is a chance that there will be a trace of it in your lips forever. Ask the important questions."

What exactly should you 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 color selections.

The cost of lip blushing ranges from about $500 to $1,500 or more. Price varies based on factors like geographical location and artist skill level. But a word to the wise: Don't shop based on price. Lip blushing is not a cheap service, but you wouldn't want it to be. As noted, it's a form of lip tattoo—something that will live front and center on your face for at least a few years, maybe even forever.

Here's where your investment comes into play. Lip blushing typically lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 years. "Usually our clients come for a color boost every 1 to 2 years," says Ryan. 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, says Ryan. The majority of regular tattoo removal processes are too intense for such a sensitive area.

Let's get to the exciting part: my experience with lip blushing. I was lucky enough to work with Ryan—an extremely kind, passionate artist who was committed to the process from start to finish. After I filled out a medical history form and signed a waiver, our appointment started with a consultation to ensure we were a good fit for one another. We talked about why I wanted lip blushing, what sort of results I expected, and reviewed specifics about my skin type and whether or not I had an underlying conditions, like a predisposition to cold sores (thankfully not!), or was pregnant or breastfeeding (also not!).

After determining we were both on the same page—sights set on a soft, natural look to simply enhance the color and shape of my lips—Ryan took pictures of my lips from all different angles under both a ring light and natural light. The goal: to identify the natural tones already present in my lips.

Some artists may color match favorite lip colors, but Ryan discourages it. That's because during lip blushing, pigment is deposited directly into your lips. When you do this, the color will present differently based on your unique existing tones. If you give an experienced artist the opportunity to choose a shade using color theory—essentially the science and art of using color—there's a better chance you'll get a positive, natural-looking result.

Because my skin's undertones are relatively neutral—my skin toes the line between warm and cool—I had some say in my lip blushing color and opted to go more towards the cool side with a dusty rose. Ryan got to work mixing two shades in her toolkit—one a more vibrant watermelon-ish; the other a softer, deeper pale pink.

Once we settled on a shade we were both comfortable with, Ryan got started on my lips. First, she used a white makeup pen to draw an outline of my lips. For me, this outline extended a little bit below the pigment in my bottom lips, because my natural lip line is actually ever-so-slightly below where the last drop of natural color is—something that's quite common and can make your lips look smaller than they actually are (who knew!).

When she was done, Ryan let me take a look in the mirror. I agreed that it looked great, so she proceeded to "set" the makeup with a powder. Then, she took out the tattoo pen and got to work depositing the color.

As someone without any tattoos, I was anxious about whether the process would hurt. But Ryan assured me that most of her clients don't complain about the pain—and that she's never had anyone discontinue the service because of it. In fact, Ryan says true pain—or any blood—is a red flag that your artist is doing something wrong.

I have to say: I'd describe my pain tolerance as moderate, but it really didn't hurt. The Morpheus8 treatment was definitely worse. Lip blushing felt more annoying than painful—like scratching a sunburned lip or over-exfoliating.

The whole process takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours—mine netted out around 3 hours with the consultation, photos, and tattooing all considered. It's a long time to sit quietly in a chair with someone prodding at your lips, but it's not a process meant to be rushed. So I just tried to enjoy the quiet time, and relished in the occasional sneak peaks I got to take in the mirror.

When the process was complete, Ryan asked me what I thought of the end result. And while I did like it, I think it's important to note that the immediate result is a little jarring because lip blushing appears initially more vibrant than it will be once healed. Plus, since they tell you not to wear makeup to the appointment, your lips really stand out. I felt a little like I'd gone ham on the lipstick and neglected the rest of my face.

But Ryan had made me feel so comfortable and at ease the whole time, so I leaned into the comfort of her expertise and trusted that my lips would, indeed, fade to the perfect dusty rose shade we had talked about.

To me, the healing process is one of the most important things to talk about when it comes to lip blushing. Because of the trauma to your lips, they'll look swollen and more vibrant at first. As mentioned, this can be unsettling. Sort of like when you feel sick and wonder if you'll ever feel better—no matter how many times you're reassured that your lips will fade to the right color, you might doubt it a little deep down. (Or maybe that's just my anxiety talking!)

But you do have some part in ensuring the healing process goes smoothly. Ryan sent me home with a "goodie bag" filled with things I'd need by my side over the course of the subsequent five days or so: A&D ointment, alcohol wipes, clean masks, a few straws, and a copy of aftercare instructions.

Essentially, you have to keep your lips incredibly hydrated with A&D ointment, wipe lips clean with an alcohol twice per day (or as needed, based on any oozing—I didn't experience any), and drink cold, hot, and colored beverages out of a straw. It's not a complex process, but it is—overall—one you have to be very mindful of.

I found myself applying the A&D very frequently, as my lips felt incredibly dry. And it was hard not to pick at the flaking skin once that process began on day three or four. But the effort paid off, because sure enough, by day 5, I had almost completely healed. And I was stunned by how much I loved it.

The vibrant watermelon-like shade that had, admittedly, intimidated me a little at first, had faded into a really beautiful and just-subtle-enough dusty rose. Now, a week later, my lips are still a little on the dry side (they're still in the process of healing completely!), but I feel confident both with—and without—additional makeup on.

And, as Ryan assured me, I don't think I could live without my lip blushing. In fact, I've already booked my first touchup for the recommended 3 to 6 months from now.

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

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