If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission.
There are so many beauty trends and cosmetic procedures out there, that sometimes it can be hard to choose which one is right for you. If you’ve ever been interested in lip blushing but don’t really know what it is, look no further, because we have everything you need to know about the technique from the benefits to drawbacks, and the recovery.
What is Lip Blushing?
Lip blushing is a cosmetic procedure where you get a permanent shade “tattooed” to your lips to give them color, while also plumping them. The procedure is meant to enhance your natural lip color and all it takes is one treatment. For the procedure, you are given topical anesthesia and it lasts 1-2 years. Anyone can receive the procedure and you can even customize the shades to match your natural lip color. Unlike lip tattooing which involves a line drawn on your lips, lip blushing uses one needle to poke tiny dots into your lips, penetrating the skin, and allowing the color to soak through skin.
Benefits of Lip Blushing
There are many benefits to lip blushing and the main benefit is that it lasts about two years. It saves you money and gives you a beautifully natural look without having to reapply lipstick all day long. Even better, there is no downtime after the procedure and you don’t have to go back for touch-ups.
Drawbacks of Lip Blushing
As with any procedure, there are some drawbacks and things you should not do. Christopher Drummond, Licensed Aesthetician, and Microblading and Cosmetic Tattoo Master at PFRANKMD Skin Salon, shared that you should avoid aspirin, fish oil, vitamin E, Advil, and ibuprofen a day before because it can increase your chances of bruising and bleeding. Another drawback is that it can cost around $1,500-$2,000.
While lip blushing isn’t super painful, it is definitely uncomfortable and in some cases, you may experience swelling and bruising. If your swelling does not go down, consult your doctor.
How is it done?
To prepare for the procedure, it’s important that your lips are soft and fresh, so it is recommended to scrub and exfoliate your lips on the days leading up to your appointment. It is also important to not consume alcohol 24 hours before the procedure. Below, we rounded up the steps taken during the procedure.
Step 1: A topical anesthetic is applied to the lips and left on for 20 minutes.
Step 2: While waiting for the anesthesia to work, your aesthetician will go over different color options with you.
Step 3: The pigment is deposited onto your lips using a tiny needle and goes through different layers of your skin over and over till the procedure is done, one to two hours later.
Recovery
While there is no downtime after the procedure, the treatment takes 4-5 days to fully heal and it’s important to apply an ointment such as Aquaphor to your lips, to ensure they stay hydrated while preventing them from getting dry and cracked. Stay on top of applying lip balm throughout your entire time with the lip blushing, as it can make your lips look fresher and last longer.
If you’re still not sure you want to try lip blushing, have no fear. In the meantime, while you think it over, you may want to try a non-permanent lip stain that lasts all day but eventually comes off. Below, we rounded up some of our favorite products.
The Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint is a great option as it’s highly pigmented, long-lasting, and weightless. Even better, it’s gluten-free, paraben-free, and never tested on animals. There’s a reason why almost 5,000 people gave this tint positive reviews and one customer gushed, “I really do love this product. I was looking for a bright red since I figured my skin would mute the color but it actually stands out really well. Only downfall is that my lips get dry from it which I’m used to with lipsticks and lip gloss so I used a lip mask on top to hydrate my lips again. Less is definitely better with this product, it may be small but I only need two or three dabs on my lips to give it a nice cover.”
Another great option is the Rimmel Provocalips Lip Stain. It’s a two-step process that includes a pigment and a glossy finish. Over 5,000 people swear by it and one person raved, “I applied this at 12:00pm and as of 12:38am (as I write this review) the color is still solid with no fading and I didn’t have to reapply at all during these 12 hours (eating, drinking, lip biting and the like). It didn’t even fade!! I applied desired coverage then waited about 2 minutes before applying step 2 (shine & set) It definitely does as advertised and I am very pleased. BUY IT!!”
Loved by over 15,000 people, the Maybelline New York SuperStay Ink Crayon is a must. It’s available in a whopping 31 different shades and has a precision tip so you can perfectly apply the color to your lips. It lasts up to eight hours and gives you a gorgeous matte finish. A very satisfied customer gushed about the crayon, “It’s moisturizing, and it stays on for my entire 12 hour shift at work even through eating. The colors are gorgeous, and I would definitely recommend buying any color that might appeal to you. I hope they come out with more colors soon!”
One of our all-time favorites is the stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, which comes in 18 stunning shades. It’s a full coverage creamy-matte lipstick formulated with vitamin E and avocado oil to hydrate lips. Over 4,000 people gave this product positive reviews and one happy shopper wrote, “I have searched forever for a nude lipstick that will look good with my extremely pale & yellow/pink skintone. Most colors are too dark, or when applied they turn too red or too purple. I ordered this lipstick in Caramello. It’s perfect! The formula is very nice & creamy. It goes on lighter & then dries darker. It stays on all day with no need for reapplication unless you have been eating. It stays on longer than any of my Jeffree Star liquid lipsticks. I have spent $5 at a time for crappy lipsticks & own so many I can’t even wear, so after spending that much money, $22 is doable for a lipstick I can actually use. Also it smells like cupcakes.”