Lip Blushing: Everything You Need to Know About This Semi-Permanent Makeup Trend

Aren’t you tired of your favorite red lipstick smearing every time you go sip your morning coffee? Well, no need to fear—lip blushing has got you covered. This semi-permanent makeup trend has been taking 2022 by storm, and we’re here to give you the inside scoop on everything you need to know about it.

Lip blushing is “a semi-permanent makeup tattoo that implants pigment into the uppermost lip tissue,” Isabella Fortunato, a certified esthetician, reveals, “This procedure gives the lips a natural tint, almost like a water-color effect.”

Since this is a cosmetic procedure, lip blushing and other permanent makeup usually costs “a minimum of $400 to $800 per session,” says Healthline.

An article by Stylecaster informs that “According to Yelp’s 2022 Beauty Trend Forecast Report, lip blushing services are predicted to increase a whopping 130 percent next year.”

Since then, lip blushing has been seen everywhere—even on the runway. English supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has been a fan of the semi-permanent makeup trend for years. The Victoria's Secret bombshell has been displaying her tattooed tinted lips on and off the runway—and we’re sure she’s happy it’s trending.

Fortunato feels that lip blushing is taking over the modeling industry as the procedure has become more inclusive in terms of gender and race. “There are now new options like lip neutralization for our melanin queens. It is a process that neutralizes more melanin-rich lips to create a beautiful natural color,” she says.

“If you’re looking for a more bold lip or just a pretty pink pout, lip blushing is the answer,” says Fortunato. But, she urges that there are a few things you should know before deciding to get the procedure:

You cannot drink alcohol or coffee for 48 hours prior to the lip blushing. This will increase the blood flow, therefore there will be more swelling and bleeding during the procedure.
If you have lip filler, you must wait 6 months for the filler to settle in before lip blushing.
After the procedure, your lips will be swollen and the pigment will be dark. You must wait about 6 weeks to see the fully healed results.
Lip blushing is smudge-proof, kiss-proof, and mask-proof for about 3-5 years.
It is not opaque like a regular lipstick shade.

In terms of trending shades, Fortunato says that they vary. “A color I see everywhere is a pinky nude. It’s natural and goes with everything,” she says, “but in terms of bolder pigment trends, I see more orangey-pink colors.”

It is important to note that lip-blushing is a cosmetic procedure, so it will not be painless. A tattoo gun is used to create the semi-permanent makeup look. So, if needles are not for you, we suggest you opt for a lip-blushed look without the procedure by keeping up with the trending shades, of course.

If you do decide to get the procedure done but none of the trending colors strike your fancy, you can read about which lip blush colors suit your skin tone the best here.

This semi-permanent makeup trend is being seen everywhere—and we are a bit obsessed. Who wouldn't want to have bold, pigmented lips without having to apply lipstick every day? The answer is us. We cannot wait to see more of this trend all of 2022 and encourage you to support your local estheticians.

What are your thoughts on lip blushing? Leave a comment below.