Cosmetic lip tattoo is a semi-permanent treatment that defines your lips, boosts their colour, and creates a balanced, symmetrical look. In our studio in Brisbane, we tailor pigment shades and application techniques to suit your unique features, ensuring results that look natural and last for years.Perfect for anyone wanting a smudge-proof, low-maintenance solution, this treatment lets you wake up with beautifully enhanced lips every day.
Cosmetic lip tattooing is a procedure that involves injecting pigments under the surface layer of the skin of the lips. This can be done in several styles, from opaque, permanent lipstick and corrective permanent lip pencil to bright shades using blush or watercolour lips.
It can also lighten dark lips, give them a warmer colour and even camouflage scars.
Because permanent makeup is no longer done with tattoo ink but with PMU pigments, lip tattooing does not last forever. Permanent lip colour gradually fades and needs to be tinted from time to time to keep it fresh.
Every lip blush tattoo begins with a consultation. Your artist will assess your natural lip colour, undertones, and shape while also reviewing your medical history. This ensures the treatment is safe, suitable, and customised to you. People with a history of cold sores are often advised to take preventative medication before the procedure.
For best results, clients are encouraged to keep their lips hydrated and gently exfoliated in the days before the appointment. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, blood-thinning medication, and direct sun exposure will help minimise swelling and sensitivity during your lip tattoo session.
Your cosmetic tattoo artist will guide you in choosing a pigment that complements your natural tone and desired outcome. Whether you want a soft blush effect or more defined contour, the shade is carefully customised to enhance your natural beauty without looking harsh.
A topical anaesthetic cream is applied to reduce discomfort. Throughout the treatment, secondary numbing agents may be used to keep you as comfortable as possible. Most clients describe the sensation as mild scratching or tingling rather than painful.
The process starts with a delicate outline to create symmetry and define the natural vermilion border of your lips. This ensures the pigment stays within your natural shape for a seamless and flattering result.
Using a tattoo machine designed for permanent makeup, the artist applies colour in light layers. This pixel-shading technique deposits pigment evenly while avoiding trauma to the skin. The lips gradually take on a soft tint rather than a solid block of colour.
The colour is built up slowly, blending from the edges inward for a smooth gradient. Artists also check balance, symmetry, and tone, making small adjustments to ensure an even finish. For clients with darker lips or cool undertones, a lip neutralisation tattoo may be performed first before layering the target colour.
The lip tattoo healing process usually takes about 4–6 weeks in total. During the first few days, your lips may look darker, swollen, and slightly tight — this is completely normal. As the skin begins to heal, it will flake and peel, revealing a much lighter shade underneath. Around week two, your lips might appear patchy or faded, but the true colour gradually resurfaces as the skin regenerates. By week six, your lips will have settled into their final healed tone, soft and natural, ready for a touch-up if needed. Read more in our blog about lip tattoo healing process
When the session ends, a thin layer of healing balm is applied, and your artist will provide detailed aftercare instructions. You’ll be advised to avoid touching, picking, or applying makeup to the lips while they heal. Common tips include:
Healing typically follows this pattern:
Lip blush endows your lips with a beautiful, understated flush without requiring a permanent traditional tattoo. The advantages of lip blush encompass the following:
Owing to these immediate perks and the rising popularity of other semipermanent cosmetic treatments like eyebrow microblading and microshading, the demand for lip blush tattooing is higher than ever.
Cosmetic lip tattoo is also effective for varying skin tones. Lip tattooing can be successfully executed on any skin by a Permanent makeup artist. Caution should be exercised when treating lips rich in melanin, as excessive manipulation of this area can heighten the likelihood of hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin).
Preparation for a cosmetic lip tattoo procedure requires actions taken several weeks ahead, and it could be wise to seek advice from your healthcare provider before submitting to the needle.
It’s advised not to undergo lip blushing if you:
If you don’t fall under any of these categories, ensure your lips are generally in good condition and adequately hydrated before the treatment, especially if you are prone to seasonal dryness or chapping.
Prepare your lips using a daily lip exfoliating scrub and nourishing lip balm in the days leading up to the permanent makeup treatment. To ensure consistent pigment absorption and optimal healing, your skin should be supple, soft, and well-hydrated before the cosmetic procedure. Abstain from consuming alcoholic drinks the day before your lip blush tattoo appointment. Experts recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to the treatment.
If you’re unsure whether you’re an ideal candidate for a semi-permanent lip tattoo, schedule a consultation with your chosen lip tattoo artist before booking. Many cosmetic tattoo professionals offer complimentary consultations. A thorough discussion and a patch test are always recommended if you have any concerns or specific medical conditions.
While the initial price of the blush lip tattoo is uniform for all clients, particular traits of your skin can dictate the frequency of required touch-ups, which come at an additional charge.
The lip outline tends to diminish more quickly for individuals with oily complexions. Likewise, those with an iron deficiency usually experience faster colour loss.
If you don’t belong to either of these categories, yearly retouching should suffice to maintain the vibrancy of your permanent lip colour. However, if you fall into these groups, you’ll require more frequent colour refreshments, elevating the total expenditure for permanent lip shading.
Lip tattoo colours can be as subtle or as bold as you want, but they always heal softer than what you see right after the procedure. Fresh pigment looks bright and intense at first, then fades by about 30–50% during healing. Popular shades include nude pinks, soft corals, dusty rose, and warm mauves — all designed to enhance your natural lip tone rather than mask it. Cool or dark lip tones often benefit from colour correction or neutralisation before adding a final tint. Over time, the pigment settles into a natural blush effect, giving your lips healthy colour and definition without daily makeup. Read more information in our blog about lip tattoo colorus
If the results of your lipstick tattoo are not to your liking, or after maintaining it for several years you wish to remove it, it’s indeed possible.
You can choose among methods like laser tattoo removal, glycolic acid procedures, or saline solution tattoo removal for lips. However, remember that not all removal specialists are proficient with lip tattoo removal. Specialised techniques are essential to protect the delicate lip area. Furthermore, it’s often necessary to undergo multiple removal sessions, and the costs can be significant, starting at around $150 and potentially more. Laser removal in particular may not be the most suitable choice for lip pigments due to the reddish tones, which can darken into an undesired hue.
Considering these factors, it’s often best to allow the cosmetic lip tattoo to fade naturally. If you’re genuinely dissatisfied with its appearance, traditional lip makeup products such as lipsticks or liners can be used as a cover-up until the pigment naturally lightens.
With expertise in the professional tattooing industry since 2016, Anastasia is a certified and licensed cosmetic lip tattoo specialist. Holding all required licenses and qualifications for permanent makeup in both Europe and Australia, she combines technical skill with an artistic eye to deliver results that are precise, safe, and tailored to each client.
The lip area is susceptible, and repeatedly piercing your lips with a needle can seem scary. However, an anaesthetic cream is applied before the injection to eliminate the pain. Most clients report that it is uncomfortable but not painful.
Choosing the right PMU artist is crucial to getting satisfactory results and staying safe and healthy. Never go to an uncertified artist who has not been adequately trained – they can seriously damage your lips.
Look for an artist whose portfolio looks good, who has been trained at a reputable academy, works in a sterile environment, and uses high-quality products. Of course, it’s best to get a recommendation from someone who has had the treatment before, but online reviews should also help.
Permanent lip colour can be done in any shade of red, pink or orange, but as a result, it lasts up to 5 years; you need to be sure that you will enjoy wearing the colour all the time. That’s why most clients choose subtle flesh tones suitable for any occasion and with any makeup.
With any form of permanent or semi-permanent cosmetics, there exists a possibility of infection, allergic reactions, and flawed execution, leading to uneven results. Opting for a certified expert who employs sterile practices and possesses substantial experience is crucial.
There’s a degree of puffiness that occurs right after the treatment. Some individuals experience more swelling than others. The majority will appear as if they’ve recently received lip filler injections. Redness is also anticipated, and bruising may arise while it’s less frequent.
Much like a conventional tattoo, you can expect some skin flaking and the discharge of lymphatic fluid during the healing phase. This is entirely standard and serves as a part of the skin’s natural renewal process.
Generally, lip blush endures for two to three years, progressively diminishing in intensity until your lips revert to their original hue. Consequently, your lips are likely to appear considerably less vibrant in two years compared to how they’ll look in six months, which is the reason numerous tattoo professionals suggest yearly maintenance sessions to extend the longevity of your preferred lip shade.
A touch-up appointment is usually scheduled 4–6 weeks after the initial procedure. During the touch-up, your artist can assess your lips’ healing and adjust the pigment or shape if necessary. The touch-up session is vital for the perfect finishing your lip blush tattoo.
The cost of a cosmetic lip tattoo in Brisbane typically ranges from $400 to $900, depending on the artist’s experience, the technique used, and whether you need a full lip treatment or a touch-up. Prices often include your initial consultation, the first session, and a follow-up appointment to perfect the lip colour and shape.
Your skin type can influence both the process and the overall cost of a cosmetic lip tattoo. For example, oily skin or lips with uneven tone may require additional sessions for the pigment to hold evenly, which can increase the total price. Similarly, mature or sensitive skin may need more delicate work and longer appointments. While the base price is fixed, extra time, pigment adjustments, or follow-up visits can affect the final cost.
