Pucker Up, Buttercup: My Experience with Lip Blushing (and Why I Did It Again)
- tltimpeauthor
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
💋 What Is Lip Blushing?
If you’ve ever wished you could wake up with perfect lips—rosy, defined, and symmetrical—without reaching for a lip liner or gloss, lip blushing might just be your new obsession.
Lip blushing is a form of cosmetic tattooing that enhances the natural color and shape of your lips. Using a fine needle and pigment, the artist deposits color into the lips to give a fuller, more youthful appearance. Think of it as the soft-focus filter your lips didn’t know they needed.
🧪 Why I Did It
I’m no stranger to taking beauty into my own hands (or my injector’s), but this one had me curious for a while. I wanted:
Natural color that stayed put (yes, even after coffee)
A more symmetrical lip shape
Definition without overlining
A subtle tint that made me look more "alive", even makeup-free
Also, I was just plain tired of reapplying lipstick that smears by that first sip out of your coffee cup. So I took the dive several months ago, and just recently went back in for a touch-up.
📆 The Procedure: What to Expect
Let me walk you through it—no gatekeeping here:
Before the Appointment:
No alcohol, aspirin, or caffeine 24 hours before
No lip fillers within 4 weeks (either direction)
I prepped with lots of water and a good lip scrub, plus upped those peptides (IYKYK)
Day of:
The artist (Jasmine Rose Beauty) applied a topical numbing cream (bless her)
I chose a custom shade that matched my natural flush—something “my lips but better”
The process took around 2 hours
Pain? Honestly, less than I expected. Annoying more than painful. I’ve had papercuts that hurt worse. (Caveat: This last time I chose a numbing cream that promotes faster healing with less swelling, but does not numb as effectively as those with epinephrine, so my procedure was a bit spicy. Watch the video here.)
Immediately After:
Lips looked BOLD. Like “did I fall into a berry smoothie?” bold. But don’t panic—that’s normal.
Slight swelling and tightness for several days to begin with using the normal numbing agent. With the new cream, after a few hours hardly any swelling (because of the numbing cream I chose plus a smaller needle). I kept them moisturized with the artist-recommended ointment, Aquaphor.
📅 Healing Timeline: Real Talk
The rule for your healing is: Too Dark, Too Light, Then Just Right! Here’s what happened post-procedure on my initial tattooing/blushing visit several months ago:
Day 1: Bright and swollen. I looked like I’d kissed a beet. But I was warned!
Day 2-3: The color started to settle. Still vibrant but less neon. Peeling began at day three.
Day 4-7: Still peeling. Dry, flakey lips if you don’t keep them moist with the Aquaphor. No picking – if you pick off the skin before it is ready, those wonderful color plugs will come out of your lips with the skin and you will have uneven coloring in the long run! Let that skin slough off naturally (I know, I know, it is hard, but DO IT). Hydration at this point is key, so keep your water intake up so you can heal from the inside out as well.
Week 2: The color faded dramatically, almost like it disappeared. This is normal—it’s part of the skin’s healing cycle.
Week 3-4: Color reappeared softer and more natural. Like magic. By day 21, I was in love.
🛑 Important: Full healing takes about 6 weeks. A touch-up or two is usually required to perfect the shade and fill.
💡 Tips for a Smooth Recovery
Stick to the aftercare! No spicy food (you will know it if you break this rule because it burns, baby), no smooching, no exfoliating, and no plumping lipsticks or glosses.
Keep them moisturized (Aquaphor was my BFF).
Use a straw for everything (good luck with soup).
🎨 The Final Look (and My Honest Thoughts)
Three days out on this touchup visit, and my lips already look phenomenal. Defined, fuller, and no smearing. I honestly wish I’d done this whole process sooner. And when the color fully settles in? I might just retire my lipstick drawer.
Would I recommend it? 100%. But do your research, find a reputable artist, and manage expectations—it’s enhancement, not a magic spell (although, look at the pics below - it is kinda magical). Some operators offer one price that includes the initial tattooing and several touch-up appointments, so be sure to ask what their named price includes.
BEFORE ANY LIP BLUSHING
AFTER THIS VISIT!
PLUMP, COLORFUL,
WELL DEFINED!
📹 Watch the Procedure
Curious what it actually looks like to get lip blushing done? I filmed my appointment so you don’t have to wonder (or Google cringe videos at midnight).
👉 Watch my post-procedure Day Four on TikTok (day of this writing)
These show the process and the gorgeous results just a few days later—no filters, no fluff. There will be more videos as time progresses and you will be able to see the final results, just follow me on TikTok or look at my profile to find those videos.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat 💓. Lip blushing has earned a permanent spot in my beauty hall of fame right next to peptides, tinted sunscreen, and knowing when to ghost a toxic exe. Lip blushing gave me the kind of effortless polish I used to fake with three products and a prayer, and I refuse to be out there reapplying lipstick like its 2004. Now? I wake up looking like I actually slept eight hours and drank my greens 🥬 —whether I did or not is beside the point (you KNOW I didn't, ewwwwww).
If you're craving that “put together without trying” kind of beauty, this might just be your next best-kept secret. Just remember: it’s not about perfection—it’s about enhancement with a hint of fabulous. If you’re still on the fence, go ahead and sit there—but know the rest of us are over here looking like freshly kissed goddesses with zero effort. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Because waking up with flushed, full, fabulous lips 💋? That’s not vanity—it’s efficiency, baby!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting this blog and my quest to bring you some much earned beauty!
Comments