What is a Lip Blush?

What is a Lip Blush?

Lip blush is a form of semi-permanent makeup. It is a cosmetic tattoo of the lips that enhances the natural lip colour, It can improve the colour and also give the illusion of fuller lips.  The result is a very natural soft colour when healed.

How does it work?  It is a form of tattooing, A tiny needle deposits pigment into the lips, which builds layers of colour.  Not only can this help improve the colour of the lips but it can also help with asymmetry.

Unlike traditional permanent cosmetic tattoos, lip blush has evolved to create a more natural appearance to the llips. The older methods used synthetic pigments which were embedded deep in the dermis. For todays lip blush we use soft organic pigments and modern, digital tools. Creating a much more natural appearance

How Permanent Is Lip Blush?

Lip blush can last for up to 3 years, although your lifestyle will contribute to its longevity; smoking and sun exposure can speed up the fading process, and if you’re oil-prone, have an iron deficiency or use a lot of exfoliating products in your skin regimen, the pigment could fade more quickly.

What to Expect From Your Appointment

Firstly the area is prepped.   Then the desired shape is mapped out for us both to check.  Once we are happy with the shape, we begin the actual tattoo process.  Most of my clients feel very comfortable during the treatment and give it around a 4 out of 10 on the level of pain.

The procedure takes approximately 1 - 2 hours if not longer, depending on the look you’re going for. Once the appointment is completed, your lips may be swollen, so you can ice them if necessary. Over the next week, your lips will start to heal, meaning they may scab, so it’s important to time this carefully around your schedule.

For the first 24 hours, I advise my clients to gently blot their lips with a wet cotton pad and let them air dry. This is to keep the lips clean and remove any body fluids that have surfaced and prevent the fluids from forming scabs.

When it comes to scabs, it’s important that they fall off naturally, do not pick them as this can can result in scarring or loss of pigment in those areas. Drinking through a straw for approximately 5 days and being mindful of what you eat during the healing stage is important.  So no burgers or chicken drumsticks.  Use a fork to eat and avoid getting it on the lip area. 

Initially, the color will be super vibrant, almost like a lip stain.  It is important not to be misled by the immediate ‘after’ results. The immediate results look nothing like when the lips are healed. Once healed, the color fades approximately 30-70% percent and also blends in with the natural lip colour.

Scabbing typically lasts five to seven days, and after four weeks, the lips should be fully healed to completion, a top-up appointment around 6-12 weeks to fill in areas that may have rejected pigment or to add more colour to give them a more vibrant look.

Why Is Microblading and Semi Permanent Makeup so Expensive?

You may be wondering why Microblading and Semi Permanent Makeup is so expensive.  But there is a reason why it is and I think an extremely important question to be answered.

Let me break it down for you:

*Training costs are extremely high.  I could buy a small house with the amount I've spent on training and training never stops. I have 3 courses lined up this year already.  When choosing an artist check their training.  Most of the best artists will have trained with at least 5 different academies or master permanent makeup artists.

*Equipment is not cheap. In fact it is really expensive, good quality machines/devices cost thousands of pounds and artists will have many they use for different methods.  Good quality microblades, pigments, needles, aftercare and cleansing products are not cheap and added into the cost.  

*Insurance and licensing costs are very high and renewed yearly.  Always make sure your microbalding or semi permanent makeup artist is fully insured and this is renwed annually.  The council licence is an absolute necessity and must be available for each premises they work from.  Every council charges a different rate.  I have 5 council licences, which enables me to work from the 5 locations addressed on the certificate.

*The time booked out with you is not just 1 or 2 hours.  I book 2 appointments with you which is roughly 6 hours in total.

*Clinical Waste and Sharps collection is super pricey and must be collected regularly.  Either monthly or quarterly collections are advised.

*Your artist should be available if you are concerned or if you have any questions during the healing process.

*Consultations are free.

*Room rent is very high and there are many other costs related to this.

*Experience.  When starting out, artists may want to charge a low rate, only to find they will not be able to sustain this low cost and therefore will resort to cheaper products, less time booked out.

Hope this helps breakdown the reason costs are high in our industry 🙂

If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

I am happy to help.

Mel xx

Choosing a Microblading Artist

It is vitally important when choosing a microblading artist that you look at their work in detail and close up.  Microbladed strokes must be clear and crisp, not blurred, thick and definetly not overlapping.  Many microblading artists will have practice mat work to show.  Look at the strokes close up to make sure they are nicely executed.

It is also important to check their previous work on clients.  Make sure the pictures shown are clear and not edited.  You should be able to zoom in on the pictures to look closely at the strokes.  These must be nice and crisp as previously mentioned.  You don't want to see blood surrounding the Microbladed strokes. 

You also need to check that the Microblading artist is licenced.  All Microblading artists must have this licence, given by the council after an inspection.  This is extremely important.  The licence should be clearly displayed within the clinic at all times.

Here is a selection of my practice work on Latex practice mats.  I have also added some shading to a few of them which makes that a Combination Brow.

 

Lockdown Part 3 Sketches

Hope you are doing well.  During lockdown I have been sketching and also practicing my semipermanent makeup techniques on Latex.  Hope to see you soon.  Mel xx