Lip Blush Is TikTok’s Latest Beauty Trend – Here’s Our Honest Review

If you’ve been on TikTok lately, chances are you’ve heard of lip blush. With over 113 million posts, it’s certainly one of the buzziest trends to know. But what exactly is it, and what do you need to know if you’re considering trying it? We chat through the procedure with Permanent Cosmetics & Aesthetics Practitioner, Tracie Giles, who also has her own London-based clinic and training academy, where she notes the treatment is on the rise. Plus, two women review the process for themselves – scroll down to see their before and afters.

What is lip blushing?

“Lip blushing creates a full blush of colour across the lips – essentially a permanent lipstick in the perfect shade designed just for you” explains Giles. “Perfect lipstick all day every day, without the hassle of reapplying conventional lipstick is a major benefit for clients, but it isn’t the only one! Lip Blushing adds definition, creates the illusion of volume and can also be used to correct any asymmetry or pigmentation in the lips and also to disguise scarring – for example scarring caused by cleft lip surgery.”

How does it work? 

“For lip blushing, we use a digital tattooing machine and needle, similar to a conventional tattoo machine but much less aggressive, to tattoo a beautiful, borderless blush of colour across the lips, correcting the shape and adding fullness, volume and definition.”

How much is it/how long does it last?

“Our Gloss & Go Lip Blush treatment starts from £595. All prices include two treatments, the second of which is a retouch to ensure that everything is perfect.”

Is there anything you need to know before/after? 

“There is minimal ‘downtime’ following our Lip Blushing procedure – most clients can go about their day as normal after the treatment. There may be some swelling and redness immediately after treatment but this should subside in 24-48 hours. 

“The full healing period takes 14 days and during this time certain activities should be avoided to allow the lips to heal, such as strenuous exercise, exposure to bright direct sunlight, eating spicy food, and saunas, spas and steam rooms. Our aftercare protocol during this healing period includes keeping the area dry as much as possible, cleansing the area using our PTSC spray, and regularly applying our Crème Rescue Post-Treatment Recovery Serum which is designed to lock in pigment and speed up healing.”

Reviews + Before & Afters

Elle

Reason for trying it: I’ve had filler in my lips before which has left me with a border that isn’t super defined & the pigmentation in my lips has gone, meaning I had really pale lips. I was beginning to get self-conscious of it and noticed, particularly when I had no make-up on, how washed out I looked with no colour in my lips. I’d heard about lip blush and seen incredible results on Instagram so was so keen to give it a go.

I didn’t find it painful. They numb you first, and then it just feels like a vibration. Waxing or laser treatment is much more painful, in my opinion!

Experience on the day: I arrived at Tracie Giles’ swanky Knightsbridge location, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. The clinic’s elegant ambience immediately put me at ease. After filling out the usual forms, I was swiftly taken up to the treatment room. My technician welcomed me and began by explaining the entire process. She walked me through how long the procedure would take and the level of pain I might experience. We then discussed my reasons for wanting the treatment and that I wanted to define the border of my lips and add a natural-looking pink tint to bring some colour back to my face. And voila! 2 hours later I had exactly that. With the right aftercare, my lips should last up to 3 years. What a game-changer.

How painful is it? Personally, I didn’t find it painful. They numb you first, and then it just feels like a vibration. Waxing or laser treatment is much more painful, in my opinion!

How long does it take to heal? I felt a little swollen on the first day and then after that I forgot I’d had it done. They say it takes 2 weeks to heal, and then you have your top-up after 6 weeks. You need to drink through a straw and not get them wet at first, and the skin peels off slightly which feels a little strange but other than that, there really isn’t much down time.

How’re the results/would you recommend it? I’m thrilled with my results—it’s such a game changer. I never realised how much a bit of colour in the lips can make you feel so put together in the morning.

Asha

Reason for trying it: I’ve always been tempted to try lip fillers for that fuller more defined lip without constantly needing lip liner and gloss. However, after years of debating, I decided they weren’t for me. When I discovered Lip Blush Gloss and Go I was immediately intrigued. It seemed like the perfect solution to eliminate the hassle of reapplying lip liner multiple times a day. My main motivation for trying Lip Blush was the convenience it offered—achieving a naturally fuller lip without repetitive effort. Additionally, I was excited about the natural-looking tint it promised, similar to what gloss or lipstick provides, but with longer-lasting results.

How painful is it? Beforehand, I was wary that this could be quite a painful procedure. As someone who has tattoos in various places, I automatically thought getting my lips done was going to hurt! However, at Tracie Giles, they apply a numbing cream before and during the procedure, which almost completely eliminates any pain. Don’t get me wrong, there were moments when it resembled a sharp scratch, but it was nowhere near as bad as I had anticipated. The discomfort was minimal and much more tolerable than I expected.

The colour is currently quite dark but I know this will fade to the perfect shade. While I’m still waiting to see the final result, I can already say that I would most definitely recommend this treatment.

How long does it take to heal? Immediately after the treatment, some swelling is expected, but it typically subsides within a few hours. Just like with a tattoo, some peeling will occur, but if you follow the aftercare steps it will be minimal and not too itchy or uncomfortable. The initial healing process takes about six weeks, after which you return for a complimentary touch-up to refine the shape and colour. This is followed by another healing period.

The team was very clear that the pigment would initially appear to fade significantly after the first appointment, but they assured me not to worry, as it would come back as the pigment settles in. Overall, the entire process takes around 12 weeks to see the full results, and the final outcome is well worth the wait.

How’re the results/would you recommend it? I was aware that the pigment would fade initially, and I definitely noticed a difference in the general colour of my lips, but I felt the shape had somewhat disappeared, which is why the complementary touch-up included in the price is essential. After my second treatment, I’m over the moon with the shape! The colour is currently quite dark but I know this will fade to the perfect shade. While I’m still waiting to see the final result, I can already say that I would most definitely recommend this treatment. This should last around a year without needing a touch-up.

If you’re a lip liner aficionado looking to simplify your routine, or if you have dull-coloured lips and want a natural enhancement for everyday wear, lip blush is an excellent choice. The team at Tracie Giles were amazing, guiding me through each step thoroughly. They allow you to choose your own lip colour and make you feel at ease throughout the entire process. So yes, I would definitely recommend lip blush to anyone seeking a convenient and beautiful lip solution.

for more information about lip blushing and Tracie giles, visit traciegiles.co.uk