Top 10 Lip Blush Myths – Busted by a Professional
If you’ve been scrolling TikTok or Googling “is lip blush safe?” or “is lip blush just a tattoo?” — chances are, you’ve come across a lot of misinformation.
As a professional lip blush artist based in Marylebone, I hear the same myths over and over. And honestly? They're stopping people from getting results they’d love.
So let’s break it down — here are 10 of the most common lip blush myths I hear... and the truth behind them.
❌ Myth 1: “Lip blush is permanent and never fades”
🧠 Truth: Lip blush is semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing. It fades gradually over 1.5–3 years depending on your skin, lifestyle, and pigment used.
💡 Most clients return for a colour boost every 12–18 months to keep their tint fresh.
❌ Myth 2: “It’ll make my lips look fake or too bold”
🧠 Truth: Only if it’s done badly. I create soft, natural tints that heal to look like a your-lips-but-better flush.
✨ You can go bolder if you want to — but most of my clients choose neutral, wearable tones that look effortless every day.
❌ Myth 3: “Lip blush hurts a lot”
🧠 Truth: I apply a powerful topical numbing cream before we begin, and top up as needed during the session. Most clients say it’s totally tolerable — about a 2–3 out of 10 on the pain scale.
❌ Myth 4: “Only people with pale lips can get lip blush”
🧠 Truth: Absolutely not. I specialise in dark lip neutralisation for melanin-rich lips — a beautiful process that gently corrects purple/grey tones and adds warmth and balance.
🔗 Read my blog on lip blush for dark lips →
❌ Myth 5: “You can’t have lip blush if you’ve had filler”
🧠 Truth: You can! Lip blush and filler work beautifully together. I just ask that you wait 4 weeks after filler before getting lip blush, to allow swelling to fully settle.
❌ Myth 6: “All PMU artists are the same — it’s just pigment”
🧠 Truth: Technique, pigment quality, colour theory knowledge, and facial mapping skills matter.
A trained, certified artist will give you safe, beautiful, long-lasting results. An unqualified one can leave you with scarring, blue lips, or worse.
❌ Myth 7: “Lip blush doesn’t work on mature skin”
🧠 Truth: It absolutely does — and it’s one of my favourite transformations to do.
As we age, we lose pigment in the lips, and lip blush can restore soft colour, correct asymmetry, and subtly enhance lip shape without looking overdone.
❌ Myth 8: “You can’t get lip blush if you get cold sores”
🧠 Truth: You can — but we take precautions. I recommend taking a prescribed antiviral (like acyclovir) for a few days before and after the appointment if you’re prone to outbreaks.
This prevents reactivation and helps the area heal smoothly.
❌ Myth 9: “Lip blush is the same as getting a regular tattoo”
🧠 Truth: No! Cosmetic tattooing is much more delicate.
I work in the upper layers of skin (less trauma)
Use softer, fadeable pigments
Apply pigment in thin, pixel-like layers for natural results
Regular tattoos go deeper and are much more permanent — not suitable for lips.
❌ Myth 10: “The colour will stay exactly how it looks on Day 1”
🧠 Truth: No — Day 1 colour is temporary! Lip blush heals 30–50% lighter after peeling and settling.
This is why the initial colour looks bold or intense, but it softens into a gentle tint over the following weeks.
💬 Bonus Myth: “You’ll need to hide your face for a week”
🧠 Truth: Lip blush has minimal downtime. Most clients feel comfortable going out the next day. The healing process involves light peeling, but it’s nothing dramatic — especially with proper aftercare.
📍 Want to Know What’s True? Ask a Pro.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by what you read online — but the best way to find out if lip blush is right for you is to speak to someone who does it every day.
🗓️ Book your consultation in Marylebone now
📸 View real client results here
